Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Winter Cycling Jacket - Is it any good? Full Review
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Welcome back to the Channel. In this video, I take a close look at the all new Castelli Alpha RoS 2 winter jacket. I take a close look at what’s new, and how this differs from the older previous version.
I also go for a ride in the jacket, just to see if it’s still as warm as the old one.
Details of the new Castelli Alpha RoS:
GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER 150 fabric
Double-layering insulating layer
Water-resistant YKK® Vislon® zips
Silicone grippers around the waist
Double layer fuzz
Side pocket
Product Link:
www.castelli-cycling.com/GB/e...
Old version:
road.cc/content/review/251187...
How to revive your Gore durable, water-repellent (DWR) treatment:
• How to wash your GORE-...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:07 - Close look at the jacket
10:08 - Test the jacket
11:35 - Conclusion
About Ribble Valley Cyclist:
I am a regular road cyclist based in the Ribble Valley, in the North West of England. I have been a cyclist my whole life, and try to get out every day. The purpose of my RUclips channel is to share the knowledge I’ve built up in my 40 years as a cyclist.
Follow me on Facebook:
/ ribblevalleycyclist
Follow me on Instagram:
/ ribblevalley_cyclist
See my routes on Komoot:
www.komoot.com/user/184990942...
Email me:
ribblevalleycyclist@gmail.com
#castelli #castellicycling #alpharos2 #goretex #windstopper #infinium #winterkit #cycling #cyclinglife #wintercycling #cyclingkit #bikerepair #bikemaintenance #roadbike 
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Great review. You covered everything I wanted to know and have just purchased it.
Thank you.
Thanks. Glad you found it useful. Weather was pretty bad here today, so this jacket saved the day 👍
your reviews are just amazing thanks man .
Hi Amine,
Glad you like them, and thanks for watching 👍
Jon
Thank‘s for this objective video 👍🏻
I ordered the jacket yesterday in col. Lime and can‘t wait to get it.
Your video make‘s me more curious on it.
You won’t regret it, Michael, it’s a great jacket. It will become your best winter friend 👍
😀
Have one of these, love it. Loving the reviews mate😊
It's a great jacket. Castelli do a good job of top half stuff....... Don't wear any of their bottom half stuff though.
Thank you so much for this detailed and informative review! After appr. 10 years since I got my first massive Castelli winter jacket…this might be (is) my 2nd one…after having those informations, shown by your video. Great to see, that Castelli is so present in the winters game :) Thank you & all the best!
Hi Martin,
Glad it was helpful.
Castelli has always done a great winter jacket. Also, the Gabba is a very good product. If I'm honest though, it's not the first brand I turn to when it comes to other bits of kit like tights or gloves.
Thanks for watching,
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclistwhich one do you prefer for Gloves? Which warm
Gloves do you have?
@nilsrapha2979 These are my go-to winter gloves, really good.
SPATZ THRMOZ Deep Winter Gloves Full Review
ruclips.net/video/Hb5QR-5xCrc/видео.html
Thanks for the video allowed me to make an informed choice. Went with Castelli perfecto because it seemed to be more applicable for my needs.
Glad I could help!
Useful review. Thanks!
You’re welcome 👍
Good review; big help in the decision to purchase, thanks
No problem, Brian. Glad it was useful. Thank for watching. Jon 👍
I have one of these and so far only worn it once. However, it was so good it would definitely encourage me to ride more in colder weather. Beautifully warm and comfortable. I just wore this and a baselayer (5deg C) ……. My mate had 4 layers on!
Hi David,
If it helps you stay out on the bike, then it gets my vote! I'm the same, Merino wool base layer and the Alpha RoS. Off out in the hills this morning, and it'll be exactly that!
Thanks for watching.
Jon
Thanks for your review. Just picked this up for £115 😮
You're welcome. £115...... that is an amazing deal, nice one
I’ve got the same jacket. Fantastic in early January last year. I’ve only used the side pocket for keys really. So not used during my rides, so not experienced the zip issue. I had a major black ice crash. The arm taking a fair bit of the road impact, with only very minor damage. Repaired with a small patch.
It’s a great jacket….. did a great job in today’s foul weather. I’m being extra cautious with the zip….. don’t trust myself 😬
Bravo , ottima recensione , ormai per test seri consulto solo siti inglesi , solo in questi trovo punti di vista indipendenti
Hi Simone,
Glad you liked the video.
I think it’s really important to give an honest review. If something doesn’t work well, you should share the knowledge.
Thanks for watching!
Jon
Thanks for taking the time to review. After watching I went for the light version and so far it has not dissapointed. Much better than my old Gore Windstopper in terms of both fit and breathability. For others reference I am 5ft 9 and weighing in at 12 stone, I normally fit a small in clothing. I ordered both the Large and XL and returned the large. Yes, the sleeves may be a little long but you do not notice this whilst in position on the bike. The zipped pocket comfortably fits my Pixle 6. Having ridden in temps ranging from around 5 up to 10 C I have been very comfortable whilst wearing only a thin long sleeve thermal under the Alpha RoS2 Light. Overall, for £98 I am impressed and look forward to many more hours in the saddle wearing this jacket around the Trough.
Hi Phil, thanks for the detailed and informative information.
£98 for the Alpha RoS2 Light, that was a fantastic deal.
How are you getting on with the zipped pocket, do you find it awkward to reach?
Thanks,
Jon
Hi Phil where did you get it for that price ? Also what’s it like in the rain?
@@ribblevalleycyclist I like the pocket, it fits my phone perfectly. Yes it is a little awkward to reach and I am not sure the zip will last the duration of the jacket but it is a feature I would rather have than not.
Had mine about a year now, so starting my second winter. Great for the cold and been caught in some really heavy rain and totally waterproof. U mentioned the side phone pocket I've had no issues. But the stitching on the back pockets is very poor. The stitching burst while retrieving a gel. Sent it back to merlin and was sent a replacement. The very same thing happened with my second jacket. My wife has redone the stitching with heavy duty thread and have had no issues. Other than that great jacket 👌
Hi Stuart,
Mine has let water through in heavy rain. The process to re-activate the DWR worked for me though, that is well worth a watch. Glad to hear you've not had an issue with the side pocket, gives me hope for the new one!! Also, it's interesting what you say about the stitching on the back pockets. Mine also went. I put this down to both poor stitching, but also the fact that the pockets are very deep, so are high up my back....... resulting in me putting more strain on the stitching when fishing stuff out. If mine goes on the new one, can I pop it round for a bit of heavy-duty stitching? 🤣
Thanks for watching.
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist if your up in Scotland pop in
I have ver 1 in Fire Red. I love it. I live in South Louisiana. We have quite a few days in the winter where temps are as low as 0C in the morning but rise up to 10C or so.. also many of these days will be very windy. The jacket is perfect for this weather
Couple of things about how I wear mine:
I wear only a long sleeve base layer. It seems to be enough nearly all the time. On occasion Ive also added a long sleeve jersey when the temps were not going to rise very much over 5c from 0 during the ride.
When I wash the jacket.. I zip up both inner and outer parts.. I also zip the small ext pocket.
The zippers are repairable. Bring it to a seamstress .. I will bet you a bad cup of coffee a good seamstress can replace the zipper.
This is how I fit the jacket (ver 1) with gloves:
I pull the sleeves up a couple of inches, put the gloves on, then pull down the sleeves over the gloves. Easy to do.. it does appear the bottom cuffs were designed with this in mine.
Only bad thing I can say- the rear vents on the top area work so well that it’s the only spot where I can really feel the cold air for the first 10 minutes or so. Lol. They work that good. :)
I absolutely love the jacket.. especially the inner jacket. It is so easy to regulate temps as the ride goes on. I’ve ridden with the outer completely unzipped and made small adjustments to the inner liner as day kept warming into the lower to mid 50’s (F) range.
I’m thinking about getting the ver 2 as an extra because they are 50% off right now.
(Which is what I paid for my ver 1)
Hi
I’m similar. It’s zero’ish here in the UK at the moment, and I’m just wearing a base layer underneath. I was also putting a jersey on too, but I’ve discovered an amazing base from Spatz that is sooooooo warm, I don’t need anything else. Link below.
Yeah, I was tempted to take the old one to get repaired, but I ended up just selling it to recoup some of the cost of the new one.
I too zip up when I wash, I also turn it inside-out.
It’s well worth getting the V2, as I find it’s even warmer. The inner jacket is a little thicker. However, the revised cuff makes putting gloves on as you’ve described a bit difficult. It can still be done, but it’s tight.
ruclips.net/video/6xrYDIxkCBA/видео.html
Thanks,
Jon
nice review
Thanks!
Great stuff!
Thanks Phil 👍
@@ribblevalleycyclist I'm just preparing for my first winter of outdoor cycling and your vid helped a lot. Although it's a little colder and much dryer here in Beijing but your info is very much helpful. Thanks!
I’ve got this jacket and have to say, it’s worth every penny. Super warm and comfortable. I’ve worn it in 1C with only a base layer whilst my ride buddies were wearing 4 and even 5 layers
Agreed Peter. I’m exactly the same, just the jacket and a base layer. Yesterday’s ride started in icy conditions, and I was unzipping the jacket on climbs.
Thanks for watching 👍
Jon
Which base layer did you have?
Merino base layer
200gsm merino
Thanks, Peter. I will definitely buy that merino base layer. @@peterfraser1001
Great video! Hope you get some kinda kickback from castelli because I just purchased after watching! Many thanks
Hi Michael,
Glad you liked the video.
Haha….. that would be great, wouldn’t it!!!!! Can’t imagine Castelli doing that though. I’m not sure they do that for any RUclipsr, to be honest.
Thanks for watching,
Jon
First ride today around the south downs and the jacket was brilliant. Kept me very warm and was able to lose heat when needed! Well worth the £160 price tag on Black Friday
Hi @@MichaelWareFitnes, Glad the jacket has worked out for you, they are a good product. £160..... nice find!! Mine is getting used most days!!
Thanks for the review, very useful and detailed.
Wiggle/CRC currently have 50% off, and I've just now ordered a small and XS to try.
A little concerned to read recently that Castelli have changed the cut of their products to suit people with a larger chest/upper body, as I do not, and have found up to this point that all their kit fits me really well if I get the right size, so I do wonder if that is what you report when you said it felt more roomy than it's predecessor.
Hi Fan,
Yes, it did feel like it had a little more room around the stomach area when compared to my previous one. Only a little though. If I’m honest, it’s a blessing after a very inactive festive period 😬
@@ribblevalleycyclist thanks for the reply.
My XS and Small arrived yesterday, and although I could get the XS on, and do up the vest part, I could not quite get the jacket to do up! So Small it was, and the fit felt very similar to my older perfetto - maybe a bit more roomy chest wise, but nothing too dramatic.
Hoping to go out on Sunday for a 3 hour ride, temp will be around 0, so should be a perfect opportunity for the maiden voyage 🙂
Appreciate the comprehensive review. I live in Eastern Ontario, Canada and do my best to cycle year round (revert to my cyclocross with studs when the snow, ice, windchill manifests). The biggest challenge I have is the wind. During the colder temps, say -4C and below, I wear the Castelli Elemento,, fleece hoody with a merino base layer and often have to throw on a wind/rain overtop to deal with the wind. Might this be this new Alpha Ros be the answer to these multiple layers?! Sad that Castelli doesn't recognize the value of a 2 way zip like the company, Velocio, The reality is temps fluctuate during a ride so a 2 way zip rules. And at that price point, why chince out?
Hi Glenda,
A lot of people have told me about the Castelli Elemento, but I've personally never tried one. It looks like a really interesting garment. To be honest, wind chill is my biggest issue too, especially on long winter descents. The Alpha RoS is good at seeing the wind off, but it's not a 'one-stop that fixes all' solution. At the end of the day, it's a softshell jacket, so biting strong wind will get through. Also, moisture escaping from inside the jacket can also add to the wind chill. I'll be honest, I do what you do and wear a light packable jacket that I can take on and off to regulate my temperature. This does a great job of deflecting the wind, whilst trapping a warm pocket of air. If it's really bad, that light jacket gets replaced by a Shakedry.
Two way zip. Yes, a simple idea that helps you regulate, but few manufacturers adopt.
So, in short, you're doing what I do, and your current jacket is great (apparently!!).
Thanks for watching,
Jon
Great review! I have a Gabba in the same navy blue/red colourway, the Infinium fabric is so so good.
I've also bought the Sportful Fiandre warm jacket which also uses same fabric and a thick fleecy lining inside. Not been cold enough to try it yet but would be interested to hear your thoughts on the Fiandre range, personally I think it's a great alternative to Castelli.
Hi Neil,
Glad you liked the vid! I also have the Gabba….. picked up a cheeky bargain in the Merlin sale, when they were selling off the old Inios kit. The Infinium, is a clever material. Not heard of that Sportful jacket will go look it up. It may well be the same jacket, or very similar. Sportful is a shrewd purchase, as some of it’s just Castelli with a different badge. Got a few pairs of their gloves….. Not bad in mid-winter conditions.
Jon
@Ribble Valley Cyclist indeed the Sportful parent company bought Castelli several years ago so I expect the production methods are now very closely aligned. Indeed I see quality of their kit is very similar.
One interesting variant in the Sportful range is the Fiandre Pro as it uses Polartec Neoshell instead of Infinium. This is perhaps the most waterproof softshell in the market and has a slightly different, almost rubbery feel to the fabric. Fits very snug but feels great when riding.
I have a hiking jacket that uses NeoShell. In my opinion, its a better product when compared to Infinium. It’s interesting that Sportful utilises it, but Castelli doesn’t. I considered the Sportful Total Comfort when buying this jacket. I suspect it has the potential to be a superior product.
Yeah Total Comfort looks good with Neoshell and Alpha insulation should be very toasty and also dry in deep winter. Just a question of how good the ventilation is if you are doing some efforts on the hills.
I've got a few Sportful items, the Fiandre bib shorts are pretty good, my Fiandre gloves are useless at holding back water, but no worse than my Perfetto light gloves!
Saddleback Outlet still have some cracking deals on Sportful gear. Obviously Sportful now own Castelli, and to be honest some of their stuff feels nicer than Castelli, and have the added bonus of generally being cheaper! The Sportful Supergiara range is superb, especially the bib shorts, purchased mine for 48 quid!
I personally feel the Alpha, Perfetto, Gabba family are as good as it gets! I use mine for Road, gravel and MTB, the kit is in a league of its own! ✌️
Thanks for this great video review! I have the Alpha Ros 1 and am wondering if it's actually worth the pricey investment to get the Alpha Ros 2. My inclination is that the differences are not great enough to warrant the expenditure. Agree?
Hi David,
Your inclination is bang on the money. As far as worthwhile differences are concerned, this is what I think is worth mentioning:
1. The jacket is slightly larger in the belly area.
2. The inner lining is slightly thicker, and therefore the overall jacket is slightly warmer
3. The inner zip is better quality
4. The double-layer cuff is good, if you wear short gloves (but a pain if they're long!!)
If your old one is 100% intact, and it keeps you warm enough, then stick with it.
Thanks for watching.
Jon
Great review, thank you so much!
So far I have always been on Zwift in the cold season. That is to change this season. However, I still lack a bit of experience in this regard. What would you recommend as clothing under the jacket? Is a simple baselayer (for about 0 to 10 degrees) enough?
Are the red stitching on the shoulders reflective? I like to ride in the dark from time to time.
Hi, glad you found the video useful. I’d say -5 to 0 long sleeve winter jersey with a base layer, 0 to +5 regular jersey and base layer, +5 to +10 just a base layer only. No, the red shoulder bits aren’t reflective. Only the bits around the holes on the back pockets are reflective, so not great for being seen…. Good lights are needed.
Thanks for your help! Your tips help a lot! Good light is my life insurance at night. In front I am pretty well equipped with a Lupine SL AF. This thing is as bright as car headlights. To the rear I use a Garmin Varia... but currently still looking for something brighter as a second additional light. Any tips? Flashing lights are unfortunately prohibited here in Germany.
Flashing lights in Germany..... I didn't know that! I've always used a brand called Knog for my rear lights. Some of my Knog lights are 5 years old, and they're still going strong and holding a charge. They do a light that is 270 Lumens, which is pretty bright.
Yes I also use for rear-light the Knog Lil-Cobber (1,5 h) or the Mid-Cobber (3 h). Both are available STVO-conform for Germany.
Very helpful review. Thanks!
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on sizing. I have a Perfetto jersey in XL and it fits nicely. I just received an Perfetto RoS Jacket, also XL, but it is very tight, with just a base layer. From sight, it fits much tighter than the Alpha RoS 2 you show in this video. What size did you select for yourself in the Alpha RoS 2? Is it the same size as other Castelli purchases for you, in particular jerseys or did you have to go up a size?
Hi Big Sky,
Glad you found it useful.
I went for an XL. To put that into perspective, I’m normally a Large in Castelli, wear a size 38 jacket, am 180cm tall and weigh in at roughly 78kg. The reason I sized up is because I wanted it to have more room in it, so I could layer up, and also to have a bit of air in it to keep the heat in. I find a 'Race Fit' doesn't retain heat. If I'm honest though, I suspect the L would be too small for me, because the XL is only just long enough in the body.
Hope that helps, and thanks for watching.
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist You hit on the exact points I was concerned about. It appeared that you were making room for layering and I have a similar objective. Many thanks!!
No problem, glad it was useful.
Jon.
It's sizing very small, I am between M and L usually, and L is too tight.
I must admit I am like 6-7kg overweight though 😬
impregnant lol - I had a good laugh there. Brilliant vid btw. Well done. What size is this? L or XL. I am 187m tall and build lean (72kg total weight). I guess XL would be the size for me?
to answer my own question: XL it is.
Hi @colnagoandcoffee, sorry I missed your original message. Glad you got sorted.
no worries :) @@ribblevalleycyclist
hi there
any advice on which detergent to use?
I was thinking nikwax tech wash but I also have Assos active wear cleanser, which do you think would be better? Also would one have to worry about DWR treatments with this, castelli say to use nikwax softshell spray on reproofer, what has your expereince been with reapplying DWR, was it needed and if so how often?
thanks
Hi Ross,
This is a really good question that I’ve looked into in the past. To be honest, as GORE made the fabric, I’ve looked to them for advice on looking after it. Below is a great video from GORE. As far as detergent is concerned, the only thing I’d add to this GORE guide, is to use a non-biological detergent, as its milder.
This video also addresses the DWR question. You should always try the re-activation method first, after all, what have you got to lose? If you’re going with the re-activation method, I would recommend the iron option, as the tumble option can be a bit aggressive, and few machines offer a temperature control for this. The iron will give you more control. I have never had to re-apply a DWR coating to a GORE/Castelli garment that was supplied with a DWR coating, because I’ve found the re-activation process so successful.
I hope this helps,
Jon
ruclips.net/video/zYXn3mBJqxI/видео.html
@@ribblevalleycyclist I'll try the ironing method and probably just stick with nikwax techwash, it seems to be okay with all my other gore clothing.
Thanks for the speedy response!
I've just took a punt on one of these £153 from sigma not bad i thought though my perfetto 2 is more than warm enough for now.
Very good price, Zed. Never seen it that cheap before. Enjoy it 👍
Did you try the light version of this jacket? Looks like it would be more versatile.
Hi Nad,
It's worth looking at the comments below from @GravelTramp @mokotramp, he has tried both and gives details of how they compare.
Thanks,
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist Oh ok thanks, that confirms what i thought :)
Hi i am interested in the jacket. I need a jacket for my rides to the office in the winter. Is the jacket made for wearing a backpack while cycling or will that damage the fabric of jacket? I was interested in the C5 GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY 1985 isolierte Viz but i read that it isn't suited for backpacks because of damage that happens on the fabric.
Hi برهان,
Good question! First off, I'd agree, the ShakeDry is a fragile fabric and the backpack would probably damage it. In comparison, the Castelli jacket is a lot more robust. My thought is the Castelli would probably be okay, but if the backpack is really heavy and loose fitting, then it may rub. Also, I think any jacket would eventually suffer if continually used with a backpack.
I hope this helps.
Jon
If you had to have only one winter jacket, between this Castelli jacket and a GOREWEAR C5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM, which would you choose? I'm between these two options and I still can't decide. Thank you very much for your answer.
They both share the same external fabric, but with the additional lining, and the higher collar, the Castelli would be the better option. However, saying that, there are some fantastic deals on the Gore at the moment. Good luck with your tricky choice.
@@ribblevalleycyclist In this case both have similar prices (140 Euros) , I am from Argentina and since I have to import them from Germany I have no option to try them. Your video helped me a lot explaining the details. Thank you so much!
If you can pick ups Alpha RoS for €140, then it’d be a good choice. Let us know how you get on 👍
@@ribblevalleycyclist Thanks for your answer and help. A big greeting from Argentina.
And the same from the North of England 🇦🇷 🏴 👍
It’s half price now in U.K., not in all sizes but it is in mine. I’m wondering whether I;d be too warm with it. I hate sweating up. £170 is much better than £300plus though, I may just go for it. Thanks for the vid.
RoS…. Rain Or Shine. If it’s cold, it works. If it’s really cold, it works. If it’s a bit cold, undo it. Worth it if you’re cycling in the cold……. If you get my drift
@@ribblevalleycyclist yes, my cycling in Wales throughout winter is reminiscent of yours in the Ribble Valley, I’m almost certainly less intrepid a cyclist than you are, purely age related I assure you. The ROS light looks a good addition to the cyclist’s wardrobe though, at £150? Or maybe both, of course. Thank you for your reply. It is appreciated.
Hi again, James.
If I'm honest, I too suffer with the cold a bit. They call me 'Nesh' in the North West 😬
I think the best advice I can give when looking at a jacket, is to first look at what you're wearing underneath the jacket. The only jacket I use in the winter is my RoS. However, I alternate between three different types of base layer, a thin Lycra 'Sporty' one, a merino wool one, and a technical one from Spatz. Right now, I'm mainly using a thin base layer, and may also put a summer jersey over the top of it, and then the RoS. However, when it's full-blown winter, it'll be the Spatz base layer and the RoS.
The RoS Light is a good jacket, but not as good as the RoS. My advice would be the RoS alongside varying base layers.
Hope that has helped you make up your mind.
Thanks,
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist that’s great advice Jon. The ROS is £170 now, I think I will go for that one. I don’t skimp on Baselayers, I have a couple of Assos winter vests which are good, and a couple of very light Pedaled baselayers too. I looked at the Spatz baselayer, it comes in as a size L -XL, which I’m not too keen on. As I’m a size 44” chest, I tried the Q 3.65 baselayers which are technical style like the Spatz, they are L to XL but just weren’t fitting me comfortably. The idea of one vest under a jacket in winter is an attractive one. I’ll definitely be looking at your recommendations. Thanks for your help. 89 winter rides is impressive, well done.
Hi James,
Assos base layer.... bet thats a nice bit of kit. Never tried Pedaled kit, but I've heard nothing but good reports about it.
I have a 40" chest, and wear a M-L in the Spatz base later. If I'm honest, it's a little tight. The technical base layers rely on trapping pockets of air in their waffling to be affective, and if the fabric is stretched, it's not as affective. If somebody asked me to recommend a base layer for winter, I'd say a Merino base layer from dhb is great, and at £35, it's good value. However, if you need more, then the Spatz BASEZ 2 is a lot better. I've never been cold in the BASEZ 2, so can't imagine I'd even see the need for their Extreme base layer.
Hope that helps 👍
Great review! Regarding the size, does the size chart seem to be accurate, or run larger or smaller that the size chart? Thank you!!!
Hi Bradley,
Not sure how much you know, but Castelli can be very confusing the first time you buy their products.
Compared to either 'normal' clothes, or other cycling brands, Castelli comes up very small. I am 5' 11" (180cm), I weigh in at just over 12 stones (Roughly 80kg). I wear small to medium in a normal top, and take a size 38 jacket. However..... in Castelli, I'm large!! However, to allow for layering, and to capture a bit of warm air, my Alpha RoS is an Extra Large.
As to the size chart, it's not bad. My chest is 100cm, but as I say, I'm in an XL
I hope that helps.
Thanks for watching,
Jon
@@ribblevalleycyclist Perfect, your reply is exactly what i was looking for. Thank you!!!!
@@ribblevalleycyclist Hey, have another question for you..... I really like the new Castelli that you reviewed, is the base layer that comes with the jacket removeable? I see that it unzips, but I can see being able to use it more of the year if I could remove the innner base layer during the spring. I appreciate your help!!! Brad
Hi @@bratley79. No, it’s stitched in unfortunately 👍
@@ribblevalleycyclist bummer.... Thank you for the info!!!
Purchased an Alpha Ros 2 last year, I've only worn it once and it was too warm at 10°. This evening I've just scored a cracking deal on the Alpha 2 Light for 125 quid. I'm pretty sure I'll get more use out of this, as sometimes I don't feel like layering up my Gabba or Perfetto. If things do get pretty cold, I usually turn to my Velocissimo jackets, very toasty Indeed! ✌️
£125 for an Alpha Light….. bargain. Was looking at them in Merlin the other week, they’re nice. I just jump from Gamma to Alpha, so it’d be great to have something in-between. Let us know how you get on with it.
Same here...bought alphs ros 4 years ago...rarely use it...far too warm unless really cold...just bought the light....should be much more wearable...
@@ribblevalleycyclist Ok, so Alpha Ros 2 Light turned up today! First impressions: if you already have a long sleeved Perfetto, buy a Castelli Pro thermal gilet to go underneath it. By doing this you'll have a similar jacket to the Alpha 2?
The back of the Alpha is a different material, I'm thinking it will be more breathable than the Perfetto? Slightly higher fleecy collar at the rear of the Alpha, too. Inside of the arms appears lighter and more breathable, the Perfetto sleeves have a tight brushed fleece throughout. The Alpha light doesn't have the storm cuffs, or zipper protection of the Alpha and Perfetto. The cut of both the Alpha's is a little more generous than the Perfetto. This needs to be taken into consideration when sizing yourself. My Alpha is an XL, for me this allows the warmer air to circulate more freely and vent off easier. I've chosen the Alpha light in a large for a more race fit for my harder efforts, as this jacket is going to run considerably cooler than the Alpha, but warmer than the Perfetto.
Will be riding tonight in 8° and light rain. Watch this space! ✌️
Hi GravelTramp, Thanks for the update. The Alpha Light really does sound like an alternative to the full on Alpha for those warmer rides. And at that price, it doesn't break the bank!
@@ribblevalleycyclist Yeah definitely, but when you see the Alpha at 160 and the Light at 35 quid less, my money would be going into the Alpha if I hadn't got either! The Alpha is superior in every way, and as I said in my earlier post, Perfetto with the Pro thermal gilet is a killer! The Pro gilet isn't seen very often, but is so effective as a mid layer. It doesn't have any windproof material or DWR, so it really is a genuine mid layer, ideal for wearing with a water/windproof outer shell...✌️
How's the small pocket zip holding up, one year after?
Hi Channul, It's doing very well, no issues at all. I think it's partly down to me being very careful with it. Also, after making this video, I realised that I'm probably having issues with it, because I'm left-handed. A right-handed person wouldn't pull the zipper at such an awkward angle when undoing it.
@@ribblevalleycyclistthank you, I might get one then.
@channul4887 Oh it’s a great jacket. Everyone I speak to that has one loves it. The only issue I’ve had is that little pocket. Just be careful with it, and you’ll be fine. Also, if you don’t already know, Castelli comes up small. 👍
@@ribblevalleycyclist thanks for the tip. I do wear Castelli almost exclusively and they are a bit hit and miss with sizing recently. Also I see some comments on here say that version 2 comes up slightly larger than version 1. I guess it will be a matter of buying 2 sizes and keeping one that fits better.
Good jacket for cyclist
Made in China/Italy.. made 4 Canada
I'm a minute into this no nonsense fascinating review but it's Castelli /ae/ not Custelli. /u/. Brits were never good with pron.
Guilty as charged..... it's the Cockney in me 😂
I’m in the market but crappy zippers? I’ll pass.
The main zippers are good quality heavy YKK. It’s that small front pocket that has an issue. It’s a small tight waterproof zipper in an awkward position. You end up pulling at it awkwardly, which eventually causes damage.
@@ribblevalleycyclist for the money all the zippers should be good. It’s planned obsolescence.
Actually, now I think about it, I’m left handed…… normal people may not have an issue with it.
As you can see buying two Castelli Alpha RoS Jacket it is sure way to divorce :)
It better be good for $400. Way overpriced.
Agreed bubby372, it's expensive. However, if it keeps you warm and out on your bike, then it's worth it. I'd rather pay $400 for a jacket rather than a turbo trainer 👍. Thanks for watching.