Castelli Espresso Bib shorts Equivalent

[sh]

Does anyone know of chinese bibs that are equivalent to the castelli espressos?

Looking for something for 120+km rides (6+ hours). I'm about to pull the trigger on the castellis once the 100 mile event starts, but even with 25% off the price is quite steep.

[kbernstein]

We have a whole thread about clothes with hundreds of reviewed bibs... What do you mean by equivalent? As far as I can see those bibs don't have anything special at all

[sh]

I just read that the Progetto pad is very good for long distance. I read quite a few mentioning the red cheji but nothing as to comfort over an extended ride

[glepore]

Look for shorts with the elastic interface pad, while not identical to the red Castelli pad, they're functionally similar if not equivalent.

[gbrnole]

The Progetto pad in the upper level Castelli shorts is solid but not my favorite pad for long distance (that’s comparing Castelli Premio bibs which are their highest line). For max comfort i always reach for my Giordana bibs.

Depending on where you’re located (particularly if in the UK) you can find some killer deals on eBay (b1kesport) for Giordana. Stick to their Silverline and FRC-pro lines if you do look at them. For sizing reference i’m 175cm and weigh 80kg. I wear an XL in Castelli and an L in Giordana.

[gbrnole]

also check lordgun.com for solid deals on castelli clothing. the A/C Bib has the progetto pad for $100. they also have the espresso at $100 and $107.

[SumTinWong]

No exact equivalent, but here is my overview of best pads available on Aliexpress.

Elastic Interface chamois catalog:
https://www.elasticinterface.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024_Elastic-Interface-CHAMOISTECH_241218.pdf

Paris HP is pretty high in their range. You can get original from Darevie, Hiserwa, Rion for $25-40 which is great value.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EIg72UQ
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EQkDnWQ
Darevie has seamless legs that are very elastic. Hiserwa is not for everyone - legs are tight and extremely long.
Raudax and other cheap brands offer fake Paris HP pad for less than $20, but I'm not sure about quality.

Ronde HP is currently on sale for $39(Cheji):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EGfIhui

Road Performance Force Men might be the best pad recommended for ultra long rides. $45 from Rion looks like great deal:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EQS0jhy
Ykywbike with the same pad is $80+, although it does have better design and fit.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ev8BZC6

Ykywbike offers Endurance 2.5 and other black EI cushion for $65.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EQSURwQ
Couldn't identify those in catalog but I've found other brand charging $140 for the same pad:
https://www.victorychimp.cc/en-us/products/out-there-mens-cargo-bib-shorts-olive.

Ykyw is also using ,,Belgian'' pads recommended for 7/8h+. They are likely produced by Veon Insert and should be very good, since well known red Cheji pad is made by Veon and has rating of only 5h.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EwwkoJG

Lameda, Santic are top brands that also use EI pads, but their prices are not that good.

Another Italian manufacturer available on Ali is Dolomiti Pads. Rion claims to use the same chamois as pro's from Intermarche-Wanty team:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EzdLzAq
Other Dolomiti pads with 120kg/m³ density and 8h rating:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EIjb3Z4
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ExQ0nZM

But the thickest and most dense(200kg/m³) chamois on Ali is... chinese no-name used by Fualrny:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGYnPNy
Design suggest it was inspired by Elastic Interface Road series and it's really comfortable. Straps could be more elastic. It's so thick that you risk looking like wearing adult diaper. But for $11 it's definitely worth checking out.

Rion is using EU sizing, for other brands I recommend taking one size larger.

I used affiliate links, that doesn't affect your price. But if you do mind, clear your cookies before ordering.

[kurtkowal]

That's an amazing summary!

I've also been on the long distance bibs rabbit hole. And you really can't beat a thick and dense chamy.
The only one i would like to add is the rion with the green dolomiti pad, the orange one was better but i think it's discontinued now.
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005005885454907.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.promoteWysiwyg_502445388.1005005885454907&gatewayAdapt=glo2esp

Also, at least for me, the Paris HP from Elastic Interface just doesn't cut it for me in long rides.

[sh]

Road Performance Force Men might be the best pad recommended for ultra long rides. $45 from Rion looks like great deal:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EQS0jhy
Ykywbike with the same pad is $80+, although it does have better design and fit.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ev8BZC6

Does anyone have these? It seems like a great option to compete with castellis

[glepore]

These are cheapish and nice - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806185501559.html

Don't know if its authentic EI Paris or not but comfy for 2+ hrs.

Thanks for the summary. Will try Fualrny

[Pedaldancer]

I just read that the Progetto pad is very good for long distance. I read quite a few mentioning the red cheji but nothing as to comfort over an extended ride

So you don't have a espresso bib currently?
The Progetto is quite thick from my opinion. Although it's less bulky than the Castelli Kiss pad.
For long rides e.g. elastic interface pads catalogue points to thinner and less soft pads.
To me this advice is a good fit. That is if course very personal. But: the advertisement for any pad is not necessarily true for your riding.

E.g. i have heard a lot good stuff about Assos. Well.. they might be good, but they are thick like pampers.. just not what I prefer. 

[169]

But the thickest and most dense(200kg/m³) chamois on Ali is... chinese no-name used by Fualrny:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGYnPNy
Design suggest it was inspired by Elastic Interface Road series and it's really comfortable. Straps could be more elastic. It's so thick that you risk looking like wearing adult diaper. But for $11 it's definitely worth checking out.

At $11 I pulled the trigger. Really intrigued to see what the comfort and durability is actually.

[glepore]

Rode the $11 shorts today. Yeah, the straps could be more elastic but they're fine on the bike. Only went out for 1.5 hrs but was going hard, and these are unbelievably nice for $11. My only complaint is that they're just a tad longer than I'd like, but that's a personal thing.

I've worn Assos and Castelli for years. Usually used  as I have a real issue dropping $100 or double that for bike shorts. Not going back. I doubt the average Chinese brand  is as durable, but the mostly as comfy and I can treat them as disposable if the die.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[srf0638]

At $11 I pulled the trigger. Really intrigued to see what the comfort and durability is actually.

Me too. I don't know if they're actually the thickest pad available, but they do feel denser than most of what's on the market. I might prefer a slightly wider cutout in the chamois and a shorter inseam, but I think I would rank these second in comfort to Desoto 400mi for comfort and those cost literally 20x as much. I don't know why other manufacturers aren't using denser foams if these guys can do kt for $11. (It looks like someone else on Ali is getting in on it: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807958417160.html)

Having said all that, I'd be awfully curious to try a bib with thin but dense padding--not no pad at all, but not more than 5mm. I don't think anyone offers this except maybe SQLabs, and while I'm sure their stuff is great it's a bit more than I'm willing to spend.

[sh]

I ended up getting those YKYW bibs with the elastic interface red pad. I have to say the quality is really excellent. The pad has nice "firm" spots under the seat bones which help with distributing pressure. The stitching on mine also look much better than my friends castelli entratas lol

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