SanRemo SpeedSuit, tons of comfort and speed
Wearing the SanRemo Suit is like riding in a skinsuit but with a lot more comfort Lot’s of cycling enthusiasts may remember spring 2011. It was the first time this suit was race-introduced by Team Garmin-Cervélo at Milan-San Remo. But the history of development dates back a bit more far behind.
By: Bernhard Plainer.
In 2009 Heinrich Haussler “lost” La Primavera only by a few inches on the finish line against sprint superstar Mark Cavendish, still a huge success for the new formed Cervélo TestTeam.
Right after that, Castelli began to think about providing the best possible kit for their team. An idea was born and the SanRemo project launched. Castelli already had the Aero Race Jersey and showed up with a few improvements during 2010.
To make a long story short:
At least since Johann Van Summeren’s heroic triumph at Paris-Roubaix 2011, the project became a success and numerous wins were added by now. With Castelli’s spring/summer 2012 collection, this master piece is no longer reserved to the pros and a regular version is available for the public.
I was lucky to test ride it during the last couple of weeks under various conditions. The suit comes in traditional Castelli colors black, white and red and is a collection of several Castelli top features.
At the first view, the SanRemo suit is just a skinsuit with a full-zip. Looking a bit more into detail, the suit offers a lot more. Right after a few pedal strokes, I was confined to the fit and comfort. A special construction allows to leave off bib straps which leads to a phenomenal free and relaxed fit. The whole suits make you feel riding in a second skin.
The shorts-part is a one piece construction and the lack of seams provides a perfect amount of comfort. Added dimples on the lower part of the shorts cause a smooth fit and optimized airflow – quite an important detail for any race kit.
The new leg grippers secure a perfect fit without irritating the skin because grip material is directly integrated into the grip band.
Castelli’s top of the range seat pad Progetto X2 Ait got a few improvements for 2012 and does a perfect job, no matter you ride for 1 or 6 hours. It’s also not too much padding when riding in the aero-position on your TT bike.
The upper body is the real secret of this suit. The mix of different fabrics is carefully considered. A plain fabric at the front and a breathable mesh fabric on the sleeves and back. In contrast to usual skinsuits, the Castelli SanRemo speedsuit has three standard sized back pockets. They are very elastic and provide enough storage space for the usual essentials like cellphone, rainjacket, food and so on.
The arm cuffs are outfitted with the same grip band as on the legs and contribute to a tight aero-fit. Pleated inserts at the armpits secure an aerodynamic stretchy fit and also help to regulate the body climate well.
The full zip is one of the main advantages of this race suit. It’s a fantastic feature when temperatures rise and/or while climbing. A clever construction doesn’t cause a sail effect while riding with the jersey fully unzipped – also a great plus during downhills on super hot days like last weekend.
The upper part of the suit fits a bit more casual compared to the Aero Race Jersey. It’s still a very anatomic fit, but a bit more relaxed. I suppose, it can be explained with the full-zip. Toilet breaks become an easy thing with the full zip and low cut at the front – also one of the big disadvantages of normal skinsuits.
VERDICT, Bernhard Plainer – twitter: @hobbybiker.
I fell in love with the SanRemo suit. It’s really hard to go back to a standard combo with jersey and bibshorts.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69FzAGZGSiE[/youtube]
SanRemo Speed Suit – Possibly the fastest bit of clothing ever created for road racing.
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