Designed to cheat the wind, Castelli engineered its Free Aero Race Limited Edition Bib Short as it's top-tier short before being bested by the Premio, however, the Free is still among one of our favorites and actually does a little better in the heat than the Premio. The Limited Edition designation pertains to the use of colors that distinguish it from the standard Frees. Comfort, aero benefits, and strikingly good looks, all in one package.

Castelli is one of the earliest adopters that we can think of adding aero elements to road clothing not necessarily used in Tri's and TT's. By now we're all familiar with aero clothing helping to reduce the power output needed to achieve the same speed and Castelli claims a savings of 10 watts at 50 kilometers an hour. It achieves this by streamlining the wind through the use of textures, particularly with the Vortex dimpled fabric across the bib's face fabric. Much like a golf ball and certain carbon rims, dimples better manage airflow, allowing it to stay attached to the surface for longer and become less turbulent which is a principal culprit of drag.

 On the business end of the bibs, the excellent Progetto X2 Air chamois handle sitting duties and is pretty universally loved here at the office. Highlights include its seamless construction, four-way stretch, and impressive ventilation with its perforated foam layer. The perforated viscous comfort zone keeps your most sensitive areas comfortable for hours on end.

 Comfort and aero duties aside, the Forza fabric on the inner legs contain 38% Lycra content to support hard-working muscles. The material also offers just the right amount of compression to aid in recovery and prevent premature fatigue over rougher terrain.

 The bibs are quite open on the front, thanks to the Doppio V construction, allowing for excellent breathability without sacrificing support while the suspenders mostly mesh with the exception of the Carré lie-flat material on the shoulders. By lying flat, the fit is more refined and it creates a smoother silhouette under the jersey for improved aerodynamics. This is just one more detail proving that Castelli doesn't miss a beat.

 For the leg openings, Castelli trusts its Giro Air mesh-like grippers to keep the hem in place with improved tenacity over a larger area while remaining mostly impervious to the wind. Tan-lines everywhere just got a little sharper. Finally, reflective detailing on the back helps keep you visible on rides that feel so good, you can't help but extend them a little longer.