The Cycology Spin Doctor men's jersey is a thin, comfortable top laden with all the features we've come to expect, and at a decent price. While it's fair to say you can get a very reasonable store-branded jersey for around half the money, sizing and cut can be a little hit and miss and the fabrics decidedly synthetic – which isn't the case here.
Materials-wise, we have our old friend polyester, but it's a rather nice weave that sits comfortably against the skin and – perhaps unsurprisingly given it's an Australian brand – with factor 50 sun protection. This is becoming increasingly popular and, for me at least, is a welcome feature.
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Continuing the subjective theme for a moment, I really like the contrasting white graphics that sit just the right side of subtle by day but, coupled with the big Scotchlite strip, bring the jersey to life quite convincingly in low light.
Just beneath lies the familiar three-pocket terrace. These are relatively shallow but stretchy and will reliably gobble a 650ml bottle, tube, smaller mini pump, and a bunch of keys. There's also a zippered one for 'valuables' – bank card, notes, spare memory card for your camera...
Generous 'lazer cut' silicone grippers at the hip and sleeve keep it from gathering and, up front, there's a full-length zipper for the last word in climate control, showing off your cycling medallion and so on. That said, a slightly bigger tag would make mid-ride adjustment easier.
Sizing is pretty much in line with everyone else's. Despite being much broader across the shoulders than my height and build might imply, I've found the medium perfect – close and tailored, yet still compassionate to those areas we can feel self conscious about.
Tested during a warm, muggy September, wicking isn't seamless, but even with the zipper only dropped a few inches, climate control was better than I was expecting – even following a frightening cat and mouse encounter with an aggressive van driver, which demanded plenty of stop-start acceleration.
Generally speaking, things get warm around the armpits and lower back, but those fibres quickly spirited moisture away, leaving me pretty dry for the remainder of a 30-mile loop. Ditto longer, steady runs in similar temperatures, although a climb-down from merino and better quality baselayers.
> Read our guide to the best short-sleeve cycling jerseys
Flat seams prevent chafing, or unsightly branding when it's time to strip off and hit the shower. Odour management is also pretty good by manmade standards. I deliberately wore ours on four consecutive rides without washing it, to see whether it cultivated any nasty niffs. By the fifth (bearing in mind temperatures averaged the high 20s) things were starting to turn a bit whiffy and it needed a proper 30-degree machine wash.
Ultimately, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Spin Doctor. If you wanted a deviation from the traditional trade jersey script and don't mind manmade fibres, it's well worth a look.
Verdict
Funky jersey with some lovely touches and a reasonable price tag
Make and model: Cycology Spin Doctor Mens Cycling Jersey
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?
Cycology says: 'THE SPIN DOCTOR: Spinning majestically and tirelessly with seemingly little energy output. When you're struggling, call the Doctor.
"Made with superb thermal regulating Italian fabrics these light- as- air, second skin jerseys are the most comfortable jerseys. Beautifully cut, with rear pockets and an extra zippered pocket for valuables with reflective safety strips. Warning: these jerseys are addictive."
I'd describe the Spin Doctor as a well made, innovative take on the traditional jersey, with some great features and a decent price.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
* Reflective strips on rear pockets
* Full zipper with Cycology logo puller
* "Miti" Italian Gripper elasticon sleeves & hips, lazer cut for seamless comfort.
* Sun Protection Factor 50
* 3 rear pockets + one zippered valuables pocket
* 4 way stretch Italian thermal fabrics for optimal comfort, stretch & moisture wicking.
* Flat stitched seams to keep chafing away
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Good – what I'd expect from this price point.
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Everything performs in good proportion. Factor 50 sunblock is another welcome feature.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Washing and wearing very well to date.
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Medium was perfect for me.
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
7/10
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy – pop in the machine at 30 degrees, hang out to dry and it's ready to wear in 20 mins or so.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall, the Spin Doctor is a good take on the classic jersey. Fit and cut are excellent – snug yet still flattering. The design is something of a talking piece and comes to life when graced by other vehicle headlights – good for nocturnal safety without compromising style. Wicking prowess is pretty much what you'd expect from a polyester garment, hence in really warm weather the full-length zipper allows some additional airflow. Factor 50 sun protection is another welcome, seemingly effective feature.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Design, cut, fit and factor 50 sunblock.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
A larger zipper tag would make for easier climate control.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
Interesting take on the classic road jersey and at a reasonable price, though deeper pockets and a bigger zipper tag would be welcomed.
Age: 42 Height: 1m 81cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Rough stuff tourer based around 4130 Univega mountain bike frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
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1 comments
Quite nice...until I saw the back of the jersey!