With an eye on the warmer weather – here in northern Europe, it’s coming a bit too slowly for our liking – Assos has launched its new Equipe R and Dyora R collections. The Swiss brand positions these in its range to “bridge the gap between technical excellence and lifestyle aesthetics at an accessible price point” – they are its core racing offering.
In line with the current trend for shorts that aren’t black, the new bibs are available in bold new colours. MAAP, for example, has received a great deal of attention for bringing the first grey shorts to the WorldTour, and Assos counts 10 years since its customers could choose shorts in shades other than black. It’s not just about the colours, of course – the construction features raw-cut cuffs, silicone grips, and lightweight, compressive Type.911 textiles, which the brand says delivers unrivalled comfort and support on every ride. Assos explains that the skingrip finish stabilises the fabric around the leg without pressure or seams, which makes the shorts aero and comfortable. The R S11 insert, using 3D Waffle, a patented, three-layer, perforated foam, is lighter and more breathable, and that foam, at 9mm, is high density and adds to the level of comfort.
Colour options for the Equipe R and Dyora R shorts are Black Series, Secret Blue and Edge Green. The Dyora R bib shorts S11 are cut for women, and the Equipe R bib shorts S11 for men.
The bib shorts are complemented by the Equipe R and Dyora R jerseys, which Assos says are made with ultralight, breathable AirCell fabrics designed to keep riders cool and comfortable during hot conditions. The sleeves and zippers are integrated with Bonded Tec for increased durability and comfort, designed to perform for all-day efforts, along with coloured back pockets using PushPull textile for a touch of aesthetic balance and practicality. AirCell textile is a very light circular knit with a hexagon pattern, which allows for cooling airflow and quick drying. The bonded sleeves and zipper give the jersey a frictionless and durable finish.
There’s a microdot silicone treatment on a new lightweight and breathable textile band that stabilises the back panel and ensures the material still grips the body when wet. The Equipe R jersey S11 comes in six colours: Black Series, Terra Sand, Stella Lavender, Future Dusk, Flame Orange and Halo Green, while the Dyora R jersey S11 matches that range, except for Future Dusk. There’s a special limited-edition Surface design available at launch, which Assos says adds a “refined yet striking edge."
Equipe R jerseys come in sizes XS-3XL and Dyora R jerseys in XS-2XL and are priced at €150/£130/$175, while the bib shorts for both ranges are priced at €190 £165/$210.
You might recognise the male model in these photos – it is, of course, 2024 Rouleur Live guest, YouTube star, Assos ambassador and man of the moment Safa Brian, who also happens to be featured in the current issue of Rouleur magazine. James Startt went with Safa back to his native South Africa to explore some of Cape Town’s best roads and discover what motivates him to find the most challenging descents and film them at heart-stopping speeds. You can read the full article with Safa Brian by subscribing to Rouleur magazine from as little as £4 a month.
Visit Assos’s website to find out more about the new Equipe R and Dyora R collection. And keep an eye out for our review – but you may need to wait for the weather to warm up a little...
