Bah Humbug

Starlight is releasing a long-sleeve version of their new high-end summer jersey in orange under their Black Bibs house label. Literally because I asked them over email.

canklecat

Hey, there's the zippered pocket you were asking about recently. Weatherproofed too. Pricey but the Le Col may be a good value if the materials, construction and fit are as good as they claim.

WhyFi

Le Col has had a couple Strava challenges wherein you get a $50 or so coupon for purchases over $100. Not that that helps you now, but something to look out for.

TimothyH

Yeah, that's why I asked.

$50 spiff for doing 100 miles over two weeks.


I noticed the pocket and may give this one a try with the $50 Strava coupon.


-Tim-

WhyFi

Oh, cool - I didn't realize that they had one going on right now. I've gotta buy some club kit first, but I may look in to this, too.

DrIsotope

It's not a $50 coupon, y'all it's 50£. Off of 100£. Shipping is another 15£, so if you use PayPal or similar, after the conversion rate, that 50£ + shipping will total ~$85USD. Just FYI.

The shipping is worth the scratch-- they ship DHL Global Express. I had my package in hands in less than 48 hours after clicking order. From London to SoCal.

TimothyH

Seriously good info here.

Thanks doc!

Marc40a

TimothyH

We don't need to enter the Strava challenge to get the 50£ voucher.

Just go to https://lecol.cc/pages/100-mile-wiggins-reward and enter your email address. You will get the discount code right there.


-Tim-

tangerineowl

Yeah the material is nice, but the cut is pretty average. You can tell that looking at the model pics.

For material and cut/fit, one suggestion of mine for the OP is ThePedla's solid-colour range.

canklecat

@TimothyH -- Tim, while Garneau's Lemmon II jersey isn't high end, it ticks most of the boxes.

I just got one last week -- couldn't use my pullover jerseys due to the shoulder injury (early May injury from being hit by a car), although it's improved enough I could do two group rides this weekend. I can lean forward and put reasonable pressure on the shoulder, but still have limited range of motion and can't raise my right arm above my head without pain (the lumpy acromial end of the clavicle is just visible in the photo -- ortho doc says that'll probably be permanent). So I got a couple of full zip jerseys that happened to be discounted: a Lemmon II for $30; and a Bontrager Circuit, also $30 on sale.

The Bontrager Circuit is good, unremarkable, functional but not as interesting as the Lemmon II. I wore it on a 38 mile ride Saturday when the temp reached 110F here (I started early when it was in the 80s and went home when it reached 100). Typical laminated fabric -- mesh over ultra-thin slicker, tightly woven inner layer, wicks and breathes well enough but nothing special. Good attention to detail, functional zippered security pocket for my credit card/ID sized wallet. No complaints, it works, certainly worth the $30 I paid, it's just not as interesting as the Lemmon II.

The Lemmon II feels like a favorite t-shirt made of the finest thin cotton or merino wool, the sort of fabric that's supposed to make a t-shirt into a fashionable enough item to wear someplace where we should dress better. It's like I took my favorite t-shirt to a garment maker and said "Make a cycling jersey version of this. Don't lose the comfy t-shirt vibe."

The fabric is as minimalist as it gets -- Garneau calls it peach skin. It actually feels like a fine cotton or merino wool, as thin as it can be without not being there at all. No laminated fabrics with mesh outer laminated to a slicker inner layer. The mesh appears to be single layer too, not laminated, which I prefer to that Pearl Izumi Pursuit baselayer I complained about in another thread (mesh laminated over ultra-thin, translucent tighter weave fabric).

In fact, the fabric is so thin I worried it would tear the first time I wore it. And it would probably shred like tissue in a crash. But the seams and stitching are exceptionally good for Garneau (I have some lower end Garneau jerseys that are solidly made in a functional way, but little details such as the logos peeled off after a year). I've worn it twice on 20 and 40 mile rides in 100+F temps, handwashing after each wearing, and it seems durable enough so far -- I've inspected the seams for pulls, lock stitches, etc., and everything seems good.

And it's sun-resistant too. Garneau claims SPF 50 and that seems right. I burn easily due to too much sun exposure as a kid on the beach, so I'm careful to use SPF 30-50 sunscreen on my exposed skin. No indications of any redness on my shoulders, back, etc., despite several hours in the sun.

Very subtle, no garish logos or graphics (the previous Lemmon version 1 did have a more splashy graphic design, which was omitted from version 2). My Island green Lemmon II has neutral gray mesh fabric accents, black LG logo by the collar and Garneau lettering on the back next to the pockets. Very low key and appealing typeface.

Most Lemmon II jerseys are two-toned, with different colors for the main fabric and vented sections around the underarm running down the sides, neck/collar, and the smallest of the four rear pockets. Mine is the Island green with neutral gray mesh fabric accents. Very subtle, and reminiscent of my first cycling jersey, a green merino wool classic cut 1960s-'70s style jersey I bought in San Diego in the mid-1970s and wore for years. Although the Lemmon II is much more form fitting and minimalist.

It feels great, like next to nothing. And it looks great although it's definitely intended for really fit younger athletes. At 158 lbs I look thin from some views, but I'm about 5-8 lbs overweight, all of it fat around my middle that re-accumulated during the two months I was less active with the shoulder injury. So a profile view isn't so flattering. And the ultra thin material shows every mole -- and I have many, from years of too much sun as a kid on the beach. It's not sheer or see-through, but the material is so thin and clingy it reveals every nuance of skin texture. That can be a downside to solid colors without any graphics to distract the eye. OTOH, at age 60, I don't care.

Sweat does print through the material. While it wicks and evaporates quickly while riding, as soon as I stop it accumulates and prints as darker spots. But it didn't dry with any watermark stains or frosting from electrolytes.

I don't usually rave about cycling apparel. I have five cycling jerseys now, all fairly low end or low priced, and just regard the other four as functional (including the Bontrager Circuit). But I liked the Lemmon II so well when I heard the nearby LBS had another my size (medium) in blue for only $35, I rushed over -- but someone else bought it. They still had an XL in blue, but way too large for me.

If I wasn't so budget conscious (cheapskate), I'd just pony up the full price for the Barbados Cherry and one or both of the blues right now. But I'm gonna take a chance and wait to see if those are discounted this year. Even at $60 they'd be a good value for cyclists in ridiculously hot and muggy climates -- which describes the entire US South this summer.



Me (in green jersey) at group ride Thursday. This was around the 30 mile mark. Temp was 107. The jersey was really comfy.

nightshade18

I've not tried that specific one, but the lecol sport jersey I picked up is fantastic quality - really nice fabric and a great cut, highly recommended.

I'd also put in a shout for morvelo - my favourite brand for quality gear, though the designs aren't to everyone's tastes.

I've heard good things about la passione, they have some great looking designs, but I haven't tried their jerseys yet, so I won't stickmy name against them, but one to check out.

TimothyH

Thank you for this detailed review. I've been noticing some Garneau stuff lately and they seemed to have upped their game a bit.

You touch upon what I like about the Rapha Pro Flyweight - perspiration evaporates nearly instantly and the jersey will dry out as soon as ride intensity lessens. As a comparison, the high lycra content Di Marchi Leggara looks and feels sumptuous but will be sodden all through a long hot ride.

I think the LeCol is the next jersey I will try and I would love to eyeball a Chapter III Forcibi.

But I will keep the Garneau in mind. I might ask Backcountry to ship me one to check out.


-Tim-

canklecat

I know what you mean about those high elastane content fabrics. Like the Bontrager Circuit -- it almost feels like 1970s double knit material, although it breathes and wicks much better. And being white it was comfortable in the sun. But I wouldn't have paid full price for it. At $30 in the closeout rack it was fine.

I gave Garneau a second look this summer after noticing some friends wearing recent Garneau jerseys that had some features I liked. And one friend has an older higher end Garneau jersey he's worn for years and it's still in great shape.

So is he -- the guy is in his early 70s and tougher than I'll ever be. Saturday was the first time I'd ever seen him a little tired, but that was after something like 30-40 consecutive days of riding 20-50 miles a day without a break. I never ride that much -- at most I do 3-5 days a week. And he chugs along at a pretty good clip on his road bike. We were doing an informal two-man paceline for awhile on a group ride at the military air base, trying to break into the Strava top ten on loop and straightaway segments, but I noticed he'd dropped way back while I was leading and being careful to maintain a steady 25 mph (flat terrain with a tail wind). I heard him huffing and puffing a bit, which I always do but I'd never heard him even breathing hard before. So we slowed down for a leisurely 12-15 mph cruise and chatted. But he was back out riding in the heat Sunday while I was lying on the sofa with a headache and ice pack on my head. I want to be as tough as he is in 10 years when I reach 70.

TimothyH

I want to order the Le Col HC Clima jersey but am unsure about size.

Anyone know about this garment? Does it run small?

redlude97

Did you ever end up getting a classic flyweight? I confirmed they are different materials in the store over the weekend. The current classic flyweights are the same material as the previous years which I have and work well. Tried on the pro team flyweight and it does feel a bit more breathable but the cut on the arms doesn't work well for me, too skinny

Hapsmo911

I just ordered and had a chance to use both La Passione and Pactimo Climbers Jersey. Both are super nice. I really like the La Passion stuff, pockets are a little small but doesnt bother me. Good price and got my stuff from Italy in three days on both orders. Check the reviews.

TimothyH

Thanks for the info.

No, I have not tried the classic flyweight and am very happy with fit and performance of the pro flyweight. My guns aren't that big.


3 days from Italy? That's impressive.


-Tim-

elquien

I would love to see updates from everyone on jerseys bought and tried. Also, location would be useful. I see reviews from the UK on hot days and get a feeling that they don't know what 100 degree F weather at 100% humidity is like in South Texas.

shelbyfv

Thanks for bumping. Don't know how this was allowed to go dormant, classic!

TimothyH

Oh man, this thread.

Seriously


-Tim-

Princess_Allez

My vote is for Castelli Climbers 2.0

85-90°F in Socal, dry desert heat.

TimothyH

I'll bite.

I'm in North Georgia.

Nothing comes close to the Rapha Pro Team Flyweight jersey. It wicks and evaporates so fast that it actually feels cool against your skin as you perspire and ride through the air. The downside is that the fabric is light so the pockets lack structure and can't really be stuffed full of junk for an all day ride. The zipper is a little bit delicate but not as bad as some.

I've also purchased the Chapter III 1.25 Forbici jersey. It was on clearance at Sigma Sports for $89 so I snatched on. I love the fit - right between club and race cut. Not too tight but not loose at all. The zippers are metal and substantial. The fabric is really nice against the skin and the collar is higher than some lightweight jerseys which helps keep the Georgia sun off the neck a little. I love wearing this and reach for it most often.

The Castelli Free AR 4.1 is another nice piece. I got this because it was on sale and looked half way decent but it has worked out very well. Zippers, like the Chapter III, are metal and don't feel like they are going to break. Fit is articulated ike Assos, a little weird when first put on but nice when on the bike.

All three have zippered security pockets and are always worn with a Craft or Castelli summer base layer.

I didn't like the Le Col HC and some others which are really tight and have almost a V neck.


-Tim-

canklecat

A year later and 10 lbs lighter, I'm still satisfied with the Garneau Lemmon II jersey I got last summer (mentioned in my 7/22/18 post #87 ). It's worn well. I hand wash and air/fan dry my bike kit so it probably lasts a little longer.

No changes in my original impressions, pro and con. That's a pretty good recommendation. The only real drawback, still, is the lack of a zippered pocket for my mini-wallet. Last week for the first time my wallet fell out when I pulled out my phone. Fortunately I heard it plop on the ground, otherwise I might have overlooked it. I may switch to a cheap Cordura/velcro wallet for bike rides, something just large enough to jam inside the pocket a little better. My thin leather ID wallet slips out a little too easily.

Other than that I wouldn't change a thing. Very comfy jersey in ridiculously hot and humid weather. No problems with sunburn through the fabric -- I've gone without sunblock this year, and while my exposed arms and legs have tanned my upper back, shoulders, etc., show no signs of getting any sun.

Seattle Forrest

I like my Castelli Climbers 2.0 more than the 3.0.