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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: DECEMBER 11th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Castelli Espresso Bib Shorts
179g Large (as tested) £160
The Castelli Espresso Bib Shorts are designed to be a go-top design for all kinds of riding, or as they put it “The short that we would grab the moment its dry”. In my view and for the most part, they’ve certainly succeeded, and the overall design is incredibly good. My only minor word of caution concerns the fit.
The sizing chart is very accurate, so no issue there but being slightly unusually proportioned i.e. long legs, short torso, and relatively slender waist, I found them a little snugger than ideal around the crotch. By no means, a deal breaker and they were genuinely comfortable for longer, mixed terrain rides. More of a consideration, especially like most of us, you buy online these days.
Pros: Great Pad, high quality fabrics, bibs are stretchy and breathable.
Cons: Price, worth trying for size if you are unusually proportioned.
Specification
The Espresso are made from the brand’s in house developed Doppia fabric, which is a high-quality polyester/elastane mix, reckoned ideal for temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees. There’s the typical detailing that we’d expect from this end of the market. Flat seams, raw cut leg legs with a broad silicone gripper to ensure a snug, gather and branding free fit.
Subtle reflective detailing provides some added presence around dusk and beyond, without spoiling the subtle aesthetic. Staying with this a moment, ours were black, which for me compliments and contrasts beautifully while hiding oily spatter handsomely. However, there are seven alternatives. Arguably, these are shades, but you be the judge.
We have dark gray, gunmetal gray, deep green, Belgian blue, twilight blue, steel blue and deep Bordeaux. The bib sections are part mesh to encourage speedy moisture eviction but are also very stretchy for maximum freedom of movement.
Pockets have also been creeping into the bib market in recent years, influenced in part by gravel designs and this one is sensibly proportioned. A good stash point for energy bars, change and maybe keys (assuming you didn’t fancy the jersey, or bar bag). Construction is, as I’d expect, uniformly high throughout.
Pad 4/5
Though not the only consideration, pads can very much make, or indeed, break legwear. This is their Progretto X2 Air Seamless Seat Pad. Shaped like a saddle, the SIT (Seamless Integrated Technology) is a triple layer system. The outer (or skin care) layer features a very tactile anti-bacterial (bacteriostatic) designed to assumed shape of rider and saddle without any folds in the fabric. Air is apparently designed to flow straight into this surface and enhance wicking.
The second, “cushioning” layer is a multi-density foam, which promises to “place the padding where you need it most”. Finally, we have the perforated viscous padding, which is placed under the ischial and perineum pressure areas. Spoiler alert, I’ve found it reassuringly effective, regardless of saddle, or indeed, terrain.
Sizing/Fit 3.5/5
As I said in my introduction, Castelli’s sizing chart is comprehensive and for the most part, perfectly accurate. I’ve found Castelli come up a little smaller (I’m a default medium by most brands these days) so I went for the large. I found the Espresso marginally bigger around the waist and a little close around the crotch for my tastes but again, the bibs held everything in place and my modesty was held snugly, rather than uncomfortably against my body. No discomfort, or numbness but a little trussed up, which was noticeable at road, or trailside comfort stops.
Performance 4/5
Overall performance has been excellent, and I’ve been able to cruise along and enjoy the ride for several hours in succession. The bib straps are narrower than some, but ample give means shoulders aren’t held in a vice-like grip, so shifting position, or alternating between top, drops and hoods has been limitless. Obviously, factors such as base and jersey play their part but paired with Castelli’s Espresso and Cycology Summit Men’s Long Sleeve Summer Jersey and a mid-point sleeveless base layer, I’ve found wicking to be very efficient.
There’s some trace misting and dampness, given 30 minutes or so at 20+mph but even upwards of 23 degrees, this was efficiently dispersed with only the faintest misting around the lower back then onward. Though the legs don’t employ any official compression technology, I’ve found them incredibly supportive over longer distances- rides longer than 3 hours on the fixed with a fair bit of climbing being an excellent test, which the Espresso passed with flying colours.
Aside from climbing on the fixed, or tackling more technical sections of trail, I’m someone who tends to remain in the saddle. I’m pleased to report the pad has done everything it promises in the blurb, providing plenty of support, regardless of saddle. No sores or chafing to date. The pressure relieving channel has also done its thing with finesse- no numbness, or tingling. In common with the other fabrics, while I haven’t noticed the airflow in the most obvious sense, but I’ve always felt temperate and dry throughout.
The anti-bacterial component follows this narrative keeping funk and nasty niffs at bay, even after several days repeated wearing without washing. Not something I’d do, or recommend outside of a testing context mind, but reassuring, nonetheless. The rear pocket is very secure and sensibly proportioned but I’d be inclined to park things I’d want kept secure, rather than at easy reach. That said; it hasn’t sagged or bobbed annoyingly with a light set of keys and an energy bar on board.
I’m not one for leg warmers (preferring to wear thin old school tights atop the shorts) but the silicone grippers have proved exceptionally reliable hosts. No slippage, nor have they or the stitching left any post ride calling cards. The Espresso’s texture has adhered nicely to all my saddles, allowing minute shuffling and similar adjustments without annoying slip-the sort that can become wearing at the close of a long ride.
Durability/Care 4/5
Let’s start by saying I wouldn’t expect any signs of premature wear on garments at this end of the market, save perhaps for a nasty tumble. Materials and tog weights have meant there’s no signs of bobbling or loose threads. I’ve done a lot of tarmac miles, but Ursula and I have also done a fair bit of trail and unmade road exploring. With it, there’s the usual close encounters with thorny foliage, stones and very occasionally, a curious horse.
Mud, dust and other organic spatter has been easily dismissed when tossed I the machine at 30 degrees and to date, they’re looking and smelling packet fresh every time. I’ve also gone the odd 40-degree cycle to replicate those oops moments, which we’re all guilty of. The bibs and braces will dry in around 20 minutes, the shorts tog weight means they’ll dry slower than some but either way, bargain on 45 minutes on the line before they’ll reach a wearable state, given a stiff breeze and temperatures upwards of16 degrees.
Value 3.25/5
Before I get into it, worth saying that you can get some very reasonable store branded bibs for around the £40-£50 mark, provided you weren’t looking to exceed three or so hours at a time. Fine for everyday and middling training runs. That out of the way, £160 is very much upper end but there are a few others to choose from.
PEdALED ElEMENT Lightweight Bib Shorts also retail for £160 and feature a rear pocket. These, as their name suggests are a lightweight summer design employing compression technology and a pad designed to support “all day riding on rough roads”. There are three, similarly subtle colours- black, brown and burgundy.
Deeper pockets? If you can wear the MTB label, the Leatt MTB Endurance 6.0 Bib Shorts have impressed with their comfort, regardless of whether I’ve been doing long steady road miles, gravel, or a mix. £170 buys the Assos Equipe RS Bib shorts S9. These are a two-panel design, which keeps seams to an absolute minimum. The lightweight 40g fabric is designed to have some fatigue reducing compression technology and the three-layer pad. This uses a perforated waffle foam with a micro shock core to absorb vibration. The lack of stitching here allows it to morph with your own contours.
Continuing this theme are the bibs, which attach lower, holding the pad in position. However, no pocket for stashing stuff. Le Col Pro Bib Shorts are also £160 and available in Black/white or Black/Navy. There are two versions- me and women specific and the fabric is designed for long training rides, while still being very breathable and the pad has a small profile with localised densities. However, there are fewer colour options and no pocket. At the other end of the market, DHB Aeron Bib Shorts are a good summer staple for not a lot of money.
Summary
£160 is a fair bit to spend on bib shorts. However, you’re certainly not being short changed. The Castelli Espresso
Bib Shorts have, for me at least, lived up to their hype. Despite feeling a little snugger than ideal around the crotch, this never resulted in discomfort, or worse even on longer mixed terrain outings but I would check their sizing chart carefully before adding to cart.
Verdict: 3.75/5 Well executed bib shorts with great pad but check sizing chart carefully.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED JULY 2024