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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7
Assos T.works_team jersey

Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7

6
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Wed, Aug 17, 2016 19:47

First Published Aug 17, 2016

1
£115.00

VERDICT:

6
10
An okay jersey but pretty average for the money, with branding adding more expense
Weight: 
142g
Contact: 
www.assos.com
How we test

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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To mark Assos' collaboration with Formula 1 team Mercedes Petronas it has released the SS.works_teamjersey_evo7. Its unique selling point is that it's made from recycled PET bottles, with the finished 'flakes' being turned into a polyester. When added to 2% elastane for a bit of stretch you end up with a fabric that's, well, a bit scratchy really.

The SS.works_team is actually based on another jersey, Assos' entry-level SS.neoPro, which comes in a range of national flag colours and is also made from the recycled polyethylene terephthalene fabric.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

Admirable though the idea is, the fabric doesn't have the nicest feel against the skin, and even when you're wearing a baselayer it still isn't the most pleasant sensation.

Assos T.works_team jersey - chest.jpg

The material doesn't seem to be all that breathable either, easily getting overwhelmed when you're working hard, which means a mixture of sweat and scratchy fabric...

Assos T.works_team jersey - riding.jpg

That aside, the cut is good with a sort of relaxed race fit, close enough to look the part but without being super-snug. You get a slightly dropped tail to cover your lower back and a nice tall neck too.

Assos T.works_team jersey - collar.jpg

The sleeves finish longer than many others and they don't offer any form of retention such as silicone grippers or elastic bands, which means they can move about a bit.

Assos T.works_team jersey - sleeve.jpg

You do get a gripper at the hem, which works well, and sitting above that you'll find three traditional deep pockets that'll accommodate pretty much everything you want to put in there.

Assos T.works_team jersey - pocket.jpg

As far as the build quality goes, it's on par with Assos' usual high standards and attention to detail. The seams are tidy and tight, and the Assos logo zip works smoothly.

As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly blown away with the Assos jersey, partly because of the feel of the fabric but also because of the price. For £115 you're getting a rather average jersey, the like of which (apart from fabric) many others make for a lot less.

> Check out our guide to the best summer cycling jerseys

Add in the fact that the identical SS.neoPro is £20 cheaper and it just looks like you're paying a lot for the Mercedes Petronas branding. If you're a big F1 fan you might be happy with that, but for me, the SS.team_works just doesn't deliver a premium feel for the premium price.

Verdict

An okay jersey but pretty average for the money, with branding adding more expense

road.cc test report

Make and model: Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7

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?

Assos says: "The SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 is an all-new product for ASSOS. Released in collaboration with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 team's cycling club, the Works_Team, this unique jersey is a celebration of our partnership.

"Traditionally ASSOS has always looked outside of the cycling world to find its next technological advancements, so by working with a team at the pinnacle of the world of motorsport, we are excited about the scope for achievement.

"Based on our entry-level jersey (SS.neoPro), the SSworks_teamJersey has an eye-catching design that draws inspiration from both Formula 1 and the history of cycling. Featuring certain distinctive details, the SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 is set to become a classic within the world of ASSOS apparel."

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

From Assos:

A new, fresh and clean design for our entry-level jersey. The longer sleeves and slightly higher collar give it a distinctive look. The first of our jerseys with a textile made out of 100% recycled p.e.t. bottles! Another step towards our target of 'zero impact'.

ALS CLIMARANGE

spring.1 and summer.2

COMPOSITION:

97% PES, 2% PA, 1% EA

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

Assos uses a single measurement taken just below the chest so if you are tall in the body, you might need to try varying sizes.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
5/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

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

The whites came up clean even on the maximum 30-degree wash.

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

It's a pretty average jersey really at quite a high price.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Deep pockets.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Scratchy feeling material.

Did you enjoy using the product? No

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your score

It's a novel idea having a jersey made from recycled plastic, but the fabric itself doesn't have a very nice feel to it, even when you're wearing a baselayer. The SS.neoPro that it is based on costs £95, so the different name and Mercedes Petronas branding adds 20 quid to this one, which makes it just too expensive.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

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: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7 2016
Assos SS.works_teamJersey_evo7
Assos 2016
Assos
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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1 comments

Avatar
Dr. Ko | 8 years ago
0 likes

There is (almost) nothing new under the sun, I've seen/touched jerseys from recycled polyester back in 2011. And the untouched world combining it with Merino was/is really soft to the touch, ok it misses the "go fast" look

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