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review
£70.00
VERDICT:
An attractive and effective windproof jersey, good for cold weather riding but slightly lacking in breathability
Weight:
349g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
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Seasonal clothing selection is a very personal matter, with some preferring layering options, while others prefer a sleek one-garment-does-it-all approach. A windproof and water resistant jersey obviously fits into the latter category. Part of Dhb's range aimed at pro-level riders, the women's ASV Windslam Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey (Stu tested the men's version, here) is one of those hybrid products fulfilling a very specific niche, but actually doing it really rather well and at a very affordable price.
Made from high quality Italian Roubaix fabric, this full-zip jersey has windproof panels at the front and on the arms, designed to make it a low-weight, high-performance option for cold weather training, to be worn with as little under it as desired.
> Need a new baselayer? Check out our guide
The back section, and under the arms, are plain Roubaix for stretch, comfort and breathability where windproofing is not required. The fabric is also water repellent, and features an assortment of low-key grey reflective details.
Three generous rear pockets are backed up by a small zipped pocket, while gripper tape at the hem is there to keep everything where it should be. The collar is designed to be high and neat to keep out draughts and weather.
Dhb makes it clear on the website that this is designed to be a 'second skin' fit, for increased aerodynamics, and the fit was indeed on the snug side, but not unduly so. There's always the option of going up a size for a less skintight fit, which is what Dhb suggests. Doing so might appeal to bustier women who could find this jersey a little constrictive in its cut.
Torso and arm length were fine for my average height, and there was sufficient length for all but very tall women to be happy.
On the bike, the gripper tape did an excellent job of keeping the hem of the jersey where it should be, even when riding on the drops, and the snug fit felt great for energetic rides. The fabric was comfortable to wear and did a great job of keeping any breeze from becoming an issue, and was very warm.
Although the windproof panels are designed to also be water resistant, the outer fabric isn't treated with any sort of water repellency, meaning that rain does soak in, just not all the way through.
> Check out our guide to the best long-sleeve jerseys here
The windproof panels also compromise the overall breathability of the jersey, and with temperatures now – hopefully – on the rise, the inside of the fabric gets very sweaty; my thin baselayer became very wet at the front. My phone (thankfully in a waterproof bag) also got very damp in the zipped rear pocket.
For the price it's a good option for fast riders looking for a sleek, cold weather top, but some sort of water-repellent coating and enhanced breathability at the front would make it even better.
Verdict
An attractive and effective windproof jersey, good for cold weather riding but slightly lacking in breathability
road.cc test report
Make and model: Dhb Women's ASV Windslam Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey
Size tested: UK 12, Black/Turquoise
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Aimed at demanding pro-level riders, looking for a race fit single layer cold weather option. At this price it's accessible to anyone looking for a sleeker winter alternative to layering.
Dhb says: "Developed with pro team cyclists, dhb ASV Professional is highly technical kit designed for intensive efforts and speed.
"The new autumn/winter range is an expansion of our highly successful summer collection: this is kit to keep elite level riders and racers on the road all year round, regardless of weather conditions. For top cyclists, the season begins with winter training, long before the first race of spring. ASV Professional is kit for those long days out in challenging conditions, where races are really won and lost."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
dhb Professional level kit
Italian Roubaix fabric for winter use
WINDTEX® membrane - water + wind repellent
High rise collar with internal fleece lining
Stretch back panel allows form fit and comfort
Elasticated armholes keep incoming chills out
Reflective rear detailing
Anthracite reflective logos front chest and rear
3 x vertical drop pockets at rear
1 x zip pocket
Signature ASV graphics
85% polyester
15% polyurethane
Machine washable at 30
Available in sizes UK8-16
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Great quality fabrics and accessories and well finished.
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Very warm and wind protection was excellent, but even taking into account rising daytime temperatures I don't think it's quite breathable enough to cope with vigorous riding without sweat build-up.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Very high quality and rugged.
Rate the product for fit:
9/10
Designed to be race fit and very well cut to be just that. Nicely proportioned and well shaped.
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Those looking for a less skintight fit will want to go up a size from their usual but Dhb does say this on the website.
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Not a bad weight for a windproof jersey.
Rate the product for comfort:
7/10
The shape and fit are very comfortable but the sweatiness does let down overall comfort.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Very good value for a high performance garment. Even better at current discount!
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy, machine washable. Washed up very well.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Performed very well. It was warm and protective but is definitely better suited to colder days or to those who run colder or don't sweat too much, as the windproof panels reduce overall breathability.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Shape, cut, fabric, looks.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Lack of water repellent treatment to outer fabric skin, reduced breathability of front panels – maybe it would be possible to have some more breathable "zones" at the front too?
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Possibly if I started riding competitively in the winter.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? To a competitive year-round rider, yes.
Use this box to explain your score
Well designed and attractive looking but not quite as breathable as it probably should be for pro-level riders.
About the tester
Age: 43
I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking
Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling.
Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other.
She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting.
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3 comments
The blokes version at £42 is one of my few true bargains - absolutely brilliant for that money. It is very warm though, and I think of it more as a jacket than jersey, definitely not for >10C rides.
"Attractive"?
It looks like "Sky/Rapha gone wrong" to me.
Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder.
Thing is, it's £42 currently and does 90% of what you need out of it. It's probably a little too warm for it now, while being described as a jersey it shares much with a jacket.
http://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/03/15/dhb-blok-meso-softshell-roubaix-jacket/
My wife has the very similarly set up dhb Meso which she really likes. Also superb value.