By T.C. WORLEY
Most of cycling’s newest technologies do not interest me. I prefer my bikes single-speed, my socks wool, and my cycling apparel not too flashy. But I have to admit that the new Avanti kit from Descente has me veering out of my old-school rut a little bit.
For the rather high asking price of $430, the Avanti outfit — jersey, $190; bib, $240 — ought to be pretty amazing. If you ride where the sun bakes hot, then indeed you’ll likely find this kit special. Using a technology called coldblack (lowercase “c” intended), the material resists sunlight and UV rays. The kicker: coldblack is touted to keep riders as much as 9 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler when wearing the getup in the sun.
The coldblack material is the result of a partnership between Schoeller Technologies AG and Clariant. It’s a textile finishing technology that “prevents textiles from heating up as much and offers reliable protection against UV rays,” the manufacturer says. It achieves this solar protection by working as a sun reflector as well as a UV protector.
I tested it this spring and summer. After several months of riding in hot weather, I was pretty sure that the kit was working, but I wanted more evidence. So to really test the kit, I took a cooking thermometer, a timer, and a lawn chair out into the sun.
The thermometer was slipped between the fabric and my skin. After sitting unmoving in the sun for several minutes, I was surprised to find that compared to another (also black) kit I wear the Avanti stayed at least 7 to 10 F degrees cooler. This could be a significant boon to those living or racing in hot sunny climes.
In addition to keeping cool, the Avanti has a decidedly high-end feel to it. Fabrics feel “techy” and seem durable. Mesh panels add to the cooling effect. Welded edges and lay-flat seems keep things comfy. Fit is snug without being tight, and unlike most elastic bottomed jerseys, this one does not ride up on my waist.
