Cycology Vintage Grimpeur Men's Jersey

Cycology is well known for its striking designs, and the Grimpeur jersey – a tribute to climbers everywhere – is no exception. Besides that, it's also a very capable technical jersey, with all the key features you'd expect and a slightly more generous fit that'll appeal to a wider range than just super-slim racers.

• Pros: Slim but generous fit, comfortable, cool, striking design
• Cons: Pockets can be difficult to reach into

Precious few of us are built like a pro racer, so it's great to find a performance jersey tailored for more 'ordinary' body shapes. That's definitely where the Grimpeur jersey plays its ace. Its slim cut is certainly performance-orientated but provides plenty of space if you're carrying around a few of life's kilos. And if you are lucky enough to be a relative beanpole, you won't find yourself experiencing any spare fabric flapping in the wind.

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The entire fit seems to be designed around a sturdier build. I generally wear a medium or large size jersey, and in this medium on test, from the neckline to the waist, there's plenty of space, while the sleeve grippers don't clamp down on the arms uncomfortably at all. The neckline is relatively high but very spacious; the collar sits gently against the skin, and the jersey can be zipped all the way up without any restriction or tightness around the upper shoulders – not something I can say for every jersey I've worn.

The unavoidable side effect for a slim rider is a small amount of bulging zip when bent over in a racier position, like the one I tend to hold, but the extra length pays dividends at the coffee stop.

Technically it's strong too. The two-way-stretch fabric is very breathable and shapes well to the body, while the arm grippers are textured for comfort. The extra diameter at the arm holes means you can be carrying a fair amount of extra gym muscle in this area without being too big for it to fit, while the hem features the same gripper style too.

It holds firmly against the skin and bib shorts very well even if you don't fully fill it, and is very comfortable even when salt and sun cream get into the mix. Flatlock seams are also used, boosting comfort and reducing the chances for chafing successfully.

The only oddity was that I found the pockets slightly difficult to reach into while on the move. The openings are a touch small for easy access, though the capacity is easily big enough for long-distance sportives. The elasticated tops causing this are also helping to keep your pocket contents securely inside, so it's not all bad news.

Additionally, there's a small zipped security pocket centrally mounted over the middle cargo pocket. The zip fits under a reflective top flap – the only reflective feature on the jersey, incidentally.

> Buyer's Guide: 18 of the best summer cycling jerseys

The good stuff continues when you consider the quality of the jersey and marry that with the cost. The Grimpeur jersey retails at £55, yet it looks, feels and performs like a jersey that costs far more. It's proving resilient so far too, with no fraying or seams unravelling that I've noticed, though I'd suggest keeping it away from abrasive surfaces.

And then there's the striking design, refreshing in a world of restrained asymmetric bands and block colours; if you want to stand out this summer, that could well be the clincher.

Verdict

A very good jersey for summer riding, even for those who aren't natural climbers, at a great price