I like to dress for the trail with a bit of flair, so when I discovered Castelli’s Coco kit, I had to track it down to have one of my own. It’s an eye-catching kit; the black shorts and jersey feature a golden glitter Castelli logo and python print on the jersey and shorts.
Finding my size was an issue though. Had I seen this kit when it was initially released, purchasing a size small jersey and short would not have been an problem. However, I was late in the game (about a year too late, this is a 2012 option) and was only able to find the jersey in a size small. Once I got my hands on the jersey, it was glaringly obvious: I needed the matching shorts! The unique looking pieces look best as an ensemble. After several weeks of searching for a small short, I came up empty handed. I contacted several bikes shops and even reached out to Castelli directly. Just when I was about to give up and settle for a basic black pair of Castelli shorts, the Coco shorts popped up on Ebay in a XS.
Posing post ride at Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park.
Although I’d prefer a small, I squeeze into the XS just fine. I do get a little bit of muffin thigh at the bottom elastic part of the short but it isn’t too offensive. (I can live with it.)
Besides looking incredibly fashionable on the bike, it’s also functional and comfortable. Constructed with Softlex fabric that is super-soft while keeping your skin cool, it’s has kept me comfortable on long warm weather road rides and high intensity interval training on my mountain bike. I’m fond of the KISS3 Donna chamois and how it’s contoured for a woman’s body.
- Full zip short sleeve Coco jersey – $99.99
- Coco shorts – $89.99
- Giro Xara helmet – $130.00
- Castelli Thermoflex Knee Warmers – $39.99
- Santa Cruz Bicycles Blur TRc
For reference on sizing – I am 5’9, 125lbs. I wear a size small in Castelli tops and bottoms
