Castelli Spring/Summer 2019 range preview
An early first look at some of the highlights for the Castelli summer line-up
Most brands are currently unveiling their Autumn/Winter collections for the coming months of wet and cold weather.
Castelli, on the other hand, has given us a sneak peek into the highlights of their 2019 Spring/Summer collection. Showcasing some of their new products at Saddleback’s house show, Castelli’s UK distributor.
- Castelli Aero Race 5.1 jersey review
- 3T Strada Due — first look
- Sportful Autumn/Winter 2018 range overview
Scroll down for a look at some of the highlights from the Italian brand’s 2019 collection.
Castelli Sanremo 4.0 speed suit
The Castelli Sanremo speed suit revolutionised racewear in professional cycling when it was first introduced in 2011. Eight years on and the speed suit has continually been updated and developed for improved comfort, aerodynamics and breathability.
The concept of using the jersey as bib straps is the same, with the 2019 Sanremo 4.0 speed suit using Castelli’s Free Aero Race 4 shorts in the lower portion, which has Castelli’s new, pro-level Progretto X2 Air seat pad.
The upper ‘jersey’ section of the speed suit is specific for the Sanremo 4.0. Optimised aerodynamically for speeds between 30-55km/h, strategically placed seams and different fabric types all contribute to aero performance.
On the back of the jersey section, a ‘3D mesh’ back offers breathability and Castelli have opted for two larger, easier access pockets as opposed to the traditional three small pockets.
Available in black/white or orange/black, the Castelli Sanremo 4.0 speed suit is priced at £240.00/€249.95.
Weight: 285g (Large – claimed).
Castelli Premio 2 bib short
The Castelli Premio 2 bib short is Castelli’s ‘premium comfort short’, with features and a price tag that lives up to this description.
Again using the new Progretto X2 pro-level seat pad, the Premio 2 bib shorts also have a ‘dual-layer lumbar support band’, which helps to hold the shorts and specifically the seat pad in position around the back of the rider above the pelvis.
Visibly the shorts have minimal seams on the leg, reducing the risk of rubbing or discomfort from seams and a raw-edge leg cuff is kept in place with vertical silicone gripper strips.
The implementation of vertical silicone strips, as opposed to dots or a solid band, make more sense ergonomically. Muscles are allowed to move more freely, while the vertical strip has a large surface area to prevent shorts riding up the leg.
A stripe pattern on the mesh material that covers the back area between the lumbar support and bib straps is said to be inspired by the lining of a suit.
The Premio 2 bib shorts are optimised for temperatures between 15-30 degrees Celsius, are available in black or dark steel blue and priced at £200/€229.95.
Weight: 211g (Large – claimed).
Castelli Free Aero Race 4 bib short
Castelli has continued to develop the Free Aero 4 bib shorts for 12 seasons and the model is the main bib short used by Castelli-sponsored Team Sky riders.
The concept of the bib shorts is to be ‘minimalist and fast, but without sacrificing all-day comfort’.
The ‘Vortex’ dimpled fabric on the outer legs are recognisable from Team Sky kits during races this season and claims to offer aero performance. A wide ‘Giro3’ leg cuff offers extra stretch and shares the vertical silicone gripper strips as the Premio bib shorts.
The striped mesh pattern on the bib straps seen on the Premio bib shorts also features on the Free Aero Race 4 bib shorts, alongside a radio pocket should you need it.
Designed for temperatures between 15-35 degrees Celsius, the shorts are available in black or dark blue steel and priced at £150/€169.95 – Castelli’s most expensive shorts of the season.
Weight: 172g (Large – claimed).
Castelli Endurance 2 bib short
Again using the Progretto X2 seat pad and Giro3 leg gripper design features from Castelli’s other 2019 premium shorts, the Endurance 2 bib shorts focus on comfort and performance but at a lower price point than the Premio or Free Aero Race bib shorts.
Castelli says the ‘Endurance Evolution’ fabric is soft to touch and also provides compression and moisture management.
The Endurance 2 bib shorts also have updated bib construction, including a mesh back and straps. The shorts are designed to be worn in temperatures from 15-35 degrees Celsius.
Available in black or dark blue steel the Castelli Endurance 2 bib shorts are priced at £125/€129.95.
Weight: 181g (Large – claimed).
Castelli Aero Race 6.0 jersey
Like the other spring/summer 2019 highlights, the Castelli Aero Race 6.0 jersey is the result of years of development and updates and traces its roots back to the 2006 Split Second jersey, as well as to the 2009 season when the Cervélo Test Team enjoyed success with Castelli aero jerseys.
The Aero Race 6.0 jersey follows the recent pro-level trend of slightly longer sleeves than the last version of the jersey and also features a raw-cut cuff on the sleeve.
Dubbed the ‘Droptail System’, the rear cargo pockets come away from the jersey with extra material as they are filled, as opposed to packing into the back panel of the jersey and the back of the rider. Castelli says this means the pockets can be positioned lower on the jersey, are comfier when packed and are have better aerodynamic properties as a result.
The jersey is designed to perform best at speeds between 30-55km/h and developed through Computational Fluid Dynamics-based fabric positioning and seam construction.
The Castelli Aero Race 6.0 jersey is available in light steel blue, dark grey or white and has reflective accents. It is priced at £110/€119.95.
Weight: 159g (Large – claimed).
BikeRadar will have a first look at the full collection from Castelli in the coming months.
Buy Castelli from Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles or Saddleback.
