BTwin 500 Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey

BTwin's 500 Short Sleeve Cycling jersey is a surprisingly lightweight polyester number ideal for our balmier months, and lends itself better than I was expecting to indoor trainer sessions.

Compared with your typical waffle weave top, it does feel very thin, yet stops short of delicate – I've caught the odd thorn or two while taking scenic cut-throughs without any signs of distress, and the fabric's washing pretty well several weeks in.

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The cut is more relaxed, which, coupled with the subtle red/grey colour scheme, translates very well to touring and avoids the road warrior look if worn with messenger knickers or similar street-styled shorts/longs. There's also black/blue, white/blue, 'fluoro blood orange', plain black, or a trade version too if you prefer.

A half-length zipper allows some ventilation and mesh panels beneath the arms promote additional, cooling airflow. Round the back, we have the traditional three-terrace pockets, all of uniform sizing, relaxed enough to cope with bananas and tubes, though secure enough that keys, CO2 inflators, bottles and so on aren't ejected at the first bump.

Sizing is also quite generous. I'm much broader across the shoulder than my height and weight would imply, so typically find large (5) the best default. However, medium was absolutely bang on, still roomy enough for a long-sleeve baselayer on cooler evenings.

Having tested quite a bit of BTwin's 500 range, it's what I'd class as everyday staples – good enough for club type riding and entry-level racing, cheap enough to replace should you wreck it in a spill. Fabrics feel a little synthetic against the skin compared with its 700 counterparts and other benchmark race models, but it's quickly forgotten.

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Admittedly, we've had a slow start to summer but after that familiar warm glow, with the zipper fully open, the fabric traffics heat and sweat away pretty convincingly, especially around the arms, which is good news if you're looking at dining somewhere more refined than a greasy spoon come the end of a day's touring.

Bottom line: we only get what we play for. In this instance, there's little to grumble about and I'd recommend the 500 to those seeking a few wallet-friendly staples for general riding. Aspiring racers should look toward the chain's in-house 700 series.

Verdict

Good staple with few faults for everyday riding and training