Autumn is often the trickiest season to dress for. Not yet cold enough to pull on long tights, no longer really warm enough to ride in summer kit, with that little hesitation at the wardrobe: shorts, tights, gilet, base layer?
I rode with three Castelli pieces designed for this slightly blurry zone: the Espresso Thermal Bibshort, the Espresso 2 LS Jersey and the Transition Air Vest. Three products to use when it’s fine but fresh, and you want to stay properly dressed without tipping into full winter kit.
The best surprise clearly comes from the bib shorts. They’re also the rarest piece of the trio: thermal bib shorts that come down very low, almost to the knee, without straying into unflattering three-quarter bibs or overly warm long tights.
Strengths:
- Thermal bib shorts that are spot-on between 12 and 16 °C
- Long-sleeve jersey that is pleasant, stable and well cut
- Very light, compact gilet that is effective at blocking the chill
Could be better
- Gilet with no access to the jersey’s rear pockets
Espresso Thermal Bibshort: the real highlight of this kit
The Castelli Espresso Thermal Bibshort costs €170. It uses Thermoflex fabric, with a recommended range of 10 to 18 °C, stretch mesh bib straps and the Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad. The leg hem is raw-cut and sits just above the knee.
In practice, it’s precisely this format that I liked. Three-quarter bibs have almost disappeared for many cyclists, and I’m not going to miss them: the style is often debatable, and fabric behind the knee can quickly become annoying. Here, Castelli keeps the useful idea – covering more of the thigh – without dragging fabric behind the joint.
On me, the cut is spot on. The bib shorts come down to the knee, but never hinder pedalling. No unpleasant compression, no straps that pull, no odd leg length. It’s probably the most balanced piece in the kit.
I especially appreciated it between 12 and 16 °C, on those sunny but fresh autumn days when you still hesitate to head out in standard summer bib shorts. Here, the extra thickness really changes the comfort. You keep the feel of bib shorts, but with that little bit of extra warmth that stops you regretting your choice after twenty minutes.
You shouldn’t stretch its use too far either. As soon as it gets a bit warm, the thermal fabric makes itself known. You sweat faster than with summer bib shorts, and that’s normal: this isn’t a piece to artificially extend shorts weather into a mild afternoon.
A very comfortable pad, and a small pocket that is almost incidental
The Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad is one of the bib shorts’ big draws. I’d already found it very convincing on the Castelli Unlimited Speed Suit, where it was among the strengths on long rides. On the Espresso Thermal Bibshort, it leaves the same impression: it’s extremely comfortable. I actually find it better integrated than on the suit.
I didn’t have that sense of compromise you sometimes find on mid-season bib shorts, where thermal priorities take over the seat. Here, the whole package remains truly bike-focused, with real support and a pleasant contact.
Castelli adds a small pocket on the back. I used it very little. It’s there, it can help out for a small object, but it’s not what defines the product. The interest lies elsewhere: in the fit, the length, the pad and this ability to fill a very precise gap in a cyclist’s wardrobe.
For a harsh winter, it’s obviously not enough. For fairly calm conditions, dry and fresh rides, or a well-set mid-season, the format makes a lot of sense.
Espresso 2 LS Jersey: pleasant, but not for 30 °C
The Espresso 2 LS Jersey costs €140. It uses Air_O Stretch fabric, a full-length YKK Vislon zip, three rear pockets, a fourth zipped pocket, a silicone gripper at the hem and UPF 30 protection. The official range is 15 to 30 °C.
Let’s say it straight: that range seems far too wide to me. At 30 °C, I can’t imagine choosing this jersey, even with the UV protection. It’s relatively thin, yes. It breathes properly, yes. But it’s still a long-sleeve jersey, less airy than a good summer short-sleeve jersey.
Conversely, in the same zone as the bib shorts – around 12 to 16 °C depending on intensity, wind and sunshine – I found it very pleasant. It too fills that moment between summer kit and true winter kit.
I rode in size L. I’m often between M and L with brands, but M quickly becomes too short in torso length. Here, L suits me very well. I’ve a bit of room in the arms – I might need to work a bit more at the gym this winter 🤪 – but comfort is excellent.
Above all, I don’t have any pressure on the shoulders. That’s an important detail, because a jersey that’s a bit too tight can become annoying as soon as you switch positions, hands on the tops, on the hoods, in the drops. Here, nothing really pulls.
The collar is quite low. So don’t rely on it to protect the neck when the air turns cold. This jersey is still made for fine autumn or spring days, not for truly wintry mornings.
Stable pockets, a comfortable cut
The pocket system is well executed. The three rear pockets remain relatively stable, even when loaded. The contents naturally pull the bottom of the jersey down, as is often the case with this type of cut, but without deforming it in an annoying way.
The zipped pocket is a real plus. For a key, a card or a small item you don’t want to lose, it’s always welcome, especially on a jersey you’ll wear on long rides or days with multiple stops.
It’s not the most spectacular piece of the trio. It doesn’t transform the ride. But it does what you expect of it well: a thin, comfortable, well-cut long-sleeve jersey that complements the bib shorts without creating a thermal imbalance.
Transition Air Vest: very compact, but watch the sizing
The Transition Air Vest costs €80. It’s rated for 12 to 20 °C, with a 20-denier microfibre nylon, almost windproof fabric, a high collar, an asymmetrical two-way zip, an elasticated hem and reflective elements on the back.
It’s the piece I got least right, and that matters. I took it in L, like the jersey. With hindsight, I should have gone for M.
A gilet has no sleeves, so it doesn’t exert as much pressure under the shoulders as a jersey or jacket. You can therefore allow a closer fit. With a thin layer underneath, my L leaves too much room. In my case it’s not a Castelli cut issue, rather a size choice error.
Consequence: I’ll probably use it more readily over a thicker winter jacket, which will fill the volume a bit. Over a thin jersey, it would have deserved to be closer to the body.
The gilet still has real qualities. It’s very light, really compact, and stows easily in a jersey pocket. It’s typically the piece you take without overthinking for a fresh start, a descent, or a return with a bit of wind.
Its insulating power is interesting for its volume. The collar comes up quite high, much more than the jersey’s, and protects the neck better. On an autumn outfit, you feel that difference quickly.
My main frustration comes from the lack of access to the jersey’s rear pockets. When you wear a gilet over the top, being able to grab a gel, a phone or gloves quickly without unzipping everything soon becomes very practical. Here, you have to do without.
A really coherent transition kit
Taken separately, the three products aren’t equally compelling. The bib shorts are the true star piece. The jersey is very pleasant, provided you don’t believe it will replace a short-sleeve summer jersey at 30 °C. The gilet is relevant, compact and protective, but you need to choose your size carefully.
Together, they tell a very accurate story: Castelli handles this transition zone between summer and winter very well. This isn’t kit for facing rain, damp cold or freezing rides. It’s kit for fine, fresh days, when you want to keep some style and comfort, and avoid stacking unnecessary layers.
The overall price remains high: €170 for the bib shorts, €140 for the jersey, €80 for the gilet. But the pleasure in use is real, especially with the Espresso Thermal Bibshort. It’s the kind of piece you might not think to buy first, then you get it from the very first cool rides.
For me, it’s simple: if I had to keep only one product in this trio, it would be the bib shorts. Because it answers a real seasonal question, with a rare cut, remarkable comfort and very concrete usefulness.
