Castelli Kiss Pad - any good?

pllb

As there are a number of confirmed Castelli lovers on this forum I would appreciate some advice on whether the Castelli Kiss Pad is any good, I have just purchased a pair of bib shorts with this pad and it seems a bit thin.

Thanks for any responses.

Pete

biondino

The pad in my Castelli shorts - and I don't actually know what type of pad it is, sorry - is thin, and relatively speaking one of the least comfortable I own (much less comfy than cheapo DHB pads, for instance). Short distances it's fine but I wouldn't do more than say 20 miles in it.

It's red, if that helps? And doesn't leave a lot to the imagination front side...

jonginge

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

pllb

Thanks Biondino - the kiss pad is red and matches your description - shame I was hoping for more. I have cheaper DHB's and was hoping for more comfort on 30+ rides, guess I will have to bite the bullet and pay more - you get what you pay for right!

Gazzaputt

All my Castelli shorts have the kiss pad and I find very comfortable.

pllb

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

biondino

DHB pads haven't let me down on long rides! The longest ride I did - 95 miles in the New Forest two weeks ago - was with Descente bibshorts, and the pad in them was very comfy. Other 60+ miles rides I've done exclusively in DHBs and they've been fine too.

jonginge

pllb wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

Give them a go, you won't know until you try. When I returned to cycling a couple of years ago I tried several shorts manufacturers and, for me, Castelli is where it's at. A lot of people like assos but I find the uno and mille pads a bit too thick (i haven't tried the f1.13 which has a thinner pad, i think, but is fearsomely expensive).

pllb

Gazzaputt wrote:

All my Castelli shorts have the kiss pad and I find very comfortable.

Biondino wrote:

DHB pads haven't let me down on long rides! The longest ride I did - 95 miles in the New Forest two weeks ago - was with Descente bibshorts, and the pad in them was very comfy. Other 60+ miles rides I've done exclusively in DHBs and they've been fine too.

Thanks Gazzaputt & Biondino - I guess the moral is that (like saddles) it is trial and error before finding the holy grail fit!

pllb

JonGinge wrote:

pllb wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

Give them a go, you won't know until you try. When I returned to cycling a couple of years ago I tried several shorts manufacturers and, for me, Castelli is where it's at. A lot of people like assos but I find the uno and mille pads a bit too thick (i haven't tried the f1.13 which has a thinner pad, i think, but is fearsomely expensive).

Will do! Assos prices scare the hell out of me!

Gazzaputt

Like to add I find the shape of the kiss pad fits Fizik saddles well.

pllb

Gazzaputt wrote:

Like to add I find the shape of the kiss pad fits Fizik saddles well.

Thanks - good info, I have a Charge Spoon which I purchased to replace the stock saddle that came on my roadie, however on close inspection turns out the saddles are identical - might try fizik if i like the kiss pad!

il_principe

JonGinge wrote:

pllb wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

Give them a go, you won't know until you try. When I returned to cycling a couple of years ago I tried several shorts manufacturers and, for me, Castelli is where it's at. A lot of people like assos but I find the uno and mille pads a bit too thick (i haven't tried the f1.13 which has a thinner pad, i think, but is fearsomely expensive).

Like JG, I swear by Castelli. The "Free" bibs have the best pad IME, it's thin but very comfy. I keep mine supple with Assos chammy cream. A lot of the high end shorts have thin pads, cheaper often have thicker ones. I can spend 5 or more hours in the saddle with Castelli pads, whereas my branded Wilier and Focus shorts become a bit uncomfy after 40 or so miles. Bibs, like saddles are worth shelling out a bit more for.

For me - Castelli + Specialized Toupe = supreme comfort.

pllb

Il Principe wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

pllb wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

Give them a go, you won't know until you try. When I returned to cycling a couple of years ago I tried several shorts manufacturers and, for me, Castelli is where it's at. A lot of people like assos but I find the uno and mille pads a bit too thick (i haven't tried the f1.13 which has a thinner pad, i think, but is fearsomely expensive).

Like JG, I swear by Castelli. The "Free" bibs have the best pad IME, it's thin but very comfy. I keep mine supple with Assos chammy cream. A lot of the high end shorts have thin pads, cheaper often have thicker ones. I can spend 5 or more hours in the saddle with Castelli pads, whereas my branded Wilier and Focus shorts become a bit uncomfy after 40 or so miles. Bibs, like saddles are worth shelling out a bit more for.

For me - Castelli + Specialized Toupe = supreme comfort.

Thanks Il Principe, all useful stuff. I will try the kiss pad and may go to a Specialized Concept store for a sit bone measurement :shock:

I did try some bibs from here http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk// but they are awful! Out if interest has anyone tried selling lightly used bib shorts on e-bay, is there a maket?

symo

I am a big fan of the DHB Earnley and Finchdean shorts they are super comfy, the Finchdeans were so unnoticeable on the dartmoor classic after 105 miles. Highly recommended.

cjcp

The Kiss pad is thinner than my Nalini pad, but still comfortable. Cream does help though.

itboffin

my undercarriage was kissed all the way to work this morning, nice!

pllb

itboffin wrote:

my undercarriage was kissed all the way to work this morning, nice!

Ah yes I saw the "little lips" embossed on the kiss pad of my new shorts, rather strange that eh! :shock:

itboffin

pllb wrote:

itboffin wrote:

my undercarriage was kissed all the way to work this morning, nice!

Ah yes I saw the "little lips" embossed on the kiss pad of my new shorts, rather strange that eh! :shock:

Add some Asso arse cream and you're entering the twisted purvey world of road cycling, mmm warm :roll:

pllb

itboffin wrote:

pllb wrote:

itboffin wrote:

my undercarriage was kissed all the way to work this morning, nice!

Ah yes I saw the "little lips" embossed on the kiss pad of my new shorts, rather strange that eh! :shock:

Add some Asso ars* cream and you're entering the twisted purvey world of road cycling, mmm warm :roll:

Hmmm, not entirely sold on the Asso ars* cream - I was born slippy me

Stewie Griffin

pllb wrote:

itboffin wrote:

pllb wrote:

itboffin wrote:

my undercarriage was kissed all the way to work this morning, nice!

Ah yes I saw the "little lips" embossed on the kiss pad of my new shorts, rather strange that eh! :shock:

Add some Asso ars* cream and you're entering the twisted purvey world of road cycling, mmm warm :roll:

Hmmm, not entirely sold on the Asso ars* cream - I was born slippy me

Castelli bibs and Assos asr* cream. I dont leave home without them 8)

Aguila

I use castelli gregario tights for winter with the kiss in: v comfy

I personally think rapha bibs are the most comfy, but the prices are scary.

Just bought some of the DHB Knowle bibs which share the same cytech pad as my rapha's for £60 less, very impressed with them so far.

pllb

pllb wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

pllb wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Personally, I think they're great. Thin yes but fit me perfectly. More perfectly in fact than some higher-end assos that I have. As with saddles YMMV

Ah thanks JG, maybe there is hope then - I will give them a try

Give them a go, you won't know until you try. When I returned to cycling a couple of years ago I tried several shorts manufacturers and, for me, Castelli is where it's at. A lot of people like assos but I find the uno and mille pads a bit too thick (i haven't tried the f1.13 which has a thinner pad, i think, but is fearsomely expensive).

Like JG, I swear by Castelli. The "Free" bibs have the best pad IME, it's thin but very comfy. I keep mine supple with Assos chammy cream. A lot of the high end shorts have thin pads, cheaper often have thicker ones. I can spend 5 or more hours in the saddle with Castelli pads, whereas my branded Wilier and Focus shorts become a bit uncomfy after 40 or so miles. Bibs, like saddles are worth shelling out a bit more for.

For me - Castelli + Specialized Toupe = supreme comfort.

Thanks Il Principe, all useful stuff. I will try the kiss pad and may go to a Specialized Concept store for a sit bone measurement :shock:

I did try some bibs from here http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk// , Out if interest has anyone tried selling lightly used bib shorts on e-bay, is there a maket?

Just an update on this if anyone is interested.

I can confirm that the Castelli Kiss Pad is indeed comfortable - so good I have purchased another pair of bib shorts with same pad.

I can also confirm there is a market for lightly used bib shorts on e-bay, successfully sold my two pairs of SPEG shorts last night - excellent news (for me)!

Thanks to all who offered advice on this - much appreciated.

Pete

itboffin

My new new Castelli bib shorts seem a little more snug than my others, giving me that action man look around the crutch area.

:shock:

King Donut

itboffin wrote:

My new new Castelli bib shorts seem a little more snug than my others, giving me that action man look around the crutch area.

:shock:

What ones, what ones? quickly tell...