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

bendertherobot

You can't go far wrong with a Helly Hansen Freeze base layer, should be easy enough to find cheap this time of year. Would go nicely with the Xenon to make it that bit warmer on "those days."

pinno

Well, I went for it so i'll update you in time and thanks.
Found the HH freeze on quite a few sites but none in my size so went to CRC. Got one for £50.

If I could just be warm below 5 deg... We shall see.

gabriel959

Yep, I have the white and black one, not the full jacket version. I wouldn't call it a very warm jersey, the material is fairly thin and light but with a good baselayer I have been down to 6-7 degrees. Anything colder than that and I reach for my Rapha Softshell (club rides, solo rides) or my Sportful Alpe (commuting) which are full on softshells. I usually regulate the temperature range with a range of baselayers. I really like the Craft ones, for its temperature range, fit and price.

I haven't used the Alpha jersy or jacket so can't really compare .They do look as good as the Gore jersey but to me they aren't worth the extra expense.

On another note, keep an eye on the amazon website as they do, sometimes, have some winter kit very keenly priced in some sizes.

robbo2011

Pinno wrote:

On a slightly different tack and separate from the above:
The thing is, I run cool and I am slightly disappointed with my Castelli Alpha jacket - supposedly good for minus figures with a merino base layer - nope, I was frozen to bits below 5 degrees with it on. I have a very old Clas Cajastur thermal long sleeve jersey and ended up putting it on top of the Alpha jacket. Hardly what I had in mind when I got it and damn pricey too for what it's supposed to do but didn't. Since then, i'm not bamboozled by any price tag or marketing spiel.

The Alpha Jacket is not my favourite piece either. I have also been cold at 5degC wearing it and have a feeling that the jacket does not breathe very well and therefore you sweat out and then cool down. i am always drenched with sweat when wearing it. For me, it is not that versatile. I much prefer the Alpha Jersey down to around Zero degC with a good base layer. It breathes far better and you don't sweat out.

Perhaps the Alpha jacket it is simply too warm and needs to be worn at sub zero temps only.

letap73

Alpha jersey with either the ASSOS winter interactive baselayer or Rapha deep winter baselayer with the hood I can wear to around about -5C (achieved at around 5oclock in the morning on a winters day) and still feel very comfortable. The warmer iteration of the Parentini Mossa jacket should be pretty good below 0C.

The Gabba onesie mentioned earlier actually exists!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-sanremo-2-thermosuit/

bendertherobot

I was always fine in the Alpha jacket but then most of my commutes were 6.30 am and seriously cold. I didn't use one last winter as there wasn't enough proper cold. I had the Mossa.2 instead which is up there with the Assos Bonka for serious warmth. Again, didn't need it too many times. We're due a cold one this year...........

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

Well, I went for it so i'll update you in time and thanks.
Found the HH freeze on quite a few sites but none in my size so went to CRC. Got one for £50.

If I could just be warm below 5 deg... We shall see.

Size? I'll have a gander in our outlet, possibly tomorrow evening, and see if they have any cheaper ones.

kingstonian

Also, take a look at UnderArmour base layers. I've had mine (both for cold and hot weathers) a few years now, washed them hundreds of times and they are just as good as the day I bought them. I wouldn't bother buying base layers from anyone else.

letap73

Bender,
Incidentally, what do you make of the Gore One jacket?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Gore-B ... lsrc=aw.ds

Whilst I am at it - on a totally unrelated topic - What do you make of bike related fitness trackers such as the Garmin fenix?

apreading

+1 on the Helly Hansen half zip Freeze - awesome base layer in winter and if you dont need the pockets its also an awesome spring/autumn long sleeve jersey on its own.

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Well, I went for it so i'll update you in time and thanks.
Found the HH freeze on quite a few sites but none in my size so went to CRC. Got one for £50.

If I could just be warm below 5 deg... We shall see.

Size? I'll have a gander in our outlet, possibly tomorrow evening, and see if they have any cheaper ones.

M but please don't, i've forked out the money. TBH, didn't know you sold stuff, thought it was a review site only :roll:

bendertherobot wrote:

We're due a cold one this year...........

As long as it's dry and cold not windy and wet.

Back to the Alpha. I don't think it breathes too well and I found my shoulders, back of shoulders and forearms get the brunt of the cold. The back and front is okay. I maybe should have gone with the Espresso due. Dunno.

kingstonian

Anyone know if the Parentini Mossa 2 comes in any colour other than black? And if so, where can I order it from? Have a Gabba, thinking of getting this for colder rides.

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Well, I went for it so i'll update you in time and thanks.
Found the HH freeze on quite a few sites but none in my size so went to CRC. Got one for £50.

If I could just be warm below 5 deg... We shall see.

Size? I'll have a gander in our outlet, possibly tomorrow evening, and see if they have any cheaper ones.

M but please don't, i've forked out the money. TBH, didn't know you sold stuff, thought it was a review site only :roll:

I don't. It was an offer to go and get one at our local outlet store and post it to you. But there we are.

bendertherobot

Kingstonian wrote:

Anyone know if the Parentini Mossa 2 comes in any colour other than black? And if so, where can I order it from? Have a Gabba, thinking of getting this for colder rides.

They do an orange and a lime version as well. Bit thin on the ground at the moment but any of the UK dealers should be able to source one.



https://parentinitestteam.com/parentini-dealers/

matt_n-2

What would be a good jacket/jersey for the autumn?

Looking for something in between a long sleeve Rapha jersey and a Rapha winter jersey, windproof front, maybe light water resistance?

Ideally something up to £100 or less!

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Well, I went for it so i'll update you in time and thanks.
Found the HH freeze on quite a few sites but none in my size so went to CRC. Got one for £50.

If I could just be warm below 5 deg... We shall see.

Size? I'll have a gander in our outlet, possibly tomorrow evening, and see if they have any cheaper ones.

M but please don't, i've forked out the money. TBH, didn't know you sold stuff, thought it was a review site only :roll:

I don't. It was an offer to go and get one at our local outlet store and post it to you. But there we are.

Thank you for the offer.

bendertherobot

Matt_N wrote:

What would be a good jacket/jersey for the autumn?

Looking for something in between a long sleeve Rapha jersey and a Rapha winter jersey, windproof front, maybe light water resistance?

Ideally something up to £100 or less!

The Sportful ones on WIggle are highly regarded (watch the pockets). I'm tempted to test one out.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-fiandr ... er-jacket/

matt_n-2

bendertherobot wrote:

Matt_N wrote:

What would be a good jacket/jersey for the autumn?

Looking for something in between a long sleeve Rapha jersey and a Rapha winter jersey, windproof front, maybe light water resistance?

Ideally something up to £100 or less!

The Sportful ones on WIggle are highly regarded (watch the pockets). I'm tempted to test one out.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-fiandr ... er-jacket/

Cheers, will take a look.

I've got a few Sportful base layers.

sloppyschleckonds

Any recommendations for rain resistant/ repellant arm warmers.

TIA

bendertherobot

I found both the DHB rain defence and Lusso Repel ones to be absolutely fine

bendertherobot

letap73 wrote:

Bender,
Incidentally, what do you make of the Gore One jacket?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Gore-B ... lsrc=aw.ds

Whilst I am at it - on a totally unrelated topic - What do you make of bike related fitness trackers such as the Garmin fenix?

I missed that. I would like to get hold of one. I find rain jackets a quandary. I loved the Madison Apex at sub £100. Would the Gore be worth twice/three times as much? And then I wondered, what if I could get an Assos Stumprinz for that kind of money? (they do turn up). Will think............

Fenix? Yeah, I've just returned my Garmin and I may well get a Fenix 3 for Xmas. It is big though, so another one in the mix will be the new Samsung Gear 3 (Frontier). Not much Strava but a shed load of other stuff. Will it be "enough?"

sloppyschleckonds

bendertherobot wrote:

I found both the DHB rain defence and Lusso Repel ones to be absolutely fine

Ta

tenohfive

On the subject or arm warmers, any recommendations for some really warm ones? I've got a light-middling pair but fancy something from when the mercury approaches zero.

Right now I'm trying to decide between Castelli Nanoflex (or Nanoflex+ for an extra few quid), Sportful No Rain or Stolen Goat Orkens.

imposter2.0

tenohfive wrote:

On the subject or arm warmers, any recommendations for some really warm ones? I've got a light-middling pair but fancy something from when the mercury approaches zero.

Arms warmers for near-freezing temperatures - seriously? Have a think about a winter jacket instead...

pinno

On the subject of rain jackets, I use one of these, it's a 'cape':

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/funk ... lsrc=aw.ds

It squeezes in the back pocket. Initially, when I got it, I thought it was a bit flimsy but it has been surprisingly tough and resilient. It breathes very well and I prefer this option if I am caught in the rain. I tend not to go out when it's already raining but if you commute, then I think this is a good, inexpensive option.
I got one in M as I am an M (funny that) but it easily fits over anything I am wearing without being 'flappity'.

Also available in yellow:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Funkier-New-S ... bvKrFoNKlg

tenohfive

Imposter wrote:

tenohfive wrote:

On the subject or arm warmers, any recommendations for some really warm ones? I've got a light-middling pair but fancy something from when the mercury approaches zero.

Arms warmers for near-freezing temperatures - seriously? Have a think about a winter jacket instead...

I just want something a bit warmer than the ones I already have - I don't think it's an unreasonable assumption that some are warmer than others. It's the ones at the warmer end of the spectrum I'm interested in.

stevie63

The no rain arm warmers are more a medium weight so are not really suitable for very low temps.

kingstonian

bendertherobot wrote:

Kingstonian wrote:

Anyone know if the Parentini Mossa 2 comes in any colour other than black? And if so, where can I order it from? Have a Gabba, thinking of getting this for colder rides.

They do an orange and a lime version as well. Bit thin on the ground at the moment but any of the UK dealers should be able to source one.



https://parentinitestteam.com/parentini-dealers/

Thanks. Have tried and failed to find pics of it in either orange or lime, their website is shite which doesn't help

pblakeney

Kingstonian wrote:

Thanks. Have tried and failed to find pics of it in either orange or lime, their website is shite which doesn't help

https://parentinitestteam.com/2015/09/1 ... e-mossa-2/
Doesn't help that their dealers don't appear to have websites, and there is no way I'm going 120+ miles round trip for a look.

sloppyschleckonds

tenohfive wrote:

On the subject or arm warmers, any recommendations for some really warm ones? I've got a light-middling pair but fancy something from when the mercury approaches zero.

Right now I'm trying to decide between Castelli Nanoflex (or Nanoflex+ for an extra few quid), Sportful No Rain or Stolen Goat Orkens.

I've got some Lusso Roubaix ones, but as others have said, a jacket is needed when its those temperatures.