Castelli Body Paint 3.0 Long Sleeve Speed Suit SS14

Castelli Body Paint 3.0 Long Sleeve Speed Suit SS14

Taking the professional cycling world by storm in the last few years has been the Castelli Speed Suit range, not just for time trials but for a real aerodynamic advantage short road races as well. Newly re-designed for 2014, the Body Paint 3.0 Speed Suit is, as if possible, faster and even more comfortable than ever before.

Combining the fastest shorts in the world with the fastest jersey to create a comfortable, high performance and stylish suit, that is unlike any skinsuit that has come before it. Ideal for time trials as Ryder Hesjedal in the worlds second biggest stage race, the 2012 Giro d’Italia when he used it to good effect in the final stage to win by a mere sixteen seconds. Sixteen seconds saved, possibly due to wearing a Speed Suit.

All these results are all well and good for pro tour riders who use these products everyday, but how about the every day cyclist, looking to gain that aero advantage in their local 40km time trial?

Numbers do not lie and this is where the Speed Suit really excels. Castelli have tested this suit at 50km/h wind speeds, with expertise from seven of the worlds leading technicians, gone through fifteen prototype Speed Suits, two riders and 170 test runs, as well as extensive on going development with professional athletes and teams. No wonder this is probably the fastest piece of clothing out there.

Near seamless construction is one defining factor, which makes the suit so fast, yet also comfortable. Ever wondered why a golf ball flies through the air so well? Well it is due the dimpled outer layer, a design feature Castelli have incorporated into the lower half of the short. This allows air to flow over the material as smoothly as possible, cutting rather than battling through the wind.

With a SpeedSuit this speedy you would be silly not to race in it and Castelli have considered this when adding a race number flap, allowing you to attach the number in the most aerodynamic way and prevents the number flapping about in the wind.

The Progetto X² Air seat pad was added last year and carries onto the 2014 version. Providing a hygienic and comfortable, high quality pad. The pad is made up of small indents to allow for water to disperse and keep the pad dry of perspiration. If Garmin Sharp riders can use it in comfort at the end of a three week Grand Tour, it must be comfortable!

Practicality is not always considered enough when time trialling. Castelli recognise there is no point in making a suit that is lightening fast only for it not to be usable. This is where the full length zip comes in, making the suit easy to take on and off and on those hot days means you can open the suit for improved ventilation.

Other practical considerations are the leg grippers around the thighs, keeping the shorts in place. This gripper material is also carried through onto the underside of the armpits to further add comfort and improve the fit.

Thumb loops prevent the sleeves from riding up, allowing you to stay as aerodynamic and looking as cool as possible, even when the hammer is down.

2014 has seen new colours added to the range, made it lighter and using further pro team development and CFD modeling has with the Body Paint 3.0 created a suit that is a proven 15 watts quicker at 50km/h than it’s 2.0 predecessor. So no excuse not to go fast now, with all that ‘free’ speed you will gain with the Castelli Body Paint 3.0 Long Sleeve Speed Suit.

Coming in a range of sizes for a snug, race fit. Ideal time trials.

Please note: when deciding the size of skinsuit take into consideration it is designed to be a skin tight fit