Forum | A question of size…

Gentlemen,

I wonder if I could draw upon the member’s collective knowledge concerning the Brooks L’Eroica cycling jersey. I understand that this much coveted piece of cycling wear is no longer in production, and I see that remaining stocks are depleting fast. I have stumbled across quite a few websites selling the jersey in size small, but I have managed to locate a company in Notting Hill that has a medium in stock, and an enquiry to said emporium wasn’t particularly enlightening. A recent trip to the tailors revealed that I have a 41 inch chest, and this coupled with a middle aged spread (which I think I am beginning to cycle off) got me thinking (and hoping)… could I be shoehorned into a medium?

I see that the purpose of the garment has to be close fitting so that anything stuffed into the back pockets doesn’t swing about too much whilst cycling, but am I being a too optimistic in my current thinking?

If any of you distinguished chaps own one of these fine jerseys and don’t mind revealing your upper body vital statistics and size of garment in this public domain so that I may make a comparison, then any advice you could offer would be very much appreciated before making my intended purchase.

And Mr Wheeler, if you happen to read this, may I take this opportunity to apologise for my initial dumbfounded reaction upon meeting you at the Tweed Run last weekend. I clapped eyes upon your Brooks jersey before your very good self, and intended to ask you all about it… but what with talk of wingnuts and all things Pashley and so little time, it slipped my mind.

Kind regards,

Martin

Post edited 2:49 pm — Apr 16, 2011 by Duchy Wheeler

Martin,

My Brooks jersey is an XL, I’ve just measured the garment and it’s a 43″ chest . As you say cycling jerseys are designed to be a snug fit, but I think a medium might be a tad too snug for a 41″ chest.

I conferred with Mrs. DW and she also thinks you need to go for at least a large, she also advises the ‘Made in Italy’ knitwear, which this is, tends to be on the snug side for fitting! 

I obtained mine through eBay, new unused, probably it was too small for the original purchaser?

Safe rides, DW.

PS: also see Forum > The Public House > Clothing.…, currently on page 5.

Martin Sir… have you tried Prenda’s website, I purchased myself a nice wool( mix) Santini Italia jersey not long ago, I’m 40–41″ chest but as its Italian cut I always go 3xl (44–46″) … they are on sale for £50 ish … I’m very pleased with mine

http://www.prendas.co.uk/detai.….sp?ID=2863

MGcC

Martin.….…..marvellous, pleased to be of assistance, all you need now is a nice Rapha silk neckerchief to finish off the ensemble.….…..safe rides, DW.

A very good evening to you Sir!

Yes indeed, I took delivery of my XL L’Eroica jersey the other week and I couldn’t be happier. This American company offered excellent customer service, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. As Mr CP had raised with his question earlier in the post, these Brooks jerseys from Ben’s Cycle Co. are made in Italy, so with that comes the incredibly slender sizing… for that read: XL is perfect for a 41 to 43inch chest.

It’s fairly snug on me and shows off my middle aged spread to a tee. But, I think it would look suitably well on a chap with a chest size up to 44inches. Any size over this I fear would be too uncomfortable for the wearer. I do hope you’ve found this information useful, Mr McF… and that it has helped you make up your mind. Another thing that you need to factor in should you decide to make a purchase from this Stateside company (that I didn’t) was that I had to pay £31 customs duties before it would be delivered to my door. Still, I think it worth it. It is a stunning piece of cycling kit.

Let us know how you get on!

Kind regards,

Martin

You’re absolutely right, Sir– should you make the purchase and decide it isn’t right I have no doubt you would make your money back. There can’t be many of the them left in the world, rare as hen’s teeth as they say!

From what I can remember from the invoice (to be honest I was too busy opening the package to take a great deal of notice!), the fees were calculated at £12 VAT with a further £19 added for the cost of ‘handling’ by Parcelforce here in the UK. Ouch.

‘Tis a very fine garment, though. I’ve just got to decide upon a suitable material for Mr Holden the tailor to fashion a pair of Plus Two’s and my sportive outfit will be complete. Those and the Qouc Pham cycling shoes I hope to be ordering come pay day. I think I need to get some overtime in. Sharpish!

Kind regards,

Martin

Aha! Mr McF, very glad to hear you received your package from the United States without other beastly charges on top. I too have been mulling over the same WalnutStudio leather handlebar grips, in fact I was chatting to Mr Terry about it during our cycling jaunt Saturday last… Mr Irobot is indeed an inspiration. Etsy has opened up a whole new world of want and need. Invaluable information on the customs side of things, I think that may just have tipped the scales in favour of a purchase.

On the matter of the Brooks L’Eroica Jersey, I have to admit… the size XL does feel a little ‘roomy’ on my 41 inch chest, more so on my puny shoulders. I do believe it may well be a perfect fit for your good self should you decide to take the plunge. And by golly does it keep you cool on these warm summer cycling outings, the natural fibres whicking away the sweat… it does exactly what it says ‘on the tin’.

Sir, I trust you will post a photographic account of your new leather handlebar assemblage? I do hope so.

Kind regards,

Martin