Hydration jersey (not a pack!) for gravel racing: Castelli Unlimited Pro

Рет қаралды 13,553

Күн бұрын

The Castelli Unlimited Pro Jersey fits a 1.5L hydration pack in a mesh sleeve on the back, letting you ditch the hydration pack but keep the hydration. I took this into the wind tunnel with Silca, onto the trails and roads with some friends, and I'll be racing in it at Unbound Gravel this year.
And yes - I am happy to be supported by Castelli. :-)
I do not take money for any of my bike reviews, wheel reviews, tire reviews, etc - and I am able to do so because of the sponsorship of Castelli and my other supporters, listed below.
Check out the Unlimited Pro Jersey here:
www.castelli-c...
And fill it with EFS or EFS-PRO from First Endurance:
bit.ly/41SDgqq
(save 20% with code 'THERIDE')
Thanks Patrick Morrissey for the handlebar assist! ;-)
-
Gear I use for shooting (not sponsored!):
X1 Self-Flying Drone: amzn.to/3V7MUn5
DJI Mini 3 Drone: amzn.to/3wK4eVY
GoPro Hero Black 11: amzn.to/3wK4eVY
DJI Action Cam 4: amzn.to/3wK4eVY
DJI Pocket Osmo 3: amzn.to/3wK4eVY
Sony Alpha ZV-E10: amzn.to/3QUSqHf
Sony Alpha a6300: amzn.to/3K7jFKK
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS lens: amzn.to/3QNGh6L
-
The Ride is supported in 2024 by:
Castelli clothing: tinyurl.com/43k...
Perc Coffee: tinyurl.com/et... (save 15% with code 'ride15')
Giro helmets: tinyurl.com/72s...
Silca maintenance: bit.ly/47xxvzj (save 10% with code 'theride')
First Endurance nutrition: bit.ly/41SDgqq (save 20% with code 'THERIDE')
Shimano shoes & glasses: tinyurl.com/ye2...
Feedback Sports stands & tools: bit.ly/3S9Dq8r

Пікірлер: 101

@GreenG-314 3 ай бұрын

It's 2027 - the euro pros are all lined up at Unbound in skinsuits and aero helmets. The Spirit of Gravel is in a bar across the street slowly drinking himself (it'sself?) into a stupor while thinking "The beginning of the end.... it was that Hydration Jersey video Delaney put out in 24"

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

😅

@yoda112358 3 ай бұрын

tbh the real spirit of gravel is making people annoyed about your bike and kit setup.

@stevenagy7152 3 ай бұрын

Can you really say you have any spirit unless you are riding a unicycle, wearing overall jorts while chugging MtnDew and PBR? And not the Fignon/Castorama version!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

@stevenagy7152 @roblibbert1052 Just wait til you see what I am riding for SBT this year. I lost a bet… and the results, I believe, should make The Spirit laugh and take heart.

@asherbeal8357 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney🤘🤘

@thedronescene7474 3 ай бұрын

This is why you are better than all other KZbinrs. You share the real data and no some bs marketing crap.

@icecreamheadache 3 ай бұрын

We've got the CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) and we've got liquid oral nutrition. I'm just waiting for the inevitable end-point: racers with PICC line IVs that continuously infuse parenteral nutrition based on glucose levels. Bypass the whole issue of GI upset and gut absorption rates. A CPN bag would fit perfectly in the Castelli pocket. 😂😂😂

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Don't forget about body temp monitors - perhaps paired to some sort of solar-powered cooling device. 😅

@ultimatist 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney "trust me, I'm only wearing this butt plug to optimize my body temp"

@MorganBrown 3 ай бұрын

@@ultimatist 😂and for "saddle mounting stability" on rough terrain.

@clarkmontagu7418 3 ай бұрын

Hey Ben. Love your videos. I reckon I’m close to your size. What size Castelli jersey are you wearing? I’ve found them a small fit and struggled to find a size. Ps good luck at unbound. May see you there next year.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

@clarkmontagu7418 Thank you. I wear Large in Castelli race cut jerseys like this jersey and the aero jersey. And then medium in nonrace cut stuff like the Competizione jersey. I’m 6ft, 185lb.

@aztecrider 3 ай бұрын

The Camelbak Velobak from 2009. I guess it was ahead of its time.

@kevindolan2194 3 ай бұрын

Another benefit is cold water on the back can keep you cooler. Craft clothing had a running jersey with a pocket on the back in a similar location where one could place ice to cool you while running.

@DickKnorr 3 ай бұрын

Under rated comment, I get crushed on long events from over heating more than anything else.

@Galaxieguy428 3 ай бұрын

Fill it with slurpees from the gas station. The next step is some sort of heat reflective material around it

@gearsofmedicine 3 ай бұрын

This is awesome! Nice review and awesome for ensuring proper hydration during a gravel race!

@cycodre 3 ай бұрын

Love the ska music bits! I use that for interval days!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!

@GMoneyLove 3 ай бұрын

So many advantages to a pack, from easy to get at fluids, to spare food and clothing storage. The negative is weight, so getting to used to it over a distance is important to avoid a cramping back (along with good bike fit and core work off the bike). But all in all, I've used one for years and really appreciate having one in the dog days of summer. Great video, Ben, thanks!

@stevenagy7152 3 ай бұрын

As always a super informative video, and for most of us, a hydration pack/jersey is always a better answer than bottles alone.

@Forstus 3 ай бұрын

What I like about bags I can tuck the snozzle away and it ain’t tangling around. Also you can hide it from dirt/groad spray. Bottles get super dirty on wet rides and riding through farm fields and soaking up ecoli ain’t nice. Was a problem at Traka.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Ecoli ain't nice at all. Some bottles had little lids on the nozzle, but nobody (myself included) had the discipline to pop them back on in events.

@ohararp 3 ай бұрын

Loved the ska music this episode!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!

@minidini10 3 ай бұрын

I really like the creative thinking for this jersey. Practically, I don't see it being too useful though because swapping out bladders is tricky if you're doing it yourself. I could see a sweetspot in gravel races long enough for more than 2 bottles but not long enough to need a rest stop. Not for me, but I like it.

@jaselikesbikes 3 ай бұрын

The tube hanging down and bobbing around would drive me nuts. At least the packs have a retention system for that tube.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

There's a little loop on on the side near the waist that I neglected to use in some of the shots. But there is no snap-on clip like the packs have.

@jwestpro Ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney i've been testing one of these on gravel, xc mtb, and enduro type trail riding near seattle. That little side/waist loop is like the designer never ever rode a bike while trying to manage things sitting up like zipping a jersey/jacket or other fidley things which this side loop would prove next to impossible on pavement and literally dangerous on gravel. So, i wish there were a proper spot for a magnet just like on packs which work quite well on my Osprey packs to just swat the tube back into place. I've been tucking the tube into my bib shorts upper strap near my pectoral and zipping up the jersey against it to ensure it staying in place for rugged descents like and enduro race route. I plan to sew on some sort of mount for a magnet...

@woolfel 3 ай бұрын

LOL, aero has gone off the rails :)

@AirClark1 3 ай бұрын

2 questions: 1. How difficult is it to put the full bladder in the jersey while wearing jersey? Or do you have to remove jersey to install bladder? 2. Does the weight of the bladder cause the back of jersey to sag and front of the jersey to ride up on your neck?

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

1. Pretty easy - just drop it in behind your head, then thread the hose through the little shoulder strap. 2. When standing up off the bike, you can definitely feel the weight of the thing when full. The jersey doesn't sag, but it does get tighter in the shoulders. On the bike, though, I don't get that feeling. And then as you drink you end up with just the weight of the bladder.

@AirClark1 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney right on, thanks Ben

@gabrielmarias972 3 ай бұрын

Will love test the Evoc Hydro pro 3, looks good competitor vs uswe

@huntos83 Ай бұрын

⁠@@gabrielmarias972I have the Evoc hydro pro 1.5. I like it a lot and it’s a very neat, well designed and well made pack that works well. The only down side for me is I find the front of the vest is perhaps a bit to broad and close to the arm pit area, which I find in a riding position can start to chafe a bit in that area. I suspect this is an issue on lots of hydration vests with front storage pockets. This is mostly noticeable on long distance ultra events though, it’s ok on shorter rides. This might just be my particular body shape, but if I bought another I’d look for one with a bit more space around the arm area. The X shape of the USWE straps is likely better in this regard.

@whiteryanc 3 ай бұрын

I've got to say I'm intrigued by Castelli jumping with both feet into a gravel concept like this, it's interesting for sure! I know this is all about weight, but seems like a lost opportunity to not include some kind of magnetic hose-holding like on a pack (built into the pocket where they have the second loop). Additionally as you noted a simple grosgrain loop to hook the reservoir into so it doesn't sag as consumed seems logical. All in all it's cool to see something totally different and trying to solve a problem. Would be interested to hear more feedback once you get more time in it.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

I hear you on the magnet idea; not sure how that would work on a thin jersey. My DJI mic is on a magnet, which is handy, but it kinda flops around and it doesn't way much. Part of my interest in the design is pretty myopic: For gravel races I often use a GoPro Chesty, so not having to double up with straps around my chest is a plus.

@kevindolan2194 3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Thanks very much.

@cyclingfreak56 3 ай бұрын

I ride a tandem part time. My partner says she’s not as hot riding without a pack. I put my bladder in the frig overnight and it’s still cool (in a camelback velocity) after 3 hrs riding in Florida. Also I would argue the pack shades my back as well! 💕🚴✌️

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

I dig it.

@at5504 3 ай бұрын

Ben, I'm thinking the biggest benefit might be keeping core body temp down by freezing the fluid in the pack. Have you tried that to see how long it stays cold in typical Unbound temps?

@erniemartineziidvmmba9220 3 ай бұрын

How easy is it to rip out the empty one and reinstall a full one? Can you put in a full one without taking off the jersey? Thanks for the info and videos! Ride on!

@valenUS 3 ай бұрын

Is there some insulation to keep the water cold?

@johnnycab8986 3 ай бұрын

damn i just bought a uswe 🤣 Although I can see this jerseys hydration pocket falling apart after a while with ripping seams, my Castelli gear always fits fantastic but doesn't last very long. Also have to take these aerotests with a grain of salt since they constantly contradict each other between different labs and even within the same lab sometimes. Looks very convenient though!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

USWE is a great pack. And yes, aero testing is a giant can of worms. Fun to be able to play with different things in a tunnel, though.

@derekkuhl 3 ай бұрын

Not having worn it, it would seem the hydration jersey would be more comfortable because it does not need straps. If you want to do an F1 pit stop, just have another jersey with a bladder in it. I don’t think a fresh jersey would hurt anyone’s feelings. Anyone think about mounting hydration on the bike? Carrying that extra weight on your body all day is fatiguing.

@rct8884 3 ай бұрын

I saw an add for this jersey about a week ago an am interested in for my road rides just for simplicity and ease of use.

@danielrussell9416 3 ай бұрын

And Ben, don't forget your aero bars this time.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

You probably realize that I often don't learn... as of now, not planning on bringing them! 😀

@danielrussell9416 3 ай бұрын

With the north course the aero bars will be less useful. We got a little rain last night so this morning the roads ranged from dry and fast to tacky and slow depending on the dirt content of the road. I would expect the same on race day. Best of luck.

@BoomsRiddico4868 3 ай бұрын

good idea!

@simonvonbromley5948 3 ай бұрын

Great video, Ben 👏

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Simon. When are you coming over for some US gravel?

@simonvonbromley5948 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney good question - never really thought about it tbh, but maybe I can convince my wife/boy we need a holiday in Kansas next year!

@nickfriedl4462 3 ай бұрын

Do you think it can fit a 2L bladder… or even a 3L bladder? Bigger bladders are typically taller, not wider, so maybe they’d fit, not considering weight.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

I used a 2l bladder at Unbound. I don't have a 3L to try, but if the width is the same, I don't see why not.

@jonpoon3896 3 ай бұрын

Could be interesting for bikepacking races. Pack it away when you don’t need it. Pull it out for long stretches

@theAdventurousCyclist 3 ай бұрын

What about jersey OVER the hydration pack?

@gavinhowell06 3 ай бұрын

I thought the same

@crypto5280 3 ай бұрын

can you tell me what path that is in Boulder?

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

See my comment below with Strava links.

@MrJohnnyTN 3 ай бұрын

EPIC

@2012crux 3 ай бұрын

What hydration bladder was used in the video?

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Camelbak is the blue one, and then a USWE is the clear one in the tunnel with the red hose.

@jakescheck 3 ай бұрын

Considering the dynamic nature of aerodynamics, what is the reasoning behind testing a completely static position in the wind tunnel? Seems like pedaling would affect the results.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Good question. In this particular tunnel, the scale is pretty sensitive and the operators find that pedaling adds noise to the measurement separate from the wind drag that they are trying to measure. In an ideal situation, we would not only pedal but also measure across a sweep of yaw angles, a variety of body positions, and a variety of riders. But given the opportunity to get a few measurements for reference, I went for it!

@jakescheck 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney no doubt! imperfect data is always better than no data!!

@jamiesharp3421 3 ай бұрын

What bibs are you wearing in the riding footage?

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

These ones: www.castelli-cycling.com/US/en/Men/Cycling/Shorts-and-Tights/Shorts/FREE-UNLIMITED-BIBSHORT/p/4522011_309_52_XL

@MorganBrown 3 ай бұрын

I gotta wonder the aero penalty of having the drinking tube outside the jersey. Probably not trivial. I'd be interested to see it run under the jersey

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Could be like internal vs external brake/shift lines on the bike, eh?

@MorganBrown 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney yeah, I would think with all the trouble Castelli went to in order to fit the jersey around a bladder, it would be a pretty easy mod to "internally route" the drinking tube. I'm not sure where it should emerge from the jersey, though!

@SergioCristancho 3 ай бұрын

I think is in the middle ... some 'short' races could see the benefit of the built in ... longer races ... multi day races... like more than 20 hrs races... unbould XL perhaps, not a good choice, un less... you are sponsored and have a crew and you have the pit stop awaiting for a second jersey... same goes for the hydration pack right? well ... picture is different if you consider that you actually have to change your entire jersey? but maybe I digress ... because it is in the middle and as a 'in development' product we will see is someone wins from the gains (marginal or not) that comes by using THE Jersey!

@gregmorrison7320 3 ай бұрын

I know a guy that used to ride with exactly the same kind of jersey setup about 7 years ago, but you couldn't actually see the pack like in this jersey so maybe it was thicker material, I know the pocket was on the inside of the jersey, not the outside. I don't know the brand of jersey. What I'm really interested in is the shot of your bike with the small frame bag attached in the wind tunnel. It's my belief that your bike would be more aero with a small frame bag than without, but never seen anyone publish any tests regarding this, can you enlighten me please Ben?

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

I'll see if I can find Canyon's tests on their Grail snap-on bag, because that was certainly their claim.

@jasonferrier 3 ай бұрын

@gregmorrison7320 I remember that jersey as well, but can’t remember who had it.

@clarkmontagu7418 3 ай бұрын

Also do you have a discount code for castelli? Thanks.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

You know, I should but I don’t. I will ask them again.

@daness40 3 ай бұрын

This is precisely the point why even considering aerodynamics in purchasing things is ridiculous. Every human body will respond differently to different gear. The length of any given torsa, leg length, arm length, neck length, shoulder width, leg size, arm size, chest size....all of these will directly aerodynamics. I can't believe people go insane over this stuff.

@MorganBrown 3 ай бұрын

soon to be known as "The Big Sweat"

@Danyenbici 3 ай бұрын

Not a chance, i mean even in my USWE epic 8 the water gets hot here in Mexico we have 110-118 F temps in summer and you can feel how hot it gets just with the water in the hose exposed... i dont wanna drink boiling water with that jersey it looks like direct sunlight would kill the purpose.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

118?! Ooph!

@ChipShadden 3 ай бұрын

Where are you riding in this video, Ben? Looks amazing.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

Just around Boulder; mountains to the west and the plains to the north. It is pretty sweet for riding.

@ChipShadden 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thanks. I’m in FOCO and that looks like a nice day trip ride.

@TheRidewithBenDelaney 3 ай бұрын

@ChipShadden cool. Look at my Strava for the last two days and you will see both places: Chapman is the dirt (closed to cars) climb off Flagstaff where I am talking, and the trails north are the ride footage spots. strava.app.link/Tb42E53uVJb I am editing a FoCo Fondo video this evening. Great riding up there!

@ChipShadden 3 ай бұрын

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney thanks!