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Stolen Goat Ibex SS Cycling Jersey

8
£70.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Quality summer jersey with a bold design, and trademark stretchy sleeves are still great
Weight: 
175g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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We reviewed several items of Stolen Goat gear last year and we were impressed. It's a young British brand, which has partnered up with Belgian manufacturer Bioracer to produce some attractive high-quality cycling gear, like the Lionheart jersey. This Ibex summer jersey is not dissimilar to the Bodyline range that includes the Lionheart jersey, but the cut is a little different, apparently in a quest for improved aerodynamics.

Bioracer certainly knows a thing or two about aerodynamics – its skinsuits are among the slipperiest out there and have graced the shoulders of more than a few time-trial champions. Here the fabrics used are, as far as I can tell, the same as seen in the Bodyline jerseys.

Buy this online here 

The main body of the jersey is a lightweight open-weave fabric, breathable and comfortable on warm days. It's not massively stretchy, though, and for this reason the side panels are made from a sheer Lycra which is very stretchy, meaning that you get a nice close fit on the torso.

The sleeves are the same stretchy Lycra, reaching down towards the elbow and with seamless raw-cut ends. They're very comfortable; the sleeves were my favourite detail on the Lionheart and they're just as good here.

The construction is different, though - in fact, this is the chief difference between the two. Gone are the raglan sleeves running right to the collar, instead the Ibex jersey has a vest-cut around the shoulders with the sleeve sections stitched to the resultant vertical openings. Bioracer uses a similar construction on its road-race skinsuit. Stolen Goat says it's designed for an optimal balance between comfort and aerodynamics in a cycling position.

The details are largely carried over from the Bodyline range too – so you've got a good quality full-length cam-lock zip down the front, three decent sized pockets at the back, plus a vertical zipped pocket with a water-resistant lining. Oddly, the zipped opening is smaller than on the Bodyline, meaning that it was quite fiddly to get my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone in there - anything bigger definitely wouldn't fit.

At the bottom, there's no silicone gripper, which might be seen as a minor omission at this price, but the hem is lightly elasticated and it does a decent job of keeping the jersey in place.

>> Check out our guide to cycling jerseys here 

The sizing is different to the Bodyline, so it's worth having a look at the charts before ordering. I tested a medium Bodyline jersey, which fitted my 38in chest very well. Here, a large size comes in pretty similar, so it's close but not skinsuit-tight. Stolen Goat says it's designed for a close fit on the shoulders as this is the area with the greatest influence on aerodynamic performance, but to be more yielding around the "lower torso" (read: belly) to accommodate a wider range of shapes than some racing jerseys.

In terms of styling, it's a pretty bold design, suggestive of a brand with growing confidence. I like it, and I also like elements like the asymmetric sleeve design. There are alternatives, if it's aesthetically not for you, predominantly black with red or green detailing. Matching bibshorts are available too, which we'll be reviewing soon. Unlike Stolen Goat's winter range, there are no reflectives at all, but it's a lightweight jersey so it's unlikely to see a lot of use in the darker months.

Verdict

Quality summer jersey with a bold design, and trademark stretchy sleeves are still great

road.cc test report

Make and model: Stolen Goat Ibex SS Cycling Jersey

Size tested: Large, Goat Green

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Stolen Goat says: "Available in 3 colour ways this is our team edition. If you don't like goats (shame on you), check out our more subtle designs.

"The Ibex range is our latest technology for riders looking to go faster whilst still remaining comfortable. The brief of this jersey is to create an aero advantage whilst keeping the torso flexible to allow for a range of body shapes. Ultimately, as recreational riders, we aren't all wafer thin racing snakes. So this jersey has a bit more give in it than a typical racing jersey but all the aero advantage whilst on the drops.

"You'll notice the gap between shoulder seams is reduced compared to a typical jersey. This gives you maximum comfort and aero advantage whilst in the cycling position. If you're a sit up and beg type rider then this probably isn't for you.

"The jersey is super lightweight and when paired with the matching Ibex Shorts, gilet and armwarmers you have a formidable weapon in your arsenal.

"Perfect for riders who climb and ride hard and fast... all the time."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Stolen Goat says:

Half length aero sleeves – with a raw laser cut end. These sleeves support your muscles, have zero flapping and simply stay put all day long without being restrictive or overly tight. They also give you the pro look without costing you a pro's wages.

*Full length YKK camlock zipper. Zipps are something you only notice when they are bad. You won't notice these. YKK make the best zips, simple as that.

*Heat transfer neck labels. Nobody wants to ride with a scratchy neck label so we've only used heat transfer labels for the neck. Super soft – you won't notice them.

*UV safe 4 way stretch fabric. The UV protected material that makes up the core of the jersey is designed for optimum ventilation and super fast quick drying. It has a four way stretch meaning it is ultra comfy all day long.

*Aero Fit. The Ibex range is aerodynamic, light and fast and yet forgiving of different body shapes.

*Manufactured in Belgium by the same factory that make the Belgium national kit, and a high percentage of the Pro teams (and using the same methods and materials).

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well put together with neat stitching, good quality zip and well-designed cut. Seams are a mixture of flatlock and conventional.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Sits close against the skin so should provide a decent aerodynamic performance.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No issues during testing and last year's SG kit is still holding up very well, so I'd expect this to last.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Not a super-lightweight jersey, but not marketed as such; it's a pretty typical weight for a summer jersey.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The fabric is comfortable and breathes well. Fit is really good, too, so it's very comfortable to wear. As noted on previous Stolen Goat jerseys, the raw-cut sleeves are super-comfy.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

£70 isn't an out-and-out bargain for a summer jersey, but it's a reasonable price for a well-made one like this. Premium brands often charge a lot more and this is as good as many of their offerings.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well - the fit is excellent, as we'd expect from Bioracer-made apparel, and it is well fitted with no flapping.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Sleeves are always great on Stolen Goat jerseys. I like the bold Ibex design, too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not a great deal – phone pocket is probably too small for quite a lot of phones.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

It's a really nice jersey with a great fit. Yes, it's a tenner more than last year's Bodyline, but it's still good value when compared with the big brands.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 190cm  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Commuter - something with disc brakes, drop bars and a rack  My best bike is: Rose X-Lite CRS

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

 

Jez spends his days making robots that drive cars but is happiest when on two wheels.  His roots are in mountain biking but he spends more time nowadays on the road, occasionally racing but more often just riding. 

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