CFD and significant testing create the fastest road racing suit, optimized for high speeds when the race splits apart.
PUSHING THE LIMITS OF SPEED Military test pilots in the 1960s coined a phrase for pushing the aircraft to its limits, going all in, and risking their lives at the edge. The throttle levers with the knobs or balls at the top were pushed all the way forward against the cockpit wall: Balls to the Wall. BTW is for those days, those races where you never drop out of your 53x11 or 12, when you're sometimes in the gutter or cornering at the limit of adhesion. When you're all in, taking risks. Like the planes that inspired the phrase, the BTW Speed Suit uses cutting-edge research and construction in the pursuit of speed: CFD analysis, 3D test mannequins, fabric research and testing, numerous wind tunnel tests, and then testing in the WorldTour. At the beginning of the research project, we were set to sacrifice comfort in the name of speed, but in the end we kept fully breathable, fully stretchy fabrics. There’s a little more Lycra®, so you won’t stay quite as dry, and the shoulder fabric is slightly heavier. And it doesn’t have the Sanremo front opening, so your pee stops will be a bit more challenging. All that is a small price to pay for an incredible THREE PERCENT total aero drag savings compared to the fastest-in-class Sanremo Speed Suit. That 3 percent is at higher speeds, especially in the 45-65 kph range, when it really counts. You can get the BTW suit in your team graphics through Castelli's custom program, or this stealthy ninja black version to tear up your local Strava segments or group rides.
Product features
- Made to be the fastest option for high-speed road racing
- Dimpled shoulder and sleeve fabric for boundary-layer aerodynamics
- Smooth body for reduced skin friction and laminar flow
- Premio-based short portion for aero comfort
- Progetto X2 Air seamless seat pad for all-day comfort
- 2-way YKK® zipper
- Lasered tone-on-tone logos at back of leg and stitched scorpion patch at top of back
- Weight: 242 g
- Temperature: 14°C - 32°C / 57°F - 90°F
- Fit: Aero
Castelli Men's Clothing Sizing Chart
Please note: Castelli clothing is slightly smaller than traditional standard sizes. Please refer to the size chart below for ensure a perfect fit.
Castelli Warranties
Castelli products are warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for 2 years from the date of purchase. For returns and warranty claims related to items purchased from a retailer, please return your Castelli product to the retailer from which you have purchased it. To ensure that your return will be handled smoothly remember to keep your proof of purchase.
To make sure your Castelli product lasts as long as possible please follow the suggestions below.
Where do I find the washing instructions ?
Washing instructions are printed on a white tag inside each piece of clothing. Following these instructions will help make sure that your gear will last as long as possible. Careful washing and maintenance will ensure the highest performance from your Castelli products and extend their useful life span.
- Always read the care label before washing a piece of clothing.
- Close all zips and Velcro fasteners and turn the garment inside out.
- Hand or machine wash on a lukewarm permanent press cycle (max. 30°C / 86°F)
- Use a small amount of liquid or powder detergent, not other products that contain fabric softeners, conditioners, stain removers or bleach as they will affect garment performance.
- Hang dry or dry flat. Do not tumble dry.
What should I do when my Castelli softshell jacket starts to absorb water?
Castelli softshell jackets treated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish, which keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated so that the breathable barrier can do its job, may start to absorb water.
First of all, make sure the garment has been cleaned properly. Your Castelli softshell garment could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it. If it is fairly new or recently re-waterproofed, the DWR will be revitalized just from cleaning.
Once the garment has been thoroughly worn, you will need to restore the water-resistant finish.
You can rejuvenate the DWR finish by putting the garment in the dryer at low heat for about 20 minutes, or by ironing under low heat being careful not to melt the synthetic fibers of your garment.using a spray-on softshell treatment agent. Make sure to clean the garment first.
If this doesn't work, you may want to re-treat your Castelli product’s water repellency by applying a commercially available water-repellent spray-on DWR treatment by following these instructions:
- Make sure the garment has been cleaned properly and is dry.
- Lay the garment out flat and spray the entire outer shell with the water-repellent finish, holding the bottle 15 cm from the surface.
- Allow the water-repellent finish to soak in for 10-15 minutes.
- Wipe off excess water-repellent finish with a damp cloth. Check carefully to make sure no areas have been missed.
Remember, the garment will not become waterproof, but it will take longer for water to penetrate the outer fabric.
We recommend spray-on finishes (such as Nikwax SoftShell Proof™ and McNette) rather than wash-in finishes as it will effect the moisture management.
What should I do when a Nano Flex product starts loosing its water repellency?
The Castelli Nano Flex fabric repels water through both a DWR finish and thanks to millions of ultra-tiny nanofilaments that cause water droplets to bead up on the surface of the garment and run off instead of pooling on the fabric and soaking through. The Nano Flex treatment will last approximately 40-50 washes. (Of course, the garment must be washed correctly; if the detergent contains fabric softener the treatment will disappear immediately).
There are two ways to re-treat your Castelli Nano Flex garment and restore the water-resistant finish.:
- Apply a commercially available water-repellent spray-on softshell treatment agent. (See above for spray-on water-repellent treatment instructions.)
- If necessary to reactive the water repellency, you can also tumble dry on low heat for about 20 minutes. If unable to tumble dry, iron the dry garment on gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron. Do not iron over the heat-transfer Castelli and Nano Flex letters.
How to clean winter gloves with membrane fabrics?
Gloves with a wind membrane may be adversely affected by the usual care process for the fabric. Check the care label before proceeding, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always read the care label before washing your gloves.
- Close the Velcro wrist straps.
- Hand or machine wash on a lukewarm permanent press cycle (max. 30°C / 86°F)
- Use a small amount of liquid detergent, not powder detergents or any products that contain fabric softeners, conditioners, stain removers or bleach as they will affect garment performance.
- Do not use a fabric softener! This can destroy wicking and water-repellent treatments.
- Squeeze excess water from the gloves, starting at the fingertips and moving to the wrists; do not twist the gloves.
- Drip-dry the gloves with the fingers facing upward.
Since 1876, Castelli has been the tailor for the cycling champions. It was the innovative mindset which brought the earliest heroes to them; legends like Binda, Coppi and Bartali.
Castelli invented the first Lycra shorts used in racing, the first sublimation printed jerseys, the first use of windproof membranes, the first anatomic seatpad, the lightest jersey ever produced, and the most aerodynamic jersey ever produced.
Today, Castelli continue this innovative tradition for the cyclist seeking maximum performance.
Click & Collect Available
• In-stock items usually ready in 4 hours* • Online Only items usually ready in 1-3 working days More info »
Courier Delivery Available
• $9.99 for orders $99 & under • Free for orders over $99 • $35 for bikes & bulky items 10kg+ More info »
99 Bikes Home Delivery Available
Assembled Bikes delivered straight to your door • Available on all Bikes in Auckland • $29 flat rate More info »