Only one rider gets to cross the line first. In our race short lineup, of course, that’s the Free Aero Race. But this Volo short was made to be a close runner-up. Volo, as in Italian for “I’m flying,” is meant to be the workhorse of race shorts. It’s got outstanding fit, our excellent 200+ gram Affinity Lycra , the updated KISS Air seat pad that’s the choice of a number of our pro riders, and the exceptional GiroAir leg gripper. For the race short podium, it’s a photo finish.

Velocissimo. That’s Italian for super fast. That’s the goal with this short, which provides exceptional fit, lightning fast looks and fabrics from our high-end shorts, along with the exceptional GIRO leg gripper elastic. The only real difference from our high-end shorts is the New improved Kiss Air seat pad, but if you’ve ever ridden it you know that it is an exceptional pad for even the longest rides. Practic your victory salute.

• Exceptional fit and comfort thanks to 10-panel construction in Affinity Lycra 210g fabric
• New improved KISS Air seat pad for all-day comfort – aims to incorporate as many of the features and comfort as our top-of-the-line Progetto X2 Air seat pad but at a more affordable price. Seamless Skin Care Layer with a super soft, brushed microfiber top that maximizes comfort and fit. Seamlessly engineered to eliminate chafing and abrasion. Flexible to move with you. Bacteriostatic treatment to avoid saddle sores and infection. Dual Density, Infinitely Variable Thickness gives you the perfect cushioning for every part of the pad. Maximum thickness and density in the ischial zone, tapering to moderate thickness in the perineum, and minimum thickness at the perimeter. Anatomical Shape for further enhanced comfort by creating a perfect interface to your body during every pedal stroke.
• GIRO leg band elastic grips leg without binding
• Mesh bib straps
• Reflective band at back of legs

castelli.png

When the Gabba first launched in 2013, it basically took over the cycling world. By now, you’re likely familiar with its clandestine appearances throughout the peloton, so we’ll skip the anecdotal praise and get to the matter at hand: Castelli’s replacing it. The new, Men’s Perfetto Jersey spells the end of the Gabba era, and–once we got over our initial outrage–we realized that Castelli hasn’t lost its collective mind. The long-sleeve Perfetto is, basically, a Gabba-plus, beginning with the same race-fit, weather-resistant features that made the Gabba so damned impressive and pushing those properties to further extremes. It’s still based on the platform of GORE’s Windstopper X-Lite Plus material, and we’ll cover that below, but any time something as iconic as the Gabba gets tweaked, those changes bear analyzing in detail. The biggest change from Gabba to Perfetto is that Castelli claims to have improved the Windstopper X-Lite Plus fabric’s water-repellent finish. We write “claims,” because it’s hard to believe that it gets better than the Gabba. But here we are. The change addresses a relatively minor complaint that many of us have with the Gabba–namely, it does tend to get a bit stifling during race efforts and interval sessions. That’s not an issue that most other inclement weather gear needs to address, because most other inclement weather gear isn’t cut for racing. Since the Gabba is, we were able to push it to its limits in the most demanding situations. The Perfetto effectively extends those limits; we look forward to testing them in the sodden races of early spring. The Perfetto’s improved water-resistance and breathability are only noticeable during hard efforts in questionable conditions, but Castelli also made a few readily apparent changes to how the jersey fits. First, the brand refined the fit, further eliminating unnecessary material at the usual flap-points for an even more streamlined ride. Castelli also revisited the extended rear storm flap, ..

Like the Kung Fu masters harness the power of two blows into one, Castelli harnessed the power of a jacket into a jersey. The Trasparente Due Wind Long Sleeve Jersey is just as strong as wind jacket, but just as comfortable as your favorite summer-weight jersey. Combining lightweight, patented materials with an anatomic, cycling-specific fit, the Trasparente Due fights the wind and keeps you warm through the shoulder seasons. Castelli’s Trasparente Due Wind jersey is made from both the patented WindStopper X-Lite Plus and Warmer fabrics. As their names suggest, the materials work in concert to insulate and block wind. To shield you from the winter chills where they actually occur, Castelli placed the WindStopper material on the front of the jersey, or as Castelli refers to it, its lightest wind jacket ever. The front is 100% windproof, so you don’t have to worry about rogue breezes blowing through the jersey. This, in tandem with the Warmer material on the back, provides a consistent internal temperature. Sure, the jersey is warm, but you don’t need to worry about overheating or drowning in your own sweat. Both of the materials are highly breathable and possess excellent moisture transferring properties. Should you need to dump heat on-the-fly, Castelli included a full-length, camlock zipper on the front of the jersey. And to secure the overall fit of the Trasparente, a multi-panel design has been incorporated with the added assistance of an elastic gripper at waist. Castelli also included three rear pockets and Napoleon zip-pocket to stow your ride essentials, and reflective accents have been placed throughout the jacket for heightened visibility in low-light conditions. The Castelli Trasparente Due Wind Long Sleeve Jersey is available in six sizes from Small to XXX-Large and in the colors Anthracite/black/yellow fluorescent, Black, Red/black/white, and White/black/cyan.

We’ve all been there, patching together winter kit and pushing the limits of how deep into the winter we can make our summer shorts work with an aging pair of leg warmers. As fun as it is to take pride in minimalist kit and toughing it out in the elements, riding in the chill is a whole lot more comfortable when you’re in a proper pair of winter tights like Castelli’s Velocissimo 3 Men’s Bib Tights. The Velocissimos are built from soft, warm, and stretchy Thermoflex fabric, a staple across Castelli’s cold-weather line. Thermoflex’s brushed lining keeps the cold out and wicks moisture without irritating skin. The bibs are made from light, breathable mesh, and the KISS Air chamois insert affords enough comfort for all your long-mile, base-building needs. The fit is snug and streamlined, making them ideal for early season races over unexpectedly frost-covered roads, with zippered ankles to hold the cuffs snuggly in place. Castelli recommends these bib tights for use between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but you may find them useful in lower temperatures depending on your intended effort levels for the day. The more cold-compatible among us definitely wear them into the low 40s.

SHORT-SLEEVED ADVANTAGE AND TWO-PIECE CONVENIENCE Many top stars of the tri scene don’t want to race without shortsleeved kits any longer. Depending on the weather or personal preferences, our athletes can choose from different shortsleeved options. Those who prefer a two-piece combo will get another option now. While the updated T1:Stealth Top 2 is a no-compromise piece especially designed for the bike leg, the all new Free Speed Race Jersey is meant to be worn for the entire race, from start to finish. The short-sleeved construction ensures good aerodynamics on the bike and additional sun protection. Its real benefits come into play during the run. The highly breathable and stretchy fabric allows excellent freedom of movement and breathability. For those who opt to swim without any race top underneath their wetsuit, the Free Speed Race Jersey can be put on instantly in T1, even with wet skin, thanks to its full-length front zip.

GETTING THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT – The Velocissimo tight is the result of putting together the right ingredients with a bit of magic. Castelli uses a soft, fleecy and warm Thermoflex fabric with their famous KISS Air seat pad for comfort. Camlock ankle zips and reflective tabs make this a perennial favorite in the Castelli line.

Brisk spring mornings can cause a bit of a challenge when the afternoon opens up to sunshine and warmth. You don’t want to compromise your core temperature right from the get-go, but none of us are particularly fond of piling bulky shells into our back pockets for the majority of our ride. Designers at Castelli seem to be on par with us, which is why they crafted the Pro Light Wind Vest for Men. Ideal for dewy mornings with cool breezes, the Pro Light Wind Vest has your front and shoulders covered from the wind with a lightweight woven fabric that blocks the breeze, while an ultra-breathable mesh makes up the back for full breathability as the day warms up. Ideally, the majority of your hours on the bike should be spent in balmy temperatures, so Castelli’s designers made sure that the Pro Light Wind Vest is incredibly easy to stash in your back pocket as soon as the chilly descent gets kissed with warm sun. It weighs in at only 81-grams, which Castelli estimates to be about the same as a couple of gels, and takes up about the same amount of space, making it an easy to justify layering when you’re departing in the dim hours of the morning.