Cannondale LE Jersey/Jacket

Has anyone tried this Cannondale LE jersey or jacket?

Cannondale calls it a jersey and TE calls it a jacket, most likely due to its wind and water resistance and high warmth rating. I'm looking for a jacket for the fall weather that is certain to pull into North Carolina someday soon, but I've never tried Cannondale. The LE line from 2006 is made from carbon??? It's pricey for a jersey (for me at least) but I would consider the price for a nice warm jacket with decent wind and water resistance. Not to mention that it will look GORGEOUS with my bike!

Does anyone know how Cannondale sizing runs in general? Are their jerseys (or jackets) at all consistent with Pearl Izumi sizing? Or would you consider them more or less form-fitting?

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Originally Posted by PinkPilot

Has anyone tried this Cannondale LE jersey or jacket?

Cannondale calls it a jersey and TE calls it a jacket, most likely due to its wind and water resistance and high warmth rating. I'm looking for a jacket for the fall weather that is certain to pull into North Carolina someday soon, but I've never tried Cannondale. The LE line from 2006 is made from carbon??? It's pricey for a jersey (for me at least) but I would consider the price for a nice warm jacket with decent wind and water resistance. Not to mention that it will look GORGEOUS with my bike!

Does anyone know how Cannondale sizing runs in general? Are their jerseys (or jackets) at all consistent with Pearl Izumi sizing? Or would you consider them more or less form-fitting?

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This jacket (and I'd call it a jacket, C'dale does have a winter jersey that I have that's really nice and very warm) made the short list when I was looking for a winter commuter jacket. I ended up getting a Descente from my LBS, but I tried on the '05 C'dale at another shop. I was very impressed with it - nice fit - roomy enough for layers, but not baggy - comfy, nice features. I find, overall, C'dales run a bit big. I wear a size 12, yet I wear a size M Cannondale jersey. I find Pearl Izumi's are very short waisted, and I do need to wear a L for PI.

Regina,

Thank you!!! I also wear a size 12 and, I was surprised to find out, a L in Pearl Izumi. I couldn't have asked for more precise and helpful information about the Cannondale LE jacket!!! It sounds like the medium will do the job quite nicely. Now, if I could only find it on sale!!

Thank you so much for your excellent review.

Susan

PinkPilot,

Definitely a jacket. Unless you live in the arctic, I think you'll find this perfect over a jersey for all but your wet weather riding (back panel - in black- is thermal, but not waterproof).

Hope this helps. :-)

Susan

Thanks, Susan. It looks like it should fit the bill in North Carolina with no problem. I'm a little surprised they would make the front and arms water-resistant but not the back.:confused: But, I'm not a commuter, so I wouldn't purposely be riding in rain (which is not to say it won't happen). I may end up looking for something else a little more waterproof down the road.

Susan

A friend of mine has that jacket and, judging by the amount of times I've seen her wear it, loves it. It's a really nice looking piece of kit. Would've bought one myself if it came in a colour that wasn't quite so, well, PINK. (Guessing that won't bother you though... ;))

ETA: In my experience, Cannondale's tops run a little large, but their shorts are fairly true to size.

I have this jacket and love it. It perfectly matches my pepto bismal pink Cannondale bike, too. It is warmer, but less rain resistant, than the Gore jersey/jacket (with the zip off sleeves). I wear the Cannondale LE when its cold but unlikely to rain, and the Gore when it's very windy or I expect rain. Both were expensive, but I think I'll be wearing them for years.

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Originally Posted by DirtDiva

Would've bought one myself if it came in a colour that wasn't quite so, well, PINK. (Guessing that won't bother you though... ;))
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You're in luck. I think we may be getting it in blue, too....

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

You're in luck. I think we may be getting it in blue, too....

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Really? How blue? Light blue...or darker?

I might just have to hold off on my winter jacket purchase to see the blue!

I'm a big fan on C'dale clothing. I have the Morphis jacket from a couple of years ago and I LOVE it. My two C'dale jerseys are two of my favorite, too. :)

PinkPilot, I own this jersey/jacket and love love love it. I purchased it to be used as a jacket even though it was described by cannondale as a jersey. Way too thick and heavy for me as a jersey. I went with one size larger so I can wear other jerseys under it comfortably. It says it is rain and wind resisitant, but think more for the front than at the back. The back black panel is more like a heavy spandex type material that allows for breathabitlity. I have not been in the rain as of yet to know how well it works. With the back panel being like a spandexy material, not sure how waterproof it really might be. I might be surprised though. I feel this jacket/jersey is well worth the money (and I am cheap!). I was out in 37 degrees this am with a long sleeve jersey underneath and was comfortable.

Thanks to everybody for responding to my questions about this gorgeous jacket. I placed an order for it on TE yesterday and can't wait to get it. However, it almost sounds too warm now, particularly since it doesn't store itself in a little pouch that can be stashed in a jersey pocket! From shellyj and Susan's comments, I've pretty much decided I'll have to have a more lightweight windbreaker-ish jacket for cloudy, windy conditions. But this should definitely fit the bill for cool mornings. (I'm not sure I'll be riding in 37F, shellyj, but I admire you!!!)

Thanks, everybody. I can't wait to get it now!!!!!!

P.S. The blue one sounds enticing as well, particularly if it's light blue. Maybe if I get a second bike.........:D

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

You're in luck. I think we may be getting it in blue, too....

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Uh-oh... :p

PinkPilot, did you ever get the jersey and try it out yet? I just wanted to update you on the rain aspect of it. I went on a 78 mile ride last week, all but 15 or so was in the rain. My biggest worry was that black spandex-y type panel in the back, thought for sure my back would be soaked. But wasn't. I was covered in road grime head to to and wringing water from my gloves and socks but was still warm and dry underneath. I did notice that when I bent my arms I could feel the squishy sensation of water being pooled but was dry underneath. Granted, my jacket felt 5#'s heavier but I was still warm and dry (at least what was covered by the jacket!) while I was riding. When I stopped to take a break, I got rather chilly but that didn't last long once I was back out on the road again. The temp was around 48-50.

shellyj,

That's amazing and makes it well worth the cost! I would never have expected this jacket with that back to repel rain like that. Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with rain yet, but I wore it yesterday and it was probably mid-40's when we were loading up the bikes and low 50's while riding. I felt the cold on the front of my legs through the PI Sugar Knickers but I was nothing but warm underneath the Cannondale LE. I already love this jacket.

Thank you so much for the update and congratulations on a nice wet ride yesterday! 78 miles in rain with 48-50 degree temps makes me shudder!

P.S. Did the jacket come out of the washer nice, too?

PinkPilot..the jacket was thrown into the wash with all the other gear from the day and the week..and came out without any problems. Came out fresh and clean looking. After being caught in the rain, and not being sure about how well my back would stay dry, I still can't say enough about this jacket. I am thinking that maybe that back black panel, with the heat from my body passing thru there, maybe that's what kept me dry..burning off all that moisture. I am not sure..all I know is that I wasn't expecting it and it worked for me. My cell phone had stayed dry in the little chest pocket. Yes it is a pricey garment, but I can't say enough about this jacket/jersey. Maybe I should email cannondale themselves..but I am sure they already know or they wouldn't have designed the jacket;)