Castelli

Free Aero RC Bib Short - Men's

Runs small, bib straps are uncomfortable

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

In the same size, the Aero RC fits smaller than a pair of Espresso bibs. The pad is nice and located well. The material used in the lower is comfortable and the legs do stay down without silicone gripper. The bib straps are just bad though. They aren't at all soft so are prone to raw nips. The also aren't very stretchy and are cut short for the size. So much tighter than the straps of the Espresso bibs of the same size. And there is an uncomfortable seam in the yoke that is itchy & scratchy on the upper back.

Great bibs

it’s very good choice for the price I bought them, regular price its a little high but the quality it’s really good and the chamois are the most comfortable that I have for a long ride

Weird sizing, even more than normal

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I wear size small in Castelli not counting jackets I intentionally bought in medium for additional space to layer. Rosso Corsa series included. Depending on the Castelli piece, their fitting descriptions generally makes sense for me. A "race" fit is exactly that, compressive and aero. "Tailored" similarly delivers - not as racy, still nothing flapping, but not as aggressive a fit as "race". Their "regular" for my deep winter bib tights deliver on that idea. This Aero Race series though... It doesn't help that the materials aren't particularly stretchy. It's very tight but I can tolerate them once they're on, but getting in is tough. This is made worse by possibly weak seam stitching compared to other lines; the very first time I carefully put them on I heard a "pop" of stitching letting go. I gave it a chance (which I regret) to break in as Castelli's new Espresso and some others for sure break in a little bit. But after several uses it's still very tight even for "race day" kit I intended it to be, well beyond "compressive". I've got stitching letting go and there's really no break in. For comparison I have a Climber's jersey purchased at the same time in small. It's supposed to be the same race cut and fit, and it's perfect, while the Aero jersey is just too tight. It fit out of the bag, broke in ever so slightly - and it's perfect. Sadly I'm just beyond 30 days for returns (I asked and understandably was refused other than a 15% discount) so this is mostly just a very tight and expensive disappointment. Bottomline is size up (even MORE, even if you don't normally) and don't assume there will be any break in. If it's too tight when you try them on for the first time they'll likely stay that way. This applies to the jersey too.

Great bib

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

5'8" at 161 lbs. Bought size L. This is great snug fit without struggling to get it on. Super happy with the chamois and raw-cut design above the knees works well. Does not ride up at all. My favorite bib during the season.

Love these bibs, especially the chamois

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

A few years ago I did a comparison between Assos and Castelli bibs and found the Castelli chamois to be vastly superior. The Assos chamois was thicker, but not nearly dense enough. I can ride much further more comfortably in a Castelli chamois. I do sometimes hear size complaints, anything from Castelli should be ordered at least 2 sizes up from normal in my experience, but once you have that figured out, they are a real winner. Very comfortable!

Decent until the stiches come undone

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

All my bibs have been Assos until I got a Castelli Sanremo speed suit. Wanting to ride the same chamois during both training and race day, I bought some Free Aero RC bibs. I've been riding Assos Equipe bibs for 5 years so they are my benchmark. This is a size M to M comparison of the Free Aero RC and Assos Equipe RS S9 Targa bibs. FIT Hands down, the Castelli has more compression. They call it a "race fit"; you could call it a smaller fit as well. It takes a few attempts to pull the material at my hips to get it the rest of the way on so it disappears. Assos fits like a second skin and immediately disappears. Pull it on and go. Back to back, though, Assos feels loose, and I have to tug the legs down after an hour or two. WINNER: Assos CHAMOIS The floating chamois of the Assos is thick, comfy, and invisible. For whatever reason, this floating design recently no longer "sits" well with me. Turns out, if I pull the Assos on too high it bunches the chamois on either side of my family jewels. Castelli is the opposite: I have to pull it way high or it will feel saggy. Castelli fixes the Progretto chamois in place so it never moves. It is also thinner where you don't sit and thicker at the sit bones. The lumpy feeling does eventually disappear... The chamois feels lower tech honestly. WINNER: Tie THE CROTCH People have given Assos flack for their cod piece design. I can't blame them, it looks hideous! Boy is it comfortable though! They toned it down with the S9 Targa but it is still glorious. Castelli doesn't leave any room in the crotch; they even put a seam that you have to arrange around or you will a hotspot where you definitely don't want it. With rearranging, the Castelli is fine. Not great, but fine. It took a month, post-vasectomy, before my Castelli bibs were OK again. Been riding Assos exclusively while I've healed because the space difference is profound. WINNER: Assos by a long shot MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION Assos feels luxurious. The straps are smooth and the stiches are immaculate and perfectly placed. Castelli is rough around the edges (literally, the straps are terrible except the small spot they want your shoulders to be). Castelli's seams come with thread sticking out and will start to come apart in places that rub and places that don't. WINNER: Assos BREATHABILITY Assos breaths better in the crotch and maybe the chamois; Castelli at the straps. The rest of the materials are similar enough. I'll ride either of them in the Texas summer. WINNER: Assos by a hair AFFORDABILITY At retail, Assos is $40 more than Castelli. Castelli goes on sale regularly at 15-30% off. In the long run, Assos might last longer but I don't mind stitching a seam or two to save nearly $100. WINNER: Castelli OVERALL I bought a handful of the Castelli bibs.

Save Your Money

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I should have known better than to try and switch things up. I have multiple pair of Giordana FR-C Pro, and Pearl Izumi Pro bibs. Several years ago I had tried Castelli and liked the chamois - so I decided to pull the trigger. The chamois itself is super dense and seems like it would be fantastic…but I simply will not be able to find out. Straight out of the bag the first pair I ordered wasn’t sewn together properly. The bib strap was only sewn into the shorts on one side! The Competitive Cyclist team were awesome (as always) and issued me a replacement immediately. The second pair arrived, and after ONE RIDE they are already coming apart. The fabric at the leg opening is starting to fray and I’m worried will end up resulting in longer tear, and the stitching around the outside of the chamois is literally pulling apart. The quality control at Castelli is just not acceptable, so please do not waste your money on this kit! All I can say is thank goodness for the awesome customer service at CC - even on the odd occasion when I get a dud product, I’m never worried about buying it from CC because they actually care about their customers. Five stars for Competitive Cyclist, but I would give zero for these bibs if I could.