What jacket or jersey?

It's a great jacket and, arguably, a great design. But there are enough people out there who referred to the stormtrooper look. You can see where they are coming from.

I have a Castelli Jacket. It has a tiny scorpion badge on it. And nothing else....................

The 851 always reminds me of a Captain Scarlet tunic. I must be old.

The thing is if you wanted to try a Gore jacket you should have gone for the equivalent one, not the Phantom, which is a MTB/Commuter/Urban cyclist jacket.

This one is really really good...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

I used to have one before I lost some weight and had to buy something else (the Rapha Pro Team) and to be honest they are pretty much neck and neck but the Gore comes in more different colours.

Dippydog3 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

The thing is if you wanted to try a Gore jacket you should have gone for the equivalent one, not the Phantom, which is a MTB/Commuter/Urban cyclist jacket.

This one is really really good...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear- ... ll-jacket/

I used to have one before I lost some weight and had to buy something else (the Rapha Pro Team) and to be honest they are pretty much neck and neck but the Gore comes in more different colours.

Thanks. You are spot on. My memory is fading. It was the Xenon I ordered....

god they are an eyesore

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

All that matters is whether they work. And they do. Though, the Bonka, given its RRP is in no way superior (and in many ways inferior) to the Castelli Alpha Jacket.

I don't know about the Wonka, but the old 851 did tick all the boxes for me... tight race like fit, yet warm, windproof and resistant to the light shower. Extremely durable zip and fabric, 4 large and elasticated pockets, one zipped pocket... reasonably sober design with no stripes or stupid logos... I can't think how that design can possibly be improved. Over 4 years I have not been able to find anything wrong with it... I just hope it lasts another 4 years, when the Willy Wonka will be replaced by something less ugly.

Yes, the 851 is great and it'll probably last me another 5 years as it is made so well. Like you, I'll probably skip to the next generation of Assos Jackets.

Having said that, the Bonka doesn't look too bad in real life. I tried one on, it fits me beautifully and is superbly well made.

Class. Now if Giro would do a helmet with a drop down mic and bluetooth to my mobile - I can live the dream....

Just ordered the Altura Vapour today from Rutland to pair with my Alpha jersey.

I couldn't bring myself to fork out for the Rapha Hardshell as I probably wont get much use from it as the Alpha is so good so will be used as and when needed.

A friend also has it and recommended it to me and the Rutland price was pretty good.

Just hoping it performs like it says on the tin

Dippydog3 wrote:

Fasion show over. Conclusions are....

Airjack. Impossible to source.
Rapha Classic soft shell. Beautifully made, but sleeves too long when body was perfect. Even stretched on bike. Really loked the long back flap.
Gore Xenon. Probably a close second. Really liked the Roubaix lining.
Castelli Alpha. Gorgeous. Particularly like the inner liner feature, and for me the best fitting by far. Softer feel than the others and well fitted sleeves. It's a keeper.
Altura Vapour. I have one of these already. Rutland have them knocked down from £113 to £69. Actually quite similar material to the Rapha one.

Nice one. I kept the Rapha jacket for the same reasons you didn't. I am 6'4" and only 36" in chest so that was the best fit with the longer arms. I also bought it for £110! :-)
I tried an Alpha jersey, did you try that or the jacket? and the fitting was horrendous, I am not sure but Castelli stuff doesn't fit me well at all. Looked like a great bit of kit though.
The Xenon is great for the price, worth reminding that is quite a bit cheaper than the Alpha in any case! :-)

Not sure if it has been mentioned but the role of a good base layer cannot be under estimated and can enhance the performance of the jacket/jersey. In the coldest weather I rode in last winter circa -1 C I wore an ASSOS intermediate EVO (most certainly not a winter jacket) over an ASSOS interactive (Fall) base layer and felt comfortable enough to be out riding for about three hours. The intermediate EVO is a very good jacket but I am in no doubt it was the base layer which kept me comfortable. To put this in context, in similar circumstances, wearing the air jack or Gabba with a not so good base layer has made me feel far less comfortable.

Would you pair the raphia rain jacket with the Castelli alpha for wet rides or would it be unbearably hot? Also, is the Pro team jacket similar in performance and fit to the Alpha, obviously without the inner lining bit?

Did 60 miles today with a Craft Long Sleeve baselayer (not a heavy weight one) and the Rapha Pro Team jacket, started at 6-7 degrees and finished at around 10 degrees and the jacket performed perfectly. I didn't feel too warm or cold at any point during the ride, just right. For colder rides I have some warmer baselayers.

I have to say I am impressed with the Pro Team jacket in terms of fit and performance.