Cyclists are odd people. We like to support our favorite professional racer, team or country, but many of us shy away from wearing the team jersey or kit since we do not actually race for them. This certainly isn’t the case with fans of other professional sports teams, especially football and baseball. If the local pro team is in the play-offs, it is tough to go anywhere without seeing their colors and jerseys draped on the backs of their loyal fans.
So how does a cyclist still show their support?
A number of companies are producing jerseys that are ‘influenced’ by the rich heritage of professional cyclists or regions. These jersey designs are stylishly designed and colorful without being a rolling billboard for a company or team. Since 2005, Solo Cycle Clothing, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is one such company producing these retro looking jerseys and they are introducing their wears to the U.S. market. We recently had a chance to look at their König Jersey and take it out for some test rides.
The König is part of the Solo Classique line of ‘retro-inspired’ cycling jerseys whose designs are reminiscent of styles from the 1950s through the 1970s. In the case of the König, it is a tribute to the great cyclists from the nation of Germany. Along with Germany, the Classique line also includes designs inspired by clubs and racing heritage from France, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and others. As with all of the Classique jerseys, the König is constructed from Nuovotec, a proprietary Solo fabric blend that is not only soft to the touch, but also has excellent moisture wicking properties.
Construction:
The König jersey from Solo has a number of different features that are seen on jerseys from many other manufacturers – moisture wicking fabric; three main rear pockets; one additional rear pocket with a zipper closure; 8-inch or ¼-length zipper; and a Silicone waist gripper. The one feature that is not common is the material used for the cuffs and collar, it is actually a knit material. The knit is a throwback to the real knit material used in those vintage jerseys that are the inspiration to the Classique designs. When comparing the König cuffs and collar to those jerseys from the 1960s and 1970s, and the knit material used by Solo has a very similar look and feel to those jerseys, except the knit used in the Solo jerseys have a softer feel to the skin.
Fit:
For our review, we were sent a medium size jersey. It is always tough to describe the fit of clothing since we all have different body builds, but if you have been around cycling for a bit, this hopefully will make sense. When comparing to other jerseys on the market, the medium size Classique jersey from Solo has a fit that is pretty close to a large ’race-cut’ jersey from other manufacturers. The length of the Classique jersey is almost spot-on with a large race-cut jersey from others, but the collar and cuffs are slightly snug. Not uncomfortably tight, just snug. If you like a ‘club-fit’ jersey feel, consider stepping up to the next largest size for a looser feel when choosing a Solo Classique jersey.
On the Road:
Over the past few weeks, I have had the chance to ride with the König jersey on many different road rides. The longest being 90-miles, climbing up to about 9,300-feet from 5,200-feet. With it being springtime in Colorado and having been caught in Spring snowstorms in the past, I always ride prepared with a few energy bars, a vest, and full-finger gloves… do 20+ mile descent in a 50-degree rain and that’s all it will take to not ride with extra gear. Needless to say, I sometimes ride with my pockets fairly full during this time of year. The König jersey held all of my essentials well, nothing felt in danger of being ejected, and there has been no signs of the material tearing or a break in the stitching.
As for the fit on the bike, the König jersey felt great. There was no noticeable bunching of the fabric on the front of the jersey, the Silicone waist held in place with the bib shorts that I was wearing, and there was no sweat build-up even though the front zipper is a scant 8-inches. The only real difference the I could feel between this jersey and the other jerseys in my collection were the collar and cuffs. The knit is noticeable. For me, the knit feel is not an issue as it was fairly soft to the touch, but it might bother some that are very particular with the feel of their jerseys.
Through the Wash:
This König jersey from Solo has been through the wash a number of times. I am certainly not delicate when I wash my cycling clothes… everything thing is machine washed on warm and hung to dry. Though the Classique jerseys from Solo call for hand washing in 40-degree water (I believe that is in Celsius, since 40-degrees Fahrenheit is cold), I don’t have time to hand wash. After this abuse, the König jersey still looks like it did when it first arrived – bright colors and no fading. Most importantly, the knit cuffs and collar did not shrink.
Overall:
The stylish designs of the Classique line of Solo jerseys are a welcome addition to the cycling clothing market. These jerseys offer modern features with retro looking designs that are colorful without being a rolling billboard. They do command a slightly higher price than similar jerseys on the market, but these jerseys seem to be well constructed and the designs have some real staying power. If you have been searching for a way to show some support for the heritage of cycling and agree with Rule #17 on the website Velominati, the Classique line of jerseys from Solo may just be the look that you are after.
Pros:
– Stylish without being a billboard for a pro team
– Silicone elastic waist holds well in position
– The fourth, back zipper pocket holds a smart phone securely (at least an iPhone in a protective case)
Cons:
– 8-inch zipper is a little short for those who ride in hotter climates
– The knit cuffs can take a little getting used to the feel
– It is a little higher priced than similar jerseys on the market
Style: König Classique Jersey
Features: 8″ front zip with oversize zipper pull; four rear pockets (one with zipper closure); silicon elastic waistband; and knitted retro look arm and neck bands
Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL
MSRP: $139.00
Country of Manufacture: China
Solo is represented by distributors in 14 countries world-wide. It is available online in the United States, with select retailers stocking the line shortly thereafter. To help launch into the U.S. market, Solo is offering the following promotion:
Code: GILET50
Offer: Buy a Solo Classique Jersey and use this coupon to get a Solo Equipe Gilet at $49.50 (50% off RRP).
Time frame: Effective now through 31 May
Official Website: http://www.solocycleclothing.com