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FEATURES: SNEAK PEEK AT CASTELLI'S 2010 LINE
Philip Booth
November 13, 2009
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The Castelli sponsored Cervélo team at the Giro d'Italia
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
The story of Castelli dates back to the 1870's in Italy. But, it wasn't until the 1940's, that Castelli really made their mark on the cycling world. At that time Armando Castelli was making clothing for cycling legend Gino Bartali, when Fausto Coppi won his first Giro d'Italia at age 20, and one of the greatest rivalries in cycling was born.
The story goes that Coppi wanted a lighter jersey for riding in the mountains, and to give him an edge over Bartali. Castelli's answer was to design a jersey made of silk instead of traditional wool. Since then Castelli has been responsible for some of the biggest innovations in cycling apparel, including the first aerodynamic lycra shorts in 1977, the first sublimation printing of jersey's in 1983 and the first fully aerodynamic skinsuit in 1996. Road Bike Action was invited to Castelli's US Headquarters in Portland, Oregon, to get a first hand look at their 2010 summer line.
Castelli's Aero Race Jersey is constructed using their own Velocity fabric for the front and shoulders with Prosecco treatment to wick moisture. Keeping with the aerodynamic theme, the Aero Race uses flat elastic arm bands to keep the jersey tight against the rider. According to Castelli the Aero Race saves the rider 10-watts at 40km per hour when compared against a normal racing fit jersey. To keep the rider cool the Free Race uses an open mesh back and 35-centimeter front zipper. MSRP: 159.99
The Superleggera Vantage FZ is designed to be super light with good ventilation, yet still be form fitting. The Superleggera is constructed using SGO 6 lightweight fabric and a skeleton design to support the rear pockets, one of which is zippered for keys or other valuables. To aid in keeping riders cool, the Superleggera Vantage FZ comes with a full length front zipper. MSRP: $159.99
Castelli's RFS jersey is made with Softflex fabric, and like the Free Aero Race is treated with Prosecco to wick moisture. The lightweight design uses Energia micro fabric for the back to provide extra support so the pockets don't sag when loaded. Like the Superleggera Vantage FZ, the RFS has one zippered rear pocket. The RFS features flat elastic at the hem and sleeves with a full length front zipper. MSRP: $159.99
The Prologo is Castelli's most popular jersey. It features Stratus fabric treated with Prosecco, laser cut Castelli logo and mesh insert on the back to aid in cooling. Castelli rounds out the Prologo with a 35-centimeter hidden front zipper, three rear pockets and elastic arm cuffs. The Prologo is also available a in women's version that uses a female specific cut. MSRP $79.99
The Magnifica FZ is designed to be a super light women's specific jersey. The Magnifica FZ is constructed using SGO 6 lightweight fabric using a skeleton design to support the rear pockets, one of which is zippered for keys or other valuables. Castelli completes the Magnifica FZ with a full length front zipper. MSRP: $159.99
Castelli's Leggro jacket is a super light weight design that is constructed using Forcefield fabric that provides breathable wind and rain protection. The Leggro Jacket features a meshed lined collar and expansion vent along the back. It also comes with a small stuff sack that easily fits inside a jersey pocket. MSRP: $49.99
The new for 2010 Castelli Paint bibshort is unique in that the short portion is constructed using a single piece of lycra with integrated leg grippers. The straps are constructed using seamless elastic, while the chamois is Castelli's own Progetto X2 design that features two separate layers. The top layer is designed specifically to go next to skin and prevent chaffing, while the bottom cushioning layer has variable thickness to maximize comfort. MSRP $249.99
The Free Aero Race, uses the same Progetto X2 chamois, but with a more conventional design. The Free Aero Race uses three different fabrics, where the short contacts the saddle is made using Action micro fabric for durability, the sides use a lighter weight version of the same material, while the front uses Breathe micro fabric for better breathability. To prevent chaffing the Free Aero Race features no inner leg seam and a single layer leg gripper. MSRP: $229 (bibshort) $199.99 (shorts)
Castelli's Endurance again uses the Progetto X2 chamois and Castelli's
Energia micro fabrics for a better fit. Like the Free Aero Race, the Endurance
also uses a single layer leg gripper. To prevent chaffing the Endurance
uses four-needle flat lock stitching. MSRP: $179.99 (bibshort) $149.99
(shorts)
The Velocissimo is Castelli's mid range short offering, and features their Kiss chamois that contains much of the performance of the top of the line Progetto X2 but at a lower price point. The Velocissimo uses Affinity Lycra for better fit and less stretching over time. Like the Endurance and Free Aero Race, the Velocissimo uses a single layer leg gripper. MSRP: $124.99 (bibshort) $109.99 (shorts)
The Truly Free W is a women's specific short that uses Castelli's Progetto X2 Donna chamois. The Truly Free W uses three different fabrics. Where the short contacts the saddle is made using Action micro fabric for durability, the sides use a lighter weight version of the same material, while the front uses Breathe micro fabric for better breathability. To prevent chaffing the Truly Free features no inner leg seam and a single layer leg gripper. MSRP: $229 (bibshort) $199.99 (shorts)
For more information and complete look at Castelli's 2010 line visit: www.castelli-us.com
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