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On test: Assos FI.équipe shorts and Intermediate Evo jersey, February 8, 2006
Swiss comfort
The importance of having good fitting, comfortable and appropriate cycling gear cannot be overestimated. But is the expensive stuff worth it, or is it all hype? Jeff Jones tries out the Assos FI.équipe shorts and Intermediate Evo jersey, and gives his verdict.
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When cyclists are exposed to the word 'Assos', they generally think of clothing, comfort, Switzerland, and price. The order will vary, depending on the cyclist. Assos is a Swiss company that has been producing expensive, top-of-the-line cycling gear for nigh on 30 years, and claims to have invented the lycra cycling short.
With the 2006 summer vaguely visible on the chilly European horizon (but most definitely here in the Antipodes), Assos is preparing to launch its FI.équipe bib shorts for the warm weather. Being ideally placed in Australia - and within sight of these shorts when they found their way into the "to be reviewed" bucket - I acted quickly. Some might say...eagerly.
But wait, there's more.
Already on the market as a 2005-2006 winter product, the Assos Intermediate Evo long sleeved jersey also found its way into my hands. Although it didn't get as much of a workout as the shorts, it was especially useful on Sydney's cooler days in November and December, before summer decided it was Time and hit us with a 45 degree day on January 1, 2006.
The technology
Although at first glance, a set of bike shorts consists of a few panels of lycra sewn together with a chamois of some description, a good set is so much more. The FI.équipe is based on the FI.13 knicks, but fits a little tighter. It uses Assos Type A.360 multidimensional compression Spandex (80% polyamid/20% elasthan), which is designed to contour to your muscles and eliminate constriction. It's not your flimsy lycra either - this stuff is thick and comfortable, and gives you the immediate impression that it won't wear out in a hurry. You can wash the shorts in warm water, but no bleaching, spin drying, or ironing, as these operations tend to destroy the shorts.
The braces are fairly low-cut, as befits a pair of summer shorts. There is a mesh insert at the back (between the braces) that prevents the braces from moving around and aids comfort. They're also fairly tight when standing upright, but fit well when you're in the aero position.
Cycling shorts don't only have to be long lasting, they need to be comfortable. Assos is certainly very proud of its Elastic Interface® Technology, which takes the traditional chamois to another level by enabling it to expand and contract, like lycra can. The insert is made up of two main parts: a shock absorbing foam cushion bonded onto an elastic, low-friction pad. The insert is also quite thick, but because it moves with you, it doesn't feel unpleasant and doesn't chafe.
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Assos makes several such inserts, distinctive by their bright orange colour. The FI.équipe uses the Mille insert, which provides a more generous layer of padding than its other inserts. The shorts came with leg grippers, which were of the effective-but-not-too-tight kind. If you want any colour other than black, you're out of luck. The cost? €165, and they'll be available in March 2006.
Turning to the Intermediate Evo jersey, as the name suggests, it's designed for riding in temperatures from 10 to 20°C, or in situations where you are doing a lot of climbing and descending. It's long sleeved, but not warm enough to be a winter jersey...but a little steamy to be used in summer.
The Evo jersey is made out of a breathable fabric (75% polyester/15% polyamid/10% other) with an Airblock799TM front panel that's designed more for wind-stopping than wet weather protection. It fits nicely to your body without being too tight. A full length zipper is handy for when you are warm, and there is an extra zippered pocket at the back for your keys or spare change. There are also thin, reflective stripes on the back of the jersey.
Unlike the shorts, the Intermediate Evo jersey comes in six colours: black, white, blue, yellow, red, and grey. It's available now in seven sizes and costs €158.
Performance
Enough of the tech, how do these bits of gear perform when actually ridden in? The FI.équipe shorts got a thorough workout from me, and I estimate I did 1500 km in them over the past three months. I used them primarily for racing and longer rides, and found plenty of excuses to get them out of my "shorts basket". It didn't take me long to wear them in, and the slight slipperiness of the lycra against the saddle only lasted a few rides.
The immediate thing I noticed about these shorts is how damned comfy they were. Apart from being a snug fit, the extra padding in the Mille insert was welcomed on my longer rides. I could feel at one with my machine for four hours and did not need increasingly extended 'out of the saddle time' as the ride went on. Also, saddle sores went away, and there was finally peace on earth. Well, two out of three ain't bad.
I will say that the FI.équipes are probably the most comfortable pair of cycling shorts I've ever owned, but then again I've been reluctant to ever pay more than about €80 (adjusted for inflation) for a pair of knicks, so that statement should be put in its proper perspective. It may mean I actually spend more money on shorts in future, as Cyclingnews schwag only gets me so far...
Within the time frame of the review, I couldn't really determine how long the FI.équipes were likely to last. They did hold up very well after three months/1500 km of riding in them, and there were no loose threads or signs of the insert coming unstitched. I typically go through a pair of shorts in about a year of regular riding in them (roughly 4000 km), so the FI.équipes have almost made it to halfway.
Opportunities to ride in the Intermediate Evo jersey in the context of a Sydney summer were limited, as I mentioned above. I used it on the rare cooler days that we had, and also wore it in the wet a few times. I agree with Assos' recommendation that it be used between 10 and 20°C, and as it is not particularly waterproof, you will likely need a light rain jacket of some description if you're venturing out into the drizzle.
The Evo breathes well, is comfortable, and is not at all heavy or bulky, so you don't get too sweaty too quickly. I found that I didn't need any more than a base layer to stay warm, and it was great for keeping out the wind. And if it did happen to get up to 25°, I could still keep wearing the jacket without it becoming uncomfortably sweaty.
Conclusion
The TI.équipe shorts and Intermediate Evo jersey are two more good quality products from Assos. I found the shorts to be very comfortable and (so far) hard wearing, while the jersey was ideal for the conditions that it was designed for. Faults? I can't really find any. They're each at the upper end of the price range for cycling clothing, but by no means overpriced. Top marks!
Suggested retail price: Shorts: €165; Jersey: €158
Colours: Shorts: Black; Jersey: Black, white, blue, yellow, red, and
grey
Weight: Shorts: 220g; Jersey: 255g
Pro: Comfortable, durable
Con: They're not cheap
More information: www.assos.com
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