Castelli Nanoflex bibs

mlgt

Hi.

Ive got a pair of altura fleece lined bib tights, but over the last few years losing weight means they are quite loose.

I have a gabba 2 and in the summer wear the velocissimo 2 bib shorts in XXL (now will fit in XL). Very comfy etc. However on downpours, the gabba repels the water and water collects down below which is no good :P

So I was wondering what bib shorts/tights/leg warmer are you guys/gals using to combo up for early spring riding?

I debated about getting full nanoflex bib tights or even the 3/4 lengths.
But my thought was to get the nanoflex bib shorts, pair with some leg warmers and then this can be my all weather bib shorts until early summer.

Reckon this is the way to go? I know everyone uses different combos/brands etc But would be good to see what feedback others have had or even gone down this route before and found out it worked/didn't work etc

joeweston3

After a similar debate to yourself I ended saving myself the cash and getting the nanoflex bibtights. They are the same materials as the shorts and leg warmers and so I expect I'll be able to take them through the spring, Castelli recommend up to 16C! My thought was that I would only ever wear them together really, no point keeping your legs dry if your lap is wet through, and there would be few instances I would choose to just wear the shorts without knee or leg warmers, especially considering they are relatively warm for shorts,

Great bit of regardless and you won't go wrong with them, that's my two penneth anyway!
Joe

IShaggy

I've got the Nanoflex bib-knickers (snigger). So 3/4 length. I can't fault them. The water falls off them, although I have only worn them in light showers so don't know how they would cope in a deluge. The kiss3 pad is super-comfy IMO, and they are warm enough to cope with temps down to freezing. I prefer 3/4 rather than full length tights, even when it is very cold. Much more comfortable.

I never wear knee warmers. If it's cold enough for knee-warmers then I were the 3/4s.

meanredspider

I have Nanoflex bibs from a couple of years ago and, frankly, they are my least favourite bibs.

For starters I think the DWR is useless. When it worked, it only worked for light showers (which don't matter) and it's long-since given up (though I believe you can rejuvenate it to some extent with an iron).

The Nanoflex decals on the legs have half peeled off.

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

They try to minimise seams (presumably because these leak - but then so does the rest of the garment) which means they aren't well-positioned.

Personally, I really wouldn't bother. Focus on staying warm rather than dry.

Tjgoodhew

If you want to look at another brand i have just bought a pair of Ale Klimtaik shorts.

Fleece lined and they have a similar material on the outside as the gabba. I wear these with a gabba SS jersey, nanoflex arm warmers and leg warmers. I dont like tights or knickers and this combo has kept me dry and warm through this winter

bendertherobot

meanredspider wrote:

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

.

Which equivalent pad?

mlgt

meanredspider wrote:

I have Nanoflex bibs from a couple of years ago and, frankly, they are my least favourite bibs.
Thanks for the feedback

For starters I think the DWR is useless. When it worked, it only worked for light showers (which don't matter) and it's long-since given up (though I believe you can rejuvenate it to some extent with an iron).

The Nanoflex decals on the legs have half peeled off.

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

They try to minimise seams (presumably because these leak - but then so does the rest of the garment) which means they aren't well-positioned.

Personally, I really wouldn't bother. Focus on staying warm rather than dry.

I have found that the decals do come off, but I was told that you should wash your clothing inside out or on a light spin. However I assumed that the nano was actually warmer compared to the velocissimo 2 bib shorts.

I haven't tried assos stuff, but because I find castelli available at most bike shops I can at least try them locally.

Tjgoodhew wrote:

If you want to look at another brand i have just bought a pair of Ale Klimtaik shorts.

Fleece lined and they have a similar material on the outside as the gabba. I wear these with a gabba SS jersey, nanoflex arm warmers and leg warmers. I dont like tights or knickers and this combo has kept me dry and warm through this winter

Thanks. I haven't researched this brand before, but will have a look. Ive seen them on wiggle, but disregarded them as Castelli has always been my go to brand.

Bobbinogs

I ride all winter in Castelli FAR or Body Paints, matched with Nanoflex leg warmers, and find it works very well. Sure the Nanoflex stuff looses its gimmicky water beading but the material does keep one very warm and my gentleman bits seem ok with the summer shorts.

bendertherobot

FWIW, the Nanoflex bibs/tights aren't as good as Assos. But there's no REAL equivalent. The TK607 for example are around £150 and do a different job.

My nanos, which I will be wearing home today, are still very good. Lost some repellency but I've been using them for 6 months.

I don't think it's fair to compare Assos to these, not when you can get them for £65-£70. A better comparison would be the Sorpasso, which, for me, are just as good as Assos at much much less.

meanredspider

bendertherobot wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

.

Which equivalent pad?

Whatever Assos's low-end pad is at the time. Rode a century with my Nanoflex and my butt has never forgiven me.

bendertherobot wrote:

FWIW, the Nanoflex bibs/tights aren't as good as Assos. But there's no REAL equivalent. The TK607 for example are around £150 and do a different job.

My nanos, which I will be wearing home today, are still very good. Lost some repellency but I've been using them for 6 months.

I don't think it's fair to compare Assos to these, not when you can get them for £65-£70. A better comparison would be the Sorpasso, which, for me, are just as good as Assos at much much less.

I think Assos remain the benchmark for bibs. That's not to say they work best for everyone or that there might be shorts that are as good for some people but Assos are consistently (generally) excellent.

I still firmly believe that water resistance is low on the list of priorities. Staying warm and comfortable is far more important - because we sweat anyway.

mlgt

Cool. I haven't tried assos before partially because of the budget.
The sorpassos were something I was going to get in the sale but again leant towards nanoflex because it is water resistant to a certain extent.

I know that being caught in a downpour nothing will be water proof unless you give up the breathability etc.

I guess I will have a think about the ale/castelli/sportful choice vs a treat if I was to get assos.

However this will be something I wear everyday pretty much, so I wouldn't want something like assos to fall apart compared to something cheaper I would have bought.

Thanks for all the comments as always and something to think about on the cycle home in the rain later

meanredspider

I used my first pair of Assos bibs as (30-mile RT) commuters for nearly 3 years and they are still going strong. It's worth checking the outlet store if you're seriously considering a pair. That first pair owe me nothing. The Castelli are expensive in comparison because, given the choice, I'd grab the Assos every time.

IShaggy

meanredspider wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

.

Which equivalent pad?

Whatever Assos's low-end pad is at the time. Rode a century with my Nanoflex and my butt has never forgiven me.

Pads come in all sorts of widths and thicknesses - just like cyclists arses. The Catelli Kiss3 pad is the most comfortable pad I have used - 'cause it's a perfect fit for me. But then I've never tried Assos.

meanredspider

IShaggy wrote:

Pads come in all sorts of widths and thicknesses - just like cyclists arses..

Agreed. I did go on to say something very similar. Very few people (and there are some) don't get on with the Assos pads though.

menthel

They don't keep their water resistance at all- if you want castelli the sorpasso bibs are better! I prefer the pad in the sorpasso too.

Monty Dog

I have Sorpasso 3/4 and tights, plus Nanoflex shorts - the Nanoflex are OK, but for comfort I'd wear the Sorpassos. I stopped wearing Assos years ago - simply not worth the price premium anymore.

Grill

meanredspider wrote:

I have Nanoflex bibs from a couple of years ago and, frankly, they are my least favourite bibs.

For starters I think the DWR is useless. When it worked, it only worked for light showers (which don't matter) and it's long-since given up (though I believe you can rejuvenate it to some extent with an iron).

The Nanoflex decals on the legs have half peeled off.

The pad is far less comfortable than the equivalent Assos pad

They try to minimise seams (presumably because these leak - but then so does the rest of the garment) which means they aren't well-positioned.

Personally, I really wouldn't bother. Focus on staying warm rather than dry.

Pretty much my experience with all Nanoflex products (Gabba, tights, knee and arm warmers). The bibtights were particularly bad as on the first ride (80 rainy miles in Devon and Cornwall) the water and dirt ingress was so bad that it permeated the pad and left me with black marks all the way down my ass. The Kiss3 pad is indeed rubbish when compared to their own Progetto X2 pad.

Staying warm rather than dry is solid advice, especially when it comes to bibshorts. I've done 4 hours in a deluge wearing a skinsuit and the fact that my ass and thighs were wet was a non-issue.

For bibs go with Assos if you have the coin. There is no equal.

mlgt

Monty Dog wrote:

I have Sorpasso 3/4 and tights, plus Nanoflex shorts - the Nanoflex are OK, but for comfort I'd wear the Sorpassos. I stopped wearing Assos years ago - simply not worth the price premium anymore.

Thanks. I am planning to look at the sorpassos. However having 2 pairs of the velocissimo 2 bib shorts make me feel that I am overspending and complicating the issue. Don't think the resale value to these would be much (lol)

Hence my argument was if I got the nanoflex it will serve a purpose. Just like the gabba and armwarmers.

I know the simple answer is - BUY IT!!!

hmm decisions. Will pop by a cycle surgery during lunch to have a gander and try if they have it in stock. I would like to know if I am able to fit in an XL rather than a XXL now.

k1875

My nanoflex bibtights are the comfiest i've ever owned. I wouldn't flat out disregard MRS's view - Assos are clearly decent gear - but at the same time, i've never seen him miss an opportunity to knock nanoflex.

meanredspider

k1875 wrote:

i've never seen him miss an opportunity to knock nanoflex.

That's fair. But it's because I see people buying nanoflex with the expectation (it seems) that they'll stay lovely and dry. And it just doesn't work like that. It's the same as the hype around Gabba. I like my Gabba jacket and it's very light and windproof but it isn't waterproof which is what some people would have you believe. So I just want to make sure people's expectations of nanoflex aren't too high - then they won't be disappointed. And, funnily enough, when I post my reservations about nanoflex, I always get some people agreeing with me.

nort757

I have the gabba 2 nano flex arm warmers and the latest full length bib tights and although i really like the gabba as already posted it is not fully waterproof,as for the bib tights i am really disappointed in them,i get that they are not waterproof as such but for me they are not warm enough at all when they do let the rain in,i have just got back from a soaking today and i was absolutely frozen wearing these,so much so i will be shifting them on i think

mlgt

Nort757 wrote:

I have the gabba 2 nano flex arm warmers and the latest full length bib tights and although i really like the gabba as already posted it is not fully waterproof,as for the bib tights i am really disappointed in them,i get that they are not waterproof as such but for me they are not warm enough at all when they do let the rain in,i have just got back from a soaking today and i was absolutely frozen wearing these,so much so i will be shifting them on i think

So you are referring to the nanoflex bib tights as well? If so I think its all hit and miss here.
Need to make a judgement to get nanoflex or upgraded version. My other decision is to get bib shorts and arm with some leg warmers (which will mean I can wear the bib shorts all year round) or 3/4 vs longs just for the colder months.

Granted my altura tights are not waterproof, but very warm. However I think because my commute is 45 mins and we have power showers at work I just put up with a bit of cold. But I have nothing to compare them to. So I cannot say if they are actually doing their function (haha)

Sounds daft as basically I am no wiser on what I want :P

Bottom line is I have bib shorts of the following type. 1 X gore (which is very loose now) 2 X Castelli v2 bib shorts (perfect and comfy up till autumn) 1 X altura fleece lined tights.

I think what I need to do is get rid of the Gore, either sell both castelli bib and then get an upgraded shorts/tights and look to sell the altura after that too. Then buy the Sorpasso and think about it then? HAHAH.... argh decisions

lakesluddite

I have the Nanoflex bib short, and have paired them with Sportful no-rain leg warmers, and find them both comfortable and warm, given their roubaix fabric. The water repellency on the other hand pretty much disappeared after a couple of washes - but then again this is what happens with DWR, it's a coating on the fabric that will wear off eventually (as it does with the Gabba). The thing is it can always be re-invigorated with a tech wash and reproofing treatment, if you can be bothered - and to be honest I have probably only done this once, as it's a bit of a faff.

mlgt

Agreed. Ive only reproofed my gabba once last year and the rest of the time I just put up with the lack of DWR. But as long as I am warm is the most important thing. Spoke to another nanoflex bib tight owner at some lights today and he said the same. Waterproof wears off, but keeps him warm and the fitting is more tighter. I need to go and try them on firstly!