Review: Cafe du Cycliste Lucienne jersey

Based in Nice, Café du Cycliste design and sell niche cycling wear, a bit like a French Rapha. The Lucienne is a race-fit, lightweight summer road jersey with mesh back and pit panels and a full zip to keep you cool.

The fabric (20% Merino wool) is noticeably softer than the norm and is a pleasure to wear, somehow cooling in daytime heat yet warm when temperatures fall. The three rear pockets sit snugly, with internal elastic keeping contents safe. There’s a pump loop and a zipped valuables pocket too. Neat cable entry and exit ports will appeal to anyone navigating by Google Maps on their pocketed phone.

My Lucienne is a cool slate green; it also comes in grey.

The price of €130 is about £117, so it’s a top-end product. However, it’s thoughtfully designed, beautifully made, smart, functional and distinctive – a little Cote d’Azur chic for the club run or café. I regard mine as ‘Sunday best’.

Sizes: XS-XXL. The nearest women’s equivalent is the Juliette (€115).

Café du Cycliste Lucienne jersey, €130

Pros

• Comfortable
• Well made

Cons

• Expensive

First published in Cycle magazine, April/May 2015 issue. All information correct at time of publishing.