Core Pieces for Spring: Castelli in Focus
Spring is indeed on the horizon, and as riders in cold northern climates hear the robins outside, watch the spring races unfold in western Europe, and wonder what the coming year will bring, energy is building. On the heels of explosive growth in cycling participation in 2020, I anticipate the first truly ‘spring’ day of the season will see unprecedented numbers of riders out and about.
For those with ample supplies of motivation and zeal, but insufficient kit for spring riding, this is a short guide to a selection of key pieces from Castelli. Quality cycling kit is expensive, so I hope this helps inform decisions that lead to many hours of happy riding, not regrets.
With the exception of the Tutto Nano bibshorts and Perfetto Convertible jacket, these pieces are also made in women’s cuts. The Omloop Nano W is the closest thing to the Tutto Nanos, and the Perfetto RoS jacket is like the Converible, minus the modularity.
Nano Flex Pro 2 bibtights - $320 CAN
For the early phase of spring (or ‘shoulder season’) and certainly up until daytime lows are above 15C, a good pair of tights are worth every penny. For wet riding between 0 – 10C, this piece can make or break your ride, especially if you’re not riding with fenders. I can't overstate the impact of using fenders has on your ability to stay warm in wet conditions.
This spring I’m covering all my cold rides with the Nano Flex Pro 2 bitights, which are 'RoS' (rain or shine), suitable for wet and dry conditions. I've been experimenting with these as I roll through the shoulder season, and comparing them against the Polare 2 tights, my warmest tights. The Nano Flex Pro 2s fit in on the continuum seamlessly, easily covering temperatures around 0C and above, until you're ready to move to knickers or bibs and leg or knee-warmers.
The Nanos have an edge on the Polares as the temperature rises above freezing, for a few reasons. First, their fabric - Nano Flex Etra dry - is more compliant than the warmer Polare's. This makes the tights more conforming and stretchy, in effect, which allows for a easier freedom of movement. Most riders won't realize it, but part of what 'feels slow' about winter and cold riding is clothing that constrains movement. The Polare 2 is exceptional for truly cold riding, but as with most things, there's some compromise involved: a little less free-movement. Remember my fender comments above? Because fenders don't exist in Italy (the man who designs all this stuff for Castelli, Steve Smith, told me this!), Castelli places a double-layer of fabric on the backside to protect against spray. All y'all who are without fenders will particularly value this!
Second, the Nano is constructed with fewer seams than the Polare, which reduces entry points for water. Combined with reflective splash guards on the shins (which seem to be nearly waterproof), the total package is Castelli's premium solution for riding in cold wet conditions. HOT TIP: place the tights' cuffs over the top of your waterproof shoe-covers to keep the water running over them, rather than in!
Third, the Nanos use the pad I wish the Polare would, but I get it; compromises. The Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad is designed for long hours on the saddle, and it's the same pad you'll find on Castelli's top bib shorts, like the Free Aeros and Mondial. The Polare 2 is built with the expectation that rides will be shorter when it's well below 0C, so its pad is a less comfortable for long hours. I suspect that's more a 'me thing' than anything. The Nano is expected to be worn over long spring rides, so the Progretto X2 is perfect.
Temperature Range
Castelli positions the Nano Flex Pro 2s within the -2C to 10C temperature range. As usual, I find this range really well-placed. I've ridden them down to -6C, in fairly windy conditions, and they were just warm enough for the first 30 minutes. After that, I was completely comfortable, but I'd put -6 as my lower limit for these. -2C is definitely comfortable right off the bat for me, and 10C is a reasonable cut-off. Realistically, if you set off at 4C, and the temp climbs to 13C for the last couple of hours of your ride, you won't have a problem. I've never heard of anyone freaking out because their legs were too hot.
Sizing Reference: At 6’1”, 170lbs, I’m comfortable in the LARGE, and would consider myself approaching the upper end of the spectrum in terms of height and volume for this size.
Sorpasso RoS Bibknicker - $230 CAN
As we march through spring, I'm very much looking forward to transitioning out of the Nano Flex Pro 2 bibtights into the new Sorpasso RoS bibknickers. I understand 3/4 length knickers are polarizing; I don't care. I've used bibknickers for ages, and I love them. However, they are VERY often executed poorly, because its hard to cut them and build them to fall and sit in place the same way for a broad range of riders in a given size. The idea with knickers is that they bridge the gap between full-tights rides and bib-shorts and knee warmer weather. While one might imagine this would wind up being a phase of spring and fall, there are actually days in early summer well-suited to knickers too. They are sort of a niche piece, which might only wind up being perfect for a small number of rides annually for folks who get out 2-3 times a week. For those who ride daily, especially commuting, knickers could get many days of use annually. For me, good knickers, especially for wet riding, are a 'core piece' for my wardrobe, and this has a lot to do with the fact that I ride enough to wear out lower-body kit. If I’m going to be wearing stuff out, I prefer to spread the wear across numerous pieces and generally wear what’s appropriate for the day, versus wear-out fewer pieces faster while also compromising on performance often.
This knicker will be my go-to starting around 10C, especially when there will be no opportunity or 'need' to bare the knees over a ride. Yes, it feels AMAZING to have bare knees in the spring for the first time, but thee are many good reasons to put this off until it's at least dry and 15C. This isn't a matter of sheer skin temp, but also the readiness of tendons and ligaments to do work outside early in the season. Jumping from one-hour trainer rides to a 4-hour ride outdoors is hard for most riders already, so exposing the joints to cold while being overloaded is a recipe for strain injury. Knickers provide the feeling of SPRING! while also protecting the knees from the cold and potential harm. And it's worth noting that they also serve really well under shell-pants for winter riding, such as fat biking, especially when worn with tall socks.
Like the Nano Flex tights, the Soprasso RoS knickers will serve well in wet or dry conditions, as they combine Nano Flex 3G and Xtra Dry fabric to create their warmest and most protective knicker option. Their bib-straps are seamless and rather stretchy, and the fabric covering the back is a nice wicking mesh. Castelli builds this piece with their premium pad, the Progetto X2 Air Seamless, again, my preferred spec given I will be doing long hours in these knickers. The Tutto Nano knickers are an option that is a little cheaper, and their lower-level Kiss Air pad and just the one Nano Flex fabric, the 3G.
Temperature Range
Castelli places the Soprasso RoS knickers at a temp range of 10 - 16C. My first ride was at 8C, and I was very happy with them. Depending on the day, they might be great down to 5C, especially as temps warm to the mid- and high-teens through the afternoon. If there will be road spray to deal with, and precipitation here and there, these will make for a better option than combining knee warmers with bib-shorts that are not built for mild wet conditions.
Sizing Reference: At 6’1”, 170lbs, I’m comfortable in the LARGE, and would consider myself approaching the upper end of the spectrum in terms of height and volume for this size.
Tutto Nano Bibshort $165 CAN
As ride-starts get into temperatures around 10C, especially when it's likely I'll encounter precipitation here and there, with warm afternoon temps beyond 15C, I'll go for bibs and knee or leg warmers. The Tutto Nanos are a wonderful thermal bibshort option I've added to my collection, because they are very modular. Their Nano Flex 3G fabric is warmer than anything you'll find in typical bibs, but also quite water resistant. This fabric doesn't rely on a chemical treatment alone to repel water, but actually resists water mechanically. This is enhanced with a DWR finish, but the key distinction here is that the bibs will retain their function better than others that rely on chemical treatments alone through laundering. This is particularly important for riders who’ll use such pieces often, not least if riding conditions will be gritty and abrasive (like cyclocross).
Don't think of bibs like these and Castelli's Nano Flex Pro Race bibshorts as 'wet-only' options. They feel great in the dry when it's cool out too, as they breath well. The Tutto Nano is nearly as long as the Nano Flex Pro Race, which follows in Castelli's innovative Omloop cut, extending just onto the knee. This cut is phenomenal for the cool days where leg or knee warmers would be overkill, and a little extra knee protection is all that is required. I have a pair of Omloop thermals I've used so much I've started to wear through them!
The Tutto Nano's longer, yet more 'conventional' hem (with handy reflective patches on the back), lends itself well to use with knee or leg warmers. I will wind up pairing them with Nano Flex legwarmers (as in photo, right) most of the time for cold starts. The versatility of these bibs will make them a handy option for overnight excursions where I'll cover many hours each day and a broad range of weather. For these excursions I hand-wash my bibs and air-dry them (a fan sure helps!) overnight.
Like the previous two pieces, the Tutto Nano bibs use the Kiss Air2 Seamless pad, which is well-suited to medium-long days on the bike, and a broad range of positions on the saddle. For riders who’d like to sit on the Progetto pad, the Nano Flex Pro Race bibs offer this option, along with the Omloop cut and fewer seams.
Temperature Range
The stated range for these bibs is 13 - 20C, which I find absolutely reasonable. Below 13C, you’ll want to consider covering your knees, or might be comfortable in the Nano Flex Pro Race bibs down to about 10C. This really depends on humidity and precipitation, the strength of the sun, wind speeds, and whether cold is radiating out of the ground!
Sizing Reference: At 6’1”, 170lbs, I’m comfortable in the LARGE, and would consider myself approaching the upper end of the spectrum in terms of height and volume for this size.
Perfetto RoS Convertible Jacket - $420 CAN
I can't tell you how excited I am about this piece, because it offers next-level modularity! I've been using a Perfetto jacket for a couple years, and I LOVE it. It gets a lot of use through fall, especially when it's around 10C and raining. The current Perfetto family's GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER 205 Warm brushed (very) water-resistant fabric, which is used on front panels, combined with the GORE's 203 Stretch fabric on the back panels, for increased conformity, mobility, and breathability. Infinium, in whatever weight, is windproof. While the Alpha RoS 2 winter jacket uses a thinner Infinium fabric, combined with insulation, the Perfetto family are essentially 'one-layer' garments, more akin to thermal jerseys in terms of feel than 'jackets.' They breathe well enough to cover a respectable range of temperatures and energy outputs, but are generally not as well-suited as insulated options for actual winter use below freezing; see Alpha RoS 2 for that. A really nice thing about the new Perfetto’s fabric is that, being brushed / fleecy inside, it is comfortable to wear directly against the skin.
This jacket's arms zip off (yes, some will be able to do this while rolling) to reveal short-sleeves. If Castelli had launched this 2-in-1 format before they revolutionized foul-weather cycling with their GABBA windproof, water resistant short-sleeve jersey, I think it would flop; riders wouldn't get it. But we're now more than a decade into the post-GABBA era, and many riders have come to understand how a foul-weather short sleeve jersey can be the difference between hours of suffering on the bike to hours of comfort. The fact is, 20C can be cold when we're wet and travelling at speed. While riding in mountains, weather can turn quickly, and descents in the rain can be...terrifying when the shivering sets in and hands stop working. Sometimes we know we're likely to get into these conditions, but for a variety of reasons a flappy jacket won't be suitable. In the context of racing, the GABBA was born, an aero alternative to shell jackets.
For me, racing isn't driving my excitement about the Perfetto Convertible, but long-distance rides, including those that span two or more days. As discussed above, I'll want to have as much versatility out of modular kit as I can get to cover routes over 200km in length through spring, and I am definitely keen to take aero gains wherever I can across many hours on the bike each day. It all adds up.
My older Perfetto wasn’t lined like new Convertible, so I’d always wear a long-sleeve base layer under it. In contrast, I’m comfortable in as little as a short-sleeve base layer, like the Pro Mesh, under the Convertible. If you think about it, this is key, as the piece is meant to be worn in long-sleeve or short-sleeve mode. When it’s around 10C I’ll wear the long-sleeve Prosecco Tech base-layer underneath, and keep the outer sleeves on. Above 10C it’ll be Pro Mesh, and the sleeves will come off around 16C.
A number of other features converge in the Convertible you'll see applied elsewhere within Castelli's RoS range of jackets. Taped seams on the shoulders address the water pressure that allows water to seep through, zip-vents on each side of the chest provide the option of tailoring heat management without having to unzip the main closure, and two rear pockets are combined with a pump sleeve, and cut low enough to help accessing them with gloves on. The GABBA-style drop-tail protects against spray and has a black reflective treatment, which is certainly helpful when riding through low-light shoulder seasons.
Temperature Range
Castelli positions the Convertible at 4 - 16C, which is definitely reasonable. Depending on fit, one could potentially wear a couple long-sleeve base layers to render the jacket totally sufficient down to 0 and lower. If the jacket is sized for a race-aero performance fit, one thin base-layer inside might be as much as one will feel comfortable in. In this case 4C would be realistic under moderate to high-intensity. I can see myself comfortable in the piece with sleeves off up near 20C, especially if its wet.
Sizing Reference: At 6’1”, 170lbs, I’m comfortable in the LARGE, and would consider myself approaching the lower end of the spectrum in terms volume for this size. Meaning, it would still fit well if I was carrying more mass, but I’m long in the torso, so its length is correct for me with room remaining if I was a bit taller. The MEDIUM Perfetto pieces also fit me, but they are a ‘race fit,’ which is not what I need for what I’ll do with this garment; I’m leaning toward maximum versatility here, not best aero performance.
Estremo Shoecovers - $135 CAN
These are the warmest shoecovers I’ve ever owned or seen. Built from Infinium Windstopper and Polartech Powerstretch Pro insulation, these shoecovers are low on the stretch spectrum, which renders them juuuust too tight to fit over my Lake MX145 boots, They fit over my other Lake MTB and road shoes, however, which are more representative of what most riders will have. Once I get rolling on my road bike with road pedals again, these will cover the most horrible weather I’ll get into through spring and fall. If you want to spring for the warmest and best built shoecover on the market, I think you won’t fare better with anything else; these are epic. If you need an option for cold and/or wet riding above freezing, Pioggerella is a new offering that prioritizes waterproofing, foregoing insulation.
Temperature Range and Sizing
This will be rather variable, given there are many types of footwear that will be paired with these shoecovers. Their cutouts on the bottom are best suited to road shoes, but will also work with MTB shoes provided you purchase a large enough size. For example, my XLs fit over my EU46 Lake CX332 road shoes easily, and more snugly over my EU46 Lake MX332 Lite MTB shoes, which are on the slim side. They don’t fit over my Lake MX145 boots, so I’d have to size up to XXL for them. When worn over either pair of shoes, I’d easily be comfortable for a few hours down to around -5C. Castelli rates them from -10 to 5C, which is realistic for many combinations I can imagine, especially when worn with shoes that are more spacious than a ‘summer fit,’ and worn with an insulating sock.
Questions?
Have I missed anything that might help you and/or other riders navigate their way through Castelli’s options for spring and foul-weather in general? Let me know below!
