Castelli Free Aero Race Kit Version Bib Short

Castelli Free Aero Race Kit Version Bib Short Info

The Kit Version (KV) brings the boldest graphics and color options to the Free Aero Race Bibshort—one of the top cycling bib shorts currently on the market. The Castelli name runs across the leg grippers in a pronounced, colored font, and two colored stripes travel vertically on the bib short’s dark gray back panel. The dimpled side panels are the same dark gray color as well. Colored stitching completes the unified look—the perfect complement to your favorite jersey to complete your cycling kit. Color combos include a black base with: red/white; yellow fluo; or blue/white detailing.

The Free Aero Race Bibshort is an amazing piece of cycling innovation. Unless riders can pedal in comfort, they'll never come close to achieving their potential. And the body/saddle interface is arguably the most important contact point.

The 2015 edition of the Free Aero Race Bibshort KV traces its lineage to the 2007 Castelli “Free Bibshort”—a design that has been much mimicked since its release. But Castelli's bib short has continued to evolve, and now features better muscle support, new fabrics, an improved leg gripper, and superior aerodynamics.

Thanks to improved airflow with the new Giro Air leg grippers and the dimpled fabric along the short's side panels, Castelli claims to have seen a 10-watt savings at 50 kph in wind tunnel testing with this new model. Castelli also designed those same Giro Air grippers to distribute their compression over a larger area, again enhancing the short's comfort.

Even the venerable Progetto X2 Air chamois has a new, softer surface fabric for improved comfort, and the bib straps have what Castelli has dubbed a “Carré yoke” to keep them lying flat against your body.

The race radio rear pocket can also be a great place to stash a phone, or some cash.

Improved comfort means you'll be able to push your body harder, thereby going faster. And the Free Aero Race Bibshort KV's aerodynamic properties mean that even without better power output, you'll cut through the air more quickly. When Castelli claims to supply an “unfair advantage,” you can see why.