Castelli Alpha
Comments
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I've never thought I have long arms. Short if anything. But the Alpha sleeves are fine. Maybe slightly wrinkled as stated by rowlers.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
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Looking for advice on sizzling, I've got a DHB Windslam in XL, have to turn the sleeves up as they are way too long. I'm about 41 chest, 34 waist, 5'8 quite broad, 13st. I've just read this thread and the Alpha Jersey sounds great, I run hot and really sweat up in the DHB Windslam jacket in club rides. I've tried DHB Merino base layers different weights and they end up soaking, then I get cold at the cafe stop...( don't stop I hear you say).
Some of you have quite a bit of experience with these top end kit ranges, I'd really appreciate your advice
What size Jersey do you guys recommend? What sort of base layer(s) to team it up with to get through the winter
( UK, Kent Weald)
Happy New Year
It may be worth trying two sizes to get correct one, L aslo. I have xl and I'm 6ft 2 1/2", 43-44 in chest and 14 1/2 stone and it's a prefect fit, and I've long arms! The Alpha does seem one of the 'normal/roomier' sizes compared with Castelli shorts and aero stuff so I'd advise a little caution with them.0 -
Indyp, I think that's the way forward I will try L and XL. I went in a club ride today, DHB Windslam and DHB lightweight merino base layer, 10° feeling like 6 according to met weather. Base layer was soaked with sweat, but I felt OK, couple of punctures so we had to hang around, didn't feel too cold. Then some hard efforts and I still felt comfy, albeit I could feel the base layer was soaked. The rain came down too, so I had to put a rain jacket on post brekkie stop. Another hard effort home , in the rain, sweating and wet, balls out last 7 miles. After the ride I started to get quite cold on the 5 mile ride home. 50 sweaty miles. One of the group had a gabba, could see the rain beading up on it. He was comfy with a craft SS base layer. I've never invested in any top end kit, put off by the sizing. I feel it's time to take the plunge. Oh , any recommendations for gloves and over shoes....?0
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Wore the alpha jersey for the first time today. Average temperature on the way to work was 2 degrees. Felt a little bit of a chill on my shoulders and arms at first but that soon passed. Very very impressed with it! BTR's comments about the elastic waist band disappearing once you're on the bike are absolutely spot on too - tremendously comfortable jersey to wear.0
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Wore the alpha jersey for the first time today. Average temperature on the way to work was 2 degrees. Felt a little bit of a chill on my shoulders and arms at first but that soon passed. Very very impressed with it! BTR's comments about the elastic waist band disappearing once you're on the bike are absolutely spot on too - tremendously comfortable jersey to wear.
I remember when I first bought it. Took it back to Evans the day later. Just couldn't really get on with it.
Of course, I wasn't on the bike. Should always be on the bike. Bought it again a week later, didn't look back.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
Looking for advice on sizzling, I've got a DHB Windslam in XL, have to turn the sleeves up as they are way too long. I'm about 41 chest, 34 waist, 5'8 quite broad, 13st. I've just read this thread and the Alpha Jersey sounds great, I run hot and really sweat up in the DHB Windslam jacket in club rides. I've tried DHB Merino base layers different weights and they end up soaking, then I get cold at the cafe stop...( don't stop I hear you say).
Some of you have quite a bit of experience with these top end kit ranges, I'd really appreciate your advice
What size Jersey do you guys recommend? What sort of base layer(s) to team it up with to get through the winter
( UK, Kent Weald)
Happy New Year
Im pretty much the same size as you (41" chest,34 waste,13 stone) apart from 5'10 height,i bought the XL,fits perfectly with room for a base layer underneath.0 -
Thanks Pazzar, the XL fits nicely in the shoulders, arm length I can live with by turning cuffs under. The fit in the body is great for a racing snake, not so much the post Xmas fat knacker that I am (chunky would be kind...). I'm still get my head round how light weight it feels, looking forward to wearing it tomorrow for a club run. Forecast is 9° feeling like 5 or 6. A thin base layer should do it?0
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thin LS baselayer should be fine.0
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Just back from club ride. The jersey did its job. Weather was much more overcast and drizzling than forecast. Craft extreme LS base layer under the jersey. I didn't know if I'd be too hot or too cold. First 5 minutes I thought I'd be cold, could feel the chill on my shoulders, then that went, even waiting at the meeting point incident feel cold. Some hard work on the ride, into Zone 5 quite a bit in hills. Warmed up very nicely, but not too hot. Git to the Velo Cafe ( Tun Wells) and unzipped, didn't chill or feel that I was too da,p with sweat as I would have been with my Windslam and thin merino. After the stop we all felt the chill if another couple if degrees drop in temperature. I really thought that I'd be under gunned in the jersey, but again , 5 minutes into the rude and bs k to a good temperature. The last 5 miles home post ride were in rain, the jersey kept it out. When I hit home the base layer was damp as opposed to soaked and the jersey was wet on the outside, the inner really quite dry seeing as I sweat up. V impressed. It's a keeper.0
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I have a quick question for anyone with the Jersey. How cold do you imagine is too cold for it, assuming you have one, possibly two long sleeve baselayers on? I'm trying to find something to fill that 3/4 degrees and lower weather but can't justify an expensive jacket that I'll probably only wear for one or two weeks of the year. If I could get away with a couple of layers under the Jersey on the colder days (SE England) then I might be tempted to order one. I know it's subjective, but any opinions would be helpful.0
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With a mesh top and a long sleeve merino BL it has been fine for me down to a couple of degrees above freezing.
I run hot through.0 -
Or from another standpoint I won't wear the jersey below about 8-10 even with base layer. For me alpha jacket with 1 base is fine to around 4 deg. Not been below that, yet, but I may need 2 base layers around zero. I run cold. Full jacket when others in club are wearing rapha pt jerseys (no windproofing)0
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I'm still learning what I can get away with, 7 degrees on Monday evening with a long sleeve merino. Was possible a little too warm and could have gone to 5degrees I reckon. A thicker base would go lower still, but not by much - 3/4 degrees is probably my limit without doubling up on baselayers...0
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Surely this all depends on how hard you are riding.
I wear an alpha and a thin base layer. 5c and I am fine if I ride tempo, cold if its just recovery and a dripping mess when doing 110% hill repeats.0 -
Cheers for the replies. I think I might give it a try. I run fairly warm and I think the jacket would be overkill for all but the coldest of days.0
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I run hot. At around 1-2C on monday morning, I was cold wearing the jersey and a superlight short sleeve merino - cold but bearable. In the evening, around same temps, I wore a LS Helly Hansen warm merino top and was spot on. With thicker base layers could go down to zero I think. Wont be the case for all though...0
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....been following this thread with interest and finally took the plunge and bought the jacket from Chain Reaction in their sale...the blue is a nice colour, must admit..
...anyway, I run cold...for example, last Thursdays group night ride (steady paced 20 miler for mostly old gits like me) it was 5c and I was maybe just a fraction too warm wearing a Craft baselayer with windproof panel, a merino short sleeve T, my Endura FS260 light jacket AND my old Castelli Mortirolo 2....
...last night was 2c with a stiff, biting wind, and I was perfectly comfortable, though never hot, with the same two base layers and the Alpha...
so very pleased, I wanted warmth without bulk, and that's exactly what this does. I'm guessing when the temperature gets back up above 5 or 6, I'll be comfy with just a mesh vest underneath...
...great piece of kit indeed....!0 -
Can't comment on the Alpha but generally love Castelli kit. I have recently bought a Sportful Fiandre extreme jersey with arm warmers though and have to say it's been everything i wanted it to be. Windproof, waterproof and warm. By far and away the best bit of cycle clothing iv'e ever purchased. Just over 150 quid on wiggle at the moment too. I'm a cold mortal and the only other jacket that kept me warm enough was a Mortirolo. This is way better though.argon 18 e116 2013 Vision Metron 80
Bianchi Oltre XR Sram Red E-tap, Fulcrum racing speed xlr
De Rosa SK pininfarina disc
S Works Tarmac e-tap 2017
Rose pro sl disc0 -
I love my Alpha jersey. Vary the base layers and it's 0 degrees up to 10-11 for me. I want a red one as well though, and have a £60 Castelli Cafe voucher burning a hole in my pocket. Do I hold out for the price to drop a bit more from the current £140 "winter offer" price before pulling the trigger?0
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So decided to treat myself to an Alpha jacket.
I know its personal preference but which colour do people think looks best - Black, red or blue?0 -
I got the blue and love it. I don't like the idea of a black winter jacket simply from a visibility point of view. Unfortunately the red wasn't available as I would probably have gone for that but I am very happy with the colour I chose0
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I wanted the blue but they were out of stock in my size when I bought it so I got the black. Probably the sleekest and arguably the best looking (IMHO) but as said above, possibly not the most sensible.
I have a LS Gabba in blue and it's the same colour it's very nice indeed.0 -
I was out at 6:30 -it was supposed to be 0C, however the wind chill brought it down to -4C. However, paired with the fantastic ASSOS winter insulator I didn't feel cold -it looks like the airjack may have had its day.0
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Apologise for plug but if anybody is interested I've an Alpha Jacket size XL Black for sale in classifieds0
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Just got back from my first ride in the Jersey. I had a craft mesh baselayer and a LS dhb merino 200gsm baselayer underneath. According to my Garmin it was 4c, it was pretty blustery too. I was riding at a fair pace and was definitely kept warm enough, when I got home the back of my baselayer was a little damp and in the wind I could feel a little coolness around the inside of my elbows but that was about it.
I'm 6'4, 94cm chest and ordered the medium and large to try on. If I was only going to wear one baselayer then I could have worn the medium but the large also fits fine well and has a little more room. I picked up a cheap decathlon baselayer for £3.99 (surprisingly warm and comfortable when trying it on indoors) so I might see how I get on wearing that on Sunday as it's supposed to be a little colder and I might be going out with some slower riders.
Overall I'm really happy with it, I'm sure the Jacket might be the right answer for slower, more casual rides below 0 but I can't justify the cost given that there are only a handful of days like that here and I think with the right layering the jersey will still do a good job.0 -
So happy I wore the jacket for tonights commute. Absolutely freezing out there at the moment. Still debating what to where on tomorrow mornings club ride- worried about being too hot in the jacket, but don't want to risk being chilly in the jersey.0
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Bluemoon17 , how'd you get on with your club run, did you wear the jacket? I wore the jersey with mesh SS vest, craft extreme LS base and DHB arm warmers, DHB roubles bib tights. It was aroun freezing when we set off ( an hour later than usual at 10am) went up about a degree by the end if 48 miles. Started off quite cold, then warmed up after 7 or 8 mins. Got quite warm on the ride with effort, felt the cold after a descent into a valley before a climb, then warmed up again. Felt OK at cafe stop, not dripping with sweat. This is usually what causes me to chill and shiver. Post cafe stop took a but longer to warm up, a full 10 minutes. Thoroughly pleased with the jersey. Another club rider had a Gabba with a couple of layers and was too hot, had to take one off at the stop.0
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Bluemoon17 , how'd you get on with your club run, did you wear the jacket? I wore the jersey with mesh SS vest, craft extreme LS base and DHB arm warmers, DHB roubles bib tights. It was aroun freezing when we set off ( an hour later than usual at 10am) went up about a degree by the end if 48 miles. Started off quite cold, then warmed up after 7 or 8 mins. Got quite warm on the ride with effort, felt the cold after a descent into a valley before a climb, then warmed up again. Felt OK at cafe stop, not dripping with sweat. This is usually what causes me to chill and shiver. Post cafe stop took a but longer to warm up, a full 10 minutes. Thoroughly pleased with the jersey. Another club rider had a Gabba with a couple of layers and was too hot, had to take one off at the stop.
I wore my Rapha Pro Team jacket. Would have been far too warm in the Alpha jacket, but would have been alright in the Alpha jersey. We delayed our club run till midday which really helped temperature wise , and then when we were out we did some pretty hard group hiding on some A-roads which meant I'd have been roasting in the Jacket. I'm finding quite a lot of overlap between the PT jacket and my Alpha jersey. I have to say, going from the Alpha to the PT jacket really emphasises just how good the neck/collar is on both Alphas. Makes such a difference when you are setting off and it's chilly, and makes no difference when riding in terms of temperature regulation. Just wish they did the Alpha jersey in blue...0 -
Wore my new alpha jacket today for the first time. It was down to 2 dog and all I had underneath was a ss Flanders base. It worked great, very little sweating, great breathability and warmth no matter how hard or easy I went. Best of all you'd hardly know you're wearing it0
