Castelli need no introduction. The Italian based cycle clothing manufacturer has been producing some of the finest threads for over 140 years and has been used by some of the world’s best cyclists, including the Soudal Quick-Step team for 2024. At the forefront of technical innovation, Castelli made the first pair of lycra shorts in 1977, the first windproof jersey in 1983 and tore up the design book again in 2010 with the introduction of the Gabba jersey. An item of clothing that would become perhaps one of the most recognizable and popular products sold at Merlin Cycles.
Bib Short Overview
Castelli have a pair of bib shorts for every type of rider; male, female and children. They also cover all budgets, and even at the entry level, they offer a high performance garment designed with the rider in mind. We take a look at some of the popular options that are available in the Castelli bib short range.
Perfect for Club Riders – Entrata 2 Bibshort
Despite being the cheapest pair of bibs that Castelli produce, the Entrata 2 bibshorts bring together quality fabrics, the Kiss Air2 seat pad and an eight-panel construction that focuses on comfort and durability. They are a true testament that to carry the famous Castelli scorpion logo, the product needs to perform at the highest level for the rider using the.
Style and Performance – Espresso Bib Short (Mens) and Espresso DT Bib Short (Womens)
New for 2024, Castelli launched the Espresso range of clothing. Featuring a wide choice of colours in both the bibs and jerseys, the range offers the opportunity to mix and match to suit any style. With the upgraded Progetto X2 Air Seamless seat pad as used in the higher end shorts for comfort on long miles, and performance features such as raw-cut leg endings with silicone grippers, the Espresso bib short is a popular choice already amongst many type of riders.
In the Women’s version, the bib shorts feature the DT (Drop-tail) straps that make comfort breaks much easier.
High Performance – Free Aero RC Bibshort
Featuring the perfect mix of comfort and speed, and engineered for top-level racing, the Free Aero RC is built for performance. Making use of high-compression lycra that provides exceptional muscle support and compression, and a 5-panel construction for reduced seams and chafing, this is the pair of bibs for the most demanding rides.
Chamois Pads
Castelli make use of two different chamois pads in their shorts; the Kiss Air 2 and the Progetto X2 Air Seamless.
The most comfortable, and found on the higher end shorts, the Progetto X2 Air Seamless features a ventilated skin-care layer that keeps the rider cool during long days in the saddle. It also has a two-layer design with multi-density padding for amazing comfort. The Kiss Air2 pad meanwhile, as found on the Entrata 2 bibshorts, features a dual-density pad with a seamless skin care layer to reduce chafing, and even though it does not feature some of the tech of the Progetto, is still a comfortable chamois to ride.
Shop the Full Range of Castelli Bib Shorts at Merlin Cycles here
