PEZ capo, Richard Pestes, beforehand led us on a tour of the ALÉ Bikewear manufacturing unit in Italy to see first hand how they make a customized jersey and bibshorts. He defined the complete ALÉ Customized Package course of from design and ordering to following every manufacturing step from design to slicing material, to printing and sublimation, by means of every intricate stage of stitching to create Professional Tour stage biking package – all in a customized design only for PEZ. Right here’s the video in case you missed it the primary time round:
Whereas the video exhibits us all the method, I assumed a assessment of this particular package can be good for any readers contemplating customized package for his or her membership or staff.
Somewhat bit about ALÉ
As Richard beforehand mentioned, “We’ve been reviewing and carrying ALÉ package right here for years now, and have visited their Italian headquarters and manufacturing unit a few instances.” For PEZ readers not conversant in ALÉ (pronounced just like the French allez), it’s an Italian firm whose package you would possibly acknowledge within the professional peloton — at present worn on the World Tour stage by Bahrain Victorious, Groupama FDJ, and Jayco AlUla — in addition to the ladies’s Liv AlUla Jayco staff. It’s additionally worn by the French nationwide staff, Les Bleus. In different phrases, their package has pedigree.
ALÉ affords a number of totally different customizable strains:
- PRS 2.0 – Our most high-performance package that now we have created by means of collaboration with skilled groups.
- PRR – Our hottest all-around race reduce package that makes use of progressive applied sciences and materials, consideration to element, lightness and breathability.
- Prime – A extra conventional reduce utilizing breathable and lightweight materials above commonplace. With an ergonomic match however not tight, this line is a favourite for each sort of beginner.
- Skinsuit – Accessible for time-trial, street racing and cyclocross, these skinsuits have what it takes to earn the highest step of the rostrum.
- Triathlon – Designed and examined by skilled triathletes to maximise race day efficiency and effectivity. These clothes are appropriate for the three disciplines: swim, bike, run.
- Off-Highway – From gravel adventures to excessive enduro rides, these clothes are sturdy, light-weight and breathable.
The PEZ customized package is ALÉ’s PRS 2.0 jersey and bib shorts.
ALÉ PEZ Jersey
Development-wise, the PRS 2.0 jersey consists of a large number of panels:
- The entrance is 2 panels related by a full-length YKK zipper (the gold commonplace) which might be a “micro mesh” material
- Every of these panels has a separate uncooked reduce part on the backside that has a light-weight silicone sample on the within for grip to maintain the jersey in place
- There are two aspect panels which might be a extra open mesh material for venting/wicking
- The again panel is similar micro mesh material because the entrance with a silicone gripper strip on the hem
- The sleeves are set-in and have three sections: (1) the highest is a extra “strong” material that ALÉ calls “multiball” — a sample meant to create vanguard turbulence and cut back drag #aero #marginalgains , (2) the underside is similar open mesh because the aspect panels, and (3) the sleeve ends are uncooked reduce with the identical silicone sample on the within as on the backside of the entrance panels
- A really low collar that’s basically collar-less
1 – Micro mesh material, 2 – open mesh material, 3 – strong material, 4 – silicone panels, 5 – silicone gripper strip
Compulsory three rear jersey pockets plus a safe zipper pocket (the ALÉ-branded zipper pull makes it simpler to search out/zip/un-zip). Plus it wouldn’t be ALÉ with out some fluo.
The uncooked reduce sleeve ends use silicone dots to maintain ’em from sliding up
All my different ALÉ package is measurement small and that’s what I selected for the PEZ package. On me (5’8″, 130 pound, ectomorph), the match is what I might name a cushty race match. Which is to say it clings and is actually type becoming, however not spray-on, second pores and skin tight. Nonetheless, there gained’t be hiding any further kilos/kilos. One factor I actually like is that the uncooked reduce silicone backside panels of the jersey create grip with out digging in.
Low/no collar is each snug and #aero
Not spray on, pores and skin go well with tight however nonetheless race match
In fact it’s full zip!
ALÉ’s doesn’t spec weight, however undoubtedly race weight mild
ALÉ PEZ Bib Shorts
The shorts a part of the PRS 2.0 bib shorts has:
- 5 fundamental panels — the leg aspect panels are ALÉ’s multiball sample material #aero
- Dart panels in every leg for #marginalgains match
- Vast leg gripper sections with a silicone sample on the within to stop leg creep
The multiball sample material is obvious
As an alternative of the extra widespread Y-back, the bib straps (uncooked reduce) are in an X sample within the again. So extra like precise suspenders.
X marks the spot
ALÉ makes use of their very own pads of their bib shorts – made in home as you’ll see within the video. Within the PRS 2.0 customized, you possibly can select between their 8H or 4H shammy (in both males’s or girls’s fashions). PEZ acquired the 4H shammy, which — because the identify implies — is meant to be good for as much as 4 hours within the saddle. I can attest to it being as much as snuff for rides a little bit longer than that however YMMV.
The 4H shammy is dimpled for air movement/circulation and totally different density/thickness padding in numerous elements to maintain the “necessary bits” comfortable
Dimension small match me they means I anticipate a pair of bib shorts to suit. That’s, agency sufficient compression round my thighs and waist for the shorts part to remain in place with bib straps that don’t dig in. The X-back design is refined (even perhaps elegant) in that the bib straps don’t really feel like they’re “pulling up” to maintain the pad/chamois in place.
It’s value noting what I mentioned in regards to the first pair of ALÉ bib shorts I reviewed: Truthfully, these will be the most snug bib shorts I’ve ever worn. The PRS 2.0 bib shorts are extra of the identical.
As a result of inquiring minds need to know
By no means gonna do it with out the PEZ on
Though the ALÉ PRS 2.0 package leans extra heat climate, I’ve ridden in my ALÉ PEZ package in every part from cool spring/fall days with a extra substantial base layer beneath and arm heaters and knee heaters to the sweltering warmth and humidity of Babylon on the Potomac and Lowcountry summer time. In different phrases, the PRS 2.0 package package is as much as snuff throughout a variety of climate/temp circumstances.
And I used to be greater than snug on all kinds of rides: shorter/simpler weekday rides aka espresso rides, my Wednesday Night time Hill Trip that’s basically a mix of weight lifting and intervals, and longer/more durable weekend rides making an attempt to maintain tempo with driving buddies who’re principally youthful than me (maintaining in thoughts that age and treachery will overcome youth and talent). The PRS 2.0 package has sufficient compression to let it isn’t “leisure” package with out it feeling overly tight. As such, I don’t discover the package in any respect restrictive and it permits snug freedom of motion on the bike. It’s additionally snug lounging round sipping espresso at espresso stops.
And the ALÉ 4H shammy has saved my butt (and different necessary elements) pleased within the saddle regardless of the space (my longest rides today are metric century size).
In a nutshell: when you’re on the lookout for actual made in Italy customized package to outfit your membership or staff and need professional match, operate, tech, and magnificence, ALÉ can ship the products — as they do for Bahrain-Victorious, Groupama FDJ, and Jayco AlUla. Right here’s their customized catalog.
And see the complete ALÉ Customized package program at inheritor web site right here.
Be aware: When you have different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know every part (we simply suggest it at instances). Give us a pat on the again when you just like the opinions or a slap within the head when you really feel the necessity!
PezCycling Information and the writer ask that you simply contact the producers earlier than utilizing any merchandise you see right here. Solely the producer can present correct and full info on correct/secure use, dealing with, upkeep, and or set up of merchandise in addition to any conditional info or product limitations.
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