Castelli ros jersey/ jacket

lincolndave

I have just seen a write up about the new ros jersey, it’s suppose to be the jersey that covers all conditions, rain, wind and cold weather, has any one tried one as yet?
If so how do you rate it ,
Thanks

mrb123

It's the new version of the Alpha Jersey so probably not massively different to that. There's a thread somewhere on here with about a million posts about it if you have a search around.

mrb123

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2015/12/04/th ... ha-jersey/

Bender's review of the old one.

daniel_b

The Alpha is dead...........?! :shock:

EDIT: Ah it's called the Alpha ROS.

lincolndave

I didn’t,t realise it was just a name change although I noticed it was called the alpha ros on one write up
Thanks for the replies, very helpful

mrb123

There seems to be a suggestion of a different fabric being used on the new one and they seem to have added some badly needed reflectives but otherwise I can't imagine it will be wildly different, which is good because the old one was fantastic.

redvision

I have the Alpha Ros jacket and i have to admit i'm disappointed. It is a great jacket and is still incredibly warm, but having read the blurb about the improvements over the original alpha, which lead me to this purchase, I can't see where the extra cost is.

I absolutely love the first alpha. It is just brilliant during the coldest temperatures, no matter what type of training session you were doing.

The Ros is almost identical with the exception of claimed improved performance in the wet, an improved windflap at the back, small reflective detail added at the back, improved cuffs, and apparently better zips. And it is the outer zip which is my biggest gripe. The original alpha both zips can be done up single handed, the Ros you just can't. It's a much beefier zip with a windproof flap across the chest section which makes it much much stiffer and very difficult to do up when riding unless you use both hands. I hope with more usage the zip will become easier to use when riding, but this is definitely my biggest gripe with this jacket.

Next complaint is the reflective detail on the orange version of the jacket might as well not be there. I was a large in the original alpha (and gabba, for those curious about sizing) and this fits perfectly. But the reflective patches are across the bases of the the rear pockets, each reflective strip being about a inch, and whilst the jacket still has the great silicone waist band somehow these reflective strips get partially covered by folds in the jacket when riding (this was pointed out by my club mates).

The sleeve cuffs are much much better though. They have a sort of double layer and are a lot tighter/ closer to the skin which does a great job of keeping the warm in, and holding them in place. This is definitely a big improvement over the first alpha jacket.

So far I have used this several times in cold dry conditions of between zero and 2c, but only one ride in light drizzle (3c). So this is not enough riding in wet weather to be able to judge the claims on this jacket being for 'Rain or Shine', but initial feeling was that the performance was identical to the original alpha.

To summarise, this is a very very warm winter jacket but despite the claims I don't feel it's a massive upgrade over the original alpha jacket and imo is not with the extra cash. However, if you can find it discounted towards the price of the original alpha then the differences probably are worth going for this one. Just be prepared for the bloody outer zip.