Alé R-EV1 Summer Clothing
Alé R-EV1 Summer Clothing for when the sun finally arrives!
While spring is still on hold here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is just around the corner. For that reason I decided to try out some of the Alé R-EV1 summer range. The R-EV1 range from Alé, “includes the most innovative products, built with hi-tech materials at the top of Alé textile engineering”.
I have an R-EV1 QUICK short-sleeved jersey and R-EV1 Watt 3.6 bib-shorts to try out. As the weather hasn’t reached short sleeve temperatures yet, this will be more of a preview than a full review. It would be nice to take them out for some warm-weather testing, but alas, that’s not an option! So let’s take a look at what them, while dreaming of sunnier times!
Alé R-EV1 Quick
The R-EV1 Quick is definitely a high summer jersey. Alé have used what they call Quick Dry Frame technology “channel excess moisture, dry rapidly and ensure a dry, fresh feel on your skin throughout.” Sounds perfect for keeping you cool and dry during summer rides. It also uses Polygiene® OdorCrunch™ to keep you from being that smelly cyclist at the café stop! How does it work? The fabric has silica particles in the fabric. These attract molecules of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur, the elements that create bad odours. The silica then ‘crunches’ those molecules, reducing their potency.
As well as being one of the better smelling riders, the Quick jersey will make you more aero. The fit comes from Alé’s Body Mapping technology. This ensures the SKIN 120 fabric is cut to give a second-skin fit. Features like the aerodynamically set-in sleeves, low collar and stretch silicone on the rear hem are all designed to provide a slippery fit. Three rear pockets, a zipped security pocket, reflective touches and zip placket finish it off.
So what’s it like on?
Well, to give you an idea, I’m 172cm tall, have a 96cm chest, 84cm waist and weigh 65kg. I won’t be kicking sand in anyone’s face on the beach! I’m wearing a medium, which puts me at the bottom of that size. I think I could have gone for a small, to get that truly second-skin feel. As is, there is a tiny bit of loose material around the top of the chest. Nothing that is too obvious and to be honest I’m nit-picking here.
The construction of the jersey is up too the usual Alé high quality. There are no loose threads or rough edges and the pattern matches either side of the zip. The whole jersey is very light (125g) due to the Skin 120 hexagon and Micro aero fabrics. The front, side and rear panels all have different mesh patterns, all designed to keep you cool and dry. Or at least, that’s what I assume as I look out at the rain and wind of spring!
The Quick comes in three colours, black, blue, Bordeaux and four sizes.
DETAILS
- 125g
- 20°/35°c
FABRICS
- Micro aero quick dry
- Micro aero
- Skin 120 hexagon
TECHNOLOGY
- • body mapping
• silicone waist
• bonded technology
• cam-lock zip
• raw-cut finish
• three rear pockets
• bonded technology
• front zippered pocket
Alé R-EV1 Watt 3.6
Alé says the R-EV1 Watt 3.6 bib-shorts have been created to be the “first cycling bib-short that optimises the energy produced while pedalling“. The shorts use a “3D jacquard structure with various compressive bands that contour to the natural form of the muscle“. This fabric covers the lower-back and thighs and has a distinctive crepe like feel. Woven into the fabric is a wood-grain like pattern that runs vertically up the leg. These are meant to create a compressive fit that conforms to the thigh.
The raw-cut legs, have silicone gripers incorporated into the weft of the fabric. This creates a very neat finish to the legs, no seams to leave marks. The xAir bib straps are escribed as low volume, meaning they’re just simple straps; no mesh infill. The pad is an 8H and comes in Alé bright yellow; easy to spot in your drawer!
For the long legged?
As usual with Alé shorts I chose a size small. The fit, as usual, was spot on, with one small difference; the leg length is slightly longer than usual. Measuring them against a pair of Alé Hammer shorts, in a totally unscientific way, I make them about 4cm longer. On me, this means they just touch the tendons at the back of the knee. It is noticeable at first, but once you’re riding it isn’t an issue. However if you find standard shorts look like hot-pants on you, these could be the answer!
The Watt 3.6 shorts do have a compressive feel, I don’t know if this means I’m more efficient, but they were certainly comfortable. I’ve used them on and off-road for rides up to four hours without any discomfort. They also look really good, the jacquard pattern is very pleasing to look at.
DETAILS
- 165g
- 18°/30°c
FABRICS
- Graded 3.6
- Speedy
TECHNOLOGY
- • body mapping
• zero friction bib
• silicone waist
• reflective details
• raw-cut finish
• x air bib
SEATPAD
- 8h
Conclusion
As I said, the weather hasn’t reached short-sleeve temperatures yet, so testing the Quick jersey has been limited. I’ve managed a couple of indoor sessions and the family cat-walk; they always appreciate when dad struts his stuff. I can say it feels nice for short periods; I never wear much on the turbo, even when it’s cold. Meanwhile, the Watt 3.6 shorts have had some good rides and I can say they feel really comfortable. They ae a definite fit-and-forget item. Once they’re on, you forget they’re there; which is exactly what I want in a short. Check out our review of the R-EV1 women’s range.
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