CASTELLI CAFE
BY SADDLEBACK
The heart of the Castelli Cafe lives on at Saddleback. Welcome to the new home of all your favourite Castelli products and a whole lot more.
Like a neo-pro making their way into the WorldTour ranks, Castelli Cafe has stepped up to join the home of elite performance cycling products at Saddleback.co.uk.
The move means we can offer you all the Castelli products your heart desires along with a veritable smorgasbord of cycling goodness from leading brands we know you’ll love including 3T, Alchemy, Chris King, ENVE, Sidi, Silca and Stages – all under one roof.
The team of cycling gurus behind the Cafe will continue to offer you the great advice and personal touch you've come to expect through our LiveChat service. Or you can email us at info@saddleback.co.uk or pick up the phone and dial 01454 285285 to talk all things bike.
If you'd like to know more about Castelli Cafe's transition to Saddleback, please review our FAQs below.
Otherwise, take a look around and be sure to check out everything on offer from all our brands including our Exclusive Collection – things you won’t find anywhere else – and our Brand Outlet.
CASTELLI – KEY CATEGORIES
MORE ABOUT SADDLEBACK
As the UK home of the world's most prestigious cycling brands, we offer a wide range of the best road and mountain bike products with an exceptional level of customer service to match – all from a team of experts who share your passion for the sport.
Since opening our doors in 2004, we've built a stellar reputation as the premier supplier of elite performance cycling products in the UK. As cyclists ourselves, we know how important it is for your bike and gear to be just right, which is why we always give honest advice about what's the best product for you as a rider.
Castelli Cafe FaQs
Castelli Cafe has pedalled over to Saddleback. But what does that mean for Cafe customers? Below you’ll find some answers to questions we think you might be asking. If you have any more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at info@saddleback.co.uk.
CASTELLI FREE AR 4.1 JERSEY
With its significant aero savings and racing cut, the Free AR 4.1 began life as the go-to jersey for pro-level racing. It’s since evolved into the go-to jersey for virtually every riding situation, providing added speed and comfort to everything from hard efforts to long days in the sun.
If you’re out in the heat or stirring up the wattage with an interval session, the jersey’s excellent wicking capabilities will keep you cool and dry while dawn ’til dusk epics are catered for three generous rear pockets plus a zippered valuables pocket.
Comfort is assured by the stretchy fabric that moves with you as you ride, the silicone waist gripper, which avoids annoying riding up of the fabric, and the fit-and-forget mesh arm grippers as well as the full-length zip, which is a doddle to use one handed.
All of this comes in addition to aero credentials that will save approximately 12 watts of drag at 40km/h compared to a regular race jersey, meaning you’ll go faster than ever whether racing for the line or the next coffee stop.
CASTELLI FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT
Called "comfortable and cool with an excellent seatpad" by Cycling Weekly and rated 9/10 by Road.cc, the Free Aero Race bibshort is Castelli's top end racing short – as used by Team Sky at the world's biggest races.
The first Aero Race design shook up the peloton when it debuted in 2007 and has since evolved to incorporate the latest fabrics (including Vortex dimpled material), construction methods and pro team feedback. The result is a seriously fast short, saving you time no matter your level of riding.
It's not all about speed though – the Progetto X2 Air seatpad features variable thicknesses for luxurious all-day comfort. Meanwhile, the wide Giro Air leg grippers keep the shots perfectly in place while allowing unrestricted movement. Finally, the Carré engineered lie-flat bib strap construction ensures maximum comfort and breathability.
SIZE AND CARE GUIDES
Servizio corse – Castelli custom
Castelli makes the finest cycling apparel in the world – so why would you want anything else for your club or team?
Our in-house Servizo Corse programme is a full end-to-end service, guiding you through the design, ordering and delivery process to bring your kit ideas into reality.
You can pick from a variety of styles from Pro Issue (used by Team Sky) and Team Issue (a more relaxed fit) to triathlon, protection and accessories – ensuring you get the pro look on every ride.
Castelli: The History & Heritage
Castelli has been inextricably linked to professional cycling since 1935 when one Armando Castelli became part of Vittore Gianni’s small tailoring shop in Milan.
Buying the shop four years later, Castelli began making bespoke cycling garments, catering for some of the sport’s most legendary names over the years including Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Louison Bobet, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil.
Armando’s son, Maurizio, grew up in the cycling world and was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1974, Maurizio founded the Castelli brand and established the now iconic scorpion logo.
Castelli’s relationship with professional cycling only grew stronger as riders such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser with the latest innovations in the world of cycling wear.
As other brands scrambled to keep up, Castelli outfitted its riders with the first aerodynamic Lycra shots in 1977, created the first windproof jersey in 1983, ushering in sublimated printing the same year to change the look of the peloton forever.
Functional thermal clothing followed in 1984 and by 1989 much of the peloton was wearing Castelli, while the brand has also supplied leaders jerseys for the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia over the years.
Since the late 1980s, the innovations have continued to flow. Castelli created the first women’s cycling collection; the first Y-shaped anatomic chamois; the first fabric wicking treatments; the first aero-cut pro wear; the now famous all-weather Gabba; the Sanremo – the first speed suit designed for road racing. And the list of firsts has only continued to grow, highlighting the brand's industry leading credentials.
Castelli’s triathlon collection has also proved incredibly popular. Utilising the same obsessive attention to detail and employing both practical and performance-enhancing designs, the range, which launched in 2012 has already courted both male and female victories at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
Castelli’s long history of industry-leading garments has ensured the brand remains the preeminent name in cycle clothing, combining Italian flair and style with cutting edge, pro-tested design and materials.
Castelli joined the Saddleback family in 2006 and the brand has since gone from strength to strength in the UK. Saddleback Brand Director Richard Mardle continues to work closely with Castelli's team in the Italian Dolomites on the development of high performance designs that are perfect for conditions faced by British riders.