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

mrb123

Garry H wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Snap judgement? Original better, new one not as good. But, arguably, slightly different things. Will think.

Was just about to ask the same question. I've noticed though that the alpha jersey has become a bit like hen's teeth, in mysize at least.

Wiggle seem to have plenty in stock and the Saver10 code still appears to be working.

pinno

Garry H wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Snap judgement? Original better, new one not as good. But, arguably, slightly different things. Will think.

Was just about to ask the same question. I've noticed though that the alpha jersey has become a bit like hen's teeth, in mysize at least.

I'll have an Alpha Jacket, red Medium size for sale soon in very good condition.

Now, the continuation of the tradition of being a Luddite means that I declined to buy a pair of winter tights with a pad*. So, today's big question is: What is the equivalent of the DHB deep winter tights without pad and without being too inlfexible?

*It's a personal thing.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2017/01/28/ra ... ng-jacket/ my review of the #rapha #proteam #training #jacket #cycling a great piece, just not quite as great as the original

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

Garry H wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Snap judgement? Original better, new one not as good. But, arguably, slightly different things. Will think.

Was just about to ask the same question. I've noticed though that the alpha jersey has become a bit like hen's teeth, in mysize at least.

I'll have an Alpha Jacket, red Medium size for sale soon in very good condition.

Now, the continuation of the tradition of being a Luddite means that I declined to buy a pair of winter tights with a pad*. So, today's big question is: What is the equivalent of the DHB deep winter tights without pad and without being too inlfexible?

*It's a personal thing.

I've never bought any but, my recollection is that most of the good ones belong to Assos, Rapha etc and everyone else ignores this market. Gore used to do a load as well but most people just stock the + models now (with pad).

bendertherobot

Have a new Mossa.2 incoming (different colour). Anyone interested in a large black one?

bendertherobot

So, in relation to the above, I do like the Rapha. I'd just say find the old one on ebay.

mrb123

bendertherobot wrote:

So, in relation to the above, I do like the Rapha. I'd just say find the old one on ebay.

I think the Pro Team Training jacket may be a keeper but I've decided to order the Alpha jersey too for a side by side comparison. Both effectively 100 quid at present with the discount codes.

Hopefully the sizes will be roughly equivalent, gone for a large in both. Sleeve length may be the key as I'm a lanky git.

The reflective patches on the Rapha do seem good although the colour itself is a bit dull.

bendertherobot

MrB123 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

So, in relation to the above, I do like the Rapha. I'd just say find the old one on ebay.

I think the Pro Team Training jacket may be a keeper but I've decided to order the Alpha jersey too for a side by side comparison. Both effectively 100 quid at present with the discount codes.

Hopefully the sizes will be roughly equivalent, gone for a large in both. Sleeve length may be the key as I'm a lanky git.

The reflective patches on the Rapha do seem good although the colour itself is a bit dull.

I have a Large in the PT but would take an XL in the Alpha. That said I could possibly size up in the PT as well.

pinno

Espresso 4 ordered and a dive into the unknown and ordered a pair of Santini Behot tights. I do like the Santini insert and most of my bib shorts are Santini, so we'll see. They also are a little water repellent.

The Lusso 2 max left a little to be desired and I couldn't find a pair of the DHB deep winter in my size.

scott_w1987

Just received a medium and large pro team soft shell based on reviews mentioning sizing I thought this would be adequate, especially considering there were people smaller than me saying the medium fitted well. Maybe I just take the race fit a step too far as the medium is a bit on the big side and I know I won't be happy with it. I'm 6'1 and 76kg... unfortunately no small soft shells or training jackets left...

Plus side, maybe when I return both I'll not get charged for the postage on the two £5 RCC bottles I bought.

Might have to try the Alpha jersey or buy a Mossa in small instead of the medium i currently have in the hope that it might work better being even tighter...

bendertherobot

How tight do you need it?! Mine is practically spray on (large), 80kg.

scott_w1987

As tight as possible, so skin tight or close. In fairness, the PT softshell is pretty decent, I just think I'll wear it and end up being annoyed that it could have been a bit better. My medium Mossa was pretty good last winter when I was 80kg, but I've lost weight over winter and it's actually quite baggy when on the bike, so I think a small would be possible, arms would be tight though, but it is stretchy so I don't think I'd worry.

They are quite expensive compared to when i bought mine over a year ago, bloody government!

How's the lusso aqua repel compared to the Mossa for sizing and temp?

andy9964

MrB123 wrote:

Wiggle seem to have plenty in stock and the Saver10 code still appears to be working.

Thanks for that, just used it to order two jackets. Had to make two separate orders to get the discount on both though

bendertherobot

scott_w1987 wrote:

As tight as possible, so skin tight or close. In fairness, the PT softshell is pretty decent, I just think I'll wear it and end up being annoyed that it could have been a bit better. My medium Mossa was pretty good last winter when I was 80kg, but I've lost weight over winter and it's actually quite baggy when on the bike, so I think a small would be possible, arms would be tight though, but it is stretchy so I don't think I'd worry.

They are quite expensive compared to when i bought mine over a year ago, bloody government!

How's the lusso aqua repel compared to the Mossa for sizing and temp?

In terms of temp I'd imagine they are pretty much identical. Both are storm shield. Size should be similar but drop Lusso a line, they respond quickly and will give you measurements. Better price and you can actually get one. I'm fed up of saying how good Parentini are if there's nowhere to easily buy.

superlightweight

BTR, I know you had one of the more weatherproof Ale jerseys, but have you tried any others from the range? Or has anyone else? There are some good prices on wiggle at the moment but its a bit hard to work out exactly what you are getting! Despite a variety of prices they all seem to be made of the same 85/15 poly/spandex mix. I'm after something warm and breathable - not overly fussed about wind/water proofness as I don't want to compromise breathability and I've got gilets/jackets to cover up if necessary. Any other recommended jerseys (around ~£50)?

bendertherobot

superlightweight wrote:

BTR, I know you had one of the more weatherproof Ale jerseys, but have you tried any others from the range? Or has anyone else? There are some good prices on wiggle at the moment but its a bit hard to work out exactly what you are getting! Despite a variety of prices they all seem to be made of the same 85/15 poly/spandex mix. I'm after something warm and breathable - not overly fussed about wind/water proofness as I don't want to compromise breathability and I've got gilets/jackets to cover up if necessary. Any other recommended jerseys (around ~£50)?

Gonna order one this week (jersey). Probably the bubbles one.

daniel_b

bendertherobot wrote:

superlightweight wrote:

BTR, I know you had one of the more weatherproof Ale jerseys, but have you tried any others from the range? Or has anyone else? There are some good prices on wiggle at the moment but its a bit hard to work out exactly what you are getting! Despite a variety of prices they all seem to be made of the same 85/15 poly/spandex mix. I'm after something warm and breathable - not overly fussed about wind/water proofness as I don't want to compromise breathability and I've got gilets/jackets to cover up if necessary. Any other recommended jerseys (around ~£50)?

Gonna order one this week (jersey). Probably the bubbles one.

Just FYI, this jersey:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-prr-camo-dolomiti-long-sleeve-jersey/

Is identical to the black and yellow one from PBK in terms of composition, ie it is a 3 season jersey.
And with the discount code it comes in at under £50.
I went for this one:


Wore it for the first time on Saturday, and very nice it is too, so nice I may keep the black and yellow one too.

However, I have just ordered this one from Wiggle:

Which is £10 cheaper, and I think I prefer the design to the now out of stock one from PBK, so plan to send that one back.
In the unlikely event anyone wants that one in medium, for the cost of what I paid (£56.69) I'll cover the postage, as I need to pay that to get it back to PBK anyway.

superlightweight

So it looks like the Bering, Camo, Bubbles and Tirreno are all the same jersey just different designs? But your PBK one is different surely as the RRP is £50 more? Is your camo one like a normal roubaix jersey?

daniel_b

It certainly seems along those lines.
Examining the two jerseys together, the only slight difference I can see\feel is that on the black one the two rear outer pockets have a different fabric finish, where as the other jersey the material is uniform.

Looking at the labels, the composition of front, internal, and rear are virtually identical.

Only difference I could see is the back - where for the green camo one is states: 84% polyester, 15% Elastane and 1% other fibres, versus the black one that is 85\15 with no other fibres.

On the Ale website they both have a temp range of 8-18c.

I just put them on the scales of truth, and they both weigh in at 285g.

And yes they both seem to have a very similar, if not identical lining, thin and fleecy, the front material almost has a shinyness to it, but feels and looks more classy than that description might conjure up, if you know what I mean.

I think the alleged RRP's are pretty much the same, forget what the PBK one was now, and can't see it, but it was somewhere north of £100, and the Wiggle ones are meant to have an RRP of £115, so I believe it is like for like, or as near as damn it.

I've requested a return number thing from PBK, so will likely be sending it back tomorrow after work.

superlightweight

Daniel B wrote:

It certainly seems along those lines.
Examining the two jerseys together, the only slight difference I can see\feel is that on the black one the two rear outer pockets have a different fabric finish, where as the other jersey the material is uniform.

Looking at the labels, the composition of front, internal, and rear are virtually identical.

Only difference I could see is the back - where for the green camo one is states: 84% polyester, 15% Elastane and 1% other fibres, versus the black one that is 85\15 with no other fibres.

On the Ale website they both have a temp range of 8-18c.

I just weighed them both, and they both weigh in at 285g.

And yes they both seem to have a very similar, if not identical lining, thin and fleecy, the front material almost has a shinyness to it, but feels and looks more classy that that description might conjure up, if you know what I mean.

I think the alleged RRP's are pretty much the same, forget what the PBK one was now, and can't see it, but it was somewhere north of £100, and the Wiggle ones are meant to have an RRP of £115, so I believe it is like for like, or as near as damn it.

I've requested a return number thing from PBK, so will likely be sending it back tomorrow after work.

Interesting, thank you. Pretty sure they have some other colours on PBK that are listed as RRP of £170 (three season jersey)? Anyway there are obviously some subtle material differences between their various jerseys but its unclear what the performance differences are - so like most cyclists I'll probably go for the cheapest one, or the one I like the colour of best!

(BTW the wiggle pic doesn't do the bubbles top justice, check it out on the ale website!)

daniel_b

As an aside, I also ordered this little beauty for my gf:

bendertherobot

Loads of Ale on Sportpursuit today.

bendertherobot

Few of us have been trying to get Rapha to admit/deny whether the new PT training is Polartec. They continue to state it's a version of it but don't say why they're not claiming it is (despite being a different proportion). Have hassled them with a more specific question

roubaixmb

What does the original one everyone raves about look like? Just in case one pops up on the bay for a reasonable price.

mrb123

bendertherobot wrote:

Few of us have been trying to get Rapha to admit/deny whether the new PT training is Polartec. They continue to state it's a version of it but don't say why they're not claiming it is (despite being a different proportion). Have hassled them with a more specific question

The Pro Team Training jacket now seems to have disappeared from the website so we may never know!

bendertherobot

It has but if you search pro team you can find it!

bendertherobot

Answer "it uses a version of Polartec Power Shield Pro."

Heads over to google:

Polartec Power Shield Pro 59% polyester, 21% nylon, 20% polyurethane, waterproof

Training Jacket 57% polyester 43% nylon

Softshell Polartec Power Shield Pro (100% polyester, membrane 100% polyeurathane)

Colour me told/confused.

mrb123

bendertherobot wrote:

It has but if you search pro team you can find it!

Ah yes. My question has been answered ("Hi, this jacket is made using a version of Polartec Power Shield Pro.") but not yet yours.

bendertherobot

Mine has now. They claim a variant of Polartec Power Shield Pro.

So why not say that in the description. Something isn't right. Licensing? Surely given they use it in the softshell it isn't simply that.

Anyway, I stand by the view that it's not as nice Polartec!

bendertherobot

RoubaixMB wrote:

What does the original one everyone raves about look like? Just in case one pops up on the bay for a reasonable price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapha-Pro-Tea ... Sw5cNYcgTG

What size are you?