The Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey is an excellent example that you don't need to spend big to get a great jersey. It has an innovative twist on the Mondrian look, decent breathability and all the elements that you would want from a modern jersey.
At first glance there is something very familiar about the look (or rather, the Look) of the Mondrian jersey, and I'm sure most people who know anything about Look Cycles, Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault will agree. However, Cycology has taken a new approach to the famous Mondrian pattern, filling the coloured shapes with cycling tattoo images. I don't normally start reviews with the look of things, but in this case I felt it merited it, because I think it is genuinely stunning.
Aside from waxing lyrical about the jersey's aesthetics, it also performs well. Helping this is the breathability and wicking, which comes from the '4 way stretch Italian thermal fabrics'. I used this throughout the heatwave we saw in late August and it performed well, moving moisture away from my skin well and allowing a decent breeze through it too. This is helped by the two different types of fabrics used. On the front it is slightly denser, while on the back and sides it is closer to a mesh. These back and side panels are what really helps the breathability. The jersey also has a full-length zip, which can be opened or closed to help regulate temperature.
Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey - riding.jpg
It is a comfortable jersey to wear, partly because of this and partly because of some of the additional features Cycology has included. One is the flatlock stitching, which is both strong and also meant there was no chafing regardless of how sweaty I was and how long I was in the saddle. There is also a silicone strip across the bottom of the back which worked well. Even when riding with little in the pockets it managed to keep the jersey in place well.
Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey - back.jpg
The jersey is midway between a performance and casual fit. It is close fitting but the fabric used is impressively stretchy, meaning it isn't at all constricting, even if you're wearing it after putting on a couple of kilos. The sleeves are a performance cut, coming down fairly low, though not to the same extent as an aero jersey. Again, given the stretch in the fabric it sits nicely around your arms regardless of whether you're a Chris Froome or Arnold Schwarzenegger. In terms of sizing it is more or less consistent with UK sizing, but I often flitter between large and medium sizes and here the medium fitted me well.
A quick note about the sleeves: the folded hem hasn't been sewn down, and once or twice I got my finger caught on the way through, meaning there is a risk of popping a seam.
Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey - sleeve.jpg
Storage on the jersey is dealt with through three large pockets on the rear and a zipped valuables pocket. They are each a good size and certainly helped by the stretch in the fabric, which meant that more could fit in than the size would suggest. On the zipped valuables pocket there is also a high-vis area, a nice touch that subtly adds a bit of safety when riding in low light.
Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey - pocket.jpg
> Find more road.cc reviews of short-sleeve cycling jerseys here
The Mondrian comes with an RRP of £55, which for a jersey that looks this good and performs this well is a bargain. I have tried many in this price range and this is easily among the top three. It looks great, the breathability is strong, the fit decent and it has a good amount of storage. For a mid-range jersey it performed admirably.
Verdict
A new twist on a classic Look... which performs admirably with some great features
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Cycology Mondrian Mens Jersey
Size tested: Medium
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?
It is a mid range jersey that also has some performance features and a unique design. In Cycology's words - 'In homage to the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian (who cycled everywhere) with an added twist of 'Cycology'.'
It lives up to this, with the look certainly interesting and the performance features also working well.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Full zipper with Cycology logo puller Miti Italian Gripper elastic on sleeves & hips
3 rear pockets with reflective strips + one zippered valuables pocket
4 way stretch Italian thermal fabrics for optimal comfort and moisture wicking
Flat stitched seams to keep chafing away
Well made, good fabric choice, nice stitching. The only thing that loses it marks is the fold in the arms.
Performed very well: good breathability, decent fit, it does everything you want from a jersey.
Material choice is good, flatlock stitching means that it's unlikely to come apart at the seams.
Stretch in the fabric means that, regardless of shape, it is likely to fit well.
The medium I tried seemed like a medium in UK sizing.
Not too heavy, not too light.
Comfortable, even on long rides.
Great value for a £55 jersey.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I washed it at 30 and despite the dark and light colours used, there was no bleeding, shrinking or anything negative.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, did exactly what I expected of it.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The design is great, had several compliments and it's quickly becoming one of my favourite jerseys.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The only slight thing was the fold on the arms.
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
A really well made, beautifully designed and practical jersey that goes beyond what I would expect from something mid-range.
About the tester
Age: 27
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
George spends his days flitting between writing about data, running business magazines and writing about sports technology. The latter gave him the impetus (excuse) to get even further into the cycling world before taking the dive and starting his own cycling sites and writing for Road.cc.
When he is not writing about cycling, he is either out on his bike cursing not living in the countryside or boring anybody who will listen about the latest pro peloton/cycling tech/cycling infrastructure projects.
8 comments
better without the tattoos.
Usually the thing that's good with road.cc reviews is having the tester's height and weight so you can judge the tested size for fit instead of relying on manufacturer's size charts. Not so useful to have a height and having to guess if he's a Robert Millar or Chris Hoy build.
Not feelin' it.
Death.
The logo and details (paisley/cogs) ruin it. Mondrian's 'Composition ll' is a classic and it looks crappy adulterated.
It's a bit too busy!
Same price as a retro La Vie Claire jersey from Prendas, I know which one I would buy.
Well, I like it.
Why oh why is it ok to dress like this just because you ride a bike?
who said it was ok?
This is the way to do it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-39745557/is-this-the-best-dres...
With some bicycle clips, obviously.