Long shadows and turning leaves, Belgian Waffles and maybe even a post-race beer… For more and more cyclists across Europe and in the US the changing of the seasons signals the beginning of the cyclocross season.
With apparel specifically designed with the cyclocross racer in mind, and calling upon its SanRemo SpeedSuit product-concept, Castelli has unveiled the first cyclocross-specific race and training suit, available through the Castelli Custom Team program.
According to Castelli, with its ‘pro look’, there are a number of benefits in adopting its first specific Cyclocross Suit:
- Stand up in a typical road/time trial skinsuit and the zipper can start to pull. The bottom of the zipper is the most common area of failure, leading to tears or the hidden zipper coming apart.
- With Castelli’s Cyclocross Suit, a jersey-and-shorts combo, the upper part is essentially a full zip jersey – designed to enhance range of motion dynamics unique to the demanding discipline of cyclocross. Details include a longer centre front and more shoulder room for off the bike flexibility when running or negotiating terrain.
- Jersey and shorts combo: the single-piece construction of the Body Paint shorts makes for a compression-like fit while the light-weight thermal Aero Race jersey with ¾-length sleeves will take off the chill once getting up to speed, and is intended for 5°C degrees or below.
- The full zip jersey has ‘absolutely no pesky front folding’ when in the riding position. The aero fabric insert under arms allows for temperature regulation and more shoulder room for off the bike flexibility when running or negotiating terrain.
- No hidden zipper: utilising a fat YKK Vislon zipper with a large pull tab that can easily be grabbed with muddy gloves in the heat of battle. The overlapping fabric over the edges of the zipper keeps dirt and gunk out.
- Rather than standard or raglan sleeves, the stitching is at a 45-degree angle for increased range of motion and running with the bike. The seam is placed on the back rather than across the top of the shoulder, so there’s nothing digging in when shouldering the bike.
- The quick drying KISS3 seatpad is moved back further, to keep it from catching on the saddle when remounting. Unlike most seat pads, the KISS3 pad features a continuously variable thickness, while the brushed microfibre cover cuts down on chafing.
- A higher neck provides extra warmth and protection from detritus on nasty weather days.
The Castelli Cyclocross Suit can be ordered through Castelli’s ServizioCorse custom Team program.
