Castelli: Absurd Sizing and Inconsistent Quality
 

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? :rolleyes:

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...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dnqbbv7mas...ckers.jpg?dl=1

Chinese on the left, Romanian on the right...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o4qda754r1...s.002.jpg?dl=1


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-

Point taken. I bought a Castelli jacket and a Castelli cap last year, and they have worked out better than expectations. I don't mind the sizing problem, because I'm thin, but I sympathize with those for whom it's a problem. The quality control problem looks real. I guess I got lucky. I was thinking of buying Castelli bib shorts, but now I'll think twice.

I have some Castelli Bib Shorts in my normal size (medium) and they are a little more snug than other brands but comfortable. Not sure where they were made.

Sugoi on the other hand was way too small. I definitely need a full size larger for their stuff.

If I'm buying online, I usually scan reviews to see what people say about sizing. If something is out of the ordinary, someone will usually mention it.

When I was riding motorcycles, I found that European companies generally sized their stuff smaller and having to buy one or two sizes larger than what I was used to was not uncommon.

Agree.

I don't bother with Castelli because their sizing is a joke.

Castelli: too small for size

Pearl Izumi: too big for size

Sugoi: OK, this is my fault... accidentally bought women's bibs. The size is OK but the chamois is kind of in the wrong place and the straps are weird. I only wear them under my tights so no one knows.

The thing is not to compare Castelli Euro-Racer sizing with 'Murican sizing. Here's a "large" Castelli jersey vs. a "large" American golf shirt:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CapYnS3UYAIFvsg.jpg:large

The question is whether it fits and in my experience Castelli runs pretty true to the size chart they post on their website. As to where it's made, in the 3 seasons we've had Castelli as team kit, I've had items made in Italy, China, Romania, and the USA.

sizing consistency is a big problem. and i mean with upmarket almost haute couture type apparel. not talking a brand , but even same exact model in different color or production runs. just the way of life. anything i buy online i make sure it has a streamlined return process because i expect to have to return a few

Yeah I think I wear a 2 or 3XL casetlli. I only have a couple items but what I have is dang comfortable.

However, for about 1/3 of the cost, the DHB stuff (Wiggle's in-house brand) is just as comfortable. I'm on my third set of bibs from them and I'd stack them up against any of my castelli or pearl izumi stuff.

That gives me more money to spend on impractical and over-priced jerseys with cool designs :)

Never had an issue quality or fit wise, maybe I'm built like an Italian cyclist. I just go with the fact every manufacturer is different in terms of size and go from there.

Our team went with Castelli last year, I wear Large in their "regular" race cut, but their aero stuff I had to go to an XL. The Castelli rep told us that was going to happen.

I have sets (bibs and jerseys) of the fake straight from China Castelli. I bought them when I first started riding because I like the looks. The next year a bought 2 pairs of bib, authentic Castelli). After 3 years the knock offs have not only held up great but are preferred to authentic, as we a to a pair of Pearl Izumi and 2 Performance Ultra.

It isn't about size as much as the quality of materials and manufacturing.

I could live with a label which says 3XL but the two products pictured are vastly different in terms of feel and finish and I just noticed that one of the bib straps on the Chinese made product is ripped.


-Tim-

The size is just a label. Doesn't ruin the fit or performance of the clothing. This weekend I wore Castelli size large shorts and a Giro size small jersey (because the medium was too loose). Different size baseline for sure but both garments fits nicely.

Maybe I never figured it out, but seems like their stuff with the same size label can be quite different sizes.

Also don't relate to being X-large or larger.

(paid half at Competitive Cyclist) my $200 capo bibs made in Italy are stitched the same way the China ones are above . These Capo were my work horse along with Castelli bibs in rotation for last weeks 560mile tour across california. Both did awesome, no sores, no rips, no issues. legs stayed put and tan lines stayed sharp. Averaged to 6hour pedaling a day, one day was 9hours. Chamois pad worked great.

buy once cry once, especially the touching points to your bike. I wish someone would have told be this sooner when is started the roadie in 2005. Don't be scared to return things. I was buying 3-4 $40-50 bibs/shorts when I should have been buying 1-2 $80-100 bibs. I miss Bonktown.com when castelli bibs were $50

Good to know I am not the only one with challenges and opportunities regarding Castelli sizing.
Have a couple of shorts in large. All is good with them. Bought more in large and they look like they were made for smurfs. Had to return and get 2XL this time and still tighter than the original large.
Thought they sent boys size not adult size.
Caught me by surprise.
No more Castelli for me.
Kind of like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get.

Bought some McKenzie shorts and large is fine.

I have a pair of Pearl Izumi bibs that I'm pretty sure are knockoff Chinese-- they have less stitching and that stitching is irregular in places. Thing is, they're holding up every bit as well as my bibs with more/better stitching. And they fit, so... <shrug>

I also have two Castelli jerseys that are radically different in both sizing and construction. Both are large, but one is a snug race fit and the other one is almost baggy. But they both fit, and seem to be holding up equally well.

I'm a small in everything else and a medium in Castelli. I've also never had a bad experience with their stuff. I've never tried anything more expensive than Caselli because I can't imagine there is better...and I know the cheap stuff can be and is junk.

So trying to interpret from the above, and what I think I'm reading is that the $129 Nano Bibs (full price on Castelli's site), are not as well made as the $199 Sorpasso Bibs (full price on Castelli's site)? And then of course, nobody really pays full retail for these things, do they? I paid $82 for a pair of Sorpasso knickers a few weeks ago.. so full retail is pretty much a joke.

I have a crap ton of Castelli stuff and have for years. I’ve only had one piece that had a quality problem. In general, the stuff is pretty great from my perspective both in functionality and in longevity.

That said, their sizing is a mess. I get the EU/American issue for sure, and cycling gear in general seems to run small and so does Castelli. They have been getting better but they do have consistency in sizings issues from design to design. However, once you find a design that fits, there is a lot of consistency from piece to piece. So I just plan on a little experimentation up front until I find what I like and the proper fit.

J.

No.

Both bibs are Nano Flex 2 knickers.

One is made in Romania and the other in China. The Romanian made product is superior in many ways.

Not sure why you are bringing up price but both are sourced from backcountry within three days of each other.


-Tim0

I find wiggle.com to have a lot of useful reviews that help with sizing choice.

Like another poster, I'm also a fan of the dhb bibs/shorts I have. They're holding up better than my only pair of Castellis (though they're great looking thermal bibs).

Sorry, I misunderstood. Thought you were comparing the Sorpassos (which fit fine I think you said) with the Nanos. And Sorpassos cost a good amount more than Nanos. . Price is generally related to quality. For 7Mesh, Assos and Rapha, who you also referenced, one is probably hard pressed to find a set of bib tights from any of these three makers for under $200, while the Castellis are easy to find well under $100. So I would say price is relevant to discussion if thread is about quality comparisons.

If you need a theme song:

This is funny because I deliberately bought the men's version of the Performance Elite Bibs I recently got. I'm a female who's an "outie" rather than an "innie" so the padding designed for boys is more comfortable. (I have the Selle Italia Gel Diva saddle with a channel too which I was hesitant about but now love.) Plus I wanted wider straps so I'd never have to worry about them slipping or digging in. I highly recommend female cyclists try shopping on the men's side of the bike shop like they do with other shops.