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Gore Bike Wear Freeride Lady Jersey

7
£59.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Nicely shaped and good looking jersey for more casual riding and mountain biking but slightly disappointing in hotter conditions
Weight: 
132g
Contact: 
www.gorebikewear.co.uk

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There's a clue in the name for this jersey, yes Gore Bike Wear's Freeride jersey is designed primarily with mountain bikers in mind. That said, for recreational riding and touring, a more relaxed fit works well too.

The Freeride jersey is a summer weight top, with a nice balance between sporty styling and wearability. It's available in a variety of colours, so there should be something for everyone. The fit is contoured but not tight, with short sleeves and a sculpted but not overly shaped tail. Features are low key, but there's a zip at the chest for ventilation and a small zipped pocket at the rear with mesh lining, as well as some reflective accents. The fabric is 100% polyester microfiber and the top also has extra breathable mesh panels at key areas such as the rear of the shoulders.

In wear, it wasn't quite as comfortable as I'd have initially expected. The fit and cut are excellent, although if you prefer a slightly neater fit, it might be worth going down a size. The fabric, however, felt somewhat clammy against my skin in hotter conditions- a surprise given the lightweight and obviously breathable nature of the materials. Whilst it wicked sweat away from the skin quickly and effectively enough to not feel actually damp, it did leave my skin sticky and slightly uncomfortable. It would also have been nice to have had a slightly longer chest zip. Lacking a gripper at the rear, or more defined shaping, it's less suited to road riding, but that's not what it's intended for anyway and it suits more upright riding quite happily.

At this price it's looking on the expensive side for a jersey, but it is well made and a great looking top and if without too much difficulty you can find it for significantly less then list price - as much as 50 per cent less.

Verdict

Nicely shaped and good looking jersey for more casual riding and mountain biking but slightly disappointing in hotter conditions.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Gore Bike Wear Freeride Lady Jersey

Size tested: EU36 (small) - red

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?

Aimed at mountain bikers.

Also well suited to casual and recreational/touring riders and looking for a sporty styled jersey.

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

100% polyester

Flat lock seams

short chest zip

Partial mesh inserts

Reflective accents

Rear zip pocket

Machine washable at 40

Sizes 34-44

5 colour options

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made and nicely finished

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Comfortable to wear and breathed well, but slightly disappointing in really hot conditions.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

High quality fabric and washable at 40 so should last well without too much odour building up.

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

A good lightweight summer jersey

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10

Very comfortable, except for in hotter conditions when the fabric felt clammy against the skin

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Quite expensive, but a good quality top.

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

Performed well except in hotter conditions.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Styling, fit

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Feel of fabric against skin

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly. Especially if in the sales.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe, depends on the style of riding they wanted it for

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Nicely styled and well considered jersey, but not ideal for the hottest summer conditions - drops points on value because it is scored at list price, but you can find if for much less.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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