Castelli Alpha

gotwood25

Just received my Alpha jersey today and what a lovely piece of kit it is. One question though, is the inner lining meant to sit higher on the 'belly' or do i need the next size up? :-)

As people have said, it feels a bit weird off the bike but faultless when on. Look forward to getting out in it.

foggymike

It's meant to sit higher so no problem there. If you think about it it wouldn't work it the more fitted waist section had the liner under it so it has to sit above that.

Gaz777

Well, my jersey and jacket have arrived. I've not tried the jersey, I went out in the jacket tonight though. I'll say thanks to bendertherobot at this point... His advice was spot on.

I got XL in both items. As had been mentioned, the jersey is the slightly better fit as it has more give in the back. I'll be honest now... When I first tried them on, I was certain they were too small. The fit is all wrong when off the bike and standing up. I certainly couldn't have anything smaller, but once on the bike, the fit is faultless and the jacket was really comfortable. So, to recap on that, I'd say XL is the way to go if you're 6'2", and around 95kg. L would definitely not fit. I can't get the jacket on and off quickly, I have to inch the arms on, and they're a bit tight still over my bi/triceps, but I'm not a 'typical' cyclist build. The thing that matters, the fit on the bike, is all good.

I'd add at this point for people who asked, the back of the jacket is predominantly lime, with black pockets, so stands out okay. The back of the jersey is predominantly black.

As for temps, I thought I'd make it as hard as possible for the jacket and wore a thin long sleeved base layer rather than a particularly warm one. The ride started at 4 degrees, and was soon down to 1 degree and zero. The average for the ride was 1 degree. I was pleased with the warmth, it worked very well as had been said. I felt warm and snug, so a huge improvement on my previous ride on Sunday when I was frozen! I'll look forward to trying it in colder conditions with a better base layer, which I'm sure will help it cope with lower temps than tonight.

I'll post again when I've tried it on a colder night ride.

bondurant

To add some sizing feedback. 5 feet 10, 38 inch chest and 75kg, I went for a large as I'm on the cusp between M and L.

I'll be sending the L back, it doesn't feel tight enough and is long in the arms and body.

foggymike

Medium should be good for you. I'm your height and 3kg less and am definitely medium in these and the gabba stuff. I found the body on the jersey version a bit too long and loose unfortunately (in medium) so the stomach bit bunched up and it had too much excess material around the back and sides. The arms were good though. Hopefully your shape is a bit different and you'll get a better fit.

bondurant

I've ordered a medium so I certainly hope so. Thanks.

robbo2011

My Alpha Jersey arrived today. I can see it is going to be much warmer than the intermediate Evo and subject to trying it out on the bike could be just what I was looking for. With a heavy weight winter base layer, I would think it could be used easily down to 5degC or so. I also think it is a far nicer piece than the Gabba, which I was not that taken with.

Fit wise, I bought a large size (6'0 tall 70kg). I like tight form fitting gear, it is not quite as tight as I would like, but it is still OK. At least there is room for a heavyweight base layer underneath. Evans had sold out of the mediums so there was no other choice in any case.

robbo2011

I went out for a quick ride in the Alpha Jersey today and to be honest, it isn't as nice as I had hoped. perhaps it is down to the sizing, but the cut of the jersey is not nearly as good as the Intermediate Evo, it is longer at the front which means that there is some bunching when in the tuck position and into a headwind, the sleeves are a bit flappy. Perhaps I just have really weedy arms but there is too much space at the top of the arms in my opinion.

It didn't feel that much warmer either, but I was only wearing a t-shirt underneath. I'll probably be sticking with my Assos gear as first choice as the cut of their gear is just that much nicer for me. The Alpha will still come in handy on those damp drizzly days or for commuting duty so not all is lost.

dazz_ni45

First ride in the Alpha jersey today and very impressed. It is a little baggy in the arms as others have suggested, but I went for an XL when a L would probably have done, but I have a long body so I usually size up.

Temperatures during the ride varied between -1 and 1 with a strong gusty wind, so with the windchill factor it probably was much colder. I only had a Lidl baselayer under the alpha and was never cold or too warm, always just just the right temperature which was fantastic. Usually I'm wrapped up like a snowman and fully expected to turn home after the first few miles to put on more layers but I was warm from the off. I wasn't sure whether to buy the jacket or jersey but given that I'm unlikely to ride in any colder temperatures than today, I'm glad I went for the jersey. Thanks for all the advice of this thread

bendertherobot

robbo, I suspect yours is too big. For me both the Assos Evo and Alpha in XL are identically form fitted. If anything the Assos is looser than the Castelli.

I wore mine last night in the gales and some quite nasty driving rain. Although it was only the last 10 miles (wet) my view was that it was a warmer option than the Rapha Pro Team Soft-shell (see my rant on that thread).

robbo2011

Yeah, it may well be a bit too big. Previously, I tried on the Gabba in a shop and the medium was a bit too snug so I thought the large would be a safer choice. it is not too bad, just that I am very picky and have beautifully fitting kit from Assos to compare to.

It is not going back though, too much fuss regarding customs charges (I have worn it anyway). I'll see how I get on with it and maybe sell it on over here if I find I am not using it.

bendertherobot

I know exactly where you're coming from mind. Anything which has a bump in the stomach region for me is a no no. Really bugs me.

53/39alltheway

Just took the plunge on a nice red one in large (6ft 78kgs) perfect fit, first ride tomorrow and was wondering if anyone ditches the waterproof when using the Alpha, I normally wear a Mavic or Gore jacket in the winter and will normally take a Castelli Murr along in a pocket, how water resistant are they?

bendertherobot

If it's not raining when you leave, ditch it. It should hold out against pretty harsh conditions for ages!

53/39alltheway

Cool, appreciate the reply, will give it a blast tomorrow and report back.

robbo2011

I used the alpha jersey today in far more challenging conditions, in fact some of the worst weather that I have ridden in with temperatures hovering just over freezing, wind, rain, sleet and a snowstorm to cap it off. The weather was far worse than we expected.

The jersey performed superbly during the ride. I wore an Assos winter plus base layer underneath and the combination worked really well. at no time during the three hour ride was i cold. At some stage, there was ice building up on the front of the jersey from the sleet, but I stayed pretty dry and warm throughout and at the end of the ride, torso and arms were quite dry and warm despite the rest of me being soaking wet.

So, performance wise, the Alpha jersey is great. In fact, I can't really see much point in buying the jacket unless you are riding at well below freezing point.


https://www.strava.com/activities/239678395

53/39alltheway

Just back from my 56 mile loop and the Alpha performed really well, perfect fit when on the bike, not too hot or cold, temp was about 3 with significant winds. I found the venting options excellent but one concern I have is if you have a mechanical or have to wait for someone, I think you would cool off pretty quickly, its not as warm as my Gore Xenon or my Mavic soft-shell in this respect. I didn't take an extra layer today but I think I will take a shell along for unexpected stops, other than that its probably the best jacket I have used.

My new Sorpasso's got a run out too, excellent pad, very warm too, excellent tights and compliment the jacket perfectly.

70\ʹspenguin

Short spin today in the jersey.

It's a softshell jacket basically with a really good fit and some nice features. At 4 degrees with a 15 mph wind I wore a craft extreme LS base with a buff and was fine. I was not super toasty or too cold, I was ok. I sweat a lot and it's not as breathable as I had hoped and at first I was a little dissapointed with its performance. Then I opened the front zip and it started to do its thing. The inner lining doesn't look like it would keep you warm and indeed it doesn't, but it doesn't let you get cold before you cool down enough to zip back up and that's the clever bit.

Its too early to say if this is a great jersey or not. I'll be out in it for longer in colder temps tomorrow so I'll see how I get on, but the first impression is good. It really is beautifully made and feels great to wear.

Dippydog3

Four hours in a mix of hard rain and sunshine for me in my Alpha today with only a DHB windstopper base under it. 6 degree OT.

Jacket got quite damp in the showers, but interestingly my arms were dry when I took it off at home. I was never hot, occasionally slighlty cool, but not enough to put on the gilet I had with me (mainly for if I punctured).

Best single bit of cycling clothing I own.

bendertherobot

I got caught in the worst storm on the way home. Snow, sleet, rain and HAIL. Horizontal driving snow etc. Huge gusts.

My Alpha was superb. Much much better than the Rapha Pro Soft-shell I've been ranting about in the other thread.

robbo2011

bendertherobot wrote:

I got caught in the worst storm on the way home. Snow, sleet, rain and HAIL. Horizontal driving snow etc. Huge gusts.

Sounds like me on Sunday...

bendertherobot

Can I also say that my Sorpasso, while damp, were also excellent. And I only had the normal ones one, not the windstopper ones!

(Plus my Pearl Softshell lobsters stayed dry and warm).

bendertherobot

And, after only an hour in the airing cupboard, my Alpha was, once again, bone dry.

jordan_217

Whats the sizing like on the Alpha (jacket)? I was borderline between M and L for the Elemento with the M fitting better around the torso and the L being better around chest and shoulders, I went for the L.

Any advice appreciated. TIA

bendertherobot

It's very fitted. I think I'd plump for the larger where borderline.

Castelli Cafe looks cheap at the moment.

jordan_217

bendertherobot wrote:

It's very fitted. I think I'd plump for the larger where borderline.

Castelli Cafe looks cheap at the moment.

Haha, the one person I was hoping to see this and respond. Thank you, I suspected the L.

Thanks again

il_principe

Wore my Alpha for a 50 miler today. 0 degrees at the start and some freezing rain at one point. Alpha shrugged it all off and I stayed toasty warm with just a Castelli 'Flanders' base layer. Very impressive piece of kit.

meanredspider

bendertherobot wrote:

I got caught in the worst storm on the way home. Snow, sleet, rain and HAIL. Horizontal driving snow etc. Huge gusts.

My Alpha was superb. Much much better than the Rapha Pro Soft-shell I've been ranting about in the other thread.

You're like a serial monogamist, BtR The jacket you have on is the best jacket ever - at least until you get the next one

Your description of the conditions just reminds me of the AirJack - to stretch my analogy too far: the Love of My Life

bondurant

meanredspider wrote:

The jacket you have on is the best jacket ever

Cough Di2 Cough

ajkerr73

Sports pursuit have these at £149 just now (if you can edit for their long delivery)