Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11 overview: Continuing to set the usual

When it involves our listing of the greatest biking jerseys, Assos is a given for inclusion. That’s not a truth I want to bop round and tease out. While it is not unattainable subsequent yr’s jersey shall be a fall from grace, it is extremely unlikely. The model has been a stalwart possibility for biking clothes on the highest degree for so long as I’ve been paying consideration. Among these choices, the Equipe Racing Series (RS) line is the model’s most targeted on going quick and it has been some time because it’s gotten an replace. 

After a two-year drought, Assos has a model new Equipe RS Jersey S11 accessible for summer season driving. Like earlier choices, it is meant for going quick and it is best suited to time on a motorbike not cafe stops. Also like different Assos clothes, it aligns nicely with the way in which I trip a motorbike and it has a number of options that enchantment to me. It will not be for everybody although. 

If you’re on the lookout for a high-performing summer season jersey, it is at all times value contemplating the newest Assos possibility. Now that I’ve had an opportunity to spend time in it, I’m able to share my ideas. As you contemplate what to put on this summer season, hold studying to see what’s new with the Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11 and what makes the suitable alternative for you, or not. 

Design and aesthetics 

The very very first thing that you must perceive about Assos generally, and particularly the RS line, is that it is designed for carrying on a race bike. With the brand new Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11, that begins with the design of the shoulders. For essentially the most half, this is not new because the S9 had an identical design. It’s nonetheless the place I like to consider the entire remainder of the product flowing from. 

Physically the shoulders are the forefront of a jersey as you get down low on a race bike and for the Equipe RS S11, Assos offers with that through the use of a separate strip of cloth. It’s a little bit heavier with barely extra construction and retains any seam from being the forefront. It additionally helps transfer the attachment of the sleeves down the arm barely. 

The arms themselves are one of many issues which might be new within the transition from S9 to S11. Both designs are related in construction with the seam sitting simply off the shoulder and simply outdoors the armpit. The size can be roughly the identical. What’s completely different although is the fabric is now one thing Assos calls “550cx warp-knit textile.” It’s a uncooked lower finish however now the rear portion makes use of a bonded seam so as to add a little bit of grip with out silicone. Overall, the material is softer and lighter with an undulating texture that runs vertically down the arm. Although Assos does not point out aerodynamics, I’ve to consider that texture helps hold the air connected to the cylinder of your arm. 

The texture that Assos does point out is within the entrance panels. This yr sees the usage of the identical “3D knit miniCheck Tex” which is so mild that Assos solely quotes it as being UPF 25 solar safety. Better put on a base layer although the usage of one other bonded seam on the waist does an excellent job conserving the jersey in place. 

Closing the entrance up is as soon as once more the job of a small tooth plastic zipper. As with all Assos tops, there is a zipper storage on the backside however this yr it will get an replace. Pulling from the jackets it is now not merely an ordinary storage design. Instead it is now a tag with an artificial suede backing and a rubber “Clima Code” designation on it. Sitting on high of the tag is a steel zipper pull that is additionally seen use on Assos jackets of late. 

At the highest of the zipper is the one a part of the entrance panels that is actually new. Despite being new, it is barely noticeable however look intently and the neckline is ever so barely completely different within the new jersey. In the entrance the neckline is simply outlined by a fold, and not using a bonded seam, and this yr Assos minimises it barely with an ever so barely decrease entrance. The rear part is strictly the identical as earlier RS jerseys. As earlier than it is tailor-made to stay comfy towards your neck as you deliver your head again to see ahead on a low bike. 

The remainder of the true panelling is the place you actually begin to see modifications within the design. As earlier than, the entrance panel wraps across the sleeves and as much as the shoulder cap panel. It leaves the part of your again that stays flat in an aero place as a separate panel. Assos has at all times used a lighter cloth right here however this time it is one thing referred to as “Stabilizer v11” and it tops out at UPF15 solar safety. 

Keep transferring all the way down to the pockets and these are the massive change within the Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11. Assos has at all times taken care with the pocket design and it appears the model felt there was room for enchancment. The one piece that is still the identical is a “cap” design that makes use of a little bit of mesh you may tuck objects behind for security. Below that the three pockets now cut up into an higher and decrease part. The higher part is the heaviest cloth on the jersey whereas the decrease makes use of the identical “Stabilizer V11” from the higher panel of the again. Below that you’re going to discover one other panel that provides room for growth and eventually there’s an elastic band with beneficiant quantities of silicone grip materials. Unfortunately, there’s nonetheless no zippered valuables pocket. 

Performance

When I placed on the Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11 the very first thing that involves my consideration is the lower of the shoulders. When Assos sits all the way down to design something within the Equipe RS line of clothes, the on-bike expertise is the one which issues. Standing upright, the shoulders within the Equipe RS Jersey S11 aren’t all that comfy. With your arms hanging down there is a good quantity of restriction and also you would possibly marvel if that is going to be just right for you. Then you sit on the bike, attain out to the bars, and all the things clicks into place. Stretched out on a race bike with lengthy attain is the posture Assos makes comfy. 

There are literally extra excessive examples of this. Brands like Eliel and the Del Dios jersey are so quick within the entrance that the higher portion of your jersey will present when standing. Assos then again avoids that exact indignity. That’s not an computerized win although because it does imply that the zipper ripples a bit while you bend, at the least in case your torso is on the shorter aspect. Still, it is essential to set expectations that it is a race lower jersey with skinny compressive cloth and it will be a bit uncomfortable off the bike. 

Once you do get on a motorbike, that is when the Equipe RS Jersey S11 comes into its personal. In that place the shoulders are excellent and you’ve got a chance to understand the brand new materials Assos utilized to the sleeves. It’s tender and it does an excellent job hugging your bicep whereas staying put and likewise not feeling constrictive. It’s a tricky balancing act however Assos manages with an extended sufficient lower that it stops simply shy of the crease in your elbow. 

For those that have not worn an Assos jersey earlier than, the neckline is a pleasant function to pay attention to as nicely. This is not new to the S11, regardless of the small change talked about above, however as with lots of the particulars it is a balancing act. At least on me it is not a V-neck lower such as you see within the Assos advertising and marketing photos. It’s a bit greater, simply as I prefer it, and fitted however with out being tight. I by no means really feel strangled and there is loads of mobility to get my head again when wanting ahead on a low bike. The zipper is straightforward to handle with one hand should you resolve you need extra air flow.

So far, these little particulars of stability are issues you’ll find elsewhere. Shoulders suited to driving and a excellent neckline aren’t all that unattainable to seek out. Where the S11, and different RS jerseys earlier than, stand aside is within the design of the pockets and the flexibility of the waist hem to remain put. Race jerseys usually deal with pockets as a secondary function unlikely to see a lot use. At least for me, that is a mistake. 

I do not do a lot racing however I prefer to go quick and really feel quick. Six hours on a motorbike is fairly normal and 7-10 is an everyday incidence. I want high quality pockets that I can stuff stuffed with issues and know they’re each secure and safe. Assos manages that by beginning with room on the backside of the pockets for growth. There’s a bit of additional cloth that lets the pockets refill. This time that part is further mild however that is much less essential than the truth that it is there. Also modified with the S11 is the lack of a headphone wire cross by means of and there is nonetheless no zippered pocket. 

What does not change is that the peak of the pockets are excellent and there is loads of each room and safety. There are some jerseys I’d like to put on however I can not get my hand into the pockets. Instead, Assos places the pockets proper close to the underside and makes positive they’re large enough to get your hand in. When I used to be testing I stuffed a day’s value of meals into the left pocket then put my Insta360 X3 on high and tucked it beneath the little flap. That flap is not mandatory however I’d quite not fear about dropping an costly digital camera so I admire it. 

Again unchanged, even with full pockets, the hem of the Equipe RS S11 does not transfer whereas driving. The mixture of the rear elastic band and entrance bonded seam helps stabilise the pockets whereas additionally conserving the jersey in place. You will not end up flattening your jersey although the brand new zipper storage does imply it’d curl a bit. I discover this is a matter when it is decrease than it must be however a extra conventional zipper storage could be my choice if I bought a vote. 

Verdict

What I like in regards to the Assos Equipe RS jersey S11 is the stability it manages. There’s no zippered pocket as a result of it is a race jersey however that does not imply there is no room for meals and an additional jacket. I can carry flat restore, my quite giant Google Pixel 8 Pro telephone, my meals for an extended day, and an motion digital camera with out something bouncing or worry of dropping something. At the identical time, it is an ideal race lower match that by no means will get in the way in which on the bike. It’s bought a pleasant tall collar with out being too tight and I really like the texture of the brand new cloth on the arms. 

The solely factor that ever provides pause with Assos jerseys is the styling. I’ve the Torpedo Grey model and it is properly understated. There’s a color fade to black and an “A” emblem on the left shoulder. You may additionally select both white or black to lose the emblem and as a substitute acquire a emblem sample on the left arm. None of it is unhealthy however it’s additionally not significantly thrilling or impressed and it is previous now. 

Some manufacturers handle to intersect efficiency with design and Assos is beginning to lose an edge to them. There is a timeless nature to the Assos jerseys that makes it so you do not have to purchase the brand new one yearly however there’s additionally a restrict to that. 

To be honest, Assos does have two variations in what’s referred to as the “Stars Edition” design. If you need one thing new, these are the choices. The Stars Edition provides you a reinterpretation of a sample utilizing the emblem and the black decrease part that’s cleaner than the fade. Still, is that sufficient to compete with the daring colors of PAS Normal or the graphic nature of MAAP?

The Assos Equipe RS jersey S11 is among the few I put right into a small rotation of the perfect of the perfect. It’s bought the efficiency and options I want for the driving I do and even with solely modest updates it deserves its spot on our greatest jerseys listing. In some methods the performance-driven high quality means Assos is a style assertion due to the emblem. Still, there’s work to do on the style aspect of issues.