Originally Posted by
f4rrest
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.
^^ This is the exact point of my post.
The Nano Flex fabric is unique but I have no doubt that it can be counterfeited. Of all the features however the main panels of the bibs look and feel identical as do the chamois. I cannot discern a difference in the Nano Flex fabric between the two.
The bib fabric and leg grippers are sufficiently different and the stitching is so far off that I do wonder.
More likely is a manufacturer who introduced a product with initial high quality and over time shifted manufacturing to less expensive location and lest costly technique and materials to save money - cheaper bib strap mesh, less time consuming stitching, etc.
Both are packed for return today.
-Tim-