Assos Intermediate Jersey

Price Paid:  $100.00 at ebay

Summary:
Just a great jersey. Hi quality, comfy. I use it for rides that are 50-60 degrees with a base layer. No complaints.

Strengths:
Quality, comfort, looks.

Weaknesses:
Pricey

Price Paid:  $149.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Road without Cars

Bike Setup:
Serotta Legend Ti DA 10 speed w/Reynold DV-UL Wheels.
Time VXR DA 10 w/Zipp Z4 Wheels
Kouta Kalibur DA 10 w/Zipp Z6 Wheels

Summary:
It's a fantastic Jersey. You put it on and forget about it. It is thin and light! There is no bulkiness that some of the long sleeve jersey has.
I like it so much that I own 3 of them.
One thing puzzled me is that the recommended temperature.
Assos recommend 50F to 60F.
I wear this jersey with a baselayer in 45F to 55F without any chill.
You can really tell the windprrof ability of this jersey when you are going down hill.
Keep it mind that it has a slim racers cut.
If you a clydesdale with big arms and chest you may have a problem fitting this jersey.
I'm 6' tall with 42 shoulder and 32 waist and XL fits me perfectly.
Bit pricy but finest things in life usually are.

Strengths:
Durable, light and does the job well.
A small key pocket with zipper is also very nice.

Weaknesses:
None,

Similar Products Used:
Assos Evo Jersey and various jersey from Voler, Castelli, Pearl Izumi, Descente,,,,

Price Paid:  $130.00 at Ebay

Bike Setup:
'04 C'dale R1000 (stock w/Ultegra)

Summary:
After 3 weeks, I've found no downside to this jersey other than its exhorbitant price. Typically Assos in its form-fitting, hunched forward cycling design, it is an extremely effective LS jersey. Contrary to the previous reviewer's incorrect expectations (and therefore flawed review), it does not/isn't supposed to have airblock on the arms- only on the chest. I've worn it with a longsleeve base layer in 45 degree Fahrenheit weather and been pretty comfortable; granted I was not going 3km down a steep hill, so it may be too cold in such circumstances. My guesstimation is that if you're not a particularly chilly person, it should do you just fine down to 50 F/ 10 C. No idea yet on what its upper temperature limit should be... but its pretty light, without any fleece, so I'd be surprised if it was uncomfortable below 70F/20C.

I find myself making excuses to wear it ("It's almost warm enough... well it will be warm enough for the return commute in the afternoon...") when another combination of gear is better suited, so in summary: An amazing jersey, but not at a price for the majority of riders. If cost is less important than having a bad mofo jersey, I think you'll enjoy this gem.

I can't say it's great value, because you definitely pay for what you get, but a top quality item overall- hopefully it will last me several years.

Strengths:
Excellent design, airblock chest panel(seems to work well, not fully put to the test as of yet), cycling cut/form fit.

Weaknesses:
I paid 5/7 of retail ($125 versus $175), and if any LS jersey is worth that crazy amount this is the one, but... that's a lot of bread. I don't see myself ever paying full price, or even a discounted price for another one.

Similar Products Used:
Various C'dale, Castelli, Campagnolo, and Terramar LS jerseys- all fleece/pile, so somewhat different from this

Price Paid:  $175.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
St. Girons- Loudenville/ Pyrenese

Bike Setup:
2 Wheels & 2 Triangles.

Summary:
Nice snug fit, quality construction and fabrics, comfortable. Overpriced for performance. Did not feel the arms blocked the wind as claimed. Temperature rating provides a small window of comfort zone. Maybe 55-60 degrees, depending on wind chill, underlayers, etc. Too tight to wear anything underneath, too stylish and technical to wear anything over this jersey. But if you have everything else, maybe this is the jersey for you.

Strengths:
Quality stitching and fabrics. Designed for cycling. Nice zipper.

Weaknesses:
Too expensive for temperature range. Many other layering options are available with other, affordable jerseys.

Similar Products Used:
Castelli, Craft, Pearl Izumi, Hind, Marmot, Patagonia, REI, Nike ACG.

Price Paid:  $165.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Parkway

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tuscany Dura Ace, Koobi saddle, mavic cosmos, continental, easton, thompson.

Summary:
I am known amongst my friends as the gear-meister. I love high quality gear and am constantly scheming and dreaming about my next gear purchase. It's not important to me what others think about the gear that I wear or ride, I take a lot of satisfaction by enjoying the highest quality stuff that I can afford. It completes the cycling experience for me. I love great gear. This is what lead me to Assos.

Assos has a well deserved reputation for producing the highest quality cycling clothes known to man. The intermediate jersey lives up to that reputation in a big way. It is, quite simply, far and away the best cycling jersey that I own and I am way happy that I bought it. Who cares if my friends think I've ruptured a few brain cells to spend this much money on a jersey. Hey, it's the very best I've come across and great stuff costs big bucks. If you have the money, don't hesitate. Just buy it. Here's why.

The jersey is made of different materials in different areas. On the chest is super thin air-block material. It really does keep all the wind out at 50mph at 45 degrees. The sleeves are made of lycra, they fit real well. The sides are made of another material that breathes real well. Full length zipper in front, 3 pockets across the lower back, 1 zippered pocket in the rear as well. Serious quality stitching. It is designed to fit when you are in the drops. Not real comfortable walking around in, tight across the chest, is made for cycling, not hiking. Did I tell you that it really looks great too?

Several rides now in the Virginia mountains. 45 degrees. First ride just the jersey, no undershirt and I was a little cool. Second ride an underlayer short sleeve shirt and I was fine. Hot when we stopped.

Just buy it. Careful on the sizing. I normally wear a large jersey, had to go up to an x-large in this jersey. Definitely cut euro style.

Strengths:
Quality, quality, quality. Fit, looks, technical function.

Weaknesses:
There are none.

Similar Products Used:
Pearl Izumi Kodiak, Sugoi, Terramar, Pearl Izumi jacket.