My feet are hard to fit I guess. Or maybe I'm just really picky. But for whatever reason, shoes are one of my most difficult kit decisions. I usually try several in a wide range of prices and styles, because fit and performance really matter to me. For me, these fit the bill really well. Starting with the closure system, for me, laces are the way to go. I was not always a fan of laces (way too showy in my mind) but the truth is that they really do work well to relieve weird pressure points and control overall fit. These shoes are very comfortable. Next is the sole. These shoes have a really nice and grippy rubber sole, but they are still relatively trim--making them more like a road shoe than a hiking boot. I use these for gravel riding, so for me that's the perfect compromise. Then there is stiffness. If I have a compliant, it's here. These shoes are not the stiffest and I wish they were. But after a half-dozen 30-40 mile rides and one 80 mile ride, I can't say that its really bothered me that much. Power transfer could be better with a stiffer, full carbon sole. But mostly, these have done the job nicely. Next criteria is weight. The lace closure really helps there. These are not road-shoe-light, but they're light enough and much lighter than most of the shoes I tried. So overall pretty satisfied with the weight. Aesthetics--I think these are really nice, understated shoes. And price. These are a mid-range price shoe that have excellent fit and performance characteristics--even with the less than super-stiff soles. For me, these were just right. It took trying on a BUNCH of shoes from Fizik, Giro, and Specialized before I landed on these. And they weren't even on my list to begin with. I'm glad I found them and recommend them.
These are the best short finger cycling gloves I've owned. They fit well, true to size and they last a long time. My last pair survived over 2 years and I ride about 9000 miles a year on average. The gel on the palms placed perfectly and has just enough cushion for me. The loops on the back of the middle 2 fingers make it easier to take them off at the end of a ride. I ordered 2 pair this time just in case they quit making them or change the design before I need another pair!
Castelli has created a bib short that could be worn under a lighter pair of tights in Spring or Fall or potentially a very cool Summer morning. They are exceptionally comfortable and I have worn them on fifty mile rides with little complaint form my backside. My pair of size medium fit my 5 foot 9 inch frame nicely. I usually weigh between 160-165 pounds. If you are tolerant of "lower" temperatures these would be excellent for 50-60 degree rides all by themselves. With all my new Castelli gear I have stopped putting them in the dryer after washing even on the super delicate setting. Read the directions for yourself and given the amount of money involved I say err on the side of caution. I wish I could put them in the dryer but I'll trade off the time between uses to have them last longer. I like them that much.
My second pair of Assos and I am a very satisfied customer. They are my new go to pair of bibs. My first pair I used for 2 yrs solid for Sat and Sun rides because none of my other shorts came close to the Assos comfort, fit and tightness on my legs. So washing them after every ride eventually took their toll on the them and they began to wear on the hip area and eventually on the butt to the point where a small hole developed. That pair is now reserved for spin class and shorter weekday rides. I will eventually buy a second pair because the difference is very noticeable between the Assos and my Pear Izumi bibs. These bibs are worth the extra $$, treat your butt to a pair.
