The cat is out of the bag tonight on one of professional cycling’s worst kept secrets ahead of the 2017 season – Italian brand Castelli will be replacing Rapha as Team Sky’s kit supplier for 2017.

In contrast to when Rapha replaced Adidas ahead of the 2013 season, with no pictures released of the new kit until 1 January, Team Sky and Castelli have gone public immediately with the new look.

Tour de France champion Chris Froome, former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski and Olympic omnium champion Elia Viviani are all shown modelling the kit in the gallery above.

Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “We’re really excited to be able to announce this partnership between Team Sky and Castelli.

 “Castelli will be more than a kit supplier, they will be an innovation partner. Castelli has a long history of breaking new ground when it comes to kit and design.

“We will continue to push hard to make sure our riders have the best clothing and equipment, and we’re already excited about some of the ideas Castelli are working on with us."

Sky and Castelli say that each of the distinctive stripes on the jersey as well as the bibshorts, mitts and cap reflect one of the victories it has achieved since it began racing in 2010 – the longest ones are for the four Tour de France wins.

“We spent a lot of time thinking about our new kit and what we wanted it to represent visually,” Brailsford continued.

“We wanted to find a way of celebrating the success we have had as a team, but also to make sure we keep our mind firmly on the future.

“As a team we still have an enormous amount of goals we want to achieve and, through the design of our new kit, those will always be at the forefront of our thinking.

“We’ve maintained the design elements which our kits have become well known for, such as the blue line, but produced something ambitious and unique to Team Sky.

“We’re delighted with the results and we hope our fans will love it as much as the riders do.”

Castelli race performance director, Andrea Peron, said: “Castelli and Team Sky share the same drive for results-driven innovation in everything we do. Team Sky has a structure and the resources to help us continuously give our athletes a performance advantage.

"Whether it’s aerodynamics, foul weather protection or solutions that let the riders train more comfortably, we’re looking at every opportunity for an advantage.”

When the weather turns a chilly — or starts to emerge from the frigid depths of winter — arm and leg warmers are a useful weapon in your bad-weather armoury.

Arm warmers can extend the time of the year when you can ear your favourite jersey, or add extra insulation under a jacket if your arms feel the chill. When the weather’s cool but not frigid, leg warmers can keep warm the bits of your legs that aren’t working hard while your thighs keep themselves plenty warm enough in shorts.

That’s especially useful on autumn and spring days that start cold and warm up. When conditions improve you can peel off arm and leg warmers and stuff them in your bag or pockets. Bringing that versatility to your outfit makes arm and leg warmers an essential part of your cycling wardrobe.

Fabrics

Arm and leg warmers are usually made of some sort of insulating fabric that’s thicker than the usual Lycra or jersey material. The most common is a fleece-backed Lycra called Roubaix which traps air against your skin to keep you warm. Super Roubaix, as the name suggests, is a thicker, warmer version of the same idea.

Arm and leg warmers are also made from knitted fabrics, usually some sort of polyester or Merino wool for maximum warmth and luxury. These are often thicker and warmer than Roubaix, and if they’re knitted in one piece they don’t have the seams that some people find annoying.

A big step forward in the last few years has been the introduction of water-repellent fabrics that help keep you dry. Rain beads off Sportful’s NoRain line, Castelli’s NanoFlex and dhb’s Rain Defence fabrics. Water gets through them eventually, but they’re a good first line of defence against damp weather.

You can also get thinner arm covers that protect against the summer sun without adding insulation

Grippers

Lusso Cooltech Leg warmers - gripper

Most warmers use silicone strips to grab your skin, although some very carefully-designed models manage to stay up without it. Some also have silicone on the outside to grab your shorts legs or jersey sleeves to keep them in place too.

Length

X-BIONIC Leg Warmer - knee

Arm warmers are all supposed to be long enough to reach from your upper arm to your wrists, though some manufacturers do offer different sizes to accommodate longer or shorter arms. But as well as shorts-to-ankle leg warmers, you can also get knee warmers that end mid-calf and turn your shorts into three-quarter length tights. If you find it’s your knees that really take the brunt of cold weather, you may find this surprisingly comfortable.

Here are 14 of the arm, leg and knee warmers we've reviewed and liked over the last few years.

Prendas Ciclismo Merkalon Special Edition arm warmers — £7.95

Prendas Meraklon Special Edition Armwarmers 1

The Prendas Meraklon arm warmers are basic but they do a good job and come at an amazingly cheap price.

They're essentially tubes of polypropylene (58%), nylon (40%) and elastane (2%) with a ribbed top and a more tightly woven cuff section at the bottom. A little more air gets through than with fleecy Roubaix fabrics but they're warmer than skinny Lycra warmers – they split the difference between the two. We found them a good option for typical spring/autumn conditions.

Read our review of the Prendas Ciclismo Merkalon Special Edition arm warmers

Caratti Thermal knee warmers — £10

Caratti Thermal Knee Warmer

Carratti have designed these knee warmers for cooler weather, with a breathable thermal fleece inner that keeps rider-generated heat close to the legs, the 80/20 nylon/elastane fabric performs well, and we experienced no problems with breathability on warmer days. The fabric is wind resistant and has shrugged off light showers.

Read our review of the Caratti Thermal knee warmers

Louis Garneau Arm Warmers 2 — £19.99

Louis Garneau Arm Warmers 2

The Louis Garneau Arm Warmers 2 do a good job of keeping your arms warm on cooler autumn rides with a minimum of fuss, and they pass the all-important 'skinny upper arm' test.

Made of Heatmaxx fabric with a fleece inner surface, the warmers feel very soft, providing sufficient warmth for cool spring or autumn weather.

They're a bit less stretchy than some that I've tried, but this doesn't affect the fit. They feel comfortable in all positions on the bike and, crucially, the silicone-lined upper grippers stay in place without digging in. There's no silicone on the lower cuff which means you can remove the warmers easily, even over a pair of gloves.

Read our review of the Louis Garneau Arm Warmers 2

Polaris RBS arm warmers — £17.99

Polaris RBS Armwarmers

Polaris's RBS (really bright stuff) arm warmers keep you cosy with their thermal lining and visible with their reflective trim.

The biggest issue our tester had was that they didn't match with anything in his wardrobe, unlike classic “goes with anything” black arm warmers, but they are certainly warm, and provide a decent degree of protection from chilly weather and wind. They are quite tight though, with secure silicone grippers. That’s good if you have skinny arms, not so great if you’ve got guns from another sport.

Read our review of the Polaris RBS arm warmers

Find a Polaris dealer

Castelli Thermoflex arm warmers — £24.99

Castelli thermoflex arm warmers

The advantages of Castelli's Thermoflex arm warmers are individually small, but they all add up to create one of the most comfortable, best fitting sleeves on the market.

The Thermoflex name comes from the fabric. It's a medium-weight fleece to trap a layer of warm air against the skin which it does well providing plenty of warmth in temperatures ranging from mid-single figures to the low teens.

The best thing about the Thermoflex Arm Warmer, though, is the fit. They are anatomically shaped during construction — a pre bent elbow if you like — and the fabric is super stretchy so it fits closely and moves with your arm. This means there are no creases or rucks in the material, better for comfort and aerodynamics.

A neat addition is the silicone grip on the outside at the top to grip your jersey sleeve.

Read our review of the Castelli Thermoflex arm warmers

Castelli Nanoflex knee warmers — £20.99

Castelli NanoFlex knee warmer crop.jpg

Castelli Nanoflex kneewarmers combine two handy functions, keeping your knees both warm and dry. The fabric incorporates silicone filaments that keep the rain out, causing it to bead on the surface and be moved away by the wind.

The inner is a fleecy lining Roubaix style that is very soft to the touch and keeps your knees warm even when the rain eventually gets through. The Thermaflex fabric does exactly what the title suggests, flexes and moves with your leg while travelling through the pedalling motion.

Read our review of the Castelli Nanoflex knee warmers

Galibier Ardennes Roubaix Leg Warmers — £22

Galibier Ardennes Roubaix Leg Warmer - riding.jpg

The Galibier Ardennes Roubaix Leg Warmers work well, keeping out the wind effectively and keeping in warmth nicely. The fit is also a strong point thanks to the left and right-specific fits.

They are made from two different fleece-backed Roubaix fabrics, which Galibier claims are matched to the motion of the pedalling leg. Inside they also have a good fleecy material to help keep warmth in.

Read our review of the Galibier Ardennes Roubaix Leg Warmers

dhb Regulate leg warmers — £22

dhb-regulate-warm-leg-warmers.jpg

We haven’t tested this exact incarnation of dhb’s well-priced Roubaix, leg warmers, but we liked the very similar Pace Roubaix model.

Those were excellent, with five separate panels to give an 'anatomical' shape - ie, they've got a bend half way down, to match the bend in your leg, and silicone grippers round the inside of the ankle cuff, and around the inside and outside of the thigh cuff so they don't slip down from under your shorts to reveal that annoying and very unstylish inch of bare skin.

With an identical feature set, we’d expect these to be just as good, and the price is very reasonable.

Read our review of the dhb Regulate leg warmers

DeFeet Kneekers knee warmers — £23.99

DeFeet Kneekers Knee Warmers

DeFeet Kneekers are seamless knee warmers. High in comfort and stretch, they're are ideal for autumn cycling.

They’re made from a single seamless tube of Coolmax/Lycra material. They're longer than most knee warmers and that means they can cover the legs well above and below the knee, providing extra insulation on cold autumn rides.

They provide good protection from the cold and rain without any hint of overheating. There’s Aireator mesh in the back panel, which improves heat regulation and also contributes to the comfort, but allowing extra flexibility.

If you want a bit more warmth, there's a Merino wool version too.

Read our review of the DeFeet Kneekers knee warmers

Find a DeFeet dealer

Stolen Goat Orkaan Weather Proof Arm Warmers — £28.49

stolen goat Orkaan Weather Proof Arm Warmers

These arm warmers are from Stolen Goat's Orkaan winter range are made from the same material as their bib tights, so you get a comfortable brushed inner surface and a degree of protection against the cold and wet. They have a section of reflective Pixel material which is a great idea, giving some much needed side visibility for night-time riding.

They always stayed safely tucked inside the jersey sleeves, helped by elasticated cuffs at each end with a silicone Bioracer pattern on the inside.

Read our review of the Stolen Goat Orkaan Weather Proof Arm Warmers

dhb Aeron Rain Defence Leg Warmers — £30

dhb Aeron Rain Defence Leg Warmers.jpg

The dhb Aeron Rain Defence Leg Warmers are yet another excellent piece in dhb's water resistant range. Water simply runs off. They also fit superbly thanks to well thought out stitching. With their brushed, fleecy lining, the leg warmers instantly feel snug and ready for some cold miles. The Rain Defence fabric is included only on the frontal section, where most spray is concentrated, leaving the rear more flexible for comfort behind the knee.

Read our review of the dhb Aeron Rain Defence Leg Warmers 

Craft 3D arm warmers — £30

Craft Arm Warmers - worn

As arm warmers go, the Craft 3Ds are at the upper end of the scale, both in the design and technology that has gone in to them and in price. They are nevertheless amazingly good value in terms of versatility, usefulness and all-round ride comfort.

They kept our tester’s arms pleasingly warm on even the coldest days. You really don't notice you are wearing them. The silicone grippers at the top of the arms do the job effectively but unobtrusively, the material is soft to the touch and there is nothing to itch or scratch.

Read our review of the Craft 3D arm warmers

Find a Craft dealer

Castelli Nanoflex Leg Warmers — £34.99

Castelli Nanoflex Leg Warmer

Castelli's Nanoflex Leg Warmers are well designed and comfortable with the added bonus of being water repellent, thanks to the Nanoflex fabric. It keeps road spray and showers out but harder rain does work through, especially through the bit at the front of your knee that you stretch repeatedly as you pedal. But the point is, these feel like any other leg warmers in terms of feel and breathability – like most, they're made from nylon and Lycra – so there's no down side to that extra water repellency.

Nanoflex aside, these are good leg warmers in their own right, coming with just one flatlock stitched seam up the back, which I haven't found at all irritating. The elasticated gripper has silicone on the inside to hold it against your leg, and on the outside to keep it in place against your shorts. I've never had any trouble there. A YKK zip at the back makes getting them on and off easy, even over your shoes.

Read our review of the Castelli Nanoflex Leg Warmers

Rapha leg warmers — £50

Rapha leg warmers - gripper

Most leg warmers are much of a muchness but these from Rapha are well made with some high-quality features.

They’re made from Roubaix fabric, an ultra-soft blend of polyamide, polyester and elastane that’s stretchy with a fleecy inner face. It feels great next to your skin, is highly breathable, and provides enough warmth for most autumn/winter conditions, although it’s not windproof.

Each leg is made from three separate panels and is constructed to give a slight knee bend that minimises bunching as you pedal. The ankle zips allow you to get them on and off easily over your shoes if the temperature changes mid-ride – a definite bonus – and they come with pullers that snap into place to avoid rattling and zip guards behind to keep them comfy. Silicone grippers top and bottom hold them in place perfectly.

Read our review of the Rapha leg warmers

You've done it, you've made it through another week. Why not reward yourself with some new bike gear? Go on, you deserve it.

The DealCatcher, as always, is here to help you on that journey of self reward. In our retail therapy toolbox today we've got a bike, a jersey, and a portable pump, all at incredible prices.

Kona's Jake The Snake gets things started with a 20% discount over at Cycle Store. Hargroves Cycles follow that up with a Castelli Potenza jersey at a 20% discount, with Tweeks Cycles's 35% discount on Portland Design Works' Magic Flute bike pump rounding things off.

Enjoy.

Cycle Store

20% off Kona's 2016 Jake The Snake
WAS £1399.00 | NOW £1119.20

Kona Jake The Snake 2016.jpg

Apart from just having a great name, Kona's Jake The Snake is a great option for CX racers and dodgy-road commuters alike.

Consistently one of Kona's best selling bikes, the Jake The Snake carries a Shimano 105 drivetrain, an FSA Gossamer CX N11 crank set, WTB STp i19 wheels, and Clement MXP 700x33c tyres aboard Kona's Race Light 7005 Aluminium Butted frame.

A full carbon fork, Hayes CX Expert disc brakes and Kona finishing kit... well... finish things off.

- Read more: road.cc's Kona Jake The Snake review

Hargroves Cycles

20% off Castelli's Potenza Grey Jersey Fz
WAS £174.99 | NOW £140.00

Castelli PotenzaFZz Jersey Grey.jpg

It's an oft-lamented fact in the cycling industry that premium products come at premium prices.

Sure, you can have a fun time and get by in bargain gear, but boy do you know it when you're wearing a pricey, well made bit of gear.

This Castelli Potenza jersey is aimed at keeping the warm air inside your clothes, and the cold air out. If it's anything like the other cold weather Castelli gear we've had in before - like the Espresso Jacket for which you can read the 9/10 review below - it'll be worth the £140, for sure.

- Read more: road.cc's Castelli Espresso Due Jacket

Tweeks Cycles

45% off PDW's Magic Flute
WAS £29.99 | NOW £19.49

PDW Magic Flute.jpg

No, you won't be charming snakes or luring rats out of cities with this flute, but it'll help you reinflate quickly, painlessly, and stylishly.

If the Magic Flute is sold out when you come to buy it, don't fret. The slightly smaller Little Silver pump from Portland Design Works will still be available at the same price.

- Read more: road.cc's PDW Big Silver Road Pump review

Today's road.cc DealCatcher cycling deals are coming at you from three massive brands in the world of cycling and from some hefty cycling retailers too.

First up are German bike makers Storck. Over at Vielo Sports you can get a third off the Aernario Comp Ultegra 6800.

Assos's SS.mangussta short sleeve jersey has also had a hefty discount over at Ribble. It's certainly worth a look if you fancy adding to your spring wardrobe.

Finally, Cycle Surgery has a deal on Castelli Velocissimo bib shorts.

Vielo Sports

33% off Storck's 2016 Aernario Comp Ultegra 6800
WAS £2999.99 | NOW £2000.00

Storck Aernario.jpg

Winner of road.cc's 2015 Super Bike of the Year award with its Aernario Platinum, Storck has passed plenty of that bike's DNA down to the Comp Ultegra.

The Comp weighs in at 7.45kg, and carries the same tubes and ride characteristics as the Platinum that won our award a couple of years back.

- Read more: road.cc's Storck Aernario Platinum review

Ribble Cycles

40% off Assos's SS.mangussta SS Jersey
WAS £129.99 | NOW £77.00

Assos SS mangussta.PNG

As spring threatens to arrive technical features like Assos's skinFoil bodyInsulator can be incredibly handy.

The jersey will keep you warm, especially when combined with a baselayer. It's tight fitting, features UV protection, and wicks away any excess moisture.

- Read more: road.cc's Assos SS.CampionissimoJersey_evo7

Cycle Surgery

35% off Castelli's Velocissimo Men's Bibshorts
WAS £90.00 | NOW £59.00

Castelli Velocissimo Bibshorts.jpg

Finally, Castelli's Velocissimo's bibshorts came in for road.cc review a while back and they performed pretty darn well.

The bibs are "impressibely comfortable for all day riding" according to Stu Kerton.

They're durable too, and easily justify their full price tag.

At this price they're a bargain.

- Read more: Castelli's Velocissimo bibshorts review

Today's DealCatcher comes to you straight from the folks over at Wiggle. As usual we've got a selection of top brands and wonderful products at discount prices to tempt that wallet out of your pocket.

Up first is a bike. GT's adventure offering, the Grade AL X, has seen its price drop by over a quarter, putting it a touch over the £1000 point.

We've also got High5 nutrition, Castelli socks and BBB sunglasses alongside a selection of dhb waterproof jackets.

What're you waiting for?

*Update*
Due to limited availability, we've replaced the GT deal with a pair of Bont cycling shoes.

26% off GT's 2016 Grade AL X
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
WAS £1499.99 | NOW £1099.98

GT-Grade-AL-X-201.jpg

The adventure category of bikes has taken off over the last few years, and this crowd favourite - the GT’s Grade - has stood the test of time since its release.

The AL X carries a carbon fork, a SRAM Rival 1x11 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, Jalco CR435 rims and Clement 33mm tyres on its alloy frame. 

- Read more: road.cc's GT Grade Alloy Tiagra review

50% off Bont's Vaypor Road Shoe
WAS £225.00 | NOW £112.50

Bont Vapour.png

A 9/10 road shoe. That's what these are.

Our tech editor Mat Brett spent a fair few miles in these shoes and came away very impressed with the Vaypors.

Not only are they exceptionally lightweight and stiff, the heat-mould sole makes for a perfect fit.

- Read more: road.cc's Bont Vaypor review

53% off High5's Selection Pack
WAS £14.99 | NOW £6.99

H5_Selection_Pack.jpg

We're big fans of what High5 do with regards to their energy product line.

For the small price of £7 you too can see where you stand on almost its entire line too.

The selection pack carries a... selection... of everything you'll need if you're heading out for a weekend of riding or if you just fancy sampling the range.

- Read more: road.cc's High5 Energy Gel & Energy Gel Plus review

50% off Castelli's Diverso Socks
WAS £18.00 | NOW £8.99

Castelli-Diverso-Socks-Cycling-Socks.jpg

Fancy a bit of luxury? Castelli's Diverso socks are made with wonderfully soft and warm merino wool that's not only wicked at wicking moisture away, it's lightweight and breathable too.

The Diversos, therefore, are the perfect spring sock. They'll keep you warm on the cooler days, and allow your feet to breathe when the weather picks up.

25% off dhb's Aeron Storm Jacket
WAS £125.00 | NOW £93.75

dhb-Aeron-Storm-Waterproof-Jacket.jpg

The next three stonking deals in today's DealCatcher are as fresh as they come.

Discounted today, this range of dhb jackets are far cheaper than they have been recently. And they'll stay that way only for the next 10 days.

So if you're ooh-ing and ahh-ing about whether or not to invest in a new waterproof, now's the time to move.

The Storm is dhb's most advanced waterproof to date. 

The idea is to keep your body in the optimal 37.5°C sweet spot for exercise. And it does that by creating a microclimate within its triple layered waterproof membrane via a variety of advanced vents and water moisture dispersal systems.

25% off dhb's Aeron Tempo Jacket
WAS £80.00 | NOW £60.00

dhb-Aeron-Tempo-Waterproof-Jacket.jpg

The Tempo jacket is slightly cheaper than the Storm and is designed for days when you're putting some serious watts down on a mild but wet day.

Perfect for changeable weather, like we're getting at the moment, and like we'll certainly get in the autumn.

25% off dhb's Flashlight Force Jacket
WAS £100.00 | NOW £74.99

dhb-Flashlight-Force-Waterproof-Jacket.jpg

The final dhb jacket today is the Flashlight Force.

It's dhb's highest-performing hi-viz number, and does a great job of keeping you dry, well seen, and in an optimal performance zone with regards to temperature and comfort.

35% off BBB's Select Sport Sunglasses
WAS £59.95 | NOW £38.65

BBB-Select-Sport-Sunglasses-Performance-Sunglasses.jpg

Finally, in case you missed it today, our man David Arthur pulled together a buyer's guide to cycling sunglasses to see you through the summer months.

You can read that below, but first let's look at BBB's impressive Select Sport Sunglasses.

They feature in the article below, and our man David Arthur calls them out for their "great style and impressive value for money." 

He says they're comfortable and "the nine-layer coating gives the MLC blue tinted polycarbonate lens (pictured) great contrast in a range of lighting conditions, and the lenses are relatively easy to swap."

- Read more: road.cc's 21 best cycling sunglasses Buyer's Guide

The Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts successfully keep things toasty when the temperatures drop, and if the leg length is right you're looking at a very, very good pair of bib shorts for cooler weather. If they're just a little long (but fit perfectly elsewhere), you might have the same issues as I did with where they sit at the back of the knee.

Castelli says the Omloops are designed in response to pro riders' desires to have extra leg length without feeling restrictive around the knees. The story goes that when Cervelo Test Team rider Jeremy Hunt cut off his knee warmers in 2009 to achieve a halfway house between a three-quarter and standard thermal bib short, he started "a trend that continues to this day".

> Find your nearest dealer here

Having tried these, I'm afraid it's not a trend I'll be following. My issue was simply that, with the extended fleece section, you need to have a perfect fit on the thigh to ensure there's no rubbing or chafing around the top of the back of the knee. Yes, the extension is very soft, as Castelli claims, but even then I found the edge still noticeable – and annoying.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts - side.jpg

I can appreciate it might not be an issue for others. Perhaps the cut that maximises coverage over the thighs in taller riders, and could arguably extend over the knees in shorter riders, is desirable – in which case you'll probably really enjoy using them, especially given the thermal qualities of the entire shorts.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts.jpg

There's a fleece backing throughout that extends upwards into the bib section to cover the lower back, and that gives the shorts a really toasty feel in colder conditions. Seams are flat so chafing anywhere else is very unlikely too. In fact, without the leg extensions I'd say they're strong all-rounders in the thermal bib short market.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts - straps back.jpg

Castelli also claims top levels of breathability in the Thermoflex fabric, and I'd go along with that. I never found myself doused in sweat after rides, even when the temperature rose into double figures, although I still felt too hot when the sun beat down and windchill was reduced at times. They're not windproof, but in terms of breathabilty that's no bad thing.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts - front.jpg

They're very comfortable elsewhere. Over the shoulders, a highly elasticated flat fabric band helps to distribute tension evenly, while the upper back is meshed to allow a little breathability when it's needed. Certainly, I can have no complaints in the large size I had, which although a size up from my normal bib size, fitted like a glove in the top half. Part of this is down to the fact that Castelli kit can come up a little small compared to others, something worth bearing in mind.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts - straps front.jpg

As with other Rosso Corsa-level kit, the pad is extremely good too. Vitally important, especially if you're planning on a trip over the cobbles next season, the Progetto X2 Air chamois remains one of the best I've ridden in. It's graded, large, yet very mouldable in a one-piece kind of way (as opposed to straight-up foldable down the middle, like Cytech's tend to be), and will see you through a long (and testing) day in the saddle.

Castelli Omloop Thermal bib shorts - pad.jpg

There's no special treatment required in the wash – stick them in with the rest of your kit on your chosen setting (40 degrees or below), and they return in as-new condition, while the quality of Castelli kit generally fully justifies their often-premium price tags.

> Buyer's Guide: Bib shorts – the key to cycling comfort

In fact, £120 isn't too much to ask for – if you're sure the extensions aren't going to bother you. If knee-length bibs or knee warmers just aren't your thing, then I can recommend these wholeheartedly.

Verdict

Top quality, but leg length does need to be spot on for comfort

The RS Superleggera from Castelli is lightweight, but aimed at general riders rather than out-and-out racers. Castelli says it uses fabrics and tech from its pro race jerseys to offer excellent comfort at a very low weight, minus the uncompromising focus on pure speed. And it works rather nicely. If you're off to the mountains and looking to cut grams wherever possible, this comes in at a barely-there 106g (compared with a more typical 150-180g for a summer jersey). Unlike some other lightweight jerseys we've tried, there are really no significant compromises to hit that weight.

Castelli RS Superleggera Jersey - riding.jpg

Cut from a range of diaphanous fabrics, Castelli says this (along with most of the rest of its output, in reality) will fit best on those with "more athletic body types", but it is notably more forgiving than some of their racewear and all the better for it (assuming time trials aren't why you bought it). I'm generally a large in Castelli sizing, at 6ft 2in, a shade over 80kg and with a 39in chest, and I found the fit to be spot on here. That's not me in the pictures, by the way.

Castelli RS Superleggera Jersey - collar.jpg

The temperature round these parts hasn't yet reached the giddy summer heights, but I found that paired with various base layers this was pretty spot-on for the mid-teens of spring afternoon riding; it's certainly not something you'd have to save for the hols abroad.

The Futura fabric (the blue bits) is really soft and light and very comfortable against the skin. It is pretty stretchy in the horizontal direction, allowing it to fit a wider range of body shapes. The black side panels are a highly breathable mesh designed to keep you cool when the mercury rises.

Castelli RS Superleggera Jersey - pocket zipped.jpg

One of my favourite things about this jersey is the efforts that Castelli have put into pocket stabilisation. One of my bugbears with the ultralight Adizero jersey was that if you put a phone (a good bit heavier than the jersey) in one of the two side pockets, it pulled the jersey round to that side.

No such issues here thanks to two great pieces of fabric engineering. Firstly, there's a more compressive 90g stretch fabric used around the lower part of the jersey (the black part) which hugs your lumbar region and holds the jersey and the contents of the pockets nicely in place. Secondly, there's an inner layer of "3d mesh" on the back whose job is to provide vertical support and stop sagging. This covers the whole area between the seams that run up to the shoulder blades, and the mesh has plenty of horizontal stretch to avoid pulling tight across the shoulders but almost none of our old friend, vertical compliance. What that means here is that the weight of whatever you've stuffed in the pockets is supported right up your back to your shoulders, and it works a treat.

Castelli RS Superleggera Jersey - shoulders.jpg

Castelli says that whereas the pros have team cars and hence don't need to load up their pockets, they recognise that the rest of us generally need to carry more than a couple of gels, and that led to the design of this jersey. The two side pockets are big enough to swallow a large modern smartphone and the centre pocket could take a pair of leg warmers or a lightweight shell or gilet. They've also included a zipped valuables pocket on the right-hand side for keys or coins, emblazoned with the words "You know you're getting an unfair advantage".

Castelli RS Superleggera Jersey - detail.jpg

Unfair or not, (and you're certainly paying a fairly handsome price for that advantage), this is a really well-designed summer jersey. Yes, it is very light, but for me that's not the main point here, as it's also a super-comfortable and practical top for sunny days out. £115 is a big price for a summer jersey, a little less than what Rapha asks for its Pro Team Lightweight jersey, and may well be more than you're willing to pay, but if you're in the market for a primo "general purpose" warm-weather top (as opposed to out-and-out racewear) then I would certainly recommend this. It's debatable whether saving 50g off the weight of your jersey is really a worthwhile endeavour, but if it can be done without gratuitously compromising the other functions of a jersey, then why not? The RS Superleggera is available in a handful of fairly muted colour combinations.

Verdict

Ultra-light without the usual compromises on practicality - a lovely summer jersey for the mountains

The Castelli Premio Bibshort are a pair of well made, high quality bib shorts designed for long hours in the saddle.

Castelli is keen to emphasise that these shorts are not for racing, they're for the hard miles you put in before you join the peloton. One of the key elements it mentions is that rather than minimalism, it has added more to make these shorts more suitable for long rides. So, how do they shape up?

> Find your nearest dealer here

Although Castelli claims that these are less minimalist than other shorts in its collection, the design itself is certainly understated, with the plain black Lycra only broken by two Castelli logos on the back of each leg, and an almost imperceptible shadow logo running down the left leg. It creates a clean look, without even a bottom hem to destroy the clean lines.

Castelli Premio Bibshort - back full.jpg

They are a really good looking pair of bib shorts, and as somebody who isn't too comfortable with looking like a billboard when riding, I think they look great.

Castelli Premio Bibshort - front.jpg

To go along with these looks, the Premios are also very comfortable to wear on longer rides. This is thanks to a lack of seams, compression material used not only on the leg but also to give lower back support, and also the Progetto X2 seat pad, a well tested pad used in many Castelli shorts.

Castelli Premio Bibshort - pad.jpg

One of the key elements of the shorts according to Steve Smith, Castelli's brand manager, was 'to create shorts that wearers would be able to forget they had on for logging long hours on the road free of clothing-related distractions'. Although this sounds like an anxiety dream, where you think you're in an exam with no shorts on, it is actually a fairly good description of how these feel.

The elongated anti-slip area towards the knee is longer than typical, meaning you don't have a thin band of skin taking all the pressure and sometimes causing irritation. This, combined with the slight compression in the fabric, means that over long hours they are remarkably comfortable. Add this to the ever-reliable Progetto X2 on the saddle, and they are great over long distances. The material also offers a decent amount of stretch and good freedom of movement.

Castelli Premio Bibshort - gripper.jpg

Up top the straps continue with Castelli's long-running lack of seams, the idea being that there is less chance of them causing discomfort on longer rides. It makes it a little more work putting them on, as they are more likely to twist, but once on I had no real issues at all. There is also a slight compression on the lower back area – this is probably the lumbar support Castelli refers to as "helping to support your back muscles as you practice your seated climbing", and you certainly feel more supported in that area than with other shorts I've tried. 

Castelli Premio Bibshort - straps back.jpg

Although Castelli claims the shorts come up 'a bit higher in front to hold everything in', I found they were actually quite a bit lower than most.

Castelli Premio Bibshort - straps front.jpg

Breathability is pretty good, with the material wicking sweat away from the legs quickly and the large mesh area on the back helping to both improve ventilation and wicking. Castelli gives them a breathability rating of 3/5 which seems about right. The material isn't exactly lightweight, but at the same time you aren't going to boil when wearing them.

> Buyer's Guide: 18 of the best cycling  bib shorts

The RRP of £175 is about where I would expect a set a bib shorts with this kind of technology to sit, especially when you consider that they carry the Rosso Corsa label (Castelli's top of the line kit – "only applied to the highest-level products we make," it says).

All in, I really liked these shorts. They have a load of tech that helps with longer rides, they look really clean and simple, plus the compression areas are useful and help with support on longer rides or particular efforts. My job is to test kit and be critical of claims, but with these I really struggled to find fault; perhaps the front could be a little higher, but aside from that there isn't a huge amount not to like.

Verdict

Excellent bib shorts that are comfortable over even the longest distances

The Castelli Prologo V Jersey brings together great breathability, strong looks, and a comfortable fit to create a very good summer cycling top.

The Prologo is now in its fifth iteration, as you can probably tell from the V in the name. Castelli claims it's the closest to the fundamental ideals of what it wants a jersey to be, with the relatively broad claim of creating 'your favorite [sic] jersey'– a big claim. But does it live up to its reputation?

> Find your nearest dealer here

Breathability is one of the main selling points of the jersey, with Castelli giving it 4/5 on its breathability scale. Here I agree with the Italian company. It has a large mesh vent running down under the arms and across the back, and the rest of the jersey is made from Stratus+, a two-layer fabric that lets heat out really well. The highest temperature I used it in was around 25°C, and it coped admirably. I would happily use this during an Italian summer.

Castelli Prologo V Jersey - riding.jpg

The latest Prologo is a strong, clean looking jersey, with the red version I tested a bright and easily seen primary colour that hasn't faded at all in the six or so washes I have put it through. There is also a smart black band under the pockets, which helps it to blend into black shorts – a clever touch. There is also a shadow logo on the front, which I think looks really classy and doesn't make you feel like a walking billboard. There is also the scorpion logo on the left sleeve and central rear pocket.

Castelli Prologo V Jersey - back.jpg

Fit isn't totally relaxed but not what I would describe as a racing cut: it doesn't make you look like a kid wearing their dad's jersey but it also has a bit of give for those of us who enjoy a pint now and then. Fit is certainly Italian, meaning the large I wore was good for me – I'm normally between a medium and large for UK or US brands. Arm length is about average and certainly not an 'aero reaching your elbow' job. I approve – I find that the tan lines created when flitting between regular and aero arms can take away from the pride of the ruler-straight tan line all(!) cyclists crave.

Castelli Prologo V Jersey - sleeve.jpg

Other features on the jersey include a full length zipper, which helps with ventilation if you need it, and a zip garage at the top to prevent chafing. There is also a strong gripper on the hem, keeping everything in place throughout, regardless of whether I have anything in the three well-sized rear pockets or additional zipped key pocket. Stitching isn't flatlock, but I didn't find any kind of discomfort even on long, hot rides.

Castelli Prologo V Jersey - gripper.jpg

It comes with an RRP of £80, which is about what I'd expect for a well-specced and good looking jersey. People will always say that XYZ is too much, but in this case I would be happy to pay up to £100 for something that performs like this.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best summer cycling jerseys

So is the Prologo V my 'new favorite (sic) jersey'? Possibly. I really like the subtle look, excellent ventilation and good fit, and Castelli has certainly put considerable thought into it. There isn't a whole lot not to like.

Verdict

A strong showing from the fifth generation of the Prologo jersey

If you've got some holes in your summer cycling wardrobe - especially the top half - you've come to the right place today! The DealCatcher's got jerseys galore.

As we all know, choosing the right jersey can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of your ride. WHich is wy we've got a strong and diverse selection for you today.

We've got the niche Castelli Perfetto jersey which will fit in well if you're expecting to spend the summer in rainy Enlgand.

The oneten Men's Classic Jersey sits pretty at the lower end of the price spectrum and is a wonderful dry summer option.

And finally, 7mesh comes in at the higher end of the price spectrum with its mid-weight S2S jersey.

Ribble Cycles

35% off Castelli's Perfetto Light SS Wind/Rain Jersey
WAS £125.00 | NOW £81.25

Castelli jersey.jpg

First up is Castelli. The Perfetto jersey is... 'perfett'... for those wet summer days we're bound to have in the months to come.

You know the ones. When it's too warm for you to consider putting on any of your waterproof gear, but you're fully aware that once you're sodden you will wish you weren't riding.

In most normal countries conditions like those would be rare. Not here.

The Perfetto features a mesh back that allows heat to escape will providing you with ample protection from the elements elsewhere.

We loved it. It rolled away from road.cc review with a 9/10!

- Read more: road.cc's Castelli Perfetto Jersey review

Chain Reactions Cycles

33% off Oneten's Men's Classic SS Jersey
WAS £29.99 | NOW £19.99

Oneten jersey.png

The retro-styled oneten Classic Jersey is made from super lightweight, quick dry fabric, which makes it perfect for summer riding.

At under £20 it adding the good-looking top to your collection won't break the bank, either.

The relaxed fit helps with ventilation, and the silicone grips keep everything nicely in place.

- Read more: road.cc's Oneten Tempo SS Jersey review

Hargroves Cycles

25% off 7mesh's S2S Jersey
WAS £99.00 | NOW £73.99

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Finally, 7mesh brings its high-tech S2S jersey to the DealCatcher as our last deal of the day.

UV protection, 4-way stretch weave, and a #3 coil zip give this number an incredibly comfortable, easy-to-access and protective fit.

At this sort of discount too, you're getting an elite level jersey for a much more affordable price than normal.

- Read more: road.cc's 7mesh Revelation Jacket review

The Castelli Pro Issue SS Base Layer is a superlight, super-comfortable baselayer that performs brilliantly and has topped my list of go-to layering.

Castelli says in the blurb that the garment was created after requests from the pro peloton; those guys know what they want and it translates well into a piece of clothing the rest of us will appreciate.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Made from 100% polyester 3D mesh fabric, first impressions are that it doesn't seem to weigh anything, and if you are a bit prudish it is almost see-though. Lingerie it is not, though, and its credentials include a wider neck for a better fit under a tight collared or aero jersey, reduced seaming on the shoulders for comfort, and a flat hem so it doesn't create a point of irritation on the waist.

Personally I wear a baselayer by default whatever the weather, partly for comfort but mostly for the moisture wicking they provide, so this top got a lot of use. It's really nice to wear, easy to get on and off dry or wet, despite being race cut and therefore snug, and being so light and comfortable when on to the point that you don't notice it's there at all after a while.

Castelli Pro Issue SS Base Layer - back.jpg

As with most Italian brands, you need to pay attention to the sizing. They are nearly always notoriously small; I take a medium usually but this XL was just about right, and an XXL might have been perfect. At no point does it feel tight or pinch, though. The material is very stretchy and forms to the body well, the minimal seams and flat hem making it almost like a second skin.

Castelli recommends a 10-20°C range for the garment, which basically covers the UK summer – in the early summer climate at home I wore it in rotation with some of my standard polyester construction baselayers for comparison and it shone far above all of them. I did wonder if the 3D mesh might make it a little too cool as it looks too thin to be of any benefit in warmth terms, but it did just as well as the solid construction layers I have.

For moisture-wicking, my main reason for wearing a baselayer, it massively outdid the others – this is where that 3D mesh really works, pulling the sweat away from the skin. I recently covered a two-week trip from the UK to Portugal via Spain, through the interior of the country where we experienced temperatures peaking at 37°C, and even though well out of its recommended range it performed admirably, not adding to the heat retained but keeping me cooler by wicking away the moisture well, despite being wet through.

> Buyer's Guide: 13 of the best baselayers

Considering the use it has had, it still looks great now, with no rips or pulls in the thin fabric and the printed Castelli logos staying complete despite numerous washes, both in the machine and by hand while travelling. Another bonus is that its construction leaves it almost dry after the spin cycle or hand-wringing, getting it back into service in double-quick time.

At £35 it's pretty good value too, considering the high performance on offer. It sits in between cheaper short sleeve polyester baselayers from the likes of dhb and BTwin, and more expensive merino items which aren't always too useful in the summer months.

Overall, a top quality product that the professionals are happy to wear and you should be too.

Verdict

A superlight and high performance baselayer that works in many different conditions – no wonder the pros use them

If you're in the market for some new cycling gear, you've once again come to the right place.

Today, the DealCatcher's got three fantastic cycling deals that'll keep you going, keep you cool and dry, and keep you rolling through whatever terrain you come across.

The first of the day's deals is a half price offer on Science in Sport's SiS GO Isotonic Energy gels.

The second is a great 34% discount on Castelli's unrivalled waterproof Gabba 3 jersey over at Wiggle.

And the final offer of the day comes from Cycle Store, where Kona's Jake The Snake CX bike has seen a 23% discount.

Science in Sport

50% off SiS GO Isotonic Energy Gels - 20 Pack
WAS £28.00 | NOW £13.99

iso-20-pack-apple.jpg

Now, before we get started, don't worry if you're not keen on apples. While this deal is apple-flavoured, there are plenty of other flavours of Science in Sport's GO Isotonic Energy Gels available on SiS's website.

But, if you do like apples, you won't need to go snooping around, because this link will take you to some delightful half price gels.

Our presumption that they're delightful isn't actually a presumption. When we tested the GO Isotonic Energy Gels, our man David Else said they "taste good, slip down easily and are fair value."

- Read more: road.cc's SiS GO Isotonic Energy Gels

Wiggle

34% off Castelli's Gabba 3 Jersey
WAS £150.00 | NOW £99.00

Castelli-Gabba-3-Jersey-Short-Sleeve-Jerseys-Red-AW17-CS170840232.jpg

Castelli's Gabba jerseys have been firm favourites in the peloton for years now.

Stories of pros blacking-out the Castelli logo to avoid sponsorship problems have been abound. After all, the pros want the best, and if their team's not sponsored by Castelli, what more can they do?

We like the Gabbe too. When the second iteration of the jersey came our way for review we gave it an incredible 9/10.

- Read more: road.cc's 9/10 Castelli Gabba 2  review

Cycle Store

23% off Kona's 2016 Jake The Snake Carbon Cx
WAS £1899.00 | NOW £1462.23

Kona Jake The Snake 2016.jpg

Whatever the weather, whatever the road conditions, and no matter how rurally you live, a CX bike is oftentimes, these days, considered the perfect commuting comapion.

Consistently one of Kona's best selling bikes, the Jake The Snake carries a Shimano 105 drivetrain, an FSA Gossamer CX N11 crank set, Alex CXD6 wheels, and Clement MXP 700x33c tyres aboard Kona's Race Light Carbon frame.

A full carbon fork, Hayes CX Expert disc brakes and Kona finishing kit finishes things off.

- Read more: road.cc's Kona Jake The Snake review

Castelli's Pro Mesh Sleeveless baselayer – which you might have spotted being worn by the Team Sky riders at the Tour de France this year – is indeed a pro-level garment, with a price tag to match. It works superbly – the only real issue is that so does Castelli's £35 short-sleeve Pro Issue baselayer, which Sean rated very highly.

It is very light, weighing in at a scant 50g on the trusty road.cc Scales of Truth, with no fabric to spare anywhere (although, again, the Pro Issue beats it at 48g – and a claimed 44g for the sleeveless version). It has an extended back for a spot-on cycling-specific fit, but a very slim cut – ideal for an almost invisible silhouette under the jersey or bib shorts. The seams are kept as flat and minimalist as possible too.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Sometimes, in seemingly delicate garments like this, the seams can become stiff, rough or degraded around the edges, but not here. In use, no matter how much sweating you do – and I've done a lot during the warm spells this summer – you're completely unaware of the baselayer; I experienced no chafing or rubbing at all, despite it fitting me rather tightly, even in a large.

That sizing is what I'd expect that from a Castelli product, frankly, whose products tend to come up in a typically Italian fit – which is to say, small. Nevertheless, whether you prefer a tight or slightly looser fit, you can buy your size accordingly and it'll perform brilliantly at wicking away moisture in warm weather, which is what it's designed for.

Castelli Pro Mesh Sleeveless - back.jpg

Depite its light weight, it's hardy enough to handle normal washing with your other sports kit, and the build quality looks good too – just one loose thread in the neckline after a good amount of use that doesn't affect comfort or overall integrity. It looks – and smells – as fresh as ever too.

As well as this bright and attractive blue and orange colourway, you can also have it in an even brighter multi-coloured pattern, a plainer version of greys, or you can show your support for Team Sky if you like – a boon for those not wanting to flash the entire kit on their ride. Bear in mind if you have a white or particularly thin jersey, there's a chance you will see the pattern through the fabric, like with my own white Rapha Lightweight jersey.

> Buyer's Guide: 14 of the best cycling baselayers

Like most of Castelli's garments it's expensive, and it's about as good as I can imagine a lightweight mesh baselayer can be. Its hot weather performance, along with the stylish designs, make it an enticing option. However, the excellence of the Pro Issue, which is £20 and 2g less – in fact, £25 and 6g less if you go for the sleeveless version – is a bit of a thorn in its side. That's not to say this one isn't an excellent top – and it does carry Castelli's top-notch 'Rosso Corsa' label – but it's hard to recommend it over the Pro Issue given the price differential.

Verdict

An excellent summer baselayer but it's hard to see why it's £20 more than the excellent Pro Issue...