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Bicycles.net.au - Aug 10

If there's one thing New Zealanders do well, it's woollen things.

The Ground Effect Median Strip is a "Lightwave Merino" jersey. Lightwave Merino is part Merino wool and part polyester. The theory is that the material combines the comfort, warmth and low-odour properties of merino wool with the durability and moisture wicking ability of polyester.

Material
The result is a material that feels significantly different to traditional lycra jerseys. It's much more comfortable, not in the "never-go-back-to-lycra" way, rather that the retro-grouches will love it (their words, not ours).

Construction
On that note, while the material is nice, the way it's constructed is incredible. The seams and shapes of the panels clearly identify this as a well-designed item. We wouldn't normally consider making note of it unless it was exceptionally poor. But in this case, it's one of the first things you notice. We would expect it to last very well.

Other notable features are zippered pockets and a repair patch sewn into the jersey - further evidence of the considerable thought that has gone into it.

Design
While it may have been stitched together with a lot of forethought, the overall look doesn't give the impression of being a time consuming design masterpiece. You have the choice of silver with black zip and trimmings or orange with a white zip and trimmings. This style is characteristic thoughout most of Ground Effects' range and will either suit your taste or you may consider it boring. In any case, it's not a design that will "date" and this means it as a jersey that you will still be wearing in 5 or 10 years' time.

One thing that we ought to mention is the size. It's very large. The "Medium" feels at least the same size as a "Large". If you want a tight Euro-fit, you'll need to go almost two sizes smaller than usual. Though if you don't mind a looser, T-Shirt-style fit, then the larger size may suit you.

Performance
The jersey is an adequate performer. It removes sweat fine and there's not much more to say. It doesn't perform noticeably better or worse than traditional jerseys and shouldn't be a problem on hot summer days, though it does provide slightly more warmth in winter.

The Verdict
A fine jersey that, while rather plain, is very well built and comfortable.

Recommended if:
You prefer a conservative look
You want your clothing to last for years
You appreciate quality; and
You are a retro-grouch
By Danny Beveridge, Bicycles.net.au

Mountain Biking Australia - Jul 10

Ground Effect has gone through a few incarnations of their 'Lightwave Merino' fabric over the past couple of years. To begin with, this summer weight fabric was quite cool indeed but very stretchy and saggy once you chucked a tube and a few gels in the back pockets.

The next generation was more supportive but a little too warm to be considered a warm weather garment. In its latest guise, Ground Effect has blended the merino with polyester; 50% New Zealand merino against your skin with the polyester on the outside (it was previously a merino/nylon blend). While you still can't overload the pockets in the same way as you can with a study full synthetic jersey, the new fabric is a lot more supportive and you can pack a reasonable amount of stuff into the rear pockets - a handy thing if you don't always ride with a pack. As with the earlier incarnations, the Merino fabric remains relatively odour free and remained comfortable in warmer conditions - say up to 25 degrees.

By John Hardwick, Editor of Mountain Bike Australia magazine.

Cycling Plus (UK) - Jul 10

If you find that you struggle with odour issues wearing jerseys made from man-made materials, then it might be worth considering Ground Effect's New Zealand-made Median top, which combines a merino inner for breathability and polyester for quick drying. It has two very large rear zipped pockets and a hem free of any elastic. It's a loose fitting, comfortable top, with a three-quarter length zip to further help keep you cool. Do check Ground Effect's sizing though, as Kiwi chaps are obviously big - its large is designed for 42-44in chests.

Well made and loose-fitting top for all but the hottest days. 8/10

What Mountain Bike (UK) - Sep 09

New Zealand- based Ground Effect produces award- winning Merino wool bike gear mostly for its own market, which has weather much like ours.
This 215g short sleeve Merino number uses Lightwave fabric which blends a soft Merino inner with a hard wearing outer layer. This two- layer technology works well, not getting sweaty as we'd feared when we read 'nylon' in the spec. The jersey cut is on the athletic side and there are twin rear pockets with zip closure. It's easy to forget there are two not three rear pockets , and we amused our fellow riders by trying to find a third pocket mid- ride. A neat touch, the lower hem is left unelasticated which helps the jersey sit flat over shorts - a small detail that others could do well to copy. It comes in blue, white or stealthy black.
When you hear riders harp on about the great performance of Merino wool, it's easy to say "it's just a jersey". But when you finally try a Merino jersey like the Median Strip we think you'll probably change your tune and become a convert.

"Cosy warm or chilled out, Merino wool can do it all." Rating: 4.5/5

Mountain Biking Australia - Feb 07

New Zealand has had long had a love affair with sheep - in a healthy way that is. They have a strong outdoors culture and often use high quality natural fibres, such as merino wool in their clothing. Ground Effect uses merino wool in a number of their winter garments and has recently introduced a merino jersey for summer use. Given the nature of their climate I am not surprised! But seriously, this new 'Median Strip' merino jersey is genuinely intended for warm weather riding.
They call the material 'Lightwave Merino' and it is made from 55% merino wool and 45% nylon. It is very fine and you can see through it when it is held up to the light. The cut is a little looser than a 'race oriented' jersey but it is not super baggy either. It has two angled pockets in the back with a zippered pocket between them. Don't load the pockets up too much as the material is quite soft and the jersey will sag down over your bum.
The merino blend feels nice and soft to touch - it is not scratchy in any way. I found that it was cool and pleasant to wear on all but the hottest days. The 3/4 length zip helps by allowing plenty of airflow when required. I used the Median Strip in the Highland Fling where it was close to 30 degrees with cloud cover and it felt fine. The only occasion where I felt that an ultra - light synthetic would have been cooler was under the beating sun on the Stromlo course in Canberra. While it may feel a little hot on a 30 plus degree day, it felt better than a light synthetic across a broader temperature range. The merino wool was more comforting if there was a light chill in the air.
Its best feature would have to be its odour resistance. I normally wash my cycling jerseys after each ride. The Median Strip went for multiple rides with no noticeable stink - at least I couldn't smell it! The odour resistance combined with its ability to feel comfortable across a broad temperature range would have to make this my jersey of choice on a multi - day ride or Polaris. At around $105 is not that expensive for a merino garment. As the catalogue suggests, the Median Strip is a good choice for all but the hottest days.
Article by John Hardwick

Laurence crosses over. Summit Road, Christchurch.
Photo: Dave Mitchell