Road Cycling UK first look at Castelli Winter 2012

The second of our test kits for November is from Castelli 

Roadcycling UK Castelli firstlook

Changeable conditions (we’ve had frosts, sleet, and temperatures as high as the mid-teens on the south coast) have made this a welcome delivery, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it performs.

First out of the box is the soft shell, Espresso Due jacket, in a flamboyant shade of red. Made from Gore’s Windstopper x-fast 2 fabric, this is a stretchy and warm top layer intended for deep winter.

Castelli Espresso Due jacket, Sorpasso tight, Diluvio glove and shoe cover

Our experience of this windproof and water-resistant fabric has been good. It’s cut here in a close fitting, anatomic fit, giving the piece a fighting chance of attaining ‘go to’ status this winter. A few details were immediately notable, among them the MP3 pocket at the inside front of the jacket with its neat cable port and elasticated loop at the neck to keep cables tidy.

Helping to regulate body temperature as you warm up are zippered chest vents, which, when open, reveal a white mesh fabric, as do the wrist zips when pulled over gloves. An early fit revealed the ‘small’ size suited my fairly skinny frame. The Lycra-like Themoflex material around the wrists and at the neck has so-far provided an effective seal from the wind.

Castelli recommend the Espresso Due jacket for a temperature band from zero to 12 degrees centigrade. Our early rides have been conducted in temperatures towards to the top of that range, worn only with Castelli’s Uno:Uno plasma base layer: a simply constructed, polyester garment with a special weave intended to increase the amount of air next to the skin. Seams have been positioned for comfort and early signs are that the neck band, cut slightly higher than usual for warmth, will be effective.

Three classic pockets sit on the rear panel of the Espresso Due, and, while disturbing the lines of this well-tailored garment has caused a twinge of regret, we hope the elasticated band around the hem will keep it from riding up on longer test rides.

The Castelli Due jacket is available in black, red, or white, and in six sizes from S to 3XL. It costs £230.

Next from the box is the Sorpasso bibtight, removing a further excuse for not riding in cold conditions. It offers another helping of Thermoflex fabric, both in standard form and also in “core due” issue to keep knees and the rear of your quads and bum warm, while providing sufficient stretch. The hollow core polyester material is soft and warm against skin and should encourage riding when the temperature really drops. The medium size has proved suitable for my height (5’10”) and the Giro++ fabric straps stretch nicely to keep everything snug without constricting movement.

Castelli Diluvio shoe cover

The Progetto X2 seatpad/chamois has a continuously variable foam pad with 12mm under the sit bones and slims down to 3mm at the edges.

A strip of grippy material around the ankle should keep things neat and tidy at the socks and permit the wearer to choose their own side of the perennial  ‘over or under’ debate, vis-a-vis shoe covers. Vertical reflective strips adorn the ankle at the rear to increase visibility, and neatly align with those on the Diluvio shoe covers; a simple, but pleasing touch.

The Sorpasso bibtight is available in black and in six sizes from S to 3XL. It costs £150.

Covering the hands and feet (or more accurately, shoes), are the Japanese neoprene pairing of Diluvio gloves and shoe covers. The latter fitted easily enough (a rare occurrence with shoe covers) and without the usual fumbling due to the extra stretch from the high quality neoprene. The seams are taped and it’s secured with a zip and velcro cover at the rear. Early signs are that the reassuringly tall cuff will keep us dry above the ankle. The Diluvio shoe cover is available in black, and in five sizes from S to 2XL. It costs £35.

For the glove, we are less certain about the use of neoprene. We don’t doubt the quality of construction or materials; indeed these are very comfortable, with grippy palms and long cuffs to tuck under jacket sleeves. Quite how our hands will feel sitting in their own sweat for a long winter ride is another matter – when the temperature drops we are hoping to be the ones laughing though. The Diluvio glove is available in black and in six sizes from XS to XXL. It costs £45.

Castelli Diluvio glove

We also have the Chiro Due glove which on paper looks like a great autumn and early winter friend. Constructed with Windstopper x-fast fabric, the slightly fleecey lining coupled with the flexibility of a Pittards leather palm should prove an excellent pairing. The Chiro Due glove is available in black and in six size from XS to XXL. It costs £55.

Finally, a tiny bundle at the bottom of the box contained the miniscule Sottile jacket; a very modern version of the transparent rain cape. Hoping to avoid the ‘boil-in-the-bag’ effect with some versions of this cycling staple, Castelli have deployed a stretchy nylon and polyester blend to create what they claim wil be a breathable, wind resistant, rain protection cover for emergency use (a 10,000mm rating should keep you dry for a few hours on a bike, in anything other than the harshest conditions). Pit zips will allow for more breathability. A further neat and pleasing detail is the zipper at the rear of the Sottile jacket allowing access to the jersey pockets for a bar or gel without having to hoik up the rear of the jacket.

The Castelli Sottile jacket is available in grey or transparent, and in six sizes from S to 3XL. It costs £70.

The season is certainly playing its part by providing suitable test conditions so check back soon for a full review.

Road Cycling UK Review Castelli Summer Range

Italian brand’s garments are small but perfectly formed

Posted: 6 June 2012

by Timothy John

In May, we took inspiration from the Giro d’Italia, and consequently found ourselves clad in the clothing of Italian designer, Castelli.

By happy accident (we’d like to claim foresight), the overall winner of the Giro, Ryder Hesjedal, turned out to be a rider on a Castelli sponsored team.

The Castelli Velocissimo Equipe short

The Velocissimo Equipe bib short we found comfortable and stylish, especially at the laser cut hem which gripped our (unshaven) legs without discomfort. The thick, Kiss3 pad performed well, offering comfort, stability, and an easy wash. The bib straps were a little tight for our liking, made from a similar polyester mesh to the Vermarc shorts we tested in April. A more forgiving stretch would have been kinder to the shoulders and the nether regions.

We wanted to get out in the Gabba jersey, a rain proof, short sleeve jersey, but, as is so often the case in England, the weather was simply too clement. Who knows when it will rain again on our sun soaked isle, but when it does, we’ll give it a try. Watch this space.

The Castelli Velocissimo Equipe jersey

Instead, we slipped on Castelli’s Velocissimo Equipe jersey FZ, made from a  lightweight polyester (“Prosecco Strada” in Castelli-speak). The jersey is close fitting rather than tight. Intelligently tailored for cycling, as you might expect from Castelli, we liked the full zip, three rear pockets and low collar. In the recent unseasonably warm temperatures it was just the ticket, but we’d class this as a summer jersey rather than a garment for spring. We wore it with a thin, polyester base layer and…

The Castelli Nano Flex arm warmer

Nanoflex arm warmers. Unusual it may be to pair fleece lined arm warmers with a summer jersey, but such was the requirement of the recent unseasonal weather. The arm warmers were tight, and we’d strongly recommend a try-before-you-buy policy, or ordering a size up; this is pro kit after all (Daniel Martin donned a pair during foul weather in the Volta a Catalunya). They looked great, stayed in place, and kept us warm, meeting all of the limited requirements of an arm warmer.

The Castelli Compatto rain vest

The Compatto rain vest saw plenty of action at the start of last month, where it was donned for cooler days and chilly, early starts to warm ones. The long drop tail easily covered rear jersey pockets bulging with tubes, wallet, phone, etc, and the elasticated hem kept it from riding up. A tall-ish collar shielded the throat. It’s a super light garment without unnecessary detail, which made it easy to stow when temperatures rose. The breast pocket proved handy, and at a different time of the year (rides ending in gathering darkness) the reflective chest and back detailing may do so too.

The Velocissimo socks were a perfect match for the shorts, jersey, and gillet, nicely shaped with a lightly elasticated gripper in the middle of the foot and at the cuff. They breathed well, but went a bit ‘bobbly’ after only a few washes.

Finally, the S.Rosso Corsa mitts were excellent, their gel padded palms absorbing pressure on the bars, especially at the heel when riding on the tops, while the ‘micromesh’ back provided what little protection was required on a sunny days (from insects, overhanging foliage, and occasional light drizzle). The exterior of the  palm (Pittards leather, no less) proved sufficiently grippy, while its interior dealt with moisture well enough.

Like a lot of Italian kit, Castelli’s sizing is on the small side, unsurprising given the brand’s WorldTour clientele. Pro cyclists don’t require a flattering cut, and if you do, consider a size larger than usual. If your requirement is for functional kit, cut for performance and with an Italian flair that does its damnedest to make you look like, well, a pro cyclist, this ticks all the boxes.