That little scorpion is synonymous with year-round performance and Castelli’s Sorpasso 2 Bibtights keep pace with everything we’ve come to expect from Castelli.
Castelli Sorpasso 2 Bib TightsFeatures:
- Our best-fitting tight for a wide range of cool to cold conditions
- Thermoflex Core2 front and knees for extra warmth
- Thermoflex over thighs and back of legs for extra stretch
- Castelli shadow wordmark in colored leg band
- 3D support band at lower back and flat bib straps for extra comfort
- Progetto X2 Air seat pad for long-distance rides
- YKK® Camlock® zippered ankle openings with Giro3 elastic and reflective zip cover
- Weight: 301g
- MSRP: $179.95
Sorpasso 2: your cold-weather companions
Staying warm at speed while not overheating is a tough challenge for winter-weight bibtights. Not all can handle it, but those white whales that do can make winter riding a delight. Winter not only means cold, but occasional precipitation — rain or snow, depending on where you are. And, it’s impossible to forget about the wind chill at speed, which quickly separates the imposters from the real thing.
When it comes to cold-weather riding gear, there’s no doubt that Castelli comes to mind as one who has mastered the art of year-round riding. For years, their unbranded fabrics were by non-Castelli pro teams until their apparel makers could make something comparable.
With the latest Castelli Sorpasso 2 bib tights, we’re talking about cold-weather protection at its finest. When I say cold weather, I’m talking about temperatures in the 35-50 degree range. For me, road biking in the upper 30’s is the threshold for before I elect to just ride indoors. On the MTB, I’m good down to 30-degrees due to the lower overall speeds. The Sorpasso 2’s are just right all the way down to my personal thresholds of comfort.
Castelli uses a mixture of Thermoflex Core2 and Thermoflex fabrics to keep the elements at bay. This fleece-backed fabric does an excellent job of blocking chilling winds and keeping muscles happy. In the cold, muscles need warmth and compression and the Sorpasso 2’s deliver that quite well.
Often, winter-weight bibs can inhibit movement, but these are only minimally-restrictive and among the best I’ve tested. As with all Castelli bibs, the size large are a snug fit on my 5’11” – 170 lb. body. A little bit of wiggling and the flexible, wide straps keep everything in place (and comfortable). With such an excellent fit, the only downside comes when it’s time to use the bathroom as they don’t stretch well enough for proper relief without resulting to contortions.
With the Progetto X2 Air chamois, you can expect excellent saddle comfort on both long and short rides alike. It’s a spectacular chamois that matches quite well here — even though winter rides tend to be on the short side. When temperatures get warmer, the Termoflex panels do breathe, will get toasty on long efforts when temperatures get into the low 50’s.
While these remain an awesome choice for cold-weather riding, they would be over-the-top with a little water resistance. Frankly, I’m surprised that the front panels don’t offer water protection, but you can’t always have it all.
Lastly, I’ll mention that the leg zippers are well-placed and make things easy to both put them on and take them off. And, the zippers remain unnoticed while pedaling (something that’s not always the case with winter bibs).
The Good
- Comfortable, fleece-backed fabrics
- Keeps the wind at bay — even at high speeds
- Great compression to keep muscles happy
- Upper straps are flexible, wide and comfortable next-to-skin
- Breathable mesh in back helps moisture escape
The Bad
- A little DWR treatment would be nice
- Good luck going to the bathroom
The Bottom Line Castelli Sorpasso 2 Bib Tights
Heading out in the cold requires the proper equipment and you can’t go wrong with Castelli head-to-toe. The latest Sorpasso 2’s are excellent for cold-weather riding from 35-50 degrees with soft, fleece-backed Thermoflex fabric throughout.
Buy Now: Available at CompetitiveCyclist.com
