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Having received my package in Japan the night before my Restrap Solstice Century ride last weekend, it gave me a perfect opportunity to test quite a few bits I bought:

STRAVA LINK

Insulated jacket 3.0
Three season pocket tights
Winter socks
Merino riding hat

The temperature was 4 Celsius when I set off and raining a bit (roads were pretty wet).

I combined the Albion bits with a mesh base layer and my team long sleeve jersey, Assos winter gloves and some knit overshoes (spoke to @Chopsicle that night and we were - coincidentally - almost mirroring clothing choices!). In short, with the Albion items, I was probably the most comfortably warm I’ve ever been on the bike.

The jacket didn’t get too hot at all and felt pretty breathable, likely because of the fit and placement of the baffles, plus the DWR coating meant I didn’t get wet. The three season pocket tights were also spot on for longer distance (good pad, thoughtful placement of the warmer fabrics, rear mesh “tunnel” was perfect for when I did take the jacket off later), albeit the tights got a little wet in spots and this caught the wind slightly, which meant a bit of chill.

My main mistake was knit overshoes (hadn’t been forecast to rain) that got a bit wet. Socks handled the wet very well (weren’t drenched) and with some little foot warmer pouches / patches my feet soon warmed up once dry.

Merino riding hat fitted well under my helmet and, again, was warm but not overly hot. Just about covered the tops of my ears, which is my sweet spot as I get too warm otherwise.

Anyhow, apologies for this post being so long, but just wanted to give some feedback on my first larger Albion purchase as I know some were considering the 3.0 jacket.

Thanks for the input, all. It never fails to amaze me just how bloody nice people can be on the forum.

It sounds to me as if the insulated 3.0 is the ticket here.

The dual direction zip means that, in any case, you can always unzip it and go capey cape mode if you overheat whilst moving anyway.

Overall, it seems to fit more purposes at not much of a weight penalty and is still relatively packable.

So, please make a decision for me.

I’m going for the three season pocket tights and am thinking of a jacket for 0 to 10 degrees (dry) weather done usually at a decent clip and also Festive 500.

I’ve asked @Chopsicle about this before and had some really handy feedback, but does anyone have a view for Insulated Jacket 3.0 vs Ultralight Insulated? Or, god forbid, any other suggestions?

Thanks so much for the input everyone. I’m reading from the above that it’s fine, but has its quirks and there may be better out there for the money. The research continues, but the above suggestions are on the list 🙏🏻

Anyone have the travel backpack (whether reflective or otherwise, not the “small” size)?

Looking for a work, bike, business trip suitable backpack, so any other suggestions would be much appreciated!

Unfortunately had to abandon it!

All the lockdown-related issues in China and other problems meant my March ETA turned into “maybe May.” I have a race in June for which I need to get used to a new bike, so ended up getting an SL7 (a friend works for them so got a decent discount).

A shame as I was looking forward to trying it out and it looked really decent.

New bike below (it has the forum-approved ultralight bottle cages, so maybe it counts…).

Cracking pun…

Bought the Avian Store ultra light cages for my upcoming build and they just arrived (a week ahead of the estimated date).

I have the Carbonworks version of these cages (plastic coated) and, to be honest, there’s quite a bit of a difference to the quality of finish in favour of the Carbonworks BUT the weight comes in almost the same (the two Carbonworks cages with bolts totaled 18g vs. the ones I just received that total 17.3g with bolts).

I’ll keep the torque fairly low, but initial impressions are promising.

Thanks for the tip upthread.

Thanks @Chopsicle and not to worry!

I presume there will be the standard pockets on the legs, too?

EDIT: You answered this question above. Must try harder. C-

Any news on cargo bibs @Chopsicle?

Wanting some to start using from Spring and would rather get Albion than another brand.

Will be sure to do so 👌🏻

It may not be an interesting enough build for Tobias, but I’ll have a word!

For anyone interested, I ended up ordering a Seka Exceed RDC and it’ll get some parts off another bike. Seems to be an 8 week turnaround.

Shall provide feedback for anyone interested, but basically my reason for going this route is that I wanted: (i) an aero frameset that wasn’t a boat anchor (no real use case for “full aero” in Japan as it’s too mountainous); (ii) threaded BB (this is T47); and (iii) clearance for 700 x 30 or over (there’s some races with some gravel here that better suit wider clearance).

Originally I’d wanted an SL7 or perhaps an Ostro, but both are mental prices and shite availability at present. Time will tell, but this doesn’t seem to be too far from those framesets.

Thanks for the input. As I could’ve predicted, I dallied too long and the sale ended…

What temperature are people wearing the ultralight insulated jacket down to and for what types of riding (training, endurance, etc.)?

Bit torn between that and the regular insulated jacket or gilet, but it seems the ultralight would suit more (including packability)!

Also, I’ve looked about sizing above, and seems same or similar to Rapha Pro Team. Is that about right?

Resolved, thanks @luft

Yes, for sure!

Late to the party, but watched the race through in full here in Yokohama yesterday.

Having ridden all the roads and climbs except Fuji Speedway (trained on the first part - called the Onekan - this AM), I can confirm that the main climbs are really tough.

I have done Mikuni Pass a good few times this year and knew the race would be blown apart there. Toward the top, but still with a couple of KM to go, you would’ve seen the road covered in small “doughnuts.” That indicates that the road is up and over 15% and there’s kickers to 18% in that section too - that comes after a lot of climbing and always kicks your face in.

To see the riders race those same roads as I’ve ridden, but at that speed, was really something.

As for the heat, it’s brutal this time of year and the time in which I most want to come back to the UK to work for a couple of months. Massive humidity and around early to mid-thirties in temperature (it’s like cycling in a sauna/steam room).

Anecdotally, the shrine at the start of the race - Okunitama - is where my wife and I were married. Really strange seeing the peloton go through there!

If anyone is over here and wants to ride either the route (sans Fuji Speedway) or any other more interesting roads than you find in Tokyo, happy to give guidance or perhaps join.

For some reason the lights on my eTap charger went out entirely and the manual tells me that means it’s dead (tried lots of different USB cables, etc., but no dice).

Since I’m outside the two year warranty, I need to source another.

If anyone has a spare charger hanging around, let me know!

Please and thank you!

List;

Lightweight Backpack 29cm x 36cm. First batch of five, £30
1 xDOMx
2
3
4
5

Lightweight Musette Medium 29cm x 20cm. First batch of ten, £25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Lightweight Musette Large 33cm x 25cm. First batch of ten, £25
1 rhb
2 xDOMx
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

And a “Dirt Shark” MTB (more tempting, despite the price tag): https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e500371271

Two Landsharks on Yahoo Auction over here in Japan that I’m sorely tempted by.

First, CX frameset : https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f496643201

And, wrong thread, but the same guy is selling a Landshark CX bike in the same size...

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f496643201

Not ‘cheap,’ but I just came across a Landshark “Dirt Shark” on Yahoo Auction over here (Japanese auction site).

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e500371271

Suspect it would be too big for me, but mega tempting.

Touched down in Japan.

Massively impressed with the quality of the final product, as well as how small and light they pack down.

After a balmy weekend (got up to 20°C on a public holiday - Emperor’s birthday - ride yesterday), it looks like it’s going to turn cold again, so hopefully I’ll get a chance to test it in the mountains here soon.

Also, thanks for the masks. They look really great, are useful, and my three year old daughter loves the design too!