I've been riding Castelli Competizione shorts for awhile and generally like them a lot, but with the following faults; 1) they run small. At 5'11" 156 lbs I typically wear a medium or large race type cut short in most brands, but these run so small I wear a XL. 2) The leg grippers are nice but way too loose. The new "2" shorts carry forward these faults but they've changed the "bib" style/sewing and material to something super cheap and total crap.... they're like thin elastic bands that curl up and come across your shoulders like a string. The short's material is also different, much more plastic like, it's even kinds shiny. Bottom line..... the "2"'s compare to $50.00 shorts.... but with a nice chammy.
Nice bibs that look good but are clearly a budget take from Castilli. The straps are too thin and dig into the shoulders a bit and the waist is very low. Many better options in this price range.
I have a few pairs of the original Competizione bibs and have always found them to be a good value for the price. The quality is good and the fit of the multi-panel design works well for me. The 2's changed the uppers from the traditional bib design to the new strap design that everybody seems to be moving to. Partly because Castellis always run at least 1-2 sizes small, the bibs stay in place even with the minimal uppers. They may be slightly cooler than the traditional cut as well since there's less overlapping fabric between the bibs and jersey, but I'm still not a huge fan of the change. Overall though, these bibs are still an outstanding value with solid materials, cut and craftsmanship.
I prefer the Castelli bibs with the KISS pad as it is my go to for rides in the 70 mile range. The material and craftsmanship are excellent. Drawback: minor, but actually prefer the more traditional bib cut in the front . I need to size up for Castelli bibs. I order the XL. I'm 5'9" and weigh 177.
One of the best bibs. The chamois is superb. Comfort for all day ride.
