The ASV range has been developed with feedback from professional racing cyclists. As such, it is designed to provide closer fitting garments to appeal to the performance cyclist. The Black Edition jersey is part of a range designed to keep you warm on cold training rides, basically.
It's made from Italian Roubaix brushed fleece fabric, all stitched together into a close-fitting thermal jersey. The fit is good, especially around the torso and in the length of the sleeves. It's definitely not Italian sizing, and it's not restrictive at all.
The jersey has three regular rear pockets and one waterproof zipped pocket. That should keep your cake money dry. It's something more jerseys could really do with, considering the weather us Brits have to deal with. The mesh side pocket is particularly useful as a place to keep some snacks handy.
Despite the black colour, Dhb has smartly added quite a few reflective details on the sleeves and main body panels to provide a bit of visibility on the road. If it's a reflective commuting jersey you're after, this isn't for you. I reckon Dhb could easily add a few more reflective details without ruining the appearance. Pro cyclists might be able to train during the day, but many amateur racers have to hold down full-time jobs and most of their training time is the morning and evening commute or chaingang.
I like the tall fleece-lined collar and the soft feel of the fabric next to the skin, which is good when worn over a short-sleeve baselayer. There's space under the arms for a long-sleeve baselayer, which you'll probably need to resort to on cooler rides. The elasticated cuffs offer a comfortable fit and help to keep out cold breezes.
The main zipper is lined to keep out the wind too, but there's no actual wind protection in the chest panels, so you might want to accessorise with a windproof gilet for blustery days in the saddle.
Despite the comfort, fit and features, the Black Edition is at best a spring and autumn jersey. With a long-sleeve baselayer, it kept me warm down to about 5-6 degrees but any colder than that, unless I was riding really hard, had me wanting an extra layer. Keep it within its comfortable operating temperature and it's a fine jersey offering good performance for the RRP – even better for its current discount of £52.
Make and model: Dhb ASV Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey Black Edition
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?
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
Black Edition utilises 3 Italian high performance thermal fabrics for winter use
Side pocket for fast nutrition access
3 vertical pockets at rear
1 secure zip pocket with water resistant barrier
2x anthracite reflective logos
2x anthracite reflective forearm logos
2x anthracite rear facing reflective tabs
Deep silicone gripper at rear to ensure best coverage
Chin zip guard for comfort
Internal zip baffle for wind resistance
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Dhb continues to impress and the quality of this jersey for the money is really very good.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
As an autumn/winter jersey the Black Edition is very good, on comfort and fit. It struggles on colder days on its own, but serves as a good mid-layer with a bigger jacket to take you down to sub-zero temps.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
The ASV range is all about close-fitting clothing for the sporty cyclist, and while it's nowhere near Italian sizing, it's a closer fit than any of Dhb's other clothing.
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
I found the medium a good fit.
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
The Roubaix fleece fabric is soft against the skin, and the fit isn't restrictive at all.
Rate the product for value:
9/10
You get a lot of performance for the money here.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
No problems with a regular wash.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
For all but the coldest winter rides, it's just perfect.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The good fit, comfort and understated styling. A few more reflective details wouldn't go amiss.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing - it fulfils its brief well.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Maybe
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your score
A nicely designed and featured jersey that offers good performance for the usual affordable Dhb price (even more so at the moment – it's £52 at the time of writing).
Age: 31 Height: 180cm Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 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, mountain biking
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2 comments
Being blessed / cursed with hills around me I've just found this too warm over the last few months,I cant argue with the quality of the Jersey tho. Thanks for pointing out the mesh pocket which I'd not noticed, my myopia is clearly worsening with age.
That's twice now that you guys have liked the tall collar (DHB ASV jersey).
Is it really all that tall? I'd consider it at least middling! It's a bit longer than a Rapha long sleeve pro team but shorter than the Prendas Sleek Jersey (which is a perfect spring collar length IMO)