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Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey

7
£59.99

VERDICT:

7
10
A simple, stylish short-sleeved jersey with full-length zip and plenty of stowage space
Weight: 
147g
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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The Altura Peloton 2 jersey is a good mid-range addition to the wardrobe of cyclists with an eye for style. Its technical fabric feels smooth to the skin, and with a more relaxed fit than many it's very comfortable, especially when paired with a quality baselayer. It would be a good pick for those entering the sport.

Being made from a technical, sweat-wicking fabric, the Peloton jersey helps to keep you cool and dry, avoiding the pitfall some cheaper jerseys fall victim to of being comfortable for 30 minutes until the sweat really starts pouring. I was impressed.

> Find your nearest dealer here

With a fit that's more relaxed than aero, the jersey wouldn't be top of my list for racing – Altura's Podium Elite line would be more suitable for such use. For recreational riders and those not obsessing over their average speed and W/kg, the Peloton 2 makes a lot of sense. You stand out from the Castelli and Rapha crowd who seem ubiquitous at sportives and the like these days, while saving a pretty penny – 15 quid over Rapha's £75 Core jersey.

Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey - riding.jpg

While the performance and fit are maybe not comparable, many cyclists don't really want a super-tight top that isn't particularly flattering, especially to those with larger builds. There was a bit of flapping, but not enough to be annoying.

Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey - back.jpg

Altura's sizing seems well aligned to what size you would wear in casual clothes from the high street – a welcome departure from the 'European' ultra-small sizing many brands follow. That said, I found the jersey a bit short for me, even though the medium was the best size for my slim 6ft build (it's not me in the photos). It also doesn't have as dramatic a dropped back as some, but should fit well on those who favour a more upright riding position.

Having three large pockets on the rear as well as a smaller zipped one gives a good amount of cargo space, and I wouldn't hesitate to use this jersey on long rides because of the comfort and space for food, rain jacket and so on.

Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey - pockets 2.jpg

The full-length zip has a fabric baffle behind that protects your skin from rubbing and a covering/garage at the top stops it irritating your neck. Silicone grippers along the bottom hem stop the jersey riding up and, being broad in the shoulders, I found the raglan sleeves adequately wide so the sleeves stayed in position. Perfect for building up even tan lines.

Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey - sleeve.jpg

In terms of quality, I was pleased to see flatlock stitched seams – often reserved for more expensive tops. This helps both with comfort and durability. I have had a thread pull on the stomach area where a thorn caught the fabric while riding off-road, but that's to be expected. After a month or so of testing, none of the stitching is coming undone. It feels like the Peloton 2 Jersey is built to last.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best summer cycling jerseys

In this red and black option it stands out against the in-vogue all-black jerseys that many companies offer. It is also available in a stealth black and grey as well as a light blue. I like the pattern, too, which strikes me as being flattering to all body shapes.

Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey - chest.jpg

In all, I can't find much to fault with this jersey. It's a perfectly decent summer top for more recreational use. At £60 RRP and available for less than £40 online at the time of writing, I was impressed with the quality and breadth of features. In a stylish colourway and flattering shape, this is a good buy for those wanting to look cool, and being made from wicking material it helps you stay cool too.

Verdict

A simple, stylish short-sleeved jersey with full-length zip and plenty of stowage space

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Peloton 2 Short Sleeve Jersey

Size tested: Medium

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?

Altura describes this jersey as performance engineered. I didn't feel this tallied with the fit of the jersey, and perhaps marketing concentrated on comfort and style would be wiser. The top looks a lot tighter in photos online than it is in reality.

Altura says: "Comfort, performance and styling combine in this performance engineered Peloton jersey."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Altura lists these features:

Altura Dry=Technical fabric

Altura ErgoFit 3D patterning engineered=Shaped to follow the same lines as your body.

Altura Draft Venting=Mesh areas under the armpits to improve breathability.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Flatlock stitching is good to see.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
5/10

Not an aero fit, but close enough for general riding/training ('semi-fitted' says Altura).

Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10

Comes up a bit shorter than some.

Rate the product for weight:
 
6/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Although £60 isn't cheap, it's a decent price for the features and quality, and you can find it online for even less.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No issues encountered.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A perfectly okay jersey for riding comfortably in typical UK heat, but I would prefer something lighter and cooler for higher temperatures abroad.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Nice colour, understated logos.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The fit wasn't quite right for me, which isn't to say it'll be wrong for others.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

It's a good jersey at a decent price; I'd take issue with it being a 'performance' top, but for many, many recreational cyclists it's just the job.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 181cm  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez  My best bike is: Starley R1

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mountain biking

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1 comments

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matthewn5 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Seems a pity the red pattern doesn't extend all round.

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