New Castelli Free Aero RC Bib Shorts

Designed for professionals, the new Castelli Free Aero RC bib short perfectly meets the demands of competitive efforts, while maintaining real comfort. Streamlined, it offers unparalleled technicality to gain comfort and aerodynamics, without overheating. It has been chosen by professionals and is now a must-have in road cycling.

Source: PR*

The Castelli Free Aero RC bib short has always been designed as its name suggests: to give the feeling of being free by eliminating everything that is not essential. This is its fifth version since its creation in 2007, when Castelli returned to the World Tour, then called the ProTour.

The original version was already a technical innovation that would change the trend of bib shorts for decades to come. Bib shorts at the time were designed with a sewn elastic band that could be uncomfortable, and non-ventilated straps that did not allow sweat to escape. Castelli was the first brand to work on addressing these areas for improvement.

No gripper elastic

This is probably the first thing you’ll notice about the new Free Aero RC bib short. No silicone band, no sewn elastic, nothing to detract from the fit and comfort. The question is: does it stay in place? Most of us have used bib shorts that “ride up,” which is really unpleasant. The elastic or silicone band has always been the solution to this problem, but it can still be uncomfortable.

A few years ago, after seeing some professional riders at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad cut their tights just above the knee, Castelli released the Omloop, a thermal bib short. They then realized that the right combination of fabric, length, and circumference would allow them to do the same with a short summer bib short.

The brand had this innovation, one that would revolutionize bib short comfort: the elimination of any elastic or silicone band. The idea was there; now they had to figure out how to put it into practice. Castelli tested 28 different materials to find the one that would provide the right support while remaining the lightest, without the bib short slipping on the skin.

Castelli then went through a dozen analyses to find the right length and circumference for the bib short to have a perfect grip on the skin. They made 50 prototypes for field testing in all conditions by their 50 Castelli ambassadors. Finally, the bib short was tested by the riders of Team Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl.

This comprehensive process ensured that the bib short would be suitable for everyone, from the slender climber’s legs of Pieter Serry to the powerful sprinter’s build of Fabio Jakobsen.

What about the straps?

To improve the breathability of the straps, Castelli redesigned their entire concept. The brand chose a thinner, mono-filament material at the front to limit the sensation of heat and thus promote sweat wicking, and soft, stretchy mesh at the back to distribute tension without creating compression at the shoulders. The result: you feel freer than ever.

The seamless Progetto X2 Air insert

If you find this name long and cumbersome, you’re right. Originally developed with the Cervélo TestTeam, this insert has been constantly evolving since its creation in 2009. With over a decade of continuous improvement, Castelli’s high-end insert has become more comfortable than ever.

The term X2 means that the two components are completely separate, each designed for a distinct function. The Skin Care Layer has been placed in contact with your skin and lives up to its name. It is the softest and most extensible layer ever created by the brand to follow your every movement and prevent irritation.

Castelli has placed a completely separate component called the cushioning layer. Saddle-shaped, it offers progressive cushioning exactly where you need it. It features soft foam for immediate comfort with medium-density foam for support and 3mm gel pads under the sit bones and perineum. Thanks to a 3D manufacturing process, the thickness of this chamois is adjustable to avoid differences in thickness.

This chamois is the result of over 12 years of continuous evolution. It debuted with the Cervelo test team in 2009 and has since received over 40 adjustments in materials, shapes, positions, and manufacturing processes. Thanks to this continuous improvement process, no material used today is the same as in 2009. Every modification to the X2 aims to optimize its technicality and comfort.

For women and men

The design and performance objectives for this bib short are the same for both men’s and women’s versions. Same fabrics, same finishes. However, the fit of the inserts is very specific; these are two distinct development paths that allow the same performance to be provided to men and women.

Details that matter

Every detail of this bib short has been optimized; here are some additional details you should know:

– The bib short is made of a brand new 215 g/m2 double-sided circular knit fabric with a 32% elastane (spandex in the US) content, which gives it that comfortable and compressive feel. The 68% nylon provides increased durability. This composition also allows for optimal moisture wicking.

– The straps attach closer to the insert to better hold the bib short and make this back pocket more functional and practical. For pros, it’s ideal for holding radios during races. For amateurs, it can be used to safely store personal items.

– Castelli wants this bib short to last, just like its logos. No more sublimation or embossing, but a sewn logo. No more cracked and worn logos.

– It’s surprising that aerodynamics is buried in a minor point of a Castelli press release, but yes, the brand also developed this bib short to be fast. It’s very close to the previous bib short at 0° yaw (no crosswind), but the new version starts to make significant gains even in minor crosswinds (5% yaw angle), saving up to 0.7% of the overall aerodynamic drag of the entire system. In other words, thanks to this bib short, your 300-watt effort produces a 302-watt speed in all winds, except completely still winds.

– Castelli firmly believes that you should ride with lights on your bike rather than relying on the limited reflectivity of your clothing. However, we’ve all found ourselves out a little too late or going through a tunnel when we went out without lights. There are two reflective tabs sewn into the seam at the back of the legs that will catch drivers’ attention.

Price:

– Bib shorts: €179.95 (for men and women)