PEZ capo, Richard Pestes, beforehand led us on a tour of the ALÉ Bikewear manufacturing facility in Italy to see first hand how they make a customized jersey and bibshorts. He defined your entire ALÉ Customized Package course of from design and ordering to following every manufacturing step from design to slicing material, to printing and sublimation, via every intricate stage of stitching to create Professional Tour stage biking equipment – 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 reveals us all the method, I assumed a overview of this particular equipment can be good for any readers contemplating customized equipment for his or her membership or staff.
A bit bit about ALÉ
As Richard beforehand mentioned, “We’ve been reviewing and sporting ALÉ equipment right here for years now, and have visited their Italian headquarters and manufacturing facility a few instances.” For PEZ readers not accustomed to ALÉ (pronounced just like the French allez), it’s an Italian firm whose equipment you would possibly acknowledge within the professional peloton — presently 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 equipment has pedigree.
ALÉ provides a number of completely different customizable strains:
- PRS 2.0 – Our most high-performance equipment that we’ve created via collaboration with skilled groups.
- PRR – Our hottest all-around race reduce equipment that makes use of revolutionary 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 kind of beginner.
- Skinsuit – Out there 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-Street – From gravel adventures to excessive enduro rides, these clothes are sturdy, light-weight and breathable.
The PEZ customized equipment is ALÉ’s PRS 2.0 jersey and bib shorts.
ALÉ PEZ Jersey
Building-wise, the PRS 2.0 jersey consists of a mess of panels:
- The entrance is 2 panels linked by a full-length YKK zipper (the gold commonplace) which can be a “micro mesh” material
- Every of these panels has a separate uncooked reduce part on the backside that has a lightweight silicone sample on the within for grip to maintain the jersey in place
- There are two facet panels which can 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 “stable” material that ALÉ calls “multiball” — a sample meant to create forefront turbulence and cut back drag #aero #marginalgains , (2) the underside is similar open mesh because the facet 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 – stable 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 seek 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 equipment is dimension small and that’s what I selected for the PEZ equipment. On me (5’8″, 130 pound, ectomorph), the match is what I’d name a cushty race match. Which is to say it clings and is definitely kind 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 comfy and #aero
Not spray on, pores and skin go well with tight however nonetheless race match
After all it’s full zip!
ALÉ’s doesn’t spec weight, however undoubtedly race weight gentle
ALÉ PEZ Bib Shorts
The shorts a part of the PRS 2.0 bib shorts has:
- 5 most important panels — the leg facet panels are ALÉ’s multiball sample material #aero
- Dart panels in every leg for #marginalgains match
- Large leg gripper sections with a silicone sample on the within to stop leg creep
The multiball sample material is obvious
As a substitute of the extra frequent 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 may select between their 8H or 4H shammy (in both males’s or ladies’s fashions). PEZ received 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 move/circulation and completely different density/thickness padding in numerous components to maintain the “vital bits” cozy
Dimension small match me they means I count on 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 delicate (even perhaps chic) in that the bib straps don’t really feel like they’re “pulling up” to maintain the pad/chamois in place.
It’s price noting what I mentioned in regards to the first pair of ALÉ bib shorts I reviewed: Actually, these would be the most comfy 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 equipment leans extra heat climate, I’ve ridden in my ALÉ PEZ equipment in all the things 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 season. In different phrases, the PRS 2.0 equipment equipment is as much as snuff throughout a variety of climate/temp circumstances.
And I used to be greater than comfy on all kinds of rides: shorter/simpler weekday rides aka espresso rides, my Wednesday Night time Hill Experience that’s basically a mix of weight lifting and intervals, and longer/tougher weekend rides attempting to maintain tempo with driving buddies who’re principally youthful than me (protecting in thoughts that age and treachery will overcome youth and ability). The PRS 2.0 equipment has sufficient compression to let you recognize it isn’t “leisure” equipment with out it feeling overly tight. As such, I don’t discover the equipment in any respect restrictive and it permits comfy freedom of motion on the bike. It’s additionally comfy lounging round sipping espresso at espresso stops.
And the ALÉ 4H shammy has stored my butt (and different vital components) pleased within the saddle irrespective of the space (my longest rides as of late are metric century size).
In a nutshell: when you’re searching for actual made in Italy customized equipment 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 equipment program at their web site right here.
Notice: When you have different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know all the things (we simply indicate it at instances). Give us a pat on the again when you just like the critiques 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 data on correct/secure use, dealing with, upkeep, and or set up of merchandise in addition to any conditional data or product limitations.
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