Originally Posted by
TimothyH
Rapha, Assos and 7Mesh XL bibs all fit me fine. Castelli has to be sized way up and 2XL Sorpasso Wind bib tights fit OK.
2XL Nano Flex 2 bib knickers are absurdly small however, smashing my genitals and digging into my shoulders. I'm not fat but the 3XL Nano Flex knickers fit nicely. I understand needing to size up but 3XL? Really?
The problem is that the 2XL made in Romania are objectively better made than the 3XL which are made in China. Mesh bib fabric on the Romanian made product is noticeably softer and the stitching on the Chinese made product is downright poor quality.
This isn't about products made in China but about a company like Castelli which claims to be on the cutting edge of high-end gear. Given the price I simply expect better than this.
Romanian made on top, Chinese made on bottom...
Chinese on the left, Romanian on the right...
Lower quality materials, rediculous sizing and inconsistent manufacturing all point to a company more interested in cutting cost than living up to their marketing claims.
Back they go.
-Tim-
I have some XL Castelli shorts with the simple stitching as pictured above, and it started unraveling after a couple months.
I'm suspicious about the authenticity, now that you've shown that they also provide them with better stitching.
My Bellwether shorts with better stitching have lasted forever.