Castelli kit?

rollingscone · 29-07-2015 11:50am #1

I’ve noticed this is something of a uniform for the large and welcoming category of “Roadies who are fitter than me” and find myself curious to the point of almost wanting some (Uniform of shame alert).

In addition to its performance reputation the Castelli gear looks cool, on other people at least, although I have been passed by someone in some disturbing “One logo per buttock” bibs which is just way too much buttock accenting regardless of your preferences.

Generally I’ve been increasingly happy with the levelling up of my gear, largely thanks to the addition of the Top level Decathlon, DHB and of course Boards kit….but the quality boost I’ve found with my few bits of Endura gear really have me wondering if I’m missing out.

I’m now watching out for a good price on Endura bibs and jerseys as it seems like great kit with a less promissory message than Castelli.

I’m all about trying to live up to my bikes, so at least out of all the potential flaws in a cyclist I won’t be the guy walking up the Gap in a KOM jersey or struggling to use my shifters for the first time in the middle of a Sportive: All of the other shortcomings though, I’m totally stuck with.

wanderer 22 · 29-07-2015 11:57am

Had a debate with myself the other day as to whether to splash out for top of the range Altura bib shorts - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/raceline-comp-bib-shorts-ec060750 -or bottom of the range Castellis - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-evoluzione-bib-shorts/ - ...went for the Altura but my inner bike snob wasn't best pleased. Obviously this hasn't answered your question in anyway but I thought I'd share for some reason.

Alek · 29-07-2015 12:00pm

Had a debate with myself the other day

Sorry for starting this.

:pac:

Brian? · 29-07-2015 12:27pm

Put simply, Castelli is the finest value for money gear you can buy. It might seem expensive but it lasts. Is it as good as Assos or Rapha? Hard to say, it's not as expensive and the quality difference is minimal.

I don't but cheap gear anymore. I save and buy Castelli.

My entire winter wardrobe is Castelli: Mortirolo jacket, thermal bib longs, thermal gloves, overshoes and even a thermal head band. I bought all of the above together while I was living in the US in preparation for moving home. I've had it through 3 winters and many thousand kms and it's pristine. No exaggeration, the gear is perfect.

My summer gear is almost all Castelli and my sprint/autumn gear is too. I'm saving up for a GABBA and I'll be done for a few years of clothes buying I reckon.

mossym · 29-07-2015 12:50pm

agreed on the castelli. i've done the dhb thing, and honestly they are decent gear, no complaints. still use them for my turbos. however i now have 2 pairs of castelli bibs, one with the cheaper kiss pad, the other has the more expensive pad, and they are worth every penny. have a pair of castelli tights, a gabba, and their arm warmers, and again all are top notch.castelli usually my first stop now for gear

that said i did just buy a new packable rain jacket, and went for the sportful hot pack no rain. sportful and castelli same parent company though so haven't strayed too far

Brian? · 29-07-2015 1:00pm

mossym wrote: »

that said i did just buy a new packable rain jacket, and went for the sportful hot pack no rain. sportful and castelli same parent company though so haven't strayed too far

I actually forgot, the only piece of Castelli gear I regret buying is a rain cape. It was twice the price of a cheap one and I honestly can't tell the difference.

mossym · 29-07-2015 1:02pm

aye poor feedback on their lightweight rain jackets was the reason i looked elsewhere

godtabh · 29-07-2015 1:05pm

I've done the Alsi/Lidl thing for a couple of years but got a gabba. The quality of that's has resulted in me investing in bib rights, 3/4 lengths and s winter jacket for the colder months.

manwithaplan · 29-07-2015 1:08pm

The only piece of Castelli gear I have had were Bodypaint bib shorts. They were eye-wateringly expensive and very comfortable but didn't seem to last any longer than the general club stuff. I wouldn't be buying again.

My other clothing extravagance was an Assos winter jacket which I have used the ****e out of and is still going strong. I think good winter gear is worth paying for so maybe look at the higher end for that stuff.

Luxman · 29-07-2015 1:32pm

I did the dhb thing for a while but it was a revelation to pull on some sportful kit. Yes some of it has the "S" in obvious places but the quality of the stuff is superb. Have bibs and jackets and was going to add castelli to the wardrobe when funds allow. Don't buy cheap and buy twice. And carefully check sizing as the Italian centimetres are different!!

outfox · 29-07-2015 3:09pm

Are any of you guys in cycling clubs? Do you not feel obliged to wear the club kit?

rollingscone · 29-07-2015 3:13pm

outfox wrote: »

Are any of you guys in cycling clubs? Do you not feel obliged to wear the club kit?

I think that wearing your kit outside of group spins or coordinated events might feel a bit like homework...

That said I wear my boards kit a lot primarily because it's the best kit I have.

Leroy42 · 29-07-2015 3:21pm

outfox wrote: »

Are any of you guys in cycling clubs? Do you not feel obliged to wear the club kit?

For races or events then fine.

IMO for club spins or solo training then its up to the rider. FIne if they want to wear it but no obligation.

You don't see football teams training in their match day gear!

Esroh · 29-07-2015 3:26pm

outfox wrote: »

Are any of you guys in cycling clubs? Do you not feel obliged to wear the club kit?

Our club kit in my time has been Castilli, Santini, some crowd I don't want to remember and Sportsful. Shorts are black with name on side. Branded black does not look out of place.
I would rate them that way as well

Brian? · 29-07-2015 3:28pm

Esroh wrote: »

Our club kit in my time has been Castilli, Santini, some crowd I don't want to remember and Sportsful. Shorts are black with name on side. Branded black does not look out of place.
I would rate them that way as well

Castelli club gear? Well la de daaaa

Esroh · 29-07-2015 3:32pm

Brian? wrote: »

Castelli club gear? Well la de daaaa

Its a while ago.

rollingscone · 31-07-2015 9:43am

Is there a secret message to buy Sportful kit instead here?

wanderer 22 · 31-07-2015 9:56am

rollingscone wrote: »

Is there a secret message to buy Sportful kit instead here?

The 'no rain' stuff is excellent.

mossym · 31-07-2015 10:03am

rollingscone wrote: »

Is there a secret message to buy Sportful kit instead here?

nothing wrong with the sportful kit, in some areas it's better than the castelli, the packable rain jackets for example. on the whole though i find the castelli better, have bib shorts from both

mossym · 31-07-2015 10:03am

colm18 wrote: »

The 'no rain' stuff is excellent.

aye, the hot pack no rain i just got is impressing me no end

Derrydingle · 31-07-2015 1:01pm

What shop in Dublin sells the Castelli gear?

The tax man · 31-07-2015 1:15pm

I've had two crashes while wearing my Nanoflex shorts. Both times the right hip took the impact. Not a mark on my shorts yet my skin was cut to bits. Had a pair of Santini knee warmers on when the second crash happened. Torn to pieces.

Fitz cycles in Stillorgan stock Castelli iirc.

Leroy42 · 31-07-2015 1:24pm

Has anybody got the nanoflex knee warmers? I just got a pair and they don't stay on very well, they quickly slip down the thigh and means bunching of the material behind the knee.

cython · 31-07-2015 1:38pm

Derrydingle wrote: »

What shop in Dublin sells the Castelli gear?

Base2Race in Ballymount is one that I know of, and CycleSuperStore seem to have some also.

rollingscone · 31-07-2015 2:34pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

Has anybody got the nanoflex knee warmers? I just got a pair and they don't stay on very well, they quickly slip down the thigh and means bunching of the material behind the knee.

Have you tried being a BEEEEEEEEEEFFFFCake!

Leroy42 · 31-07-2015 2:51pm

rollingscone wrote: »

Have you tried being a BEEEEEEEEEEFFFFCake!

I did try, and like in all other endeavours I failed miserably.:mad:

Heisenberg1 · 31-07-2015 2:57pm

OP depending on your size this is excellent value for a Castelli jacket use Parcel Motel.

http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-mortirolo-3-jacket-winter-jacket?var=5842

Or this.

http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-confronto-waterproof-jacket?sku=CC130233217

Jim Stynes · 31-07-2015 6:17pm

Im a big fan of castelli. Like a lot of people I have followed the progression from the cheap stuff to taking the plunge and buying more expensive gear. It's like night and day. You get what you pay for (well 95% of the time) and it lasts so much longer. Having said that I think I prefer Assos now and find their shorts a lot more comfortable. I would never buy anything full price either, most of the time things are on sale on the million cycling websites or shops that are about. Some great deals knocking about.

mossym · 31-07-2015 7:45pm

i've seen others say the same, but i tried assos shorts and didn't get on with them at all, never felt the same quality as the castelli. with the castelli i always felt that although expensive, you were getting your money's worth, but with the assos they just never seemed any better than lower cost options

Jim Stynes · 31-07-2015 7:55pm

Same with anything I suppose. It's whatever suits your body shape etc. sidi shoes get a great name but they just don't fit my foot so they're no good for me. For me though, out of sportful, santini, castelli and my club gear, Assos are my best shorts by a long way.

rollingscone · 31-07-2015 7:57pm

What level of Castelli should one jump in ?

Jim Stynes · 31-07-2015 7:58pm

My Castelli Gabba just arrived in the post today as well! Can't wait to try her out.

rollingscone · 31-07-2015 7:58pm

What level of Castelli should one jump in ?

macadam · 31-07-2015 9:49pm

Jim Stynes wrote: »

My Castelli Gabba just arrived in the post today as well! Can't wait to try her out.

Same here think she might get her maiden voyage Sunday...

Borderfox · 31-07-2015 9:52pm

I tried a lot of other gear but for cold weather winter wear castelli is excellent, windproof bibs and an Alpha jacket with a long sleeve base layers covers everything. I got most of it on special.

Buy your winter gear in the summer and vice a versa

For a level all my gear is their Rossa Corsa range, shop clever and there are great savings.

Brian? · 01-08-2015 12:05pm

Jim Stynes wrote: »

My Castelli Gabba just arrived in the post today as well! Can't wait to try her out.

We have the summer for it anyway! This summer has amplified my Gabba lust.

rollingscone · 01-08-2015 1:02pm

Brian? wrote: »

We have the summer for it anyway! This summer has amplified my Gabba lust.

I've been getting a lot of use out of my Boards/Verge Defender which is best described as a Gabbaesque mild but wet jersey for sure.

Cyclewizard · 01-08-2015 1:32pm

i have a good few items of castelli stuff. i liked the nanoflex warmers so much i got the bib tights for winter and love them. have some bib shorts and they fit well and look good but stitching became frayed after first ride and that is a problem Iv heard a few reviews mention. also the brand printing is prone to peeling on some items too. I still like the gear and if you get it on sale as I try to then its excellent value

mossym · 01-08-2015 1:37pm

Guys you'd cook in a gabba at the moment. I don't find them as warm as others, need a couple of layers in winter, and I would find it way too warm at the moment

Jim Stynes · 01-08-2015 1:45pm

mossym wrote: »

Guys you'd cook in a gabba at the moment. I don't find them as warm as others, need a couple of layers in winter, and I would find it way too warm at the moment

It was 3 degrees the other night up here!! The annoying thing at the minute is that it changes every few hours. Lashing down and then bright sky an hour later. Hope it warms up as Im getting too much use out of winter gear for the middle of summer.

mossym · 01-08-2015 1:47pm

Fair point,, if you're heading out and it is 3 degrees fair enough. Anything over 10 ish though and I'd consider it too warm for the gabba

Brian? · 01-08-2015 5:53pm

mossym wrote: »

Fair point,, if you're heading out and it is 3 degrees fair enough. Anything over 10 ish though and I'd consider it too warm for the gabba

Really? A mate of mine wears it when it's under 15 and over 8-10, roughly. I wouldn't bother if it was only good under 10 degrees, I have the Castelli Mortirolo for that.

The Black Oil · 01-08-2015 8:51pm

Sold out, bah.

mossym · 01-08-2015 8:55pm

I wore mine all the way down to near freezing with additional base layers. definite over 12 id be gone to a lighter long sleeve jersey or arm warmers.

rollingscone · 01-08-2015 11:01pm

Well the DhB ASV Professional bibs did not work well on today's 150k...I think it'll be between Castelli and Endura next time.

godtabh · 01-08-2015 11:24pm

Jim Stynes wrote: »

It was 3 degrees the other night up here!! The annoying thing at the minute is that it changes every few hours. Lashing down and then bright sky an hour later. Hope it warms up as Im getting too much use out of winter gear for the middle of summer.

Good thing with the gabba is that it rolls up pretty neatly to fit in the back pocket

Plastik · 01-08-2015 11:24pm

Brian? wrote: »

Really? A mate of mine wears it when it's under 15 and over 8-10, roughly. I wouldn't bother if it was only good under 10 degrees, I have the Castelli Mortirolo for that.

I could count the number of times I've worn my Gabba on one hand since I got it. I can't remember when that was exactly, but very early this year. I personally bother with it if it was over 8deg.

Everyone is different. Some people run hotter than others. I start to cook in it at any sort of decent effort very quickly. It might be a more useful top in a better range of temperatures for people that head out with club touring/sportive groups or whatever.

Borderfox · 02-08-2015 10:40am

Cyclewizard wrote: »

i have a good few items of castelli stuff. i liked the nanoflex warmers so much i got the bib tights for winter and love them. have some bib shorts and they fit well and look good but stitching became frayed after first ride and that is a problem Iv heard a few reviews mention. also the brand printing is prone to peeling on some items too. I still like the gear and if you get it on sale as I try to then its excellent value

Wash them all inside out and no problems with anything coming off.

Shep_Dog · 02-08-2015 2:54pm

Do Castelli make RSA-approved high vis clothing?

As far as I can deduce, to get RSA approval, clothing must be:

XXL
Very bright yellow
Sweaty
Catch as much wind as possible.

rollingscone · 02-08-2015 3:40pm

Shep_Dog wrote: »

Do Castelli make RSA-approved high vis clothing?

As far as I can deduce, to get RSA approval, clothing must be:

XXL
Very bright yellow
Sweaty
Catch as much wind as possible.

A Castelli size XXXXXXZXXL would be more appropriate to the popular Irish "road safety" lifestyle.

Just got a set of Endura FS260S in the LBS.

Might nab some Castelli Sorpasso tights on Sportspursuit after a bit more research.

Cyclewizard · 02-08-2015 4:43pm

Borderfox wrote: »

Wash them all inside out and no problems with anything coming off.

i do and always by hand, the lettering does begin to peel on some of their items - nanoflex tights and warmers (the tights before Id even worn them in fact). It's a known issue with some of their items. Some of their other Iv had stuff no problems

Castelli kit?

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