Castelli Alpha

redvision

Morning folks,

Has anyone got a Castelli Alpha yet?
I have tried to find reviews but seems there are hardly any (apart from the Castelli promotional videos etc).

Is the jacket as good as they say?

Are there any alternatives which are better?

Cheers

nferrar

Looks a nice jacket but I think a lot of the revolutionary features thing is just marketing hype. It looks pretty similar to the Assos Bonka (my current -5 to +7ish c winter jacket), the stand-out feature seems to be the second internal layer at the front but I'm not convinced that makes a whole lot of difference. Firstly a jacket at that price should breathe well anyway and the times you do need to cool things down fast (on a climb etc.) just opening the zip allows you plenty of control, I don't think I've ever thought I wish I had a second insulating layer before my baselayer just to keep the chill off slightly when opening the zip...
Not slating it, I'd probably buy one myself if I didn't already have the Bonka (and not saying the Bonka is better either) it's just the marketing BS that winds me up (although a lot of that might be Wiggle's own to).

bendertherobot

I bought the wind jersey yesterday.

The fit is amazing, subject to what I say below.

It (and I assume the winter jacket) are designed to be low volume. Will they work? Not sure. I suspect, with a base layer, they will be excellent. As good as the Bonka? Down to zero degrees I think it will be better, below that, no.

Personally I think that the Alpha range is a bloody good bet for a UK winter.

But, here's the thing. The fit on mine is amazing BUT for the massive elastic waistband which is just too tight. So, regrettably, back it goes.

cougie

Is it all black on the back ? I cant see from the pics in the shops ?

bendertherobot

Yes

cougie

Meh. Ta.

bendertherobot

Mine is (was) black mind. Evidence suggests the coloured ones may have coloured backs

http://www.bikeandtravel.nl/epages/6235 ... pha_jacket

redvision

bendertherobot wrote:

But, here's the thing. The fit on mine is amazing BUT for the massive elastic waistband which is just too tight. So, regrettably, back it goes.

Thanks for the info.
Any idea if the jacket has the same waistband?

bendertherobot

I take it back. I tried it again, but, sensibly, on the bike. This is the jersey.

That waistband? Just works. Totally disappears on the bike. Sensational.

Wore the jersey this morning in, what, 11 degrees? Toasty. I'm sitting here in the office now with the front zip down and the inner done up and it's retaining heat.

I reckon the jersey is easily good enough on its own down to 5 degrees and, beyond, that would easily do above freezing with a base layer.

I think the jacket is probably amazing based on this jersey. FWIW, the main front colour is carried over on the pockets so, if you get a bright coloured jacket you should be very visible.

In the end I chose the lime coloured Alpha jersey. It's very nice.

bendertherobot

Right, onto the Alpha JACKET.

Is it coloured on the back? Yes. So, the lime one is all lime other than black undersleeves, a bit of black on the sides of the back and black pockets. Other than that all lime and very visbible. Not day glo, more of an off yellow.

How is it different? Even Castelli's own description doesn't make this clear. There must be a difference, surely? But what it it?

Ok,

1. The Jacket is windstopper ALL over, (the jersey has a jersey back). The undersleeves are not windstopper but neither are they jersey. So, looking like pretty much Gabba levels of rain resistance.

2. The jacket's inner thermal layer is all round. The jersey only has it at the front. So, toasty.

3. Crucially, the jacket's inner sleeves have a fleecier additional lining. So more toasty.

On the face of it, to me, it seems very much like a Bonka but much less weight and volume. I reckon it's going to be great.

eddiefiola

I tried a Red one the other day which is half black on the back, pockets and below are black with a Castelli logo in the middle.

Sent it back because I didnt feel it got me anything better than the jersey or jacket combos I already have and it felt a bit tight around the middle (thats obviously my problem not theirs )

bendertherobot

It's certainly tight, perhaps overly so. But it does disappear on the bike.

I've been looking for something different this year from having something heavy. It really fits the bill for me though I won't be wearing anything more than a Craft or Light merino base layer on the really cold days.

eddiefiola

Been really conflicted what I want or need in Autumn/Winter clothes, I ordered:

Assos Blitzfeder, lovely fit, function but was fairly big in the back pocket when packed (even though its only 96grams it felt bulky), sent it back.

Sportful Ultralight, too condomy, and with fully loaded pockets the waist was too tight (ok my girth has something to do with that too).

Gabba 2 I sent back as the pockets are too saggy I hate pockets being low around the bum area, probably again my size I need an XXL to fit my chest and arms.

Sticking for now with my Mavic Echapee for the colder times and jersey/arm warmers/gilet for Autumn for now.

Maybe I just dont need anything

apreading

bendertherobot wrote:

Right, onto the Alpha JACKET.

Is it coloured on the back? Yes. So, the lime one is all lime other than black undersleeves, a bit of black on the sides of the back and black pockets. Other than that all lime and very visbible. Not day glo, more of an off yellow.

How is it different? Even Castelli's own description doesn't make this clear. There must be a difference, surely? But what it it?

Ok,

1. The Jacket is windstopper ALL over, (the jersey has a jersey back). The undersleeves are not windstopper but neither are they jersey. So, looking like pretty much Gabba levels of rain resistance.

2. The jacket's inner thermal layer is all round. The jersey only has it at the front. So, toasty.

3. Crucially, the jacket's inner sleeves have a fleecier additional lining. So more toasty.

On the face of it, to me, it seems very much like a Bonka but much less weight and volume. I reckon it's going to be great.

Is the back of the jersey nanoflex though? and is is roubaix?

bendertherobot

Probably. I'll have a go at running it under the tap later.

bendertherobot

Good timing, BR say it's "nano warm."


http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/arti ... eys-42726/

bendertherobot

Tried the alpha jacket at 4 degrees today. Mega warm. I'd say that, with a base layer, the jersey would be fine at 4 degrees. The jacket looks good to - 5 in my view

andyrob7

I have the Alpha Wind 'jersey' and worn it on 4-5 rides so far. It's been toasty down to 4 deg with a fine merino base layer. Fit is brilliant, the waistband is a simple but really effective feature which works well on the bike. Really effective wind and shower protection and for my style of riding, yet has not been too sweaty within it's temp range, which for me is 3 - 14 deg. I also tried the Alpha Jacket but decided it would be just too warm for the majority of my Oct - March rides. The only downside for the Alpha Wind has been the limited colour options.

apreading

Yeah - if you dont like black the only other colour option for the jersey is a bit naff (IMO). Wish they did the colours of the jacket, especially red.

nibby

I'm on the lookout for something for my commute/weekend rides mostly for medium to high temp riding and was looking at the Rapha Pro Team Jacket.
Has anyone got an views on the Alpha jersey/jacket v. the Rapha? From what I'm reading it seems the Alpha jersey might be all I need.

Cheers

w00dster

I can't compare the Castelli to the rapha pro team jacket, but I do have the rapha pro jacket. From a comfort and warmth perspective it's fantastic, but it's only waterproof front and arms. The back is a breathable material. I wear a waterproof Cape over the top on really wet days.
The rapha jacket is fine for cold winds, I wouldn't wear it above 10 degrees to be honest, be too warm for that. At the moment I've just been wearing a merino baselayer under it and it's fine (about 4 degrees early on Sunday's ride)

nibby

cheers, the Alpha jersey might be a bit more flexible by the sounds of it then.

I like the extra security of the Rapha though i.e. crash protection and warranty. I'm not sure if Castelli offer that.

cookeeemonster

I'll add my own experience of the rapha pro team jacket. Really, really nice bit of kit. Super comfortable, warm and fits like a glove (comes up smaller compared to their other stuff I find). I dont wear it above 7 degrees to be honest as I run hot and I have other jackets that are cooler...but that alaso means I can wear it to below freezing easily enough without getting cold.

It will shrug off light rain showers but like the gabba it will keep you warm when wet. The fact that the back is more breathable is a bonus I feel. Not much help to you now but they get hevily discounted in the sales!

cedar404

I have both the Rapha Pro Team Jacket and the Castelli Alpha Jersey. I have worn each of them recently on 3 hour rides with some pretty dreadful weather thrown in. Neither of them are waterproof but in prolonged rain the Alpha jersey performed a lot better than the Pro Team jacket, I don't carry a rain cape so no extra protection was available against the elements.

I have both items in a size small and the Alpha jersey is more fitted, the best thing I can say about it is that when you are wearing it you just dont notice its there as the fit is so good.

Both items are really nice bits of kit, if I had to pick one it would be the Alpha jersey.

nibby

CM & Cedar

great help thanks.

I'm looking to wear whatever I choose from say 10 degrees C and dry/showery type of weather like this morning on my commute in to anything from say 2 c when it starts to get cold up to say 13c

Sundays training ride for example started fairly cold at 2 but in the welsh hills dont want to start overheating

From what I'm reading it seems like the Alpha jersey might be a bit more flexible for what I need it for?

Cedar, re sizing. I've tried a Rapha PT on and I'm a medium, would you say it's the same for the Alpha or should I go large?

cheers

cedar404

After a few rides wearing the Alpha jersey my personal thoughts on layering are:

Temps 8c and above, just a long sleeve base layer underneath

Temps 7c and below, short sleeve merino base layer and a long sleeve base layer

I would say if the Medium is fitted on you i.e. feels almost skin tight then you would need a Large Alpha, if there is a little room in the pro team jacket then get the same size alpha and expect it to be skin tight - but I get the impression thats how it is designed to be worn.

bendertherobot

The lime green/laurel Alpha is nicer in the flesh than it might appear in the photos. Shame they didn't replicate the jacket colourways.

In many ways the Pro Team and Alpha do similar things. The difference is mainly that you can layer up to make an Alpha as warm as a Pro Team (with suitable base layer thickness) but an Alpha without a base layer is wearable at warmer temps than the Rapha.

nibby

cracking, thanks for the help guys, now just need to see if any cheeky deals anywhere

cheers

nibby

Guys with the Alpha, another question please.

When washing does it get a bit smaller, bigger or stay the same?

Reason I'm asking is that I managed to try a M and L today and although the M fit's OK it's more a tight fit and wondering if it shrinks very slightly in the wash I might be better with the L.

If they did a in between the two this would be the perfect fit for me.

I suppose the large gives room for more layering if needed and the extra pounds over Christmas!! and it feels very well made and for me more like a jacket even though it's a jersey so to speak

Cheers

apreading

None of my Castelli stuff has ever shrunk when washing - I would be surprised...

Are you talking Jacket or Jersey? If Jacket then I would go with the larger as you are likely to wear layers underneath. For the jersey, well its for you to decide if you can live with the M or not.

nibby

Cheers. It's the jersey. TBH it feels like a jacket to me anyway