Cycology Spin Sista Women’s Jersey

The hard-to-miss Cycology Spin Sista women's jersey is as effective as it is bright. It's a great value spring/summer number that wicks well with a flush yet comfortable fit. When block colours get predictable, this jersey is ready to step in with its multiple fluoros.

• Pros: Great performance, great price
• Cons: Outer pockets a little narrow, neck may feel too high

When commercial artist Sarina put her drawings to fabric in 2011, Cycology was born, and in the Spin Sista jersey, the Sydney-based brand stays true to its heart with bold, hand-drawn designs.

> Buy this online here

Aesthetics are usually lower down the pecking order on test, but this jersey's pattern is exceptional in both colour and design. At a glance you might see only florals, but look a little closer... the drawings were inspired by an 18-tooth cog. While the design leans on the eye-watering side, I felt all the safer for it on the road – and it gave me that extra something that we all look for in a jersey: it made me want to get out and ride more.

The Spin Sista jersey sits in Cycology's performance fit range (its range goes race, performance, relaxed – though it says it will be phasing out the latter) meaning that it's fitted yet mega stretchy, and made to be worn like a second skin. I tested a size small, and it delivered a super-close fit without being too tight. With the exception of the sleeves, I found that it came up a little snugger than smalls in other brands, so if you're on the cusp of small/medium or just want a fit that's a bit more relaxed, sizing up is probably a good idea.

I couldn't really fault this jersey on fit. Cycology believes in fluidity in its gender assignment of jerseys (we're told that men buy this jersey) which explains the lack of anomalies we sometimes find with women's jerseys – too short, or a waist that kicks out – and its fit is all the better for it.

The first thing I noticed about the cut was the sleeve length. The longer cut and silky feel of the raglan sleeves felt akin to those on the recently tested and far pricier Rapha Souplesse Aero jersey. The base of the sleeve is wide, elasticated gripper which keeps it flush to skin and firmly in place, and because this section is well over an inch wide it didn't produce a bulge once in place.

The collar is cut high (unlike Cycology's race fit range with its low cut neckline), and while being able to pull the zipper up to just under my chin provided more coverage, it did feel a little restricted. Some riders may prefer a bit of breathing space around this area. On the other hand, if you're someone who feels the chill, the extra fabric will likely be welcome once the wind sets in.

The jersey extended past my hips when pulled into place, and then stayed put throughout test rides thanks to the silicone hem grippers working their magic. So if you have a long body or just like good coverage, the cut of the Spin Sista will please you – and it's always nice to know your jersey won't ride up.

The rear features three pockets, each with an elasticated top hem to keep belongings in place. While the middle pocket could easily swallow my iPhone 8, the two outer pockets are narrower which made for more faff than usual. A little extra width would have been preferable on the outer pockets since they're the ones that are easily reached while riding. They're also shallower than some; the top hem comes up almost an inch shorter than another jersey I put to the test.

The additional zippered pocket (featuring reflective trim for additional safety) on the right is a bonus. While lots of jerseys feature a valuables pocket, not all are easy to find, reach or unzip in practice. Cycology has served up all of this here, making it ideal for swiftly grabbing a tenner at the cafe stop.

I tested this jersey through the summer heatwave, so there were plenty of sweaty rides to put the fabric through its paces. It's made from a four-way high-stretch 'performance fabric' (polyester and Spandex), which is super-breathable on the rear and armpits to let moisture escape, while the front panels, sleeves and collar are cut from a smoother fabric, protecting you from wind and delivering a silky-smooth feel.

On sweaty test rides, the fabric stayed remarkably dry in most places – whipping away sweat as soon as it arrived. The only exception were the pockets which couldn't wick quite as fast given the double layer. This wicking ability makes the Spin Sista a good choice for hot weather riding, strengthened further by the SPF 50 fabric treatment. Overall, its soft, breathable fabric and flat seams make for a very comfortable ride.

The price is a snip for a jersey that fits and performs this well. At £55, it's in the same ballpark as the two jerseys tested recently from Funkier, both £44.99, but it feels like you're getting more for your money with this jersey in that it pays more attention to details like a flush fit on the collar and arms.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's jerseys here

There's usually something to call out on a jersey, but overall it's hard to fault this design on fit, feel and performance. The outer pockets could be wider, and the neck height irritated me a bit but this is personal preference. Overall, Cycology's Spin Sista is a superbly comfortable jersey with a punchy aesthetic that inspired me to ride. And if you're looking to complete the neon look at a good price, I also tested Cycology's lime-legged women's logo bib shorts – full review to come.

Verdict

A design to help you stand out from the pack with a solid performance to match