I rode for several weeks with the Alé Crew kit, a capsule collection made up of a PR.E jersey, R-EV1 bib shorts and aero socks. Three fairly different pieces, one idea: keep genuine technical performance while embracing a more expressive style than most.
I was mainly interested in two things: genuine comfort and pricing that makes sense. The jersey is listed at €125, the bib shorts at €170. It is not strictly an accessible kit, but in technical cycling apparel we are far from some very high price tags – provided the finish and comfort deliver.
Strengths:
- Convincing value for money versus the premium market
- Extremely comfortable bib shorts
- Well fitted and breathable jersey
- Careful finishing across all three pieces
Could be better
- Nothing to report
Alé PR.E Crew jersey: well cut and comfortable
The Crew collection blends shades of pink, purple and a very pale pink, almost white, with an abstract pattern on the jersey. The bib shorts are more understated, in purple, with neon yellow logos to match. You have to like this palette, of course. But the set has real graphic intent, and it makes a change from plain outfits or patterns made only of repeated logos.
I tested the jersey in size XS. The fit is close to the body and sporty without tipping into an uncomfortable cut. The overall length is well judged: not too long at the front, not baggy, and the sleeves fall just right. The hem stays put thanks to an effective gripper, without any feeling of compression.
The construction is well executed. There is a small zip pull, a raised logo on the chest, a matching accent on the sleeve, and another raised logo on the right rear pocket.
The main fabric is complemented by two more breathable side panels placed at the sides and under the arms. In use, they really help with heat and moisture management. The jersey stays light, breathable and pleasant when the pace picks up.
Functional rear pockets
At the back, Alé has provided three roomy pockets plus a zipped pocket on the right. The pockets are large, accessible and hold items securely. The zipped pocket adds a bit of extra security for a key, a card or anything you don’t want to lose.
Another interesting detail: the sleeves use a subtly ribbed material, in the spirit of what you find on some aero-focused jerseys. I won’t pretend to quantify a gain here, but the sense of quality is clear, and the material contributes to the jersey’s very technical identity.
Overall, the PR.E Crew is a serious jersey, well cut, pleasant to wear and better finished than its price might suggest compared with some pricier brands.
R-EV1 Crew bib shorts: comfort over visible tech
The bib shorts are probably the standout piece of the kit. From the moment you pull them on, there is something very soft, very simple. No gripper at the leg openings, no sticky elastic, none of that slightly aggressive feel you get on some very compressive bib shorts.
I had a small doubt at first: without a gripper, would the bib shorts ride up? The answer: no. They stay nicely in place, with a length I find spot on: neither too short nor too long.
This lack of a gripper is actually a real comfort point. It reduces potential irritation, makes the shorts easier to put on, and avoids that mark at the bottom of the thigh after several hours in the saddle. It is a construction choice that might worry you on paper, but it convinced me.
Support is good, including for the chamois. It sits correctly, doesn’t move under effort, and doesn’t create that annoying feeling of a pad shifting as soon as your position changes.
A very convincing Intense 10W chamois
The bib shorts use the Intense 10W chamois, with a stated thickness of 8 mm. Alé presents it as an elastic microfibre chamois with memory-foam padding placed on contact zones.
It is one of the most comfortable pairs of bib shorts I have tried. The chamois supports without feeling bulky, it stays stable, and it doesn’t create any obtrusive extra thickness.
On this point, the R-EV1 Crew can genuinely stack up against well-known benchmarks. At €170, the bib shorts are still a considered purchase, but they sit within market standards for this level of comfort. And versus pricier brands, they become quite compelling.
Purple, sweat and real material know-how
A coloured pair of bib shorts can quickly become tricky. Some shades show sweat a great deal, with a look that is not always flattering, even downright embarrassing. Here, despite the purple colour, the fabric shows very little. In any case, nothing problematic during or after the ride.
Alé seems to have worked the material well: the bib shorts keep a good visual hold, wick moisture properly and remain comfortable.
There is a logo accent on the leg and a raised logo at the lower back. Again, it is discreet in the construction, a bit more visible in the colour. The whole is assured without turning into a rolling billboard.
The aero socks: simple, effective, well proportioned
The Typhoon aero socks are also a good surprise. They hold extremely well, with a height I find just right and a pleasant compression. They stay in place, don’t slip, don’t twist. Nothing to report, and in this case that’s a compliment.
The design is relatively discreet: light grey logo on white, no overly conspicuous branding. For an aero sock, often very visible by design, that’s welcome.
The point I find really important is the availability of small sizes. This is not a minor detail. Many technical, especially aero, products still seem to be designed around standardised male body types. Having a high-performing sock that also comes in small sizes lets more cyclists, especially women, access this kind of product without awkward compromise.
A spot-on positioning
The Alé Crew kit arrives in a fairly crowded apparel market. Between very premium brands, capsule collections, increasingly refined designs and prices that climb quickly, it becomes difficult to distinguish a good-looking product from a good product.
The price is indeed higher than more accessible brands like Van Rysel, but the comparison also has to consider product level. Here, the materials, the finish and especially the cuts are clearly a step above. The jersey sits better, the bib shorts are more refined in their fit and, over several weeks, the fabrics also give an impression of higher quality and hold.
This does not make the cheaper alternatives bad: it simply makes clearer where part of the price gap goes.
I had the same impression when testing other high-end clothing, notably at Q36.5: beyond a certain price, fit and comfort can no longer be approximate. Alé ticks the important boxes here. The jersey breathes well, the bib shorts disappear under you, the socks hold perfectly.
The main limit is more about style than use. The Crew pattern works if you like soft colours, purple and fluoro accents. If you are after a very understated outfit, this will not be the right choice. The good news is that Alé offers other colourways for this set. There is no need to buy the capsule collection.
Beyond that, the value for money is frankly solid. €125 for the jersey and €170 for the bib shorts, with this level of finish and comfort, remains well positioned against today’s market.
Who is this Alé Crew kit for?
It will suit cyclists who ride regularly and want a technical set without chasing the very highest prices of the premium segment. The bib shorts are the strongest piece of the kit, especially if long-ride comfort is a priority.
The jersey keeps up very well: clean fit, serious finishing, useful pockets, good breathability. The socks complete the set with real hold and a sizing detail that deserves highlighting.
What I take away after several weeks
The Alé Crew kit is a very pleasant surprise. Not just because it looks good or is well finished, but because it really works in use. The jersey is light and well cut, the bib shorts reach a very high level of comfort, and the aero socks simply do what you expect of them.
You have to accept its colourful aesthetic. It is also worth noting that a test does not yet allow us to talk about long-term durability. But in the immediate experience, Alé delivers a technical, comfortable and fairly priced set. And in cycling apparel, that is not so common.
