Off the Rack: Castelli Velocissimo Due Shorts Review

Castelli's motto is "An Unfair Advantage," and while the Velocissimo Due Bib may not be an unfair advantage it does have its perks. Velocissimo is Castelli's mid-range short line, but for the price they compare to the high-end models of many other companies. Italian apparel is known for a tighter fit and higher grade matierial, along with a higher price tag, but this bib hits the mark of the former without the latter.
The most prominent feature of Castelli shorts is a fit that varies highly from the standard offerings found in the States. What first piqued my interest in the Italian manufacturer was the longer sleeves and legs of its winter clothing, and when spring came I knew I would want more. The sizing is consistently smaller than most other brands that I have experience with; I typically wear a medium, but a large in Castelli. The overall cut is much more suited to the build of a serious cyclist: thin at the waist, but with plenty of girth for the thighs, as well as a good length that keeps away from the short-short look of many Euro-style brands in larger sizes. Giro3 cuffs finish off the legs; these elastic bands provide a snug fit without any binding, or annoying silicone grippers that tend to bite and pull at any hint of unshaved legs. Holding the legs down is pertinent, but the advantage of bibs is that they stay up; and the mesh straps while not being anything special, are comfortable and long enough, even for me, at 6'4". Quality fit also comes from the 10-panel construction of the short which allows the short to expand and contract in individual areas without pulling on static areas; this is made possible by Castelli's Affinity Lycra, which provides an optimal amount of stretch and durability. Affinity is not an airy fabric like the Breathe and Energia materials found in Castelli's high-end shorts, but it performs spectacularly and the black shorts don't cause legs to cook in the Arizona sun.

Joining ten panels of fabric does make for a more labor and cost intensive short, but the construction is superb. The stitching is low profile and keeps away from being irritating at any of the seams found throughout the short, although the edge of the chamois can cause a bit of discomfort if all the essential equipment is not well placed within its confines. Typically with a short made of lighter fabric and low profile stitching a more delicate approach to donning is necessary, but in 3 months of almost daily use, not a single stitch has come undone, and I have not torn any of the panels in a rush to pull up my shorts and get on the saddle.

In putting these to shorts to the test I actually rode several 100+ mile rides in them, my second ride being out to the infamous Kitt Peak. The road out to the base of the mountain is far from smooth, and a chamois that has yet to be broken in is not something I would recommend to the faint of heart, but these shorts performed admirably without an excess of chamois cream. The Kiss3 chamois is light without being too thin, and therefore avoids the diaper like quality of a lot of well padded shorts. I liked the light pad, as it didn't ride up or fold when I stood, and was smooth back in the saddle. With a lighter seat pad comes the threat of being underpadded for a multi-hour trek, but after six hours of rough roads I was still considerably more comfartble and happy than my companions.

My only point of contention is the small rubberized Italian flag on the back of the short, while it does add something to say, "Yes, these are Italian shorts," the plastic stitch that holds it in place tends to scratch at the small of the back if you're a rider who doesn't wear a baselayer. With a bit of baselayer segregating the skin from the plastic thread evrything is just fine, but it's the small style and branding add-ons that define the weakness of Castelli. The sublimated Scorpions have a habit of peeling of some of the other shorts I've had, but these ones are resisting any cracking or peeling. Despite this, they do have sleak style, and come in three colors.

The bottom line is that with the Velocissimo Bib-Short, you get what you pay for, and that's a good bit. Superior fit compared to most brands, quality matierials that make for a durable short, and a chamois that contours well to the body in and out of the saddle. They may be more expensive than what you'd be used to for a mid-level short, but they perform like a top-end pair.

Off the Rack: Castelli Diluvio Gloves Review

It's going to be a cool wet day on the road, the temperature is going to hover above freezing, and you have base miles to get in. The standard long finger glove you've been wearing all fall isn't going to make the grade today. You need something waterproof and insulated, but not so thick you lose a good grip on the hoods. Castelli's Diluvio gloves are the solution; the neoprene construction keeps the water out and the heat in.

When first donning the gloves it's a strange sensation, the neoprene does not conform to the hand but compresses gently. It's not incredibly flexible or particularly bulky, but it doesn't impede dexterity on the levers. They won't be any good for typing on the iPhone at the coffee-shop, but you'll be able to flick the controls all day while it sleets.

The extra grippy texture of the palm

The palms have an incredible texture, and for the first rides the palms would actually stick to each other. The grip feels secure on the bar, and I didn't feel my hands slip, but is a little vague because of the thickness and cushion of neoprene. Unlike most gloves there's no extra pads in the palm, but I had no trouble with them for 4 hours at a time. After the initial odd feelings the gloves felt almost like a second skin and were incredibly comfortable and the level of padding was delightful.

The biggest drawback is that the gloves are too effective; they don't let anything in or out. My hands would become particularly clammy after only a few minutes and well pruned at the end of my rides. The sensation is not particularly bothersome, but for some it is a deal breaker.

On the whole the Diluvios are a pleasant experience and completely different from any other winter glove. The thin insulation is wonderful by comparison to the ski-glove like options from the other companies, and if it's going to open-up with some sleet or rain, they're the best option. There are more tactile gloves and warmer gloves, but the former trades off warmth and the later lacks waterproof finish. Castelli has made a truly unique product, there's room for improvement, but this version is a pleasant new entry into winter gloves.