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review
Jerseys - long sleeve
Ground Effect Popsicle jerseyGround Effect Popsicle jersey

Ground Effect Popsicle jersey

7
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 8, 2010

1
£69.73

VERDICT:

7
10
Well designed, and good for spring or autumn, but a bit pricey
Weight: 
242g
Contact: 
www.groundeffect.co.nz
How we test

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A long-sleeved merino based top with windproof properties, the Popsicle is designed as a Spring and Autumn jersey, keeping out the worst of the wind, while still having the breathability and temperature management properties of merino wool.

It’s essentially two tops in one, with ultra breathable merino based sleeves, sides and full back, but a windproof fleecy panel across the front, where the wind does its worst. There’s a deep chest zip to assist in ventilation if the going gets hot, and thumb loops at the cuffs to keep sleeves in place if you need them.

The cut and fit are on the generous side, but not badly so. It just means that even tall athletically built women should still find the fit suits them as much as ‘standard’ women. Body and sleeve length are good, with no problems with gaps developing during riding. The neck is cosy when zipped up, without being constricting.

Two large zipped pockets at the rear, with reflective trim, will take a good selection of bits and pieces, even a compact windproof shell jacket if needed, and there’s a reflective logo to add to the visibility. You even get a ‘secret’ tube repair patch sewn in that can easily be removed and squirreled away.

In use, it’s warmish, with good wind resistance on the front, and is very breathable, preventing you from getting too sweaty. It’s great for sunny but chilly spring days and windy autumn ones, but is a little on the warm side when a waterproof layer is suddenly required.

Available in two colours in small, medium and large.

Ground Effect Popsicle NZ$149 (approx £69)

Verdict

Nicely designed but looking a little on the expensive side for a top that requires spring or autumn weather to stay reasonably stable.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ground Effect Posicle jersey

Size tested: WM

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?

Designed as a Spring and Autumn jersey, to keep wind out but stop you overheating too.

Does a good job of that, but only seems to be a small window where the conditions are right. Soon becomes too hot or not warm enough.

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

Windproof fleece front panel

Back, sleeves and sides made from moisture wicking and breathable merino/polyester mix

Two generous zipped rear pockets (with repair patch)

Reflective trim

Deep front zip

Thumb loops

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well constructed from quality fabrics.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performs well in the correct conditions.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

After just a couple of wears the merino/polyester fabric started to show small snags. Keep well clear of any velcro.

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

Comfortable in the nippy Spring and Autumn conditions it is intended for. Merino/polyester fabric wicks moisture well and keeps temperature stable.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Starting to look a little expensive for a merino mix top that's not fully useable all year round.

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

Provided a comfortable non-sweaty ride under the right conditions (dry, chilly, a little bit windy) but wasn't as adaptable as I'd have liked the rest of the time.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Length of body and sleeves

Features

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Windproof panel limited year round usability (whilst simultaneously making it better for the Spring and Autumn conditions for which it is designed)

Fabric snags easily

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? If I was planning a trip to somewhere with more stable weather, maybe.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably not.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I wanted to like the Popsicle, as it has great features and is well designed, but the weather just wasn't often right for it to truly shine.

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,

Merino mix
Merino
Ground Effect Posicle jersey
Ground Effect
Cycling jersey
Lara Dunn

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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1 comments

Avatar
Chuffy | 14 years ago
0 likes

It's the girly version of the legendary Baked Alaska top for chaps. My wife has had a couple of them for a few years now and although they are wearing a bit thin in places around the bottom (the bits where she hold the top to take it off) they are wearing well. Unfortunately Ground Effect prices depend on the exchange rate with the NZ$ and in recent years they've gone through the roof. It's superb kit though and still just about worth the money.

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