prendrefeu

Hello -

I'd like to hear some opinions/reviews/insights on jerseys (NOT bib/shorts). Specifically, I'm interested in the cuts vs. the materials.

For example: I've seen at least 4 different types of jersey materials out there, but I'm sure there are more. My Craft jersey is a different fabric than the Twin Six Jersey, different from the Rapha jersey ($$$) and different from my Nalini jersey... but each is good for different temperatures, I think.

Re: Rapha - I would assume their "exclusive" material is what makes their jerseys so pricey, and the craftsmanship, but is there anything else to it (ignore marketing)?

Re: Assos, I've never owned Assos - is their material that much different from other brands or is it the cut that makes them so pricey?

What are your preferred jersey brands and how do they compare to what you've worn or own? Is it the materials... or the cuts... ?

edit: Ignoring the visual look/aesthetic, if we can. This way we can include those infamous PrimalWear jerseys in the discussion too. I'm more interested in the materials & cuts aspects of the jerseys and how they compare. For the purposes of this thread, aesthetic is tertiary.

johnny99

I like Castelli "Simple" jerseys. Price is moderate. The MicroSpitech fabric is very soft and also wicking and breathable. The fabric also stretches a little, so slim cut jerseys fit me well without binding. I hate baggy jerseys that flap in the wind.

Aren't Primal Wear jerseys exactly the same as Voler jerseys, except for the graphics?

botto 

material, cut, design, construction, you name it. they're a - pardon the pun - cut above everything else.

Coyote2

+1. My Assos short sleeve jerseys have a very unusual fabric: super smooth outer face, and a honeycombed interior which seems to act much like a base layer in wicking moisture more effectively.

As botto mentioned, though, the cut and workmanship and detailing of the Assos jerseys is also superior to anything else I have seen. e.g., the pockets hold more stuff, hold it securely without a bunch of flopping around, and are more easily accessed than other brands. They fit snugly but comfortably (but perhaps not if you are a fat***.

If you want a good jersey for less $, look at the Demarchi Contour Plus -- can usually be found on sale at Nashbar, but they are much better than you would expect from that store.

Super Guanche

I'm a big fan of the Assos jerseys as well. Great cut and every detail is just perfect. The only one I've got that would give Assos a run for its money is this Campagnolo jersey that I picked up recently. Fantastic cut and very light. I think I'll be wearing it a lot this summer.

bostongarden

I used to only wear Pearl Izumi (PI). I recently bought a Capoforma jersey (bibs are
on order) because a pro-am team that is sponsored by an organization for whom I
have done research, used Capoforma for their custom kit. I love Capoforma -
excellent quality, feels great. Capoforma has different lines/models and I have
found that some of them fit just a slight bit differently. And, the price of the
custom team stuff is great ($79 for jersey, $99 for bibs).

One thing I like about PI is the ability to buy plain/minimal-graphic jerseys and
shorts/bibs. In my local store, I have not found this to be the case for Capo; I
wish Capo had a line/model that was a bit more plain with respect to logo/brand
display. (The reason I like the kit from the pro-am team is because of my affinity
for the company and the design -- it is beautiful.)

80vette

+1 for the Castelli "Simple" jerseys.
I also like Biemme that I got from pro cycle gear.
Full zip is the way to go when you live in a hot climate like Fl.

jpbrew814

I have a very nice Rapha jersey, which I acquired for about $70 on sale from competitive cyclist. However, I don't think I would pay the $150 regular price for it, since I would rather have something like an Assos jersey.

achu717

Capo jerseys and Bibs are so much better in fabric quality, fit, design and prices. so much better in value. I am getting rid of my Pearl Izumi and Decentes, designs are boring and chamois are inferior to Capo.

jamesdak 

Mainly Pearl Izumi because I get great buys at the local outlet store's clearance rack. Until my weight stabilizes, dropped 70 lbs since last spring, I'm buying cheap. I too prefer my gear form fitting but stretchable for comfort.

cyclezen

90's era coolmax - best cycling fabric ever!
especially the Castelli, Giordana and Aussie stuff from back then
comp cut is fine, prefer snug as opposed to loose flappy

that said, I do like a lot of Castelli current jersey fabrics
Assos? don't know, don't think I've seen any on the racks around here
current Voler and similar stuff - like wearing scotchtape
all this new stuff reminds me of soccer jersey fabrics - the most uncomfortable stuff Eh Ver!
sadly my club LUVs their stuff, hence I rarely wear my club kit and end up in the olde crappage, which I luv dearly.

Bob went the right way...
https://shaunflanneryphotography.file...pg?w=500&h=333

max power

how could you ignore the marketing? they're a small boutique company that makes quirky products, without laying it thick with their romanticism of cycling they wouldn't survive very long.

that said i own a few of their casual clothing items because i like the design and fit. i'm not gonna fool myself into thinking that they offer some overly superior quality or technical advantage though.

as far as jerseys go i prefer a longer sleeve (on short sleeves) so that i don't get that gap between armwarmer and sleeve. i also like a very short front part but only because i ride an aggressive position.

iheartbenben

I assume you are asking about training jersey preference, as price seems to be an overwhelming factor.

Canari jerseys work just fine and can be had for less than 20 bucks. Polyester feels ok after 10 or so wash cycles. LEO's wear it every day.

Starter(?) walmart brand jerseys are 100 percent polyester, have an ok design, really thin, and go for 5 bucks on sale, 9.99 normally.

Flame me down.

M_FactorX19

i really like castelli jerseys. the fabric is great and the cut is perect. im a big fan of race cut or euro cut jerseys. i cant stand a baggy jersey. the pockets on castelli jerseys are perfect. i dont know why thats so hard to get right for some brands.

JustinHorne

Agreed.

I used PI until I tried Castelli, now it's all I'll get.

kenji666

I got one Castelli jersey, but I don't like the emblems sewed onto them (red scorpion and Italian flag plastic badges). I feel like they are eventually going to come off in the wash, or snag on something. I do like the fit and full zip though. Do they make them with screened on emblems?

JustinHorne

Too lazy to go grab mine, but I don't think it has anything that isn't screened on. Might be wrong, pretty sure not though. I'll check later.

dgasmd

Rode with and still have several high end Castelli. Nice. Then, got a craft and really liked it. Material is very thick compared to Castelli, yet it breathes better. Fit was better for me with the Craft as I found the Castelli to be a bit too short and with too narrow shoulders for me. Then, got an Assos to try given that I couldn't think on how they could be any better than the Craft, and they were. The cut and fit is much nicer and so is the material. I got Mille jerseys and I don't anticipate me getting the higher end ones above them. I have several now, and I may just order a couple of their 6 day packs that comes with gloves and socks as it is a really good deal if you also ride with their gloves and socks as I do.

I have had and tried PI and Giordana. Both are several grades at best below Craft and in another universe when compared to Assos.

MONGO!

Love my Assos but the new Etxeondo stuff is great

JonnyV

Our shop jerseys are made by Canari and we've been really pleased with them. We go with the club cut so they're a little loose but still a very comfortable jersey. I did some charity rides with a company that had Louis Garneau make their kits, I was very impressed their stuff. Not so much the shorts, I hated those things. The jersey material was a little heavier than Canari's but it breathed really well. I don't really wear any of my Castelli or Hincapie (though it's my favorite PSU jersey) since we got the shop stuff in.