CastelliMen's Sorpasso RoS Bibknicker(Return to Product Page)

I bought these to replace a pair of (very) well-worn first-generation Nanoflex bib knickers (size small) and to complement a well-worn-but-still-going pair of Nanoflex bib shorts (size medium). As a year-round cyclist in Chicago who owns some tall socks, I spend a *lot* of time in knickers. And as you can maybe infer, I've been a fan of the product family for some time.

These just don't work for me. For context: I am 5'8", 140lbs, 30" inseam, 29" waist. Per the very helpful advice left by other reviewers, I sized up to a medium. Immediately, there were problems.

Problem the first: The shinier / lighter / non-nanoflex fabric that is supposed to terminate above the knee instead terminates mid-knee with the seam between fabrics directly on my kneecap. Game over, I didn't even attempt to ride in these, they're just going back.

Problem the second: The very nice-feeling chamois which I very much looked forward to testing... does not cover the entire area that would be in contact with the saddle. I made sure to pull the shorts up pretty aggressively from the rear. The chamois terminates 1cm or so short of where I'd want it to front and rear. This is not an issue with either of the older pairs of Nanoflex bibs I own. It's possible this is a function of having tried the shorts on with underwear **I'm not a monster ** but I rather doubt it, based on a similar observation made by another reviewer.

Problem the third: Castelli's sizing is all over the place with this stuff. I'm a medium in Nanoflex bib shorts but a small in Nanoflex bib knickers and a medium in these fit at the waist but obviously not at the knees, with a quite tight feel across my thighs and quite loose (significant air gap) at the ankles. I have never been a large in any clothing in my entire life.

I don't want to poop on Castelli for trying an interesting mix of fabrics. But they have to know most of us have no access to retail where we can try any of this stuff on in person, and we're flying blind. Publish dimensions, my friends! I would gladly have taken a tape measure to my leg rather than wasting everyone's time and $10 return shipping to try the bibs on for thirty seconds and summarily reject them.

I'm a huge fan of knickers. I have owned several pair from several different companies. When my go-to pair for 40-50 degrees, finally wore out, I was on the hunt for a new pair.

I was looking at these and the Giordana FR-C Pro and was told by CS that the Castelli should be warmer. I bought both and while I loved the fit and pad of the Giordana, I could tell they were not going to be as warm.

I'm 5'9" and 160lbs and got a Medium.

The fit is very good. The length goes to just below my calf, which is what a proper knicker should do. They are warm and windproof in the right areas. I rode these on a really foggy day and I was getting moisture build up on the outside of the legs, but stayed dry. The straps are excellent. The fabrics are excellent quality. I never felt clammy.

The bummer is the pad. While Castelli calls it their top of the line, I prefer the KISS AIR 2 pad. The Progetto X2 pad in these, is not as comfortable. It kinda just flattens out and you feel your seat more. It also feels a little forward and I have to pull the tights from the back occasionally. I know Castelli designs some of their clothing to be race fit and thus worn in a more aggressive, bent over position, so maybe that's what's going on here.

I have the Nano Tutto Nano kinckers and while they are not as warm, the KISS AIR 2 pad is much more comfortable.

Over all these are a great knicker for Mid-weight warmth. Fit great, but the pad keeps these from being excellent for me.

The RoS line is great but make sure to size WAY up. I'm 6'0" 160 lbs and the XL bibs pulled up hard on my balls. Had to send them back and eat the restocking fee (not cool).

Works almost as expected. I have several other Castelli riding shorts, and with one exception I've bought size large. I'm 6' and 154 lbs. Large fits tight but and is not constricting. I decided to buy this bib short in XL and it fits comfortably. The only shortcoming is that the portion that covers my knees pulls up while riding and barely cover the top of my calf muscles. Otherwise it does a good job of protecting my knees from the cold.

These Castelli Sorpasso ROS Bibknickers are really good. Well made, comfortable, warm, the straps fit just right. Speaking of fit, I would suggest you size up as Castellis tend to run small

I wear an XXL size in Castelli Men's Free Aero Race 4 Bibshort. I am 5ft 11in, 190 lbs.

I wanted to try some Castelli Bibknickers so I ordered initially a Castelli Men's Tutto Nano Bibknicker in the XXL size.

The Tutto Nano felt too heavy and thick compared with the Free Aero shorts. So I returned the Tutto Nano's and tried the Sorpasso RoS Bibknicker in a smaller size (XL). Mistake: They are extremely tight fitting (like the Free Aero Bibs). I thought that i would like the fit like the Free Areos, but the fit in the XL size is too tight to allow circulation in my legs. As a result, they do not provide warmth. This is primarily a sizing problem so I would just advise to buy the same size as your Free Aeros if you have a pair.

The sizing is Euro so if you are a medium American purchase a large.

I'm 6'3" tall, 195 lbs, 32" waist and wear a 33" jean length. These bibs fit great! They do a good job keeping the chill off between 40 and 55 degrees. Also from 55 to 65 degrees in temp they are not too hot. Good fall spring riding choice piece of clothing.

Good bib knickers are hard to find. These are very good with one exception that can be fixed. I have a pair of Castelli Rosso Corsa bib knickers from a few years ago and it seems the quality and details of construction of the older pair was better than these newer Sorpasso Rain Or Shine (ROS). I did find the leg grippers to be inadequate - the section below my knee would ride up to the point the fabric of the knickers would bunch up behind my knee. That doesn't happen with my older Rosso Corsa pair which have silicon leg grippers. I solved the problem with the ROS pair by buying silicon gripper material from Amazon (description below) and having those sewn in by my local seamstress. Now they're just fine.

Silicone Backed Elastic Band Non-Slip Sewing Elastic Band Silicone Elastic Webbing,Black (3 Stripes,15 Yards x 1 Inch)

This bibk-nicker replaces a previous Castelli Sorpasso knicker that simply wore out after 4 or 5 seasons. In a word this replacement knicker is terrific. The pricing was fair, the fit is tight (I'm a natural medium and one needs to move up one size for Castelli) so the large works well for me. This knicker is very comfortable from <45degrees to 60 degrees and feel quite nice on chilly southern California mornings. The pad is butt friendly on rides of up to 60 miles which is as far as I ridden with this knicker. I imagine they will suffice for extended mileage as well. Overall, a top-shelf knicker at a price that won't cause sticker shock or buyers remorse. Highly recommended.

Castelli sizes run Small so keep that in mind when ordering. These are great Bibnickers and well worth the money. You get what you paid for here with this item.