B E N D E R's non sweary review site, roubaixcycling.cc (and general kit discussion)

mrb123

Today was the first time it has been cold enough for the Lusso jacket so thought I'd report back...

It was snowing here this morning and even though the sun came out this afternoon it was still pretty Baltic with a stiff Northerly wind blowing.

The Lusso in combination with a heavyweight merino Helly Hansen base layer was, if anything, too warm. I suspect that combo would suffice for pretty much any UK winter day. Today, a standard Lifa Helly Hansen base layer would have worked better.

The fit of the jacket is great, with plenty of length in the body. Lusso lengthened the sleeves for me after I originally returned the jacket. Sizing is pretty similar to Castelli IMO.

The pockets are excellent. The zip pocket accommodated my Galaxy s7 in its case so should take more or less any phone.

The waistband is undoubtedly inferior to that on the Castelli Alpha stuff. It just doesn't "lock" in place like the Alpha ones do, but it wasn't a problem once on the bike. The Castelli waistband design really is exceptional.

The orange colour positively glows, and with the reflectives that the jacket has it should be highly visible in all conditions.

Overall, for 90 quid with free alterations this represents a real bargain. I note that Lusso still have the version 1 jackets for that price in smaller sizes so if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the Alpha jacket for the coldest winter days this is highly recommended.

cougie

Good review on the ace. I've found that if I charge it after the weekend run and don't use it all week it's seems to lose 20% of charge through the course of the week ?

I'm going to Keep an eye on this and see how that goes. I've not got the app yet so maybe there's something on there that will Help.

monda

Hi Bender, just wondering if you have any experience with the rapha pro team softshell? Was having a look at your site and I read the review of the pro team training jacket.

I'm torn between the softshell, the pro team insulated and the pro team training jacket. Love the look of the new pro team training jacket in navy and chartreuse, but think the pro team softshell would be a more suitable option for this time of year?

Thanks

bendertherobot

cougie wrote:

Good review on the ace. I've found that if I charge it after the weekend run and don't use it all week it's seems to lose 20% of charge through the course of the week ?

I'm going to Keep an eye on this and see how that goes. I've not got the app yet so maybe there's something on there that will Help.

I wonder if the bluetooth is on? Is the blue light flashing? If so, when you turn off keep it held down, watch all the lights come on at the top, then go off, then press off. Should be totally off them rather than "searching." This may be happening even if you've not yet connected it.

bendertherobot

Monda wrote:

Hi Bender, just wondering if you have any experience with the rapha pro team softshell? Was having a look at your site and I read the review of the pro team training jacket.

I'm torn between the softshell, the pro team insulated and the pro team training jacket. Love the look of the new pro team training jacket in navy and chartreuse, but think the pro team softshell would be a more suitable option for this time of year?

Thanks

Yes, the one on Wiggle? At the current price it's very good, but it's not all that warm IMO. The PT training jacket is, IMO, the best all rounder of the three you mention, the insulated for drier days, and the softshell for really wet ones. But the PT training will get you buy on damper days, so I still think that's the best one of all of them. Indeed, one of the best they do. The new blue and yellow is really nice.

bendertherobot

MrB123 wrote:

Today was the first time it has been cold enough for the Lusso jacket so thought I'd report back...

It was snowing here this morning and even though the sun came out this afternoon it was still pretty Baltic with a stiff Northerly wind blowing.

The Lusso in combination with a heavyweight merino Helly Hansen base layer was, if anything, too warm. I suspect that combo would suffice for pretty much any UK winter day. Today, a standard Lifa Helly Hansen base layer would have worked better.

The fit of the jacket is great, with plenty of length in the body. Lusso lengthened the sleeves for me after I originally returned the jacket. Sizing is pretty similar to Castelli IMO.

The pockets are excellent. The zip pocket accommodated my Galaxy s7 in its case so should take more or less any phone.

The waistband is undoubtedly inferior to that on the Castelli Alpha stuff. It just doesn't "lock" in place like the Alpha ones do, but it wasn't a problem once on the bike. The Castelli waistband design really is exceptional.

The orange colour positively glows, and with the reflectives that the jacket has it should be highly visible in all conditions.

Overall, for 90 quid with free alterations this represents a real bargain. I note that Lusso still have the version 1 jackets for that price in smaller sizes so if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the Alpha jacket for the coldest winter days this is highly recommended.

Good to hear! The Castelli waistband is the thing that saw me sending my first Alpha back as I didn't "get it." But I tried again and it really is a masterpiece. But the RRP, of course, is almost £250 playing against the bargain Lusso which does everything 99% as well otherwise.

ryan_w-2

I’ve just got the Assos Mille Evo jacket from Sigma (£126).

Wore it yesterday in 3° with just an Assos 2.4 SkinFoil. Was amazing. Beyond impressed. Shits all over Rapha.

pinno

£16? Errr, are you missing a 0 or did I miss a bargain?

ryan_w-2

Lol, edited.

drhaggis

Wore today, for the first time, the DHB full protection soft shell, with a decathlon "aerofit" short sleeve base. Nice and warm! Didn't even feel too cold while dropping my son at school. Now, I only need gloves to match.

pinno

Haggis fur is good for gloves. However, it takes many Haggii to make a pair.

Is Haggii the plural of Haggis?

joey54321

speaking of gloves on this thread; bender, I don't suppose you've had any experience with the Dissent 133 glove 'system' have you?

bendertherobot

No, but I looked yesterday. I always found the Assos system very good in that respect and, given the price of some Defeet dura, it looks good value.

pinno

...and on a similar vein: Anyone got recommendations for warm shoe covers? (that's not silly money and no, the lizard skins on Wiggle have sold out of certain sizes).

flasher

Ryan_W wrote:

I’ve just got the Assos Mille Evo jacket from Sigma (£126).

Wore it yesterday in 3° with just an Assos 2.4 SkinFoil. Was amazing. Beyond impressed. Shits all over Rapha.

and bin bags for arms :shock:

ryan_w-2

They're tight on my arms and the material is matte.

If you're skinny enough, go for the Mille Winter / Ultraz jacket, it just didn't fit my frame unfortunately.

w00dster

Hi Ryan,
Not being argumentative, just wondering in what is it better than Rapha? Fit, quality, warmth etc? Are you comparing it to the Rapha Pro Wind Proof Jacket?
I'm in the market for some new winter clothing. I don't really use a windproof jacket, I've got a couple of Rapha Pro Team Jackets (softshell, including a reasonably new purple(ish) one). While its OK, its not quite as warm as the older blue pro team jacket with the slightly fleeced lining (from about 2013/2014 I think)....
The Bonka 6 is out of my price range, but was thinking about the Mille as an option. I run cold, tend to do 4 to 5 hour rides in most conditions (just not ice). Was looking at the tiBuru but don't think that will be warm enough for me. Is the Mille a full on winter jacket? Have to admit I've only read the sales bumpf and looked at the pictures and presumed it was only a windproof over jacket. I was also thinking about the GT Ultraz but the Mille being a fair bit cheaper could be tempting me.
I don't really want to spend the cash just to find I've got a different name for a jacket I've already got (hence the query about being better than Rapha)

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2018/02/14/as ... ear-about/

ryan_w-2

I've owned a lot of high end cycling clobber, so have a pretty good platform for my conclusions...

The Rapha PT Softshell jacket has spent more time in my wardrobe than any other. It's a cold neoprene like construction which doesn't breath well and absorbs water. It then holds on to the water, heats it up through body heat and then remains an ok jacket for around 5 degrees.

Rapha PT Training Jacket (used to be called Winter Training Jacket) is a lovely dry weather insulator. They're good for very light rain, but as soon as it beefs up, the arms fill with water and they get very cold.

Castelli Perfretto 2 is better than both the above for general grim weather riding. Keeps me warm with just a winter base layer down to around zero. Has the nice side vents to open up if things get a little hot. I also find the fitment much better with a racier cut.

The Assos Mille Evo is most definitely a winter jacket. It has a peculiar construction with various materials used. The lining is a floating fleece material which is lovely against the skin / base layer. Three large back pockets and a zip pocket for storage (could be a little tighter IMO, but still not had an issue yet). Very easy to reach and get into even with winter gloves on. Fit is great but I would personally prefer it a little more aero. I'm 6ft, 85kg, muscular build and size large was bob-on.

keef66

Tried my magical Alpha ROS jacket again on Sunday with a thin but thermal LS base layer. Took me 3 attempts to put the bloody thing on without missing one of the armholes in the inner zipped vest thingy. By the time I got out of the house the temp had reached about 7c, but the sun came out so I was borderline too warm a lot of the time and I was making full use of unzipping the outer.

Thinking I'll need a selection of SS base layers for this intermediate autumn weather, and that a LS base will only be needed when it's properly winter.

And I can see that the Alpha jersey / light jacket might be a more versatile garment for typical cool, damp UK riding

joey54321

I have both, they're both great, to be honest. It's just about what temperature range you want. You could probably do all winter with the jersey and a bigger/multiple base layers etc...

I was riding on Sunday and Monday in the jersey and very comfortable in a single ss base layer at around 5-7 degrees, though colder 'feels like' temps.

Not sure why you are struggling with putting it on...it just...put my arms through the sleeves?

bendertherobot

I wore Parentini's new Vita today in sub zero and then chilly on the way home. Could have done with a slightly warmer base in the sub zero but it's a really epic thing. I have to say, too, that I think Parentini's designs have come on a lot this year so where they were functional before there's a bit more zing. This is mine, and I really really like it.

http://www.parentini.com/en/462/1539/vi ... orm-shield

twotoebenny

bendertherobot wrote:

I wore Parentini's new Vita today in sub zero and then chilly on the way home. Could have done with a slightly warmer base in the sub zero but it's a really epic thing. I have to say, too, that I think Parentini's designs have come on a lot this year so where they were functional before there's a bit more zing. This is mine, and I really really like it.

http://www.parentini.com/en/462/1539/vi ... orm-shield

Like that a lot

bendertherobot

It looks better in the flesh, better on and it's so good.

w00dster

I like the Parentini Kaos design as well, was looking at them last weekend, but not many sizes available. For a short skinny guy I don't think the size large is going to fit. (Was actually the Scatto I was interested but same design and same sizes available)

bendertherobot

http://www.parentini.com/pagina.php?IDm ... dice=V619A

Got those too. And straight to top of my bib list.

keef66

joey54321 wrote:

Not sure why you are struggling with putting it on...it just...put my arms through the sleeves?

Twice I got my arms through the jacket sleeves, only to find as I tried to do up the inner vest that I'd missed one of it's arm-holes. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it...

joey54321

keef66 wrote:

joey54321 wrote:

Not sure why you are struggling with putting it on...it just...put my arms through the sleeves?

Twice I got my arms through the jacket sleeves, only to find as I tried to do up the inner vest that I'd missed one of it's arm-holes. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it...

Ah, maybe there is a difference. I have the pre-ROS Alpha jacket and the vest is sewn in so it doesn't have arm holes.

drhaggis

To change topic somewhat, Mrs Haggis has approved getting a second pair of shoes to ease some logistics. I'm currently using entry level Shimano R065's, and wanted to get something SPD-SL compatible, commuter-friendly (reliable & durable), at about £100 max, and probably with a Boa dial. The question is, what will I really gain? Not too bothered about 100g savings when I could gain 50W by buying a turbo trainer. Is the extra stiffness of a carbon sole that noticeable? Is that desireable on shoes that will see north of 2000 miles of commuting per year?

pblakeney

DrHaggis wrote:

Is the extra stiffness of a carbon sole that noticeable? Is that desireable on shoes that will see north of 2000 miles of commuting per year?

Don't want to comment on the rest but a stiff sole makes a difference while cycling. Also makes walking harder. I use top end Spd shoes for this reason alone as I occasionally walk off the bike.