Castelli Alpha

meanredspider

Bondurant wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

The jacket you have on is the best jacket ever

Cough Di2 Cough

Fair. But I won't be saying SRAM is better next week and Campag better the week after After all, Di2 is fantastic

sloppyschleckonds

meanredspider wrote:

Fair. But I won't be saying SRAM is better next week and Campag better the week after After all, Di2 is fantastic

Haven't you rubbished SRAMs electronic shifting already?

meanredspider

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Fair. But I won't be saying SRAM is better next week and Campag better the week after After all, Di2 is fantastic

Haven't you rubbished SRAMs electronic shifting already?

Nope. I have questioned the benefit of wireless shifting in a conventional set-up. Eliminating wires only to have to add extra batteries seems of limited benefit when everything is attached to the bike in any case and the wires of little consequence. IF you change the concept (put gear changing switches into your gloves, for instance - just to illustrate what I mean), then wireless starts to make much more sense. SRAM may have this in the pipeline or 3rd parties maybe looking to do something - I'd look forward to that.

bendertherobot

meanredspider wrote:

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

Possibly fair. Though, along with my philips saferide, the alphas will not be subject to my usual winter recycling into summer kit

meanredspider

bendertherobot wrote:

Possibly fair. Though, along with my philips saferide, the alphas will not be subject to my usual winter recycling into summer kit

I'm only teasing, BtR Your enthusiasm for bike jackets is infectious

bendertherobot

I have my orange rapha hardshell back as well for the monsoon winter days. That one works!

robbo2011

I'm off out tomorrow for a training ride in the hills. Dry, but temperatures at just above freezing. The question is, Alpha or Airjack? decisions, decisions

53/39alltheway

70 mile steady loop today, average temp 2, dressed in most of my Castelli 2014 Christmas haul (testing purposes you understand).

Castelli Thermolite 13 socks
Old Shimano shoes
Castelli Diluvio overshoes
Castelli Sorpasso standard bib tights
Castelli Flanders L/S base layer
Castelli Alpha jacket
Hestra silk inner gloves
Castelli Leggenda gloves
Gore windstopper helmet liner
Kask Infinity helmet (borrowed off a friend)

All fine with this combo, feet were fine until I went through a flood, couldn't unclip quick enough, even then they were not over cold, tights were fabulous, didn't even notice them which is a good sign. Flanders base is extremely good and highly recommended.
Alpha was fantastic again, it rained with 20 miles to go and I choose to carry on without donning my shell, it was fantastic in the rain, nothing got through and I was warm, water just bounces off.

My only gripe was the gloves, if it wasn't for the Hestra liners I would have had cold hands, maybe a bit out of the temp range for the Leggenda's, I might sell them on for a pair of Estremo's, they are waterproof and rated colder.

The helmet was fantastic, the areo shell was noticeably warmer than my Vertigo, something to think about.
Really enjoyed the ride, makes a huge difference having the right clothing though.

bendertherobot

I tried the estremo. Lovely construction but still not warm enough for me. I'm wondering though, whether getting the next size up would help....

53/39alltheway

I can really recommend either the Hestra merino or silk liners, I used them for mountaineering for years, very effective.

nibby

Sounds like you rate the Hestra silk liners?

My lowe alpine ones have given up the ghost and need a new pair. Thinking the Hestra.

Are they any better i.e. warmer than normal silk liners costing half the price?

Would like to get the jacket but after having had the jersey for a few months now and wearing it on all rides since I cant think when I will need the jacket as the jersey is so good, and warm with the right BS under.

bendertherobot

BTW, if anyone wants the Jacket at £147 or the Jersey at £103 ish (as I recall). Log onto Sportpursuit today.

You',ll wait 3 weeks but not bad

bendertherobot

And Sorpassos £89.99

If you've not yet registered I'd be really grateful if you could use me as a referral!

http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/humphreysc3_035f81

53/39alltheway

nibby wrote:

Sounds like you rate the Hestra silk liners?

My lowe alpine ones have given up the ghost and need a new pair. Thinking the Hestra.

Are they any better i.e. warmer than normal silk liners costing half the price?

Would like to get the jacket but after having had the jersey for a few months now and wearing it on all rides since I can't think when I will need the jacket as the jersey is so good, and warm with the right BS under.

Probably not, Hestra are a decent name in the glove market, you will pay for the name to some extent, they are really nice though, I got mine in a sale £15 I think.

jordan_217

bendertherobot wrote:

BTW, if anyone wants the Jacket at £147 or the Jersey at £103 ish (as I recall). Log onto Sportpursuit today.

You',ll wait 3 weeks but not bad

I ordered an Alpha from them yesterday. PBK had them for a decent price last week but stock levels are now low. Should be here the first week of Feb.

menthel

So I have a Castelli espresso due jacket that is a touch to warm- what would come between it and a merino Jersey with gilet? The jacket or jersey?

indyp

I bought the jersey and it's great in all conditions but the very worse when varying baselayers according to temperature.

If anybody is interested I have a used twice only jersey in black xxl for sale which I'll be putting in classifieds later. It hasn't been washed yet so effectively as new but it will be before posting. I'll be asking £90 delivered for it

bendertherobot

-5 this morning.

Schwalbe snow studs.

Alpha Jacket

Sorpasso Windstopper

Northwave Artic.

Piece of piss.

spasypaddy

how does the alpha fit compared to the gabba ls.

want to know whether to order a small or a medium from sport pursuit

bendertherobot

The same.

spasypaddy

thanks!

now what muddies the waters further is that my gabba short sleeve is a medium and my long sleeve is a small...

bendertherobot

That's because you have the old long sleeve with the flappy arms.

I'd go medium though. The Alpha is very fitted. In a good way.

jordan_217

Mods, please close this thread. Nobody is allowed to post about the Alpha until Sport Pursuit deliver mine!

spasypaddy

bendertherobot wrote:

That's because you have the old long sleeve with the flappy arms.

I'd go medium though. The Alpha is very fitted. In a good way.

makes sense, thank you.

il_principe

Almost tempted by the Alpha Jersey on Sport Pursuit. Do not need it though and have the jacket already...

bendertherobot

Yeah, you do. You can use it till June

il_principe

bendertherobot wrote:

Yeah, you do. You can use it till June

Already have a Gabba and the SanRemo thermosuit.

bendertherobot

I'll be using the Alpha jersey sans base layer until Summer. Even with shorts. It's that versatile. I was never keen on the Gabba sans base layer.

il_principe

bendertherobot wrote:

I'll be using the Alpha jersey sans base layer until Summer. Even with shorts. It's that versatile. I was never keen on the Gabba sans base layer.

I never ride sans base layer.

cougie

Was the gabba ever designed to not have a base layer ? I run a base all the time - even in summer ?