Royal Racing Stage Jersey - Review
Pinkbike Product Picks
![Royal Racing stage jersey review]()
Royal Racing Stage Jersey
Royal Racing's new Stage jersey is billed as being designed for enduro racing, a claim we'd be inclined to poke fun of it it wasn't the truth. With an athlete roster that includes both the Trek World Racing and the Steve Peat Syndicate enduro teams, there's plenty of evidence that this long sleeve polyester jersey is meant for the race track. Highlights include a more form fitting cut than a typical baggy DH jersey, in addition to a ¼ length front zipper and elasticized cuffs to keep the sleeves from sliding back down when they're pushed up. A mesh panel runs along each side of the jersey for extra ventilation, and the back panel is slightly longer than the front to keep it from riding up when you're hunched over the handlebars. Available in blue, red, and grey in sizes S-XXL(XXL in grey only). MSRP: $59.95. www.royalracing.com
![Royal Racing stage jersey review]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Royal Racing's Stage jersey is tailored with a fit that's not as skin-tight as an XC jersey, but not as loose as one meant for DH.
Royal Racing Stage Jersey
Royal Racing's new Stage jersey is billed as being designed for enduro racing, a claim we'd be inclined to poke fun of it it wasn't the truth. With an athlete roster that includes both the Trek World Racing and the Steve Peat Syndicate enduro teams, there's plenty of evidence that this long sleeve polyester jersey is meant for the race track. Highlights include a more form fitting cut than a typical baggy DH jersey, in addition to a ¼ length front zipper and elasticized cuffs to keep the sleeves from sliding back down when they're pushed up. A mesh panel runs along each side of the jersey for extra ventilation, and the back panel is slightly longer than the front to keep it from riding up when you're hunched over the handlebars. Available in blue, red, and grey in sizes S-XXL(XXL in grey only). MSRP: $59.95. www.royalracing.com
The front zipper cover and the mesh underarm vents are evidence of Royal's attention to detail.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | The Stage jersey was a constant companion on our late winter and early spring rides, due in no small part to its comfort and well though out fit. Long sleeve jerseys aren't the most exciting product in the tech-heavy world of mountain biking, but the little details that Royal has included on this jersey had us reaching for it over and over again. Things like the small flap of fabric at the top of the zipper that keeps it from scratching against your throat, or the elasticized cuffs to keep the sleeves from sliding down once they're pushed up are simple enough features, but that's what helps make the Stage jersey worth more than a long sleeve polyester shirt from the thrift store. During our rides temperatures typically hovered around the 40-50 degree Farenheit mark, conditions where rolling up the sleeves and unzipping the front zipper usually provided enough ventilation to keep us at a comfortable operating temperature until we reached the top of a climb, and then it was sleeves down, zipper up for the high speed descents. One addition we would have liked to see is a goggle / sunglasses wipe sewn to the inside lower portion of the jersey. This has proven to be a handy feature on jerseys from other manufacturers, and it would make sense for Royal to include one given the Stage's enduro race intentions. We also found that the blue colored fabric had a tendency to hold dirt stains even after a thorough washing, and a couple months of muddy, sloppy rides has our jersey looking slightly dingier than it originally did. Even though it might not be looking as sparkly clean as when it was new, all of the seams are intact, and there aren't any rips or loose threads to be found, points that matter much more to use than whether or not a jersey has a few mud spots on it. For riders looking for a well made, do-it-all long sleeve jersey, the Stage is definitely worth a look. - Mike Kazimer |
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
@justgivemeanavailableusername that's EXACTLY why I think it's hilarious when people hate on XC jerseys and other bike training clothing. It's all super functional. Way more so than moto jerseys or flannel shirts.
I've taken road crashes in long sleeve jerseys and tech base layers, which is about as abrasive and skin-ripping as it gets. It's plenty of protection.
An 'ENDURO' shirt?? You mean a shirt to mountain bike in? Fack
However, you're readership is starting to get really REALLY tired of the pandering to the marketing guys. In the last 4 - 6 months, I'll even lump the majority of MTB media in on this and not just PB. I know you guys have jobs to do and your following your passions, but surely you're reading the comment sections lately and you see what's going on. I hope that the bike companies and marketing guys are reading these comments, since they're gathering all their data from all of the different polls and such that happen on here lately. Why can't bike stuff just be bike stuff anymore???
"Enduro" as a term is killing me. "Enduro" racing I actually really like, but the fact that it has to now be tied to this marketing buzzword that's going to kill it because of the pending backlash that's just starting is going to be sad.
Actually there is no beating around the bush. They call it as they see it. It is indeed Enduro specific.
Thrift store and Charity shops exist so that mountain-bikers can buy $5 shirts to get covered in shit and snag on branches.
A lot of people like to know what products have been designed for. If you don't like the look of the thing that's going to be reviewed don't read it, read something else.
And they should step up their enduro writing game:
Descent is nowadays called a stage!