Castelli Free AR 4.1 Jersey and Premio Bibshorts Review

By Brandon Bilyeu

Free AR 4.1 Jersey

Premio Bib Shorts

HOT!

Jersey

• Reflective accents
• Full-length zipper
• Snug but forgiving fit
• Free speed: claimed 12-watt savings at 25 mph (40 km/h)

Bibs

• Supremely comfortable and supportive
• Strong leg and core/back compression
• Chamois provides excellent support in a thin profile
• Reflective accents

NOT!

Jersey

• Elastic waist hem of the jersey provides minimal stretch
• No UPF sun protection rating on jersey or bibs, so wear your sunscreen
• Pricey, but often discounted

Bibs

• No womens’ version of the Premio bib shorts
• No UPF sun protection rating on jersey or bibs, so wear your sunscreen
• Pricey, but often discounted

Race-Focused Castelli Adds a Little Everyday Functionality

Castelli is a big player in the cycling apparel market. Based in Italy with U.S headquarters in Portland, Oregon, the company is the kit sponsor of numerous professional teams, is prolific in the custom team kit scene, and features an extensive line of off-the-shelf clothing for every weather condition. In general, their clothing is designed and marketed toward the racier end of the road cycling spectrum and, as such, the clothing is sometimes not a great fit in terms of the details that matter to everyday roadies.

In an attempt to create an everyday functional kit, Castelli designed the Free AR 4.1 jersey and Premio bib shorts. These pieces are summer and shoulder season weight kit for long days in the saddle, with a focus on comfort and functionality.

Free AR 4.1 Jersey = Aero Race 4.0 Jersey + Creature Comforts

For the Free AR 4.1 jersey, Castelli took their race day AR 4.0 (which was being replaced with the faster 5.1) and added features to create an all-around performance jersey. Still an aero jersey, the AR 4.1 saves a claimed 12 watts at 25 mph (40 km/h) over a standard race fit jersey. The functional updates are minor but do increase the versatility of the jersey: a zippered rear pocket in addition to the standard three open pockets, a flap behind the zipper to protect the neck, and angled rear pockets for better access.

The fit is race cut, but the aerodynamic fabric used is very stretchy and should be forgiving for many body shapes. As is typical with this cut, the chest material is tight when not in the riding position, like standing in line at the coffee shop. At 5’10” (1.78 m) and 145 lbs (65.8 kg) I found the medium to be a good fit, not skin tight with just a little bit of flap in the wind. (The widely accepted rule with Castelli is to go one size up as compared to U.S. product sizing, and this is especially true if you are at the upper limit of a given size in Castelli’s fit chart.)

My one fit complaint is that the elastic used at the waist hem is lacking in stretch compared to the rest of the jersey material and relative to other jerseys I have worn. While there was still room for me to grow in the body of the jersey, the hem was basically at its stretch limit.

On the bike the jersey is very comfortable and lightweight. Open mesh on the sides and back help keep you cool, while a closed mesh front provides a little wind protection. The medium length sleeves and arm cuffs keep things in place and a full zipper allows for easy on/off and ventilation. The front zipper is a larger gauge than I am used to for a cycling jersey, but it is sufficiently flexible and very easy to unzip one-handed. The three back pockets are of typical size, and the zippered pocket piggybacks the left rear open pocket. The zippered pocket size is great for keys, cards, and cash, but is too small for big smartphones.

I found the solid color designs with moderate style accents and minimal Castelli branding to be very classy. A reflective zipper pull and two small reflective patches on the rear aid low-light visibility without overpowering the low-key style of the jersey.

Premio – Italian for Premium

Aptly named, the Premio bib shorts are indeed premium in every way: fit, comfort, and, of course, cost. The heart of any cycling short is the chamois, and Castelli’s top-of-the line Progetto X2 Air does not disappoint. The Progetto X2 Air is designed for long-ride comfort and achieves this goal in a very compact package. Many long-ridechamois are bulky and thick to provide maximum cushioning, and I’m personally not a fan of thick chamois pads. The X2 Air is surprisingly thin and yet I found it to be very well-cushioned and supportive. The thin profile conforms nicely, with no bunching or creases as is common with thicker pads.

I have several pairs of bibs with the predecessor to the X2 Air, the X2, and while it was comfortable the X2 lacked sufficient padding for all-day comfort. The X2 Air solves this problem with denser padding, and I have ridden for 5+ hours without a hint of discomfort. If you liked the X2, you will likely be very happy with the X2 Air. That said, the thinner pad may not be as comfortable for cyclists who ride heavy in the saddle.

Holding the chamois in the right place is also very important, and the Premio bib shorts do an excellent job here, too. As with the Free AR 4.1, Castelli strayed from race-oriented design to create a more comfortable bib short. Extra reinforcement and compression is very noticeable as the bibs hug and hold your legs and torso very firmly.

The compression is supportive without feeling restrictive; it’s a great sensation. The result is a second skin fit that supports all your muscles and keeps the chamois in place. Some bib shorts move around as I ride, requiring adjustments every so often, but the Premio bibs lock on and don’t budge. I tested a size medium and in general I find I can wear either medium or large in Castelli bib shorts without issue.  Given the compressive nature of these bibs, I would recommend trying different sizes to get the best fit.

Castelli claims the front is cut higher than is typical for more core support, but I found the cut to be normal or perhaps even a bit lower than average. Either way, the cut and stretch of the fabric make for nature breaks on par with most bib shorts. Extending up from the waist, the bib straps loop over the shoulders to a lightweight mesh yoke over the back. The straps are wide, soft, and comfortable. Of note is that the straps are not mesh, but a solid material with no seams and dark red in color, so they will show underneath lightweight jerseys.

The Premio bib shorts are only available in solid black, again with minimal Castelli branding. Castelli uses heat-weld scorpion logo patches on the backside of each leg that over time will crack and peel, a longstanding Castelli element that could use a more durable update. Below the scorpion patch is a rectangular reflective patch for visibility, though I expect it to also crack and peel over time. The leg cut is long, reaching to just above my knees. There is no separate leg hem, the bib short material simply extends all the way down to a clean cut edge with vertical gripper stripes inside.

Excellent Jersey, Go-To Long-Ride Bib Shorts

The Free AR 4.1 jersey and Premio bib shorts are both great-looking pieces with subdued classic styling and have proven to be very durable everyday kit. The changes Castelli made to go from “race-ready” to “everyday” kit were fairly minimal, so expect a familiar Castelli experience with these pieces. If you are new to Castelli, this means optimized on-bike performance and comfort with a snug fit. If you want a more relaxed club fit, this is not the kit for you.

Overall, the jersey is very nice and is a great option for those looking for a slightly more utilitarian jersey that is still aero. The Premio bib shorts are sublime and perfect for events and long rides where performance and comfort are key. If you like a thinner chamois or have trouble with your chamois staying in place, these bibs might be for you. Both of these items command a premium price, but Castelli items can almost always be found on sale somewhere, so just search around.