Oneten brings a great fit to this new jersey with comfortable panels, but it's let down by small pocket space.
Finding a perfect fit with jerseys is never easy – you can try different brands and cuts for years and still find too much fabric in one area and too little in another, but Oneten has had a good crack at getting the balance right with its Tempo jersey.
Constructed of a breathable stretch fabric on the main panels around the torso, the Tempo jersey is designed to fit snugly and keep you cool in mild conditions, being suitable not only for hot summer days. Instead, it strikes a good balance of weight and breathability for typical British summer weather.
On the arms, we find a 'lazer cut' fabric which is more akin to more aerodynamic jerseys on the market, but the effect here is to provide extra comfort, keeping snug to the arms even if you sport traditional cyclist's pipe cleaners.
Both these factors mean that the jersey works very well on warm days, and I can happily report that when teamed with the Tempo bib shorts, the styling is just as well considered – subtle enough that you don't look like an advertising billboard, but stylish enough that you feel like you're wearing some quality kit.
Unfortunately, it's not all songs and praises. Heading out for longer rides, especially in the summer, I like to carry a good amount of food, bars and gels that are easily accessible, as well as a packable gilet on cooler mornings. It's here that the Tempo falls short of ideal.
While claiming to have a 'three-compartment' rear pocket, it simply isn't deep enough to carry all the bits and pieces I need. Worse, the zip pocket wasn't big enough for my iPhone, which itself is kept in a plastic cover. This meant I had to use one of the other pockets for it, reducing what little space I had available anyway.
If, like me, you're not inclined to sport a top tube bag on your bike as well as a seat pack, but you like to carry a packable gilet with you on top of food and your essentials, then you really are left wanting for space. The end result is that if you're planning on spending more than, say, three hours in the saddle, this might not be the jersey for you.
For shorter rides, though, or if you have other means of carrying stuff, the Tempo still represents good value for money, especially at its discounted price of £41.49, and you'll be hard pressed for a better fit from another jersey in this price bracket. It's definitely worth considering for summer riding if you're not planning on covering mega-miles.
Verdict
A good value, great fitting jersey that you'll enjoy wearing in warmer conditions – just beware the small pockets
road.cc test report
Make and model: Oneten Tempo Short Sleeve Jersey
Size tested: Medium, Orange/Black
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?
Oneten says: "Constructed from stretchy light weight breathable fabric and woven elastic in the hem and back panel, guarantees a perfect fit.
"The 3-compartment rear pocket, with a zipped middle pocket, offers enough room for any accessories and reflective bands on both sides of the pocket provide extra safety on the road. A stylish Jersey with super comfortable Lycra lazer cut arms and a concealed zip that is easy to use."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Lightweight, breathable stretch fabric
Concealed zipper with bottom zip guard
Lycra lazer cut arms
3-compartment rear pocket with middle zip pocket
Reflective bands for extra safety
Woven elastic with anti-slip on the bottom of the shirt
Slim fit cut
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well - good comfort and breathability.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Excellent fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Small pockets that mean you can't carry much food or many spares with you.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 25 Height: 188cm Weight: 83kg
I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding
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