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best, gabba, Gabba 2, in, jacket, jersey, Product talk, rain, road.cc, snow, test, wet, wind -

Castelli’s Gabba waterproof jersey needs little introduction. Since it came out in 2010, it has taken the pro peloton, and non-fairweather cyclists by storm. And that’s fair enough really, who wouldn’t want to make their bad weather riding a bit more comfortable? A quick recap: The Gabba is made from Gore X-lite plus, a lightweight windproof fabric with water-repellent properties. It’s designed by and for pros, so the fit is tight and racy. It has a storm-flap at the rear to protect the rider from wheel spray. We’re on the new and improved version now, imaginatively called Gabba 2. The biggest difference, and improvement, is the introduction of a wind flap for the full-length zip, keeping more wind and rain out than the previous version. The eyelets in the rear pockets have been replaced with mesh fabric at the bottom of the pockets for better drainage. Other features have remained the same: the aero fit, reflective piping on the three pockets, full-length zip, high collar and gripper hem. I guess by now it’ll be clear that pros like this one for racing in foul conditions, but where does it fit in for those not racing? I like wearing it in ...

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cannondale, gabba, gabbas, garmin, jacket, jersey, milan sanremo, mtn, Photo, photos, Qhubeka, race, Racing -

Enjoy Jered Gruber and Ashley Norris’ stunning images from 2015 Milano-Sanremo. Get your #Gabba on! Photo: Gruber Images  

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alpha, bikeradar, castelli, cycling, jacket, News, Product talk, weekly -

The Alpha brings innovation to winter jackets, and plenty of style. Stretchy Windstopper 150 fabric creates the windproof, water resistant shell but, rather than a conventional softshell material, Castelli has detached the insulation, and only added it where necessary. The back has a mesh panel and ventilation flap and most of the sleeves have a warm waffle pattern fabric, as does the zip-up waistcoat that insulates the chest. It’s fixed at both sides, but if you overheat, the Alpha allows you to open the main zip to expel moisture without chilling your core. All the insulation moves independently of the shell, giving great freedom, and Castelli’s raw edge cuffs and waistband seal perfectly, lying totally flat for excellent glove-like fit and no draughts. Even the articulated collar is super snug. Practicalities are taken care of by three drop pockets and two zipped, one rear and one on the waist. This article was originally published on BikeRadar and in Cycling Plus magazine. Sweet, take me to the Alpha products, click here >>

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castelli, cold, jacket, KOM, muur, News, Racing, rain, tawain, wet -

Numbers, figures and reams of data from wind tunnels, computer fluid dynamics and multiple other mechanical testing procedures may be the way many companies like to give the consumer a good idea at how great a product they are making. In many respects all this digital and controlled testing is great, but when it comes to the real deal, it’s out on the open road that shows weather a product really performs. To test a product to its ultimate limit you need harsh and epic conditions. Usually people don’t like going out and suffering through these conditions, especially when it comes to that wet and cold variety of weather. When I found myself in a situation that accidentally and unfortunately allowed me and a friend to give kit we were using the ultimate test it’s not until after the event that you’re able to look back and see how well a product does its job. Taiwan may not be the first place you think of when imagining great cycling destinations, I for one had never seen it as an ideal cycling destination. But an invite for a trip to the island to tackle the Taiwan KOM Challenge was to show me ...

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cycling, free, jacket, product, Product talk, review, test, weekly -

The Gabba might have grabbed the headlines over the past few years, but Castelli have an impressive range of other jackets to cater for every meteorological scenario. The Castelli Free jacket is designed  to keep the cold out on dry, winter days, and does a good job with a garment that is close-fitting in all the right areas to keep the wind at bay. The Castelli Free jacket is an impressive piece of kit that will keep you warm on all but the coldest of days. At MSRP €189,95 (£175) the Castelli Free jacket sits bang in the middle of the Italian brand’s range of windproof jackets and is designed for temperatures of between zero and 10ºC. In reality though,  you can extend this range depending on what other pieces of clothing you choose to pair it with. The main body of the jacket is made from Gore Windstopper X-Fast 2 fabric, which, as the name suggests, does an excellent job of stopping the wind. What’s more the inside is light fleece material, meaning that we were comfortable riding in temperatures up to 15ºC with only a base layer underneath. But the highlights of the Castelli Free jacket are in the ...

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