Tørm (Torm Cycling). Nice, and not pricey

First up, that is not ShannonBall in the photo. However, the real ShannonBall has taken the very same combo out for a few long weekend rides, as well as some mid-week sweat-box interval sessions. The Torm T1 jersey has been saturated with ShannonBall's bodily fluids. Yes, I have washed it a few times, too. Off the bike, I’ve also found the T1 smart enough to wear at work. Even though I work in cycling, those I share office space with do not, and nobody batted an eyelid. Helped by the odour-resistant fabric, no doubt.

How does this set perform? First the armwarmers, these are made of roubaix and as you’d expect, they keep your arms, erm, warm. They come in black on white or white on black and go with just about anything. I found the grips a bit too tight. My arms are not super lardy or musclebound, so found it odd that I had to go for the larger ones (size II) armwarmers to team with my medium T1. Still, size II felt a little too grippy. An XXL wearer might them awfully snug. But they do look good together.

So to the main event, the T1 jersey, which in common with all the Torm tops, is thoroughly understated. Torm jerseys are mainly monochrome, the T1 is as fancy a pattern as Torm puts out. If you want something a little louder from this label, you can go for post office red, the one exception to their B/W themed range. If you want something truly straightforward looking, try the T3 and T6, short sleeve and long sleeve jerseys almost devoid of design – solid blocks of colour. I’m kind of attracted to the red T4, which looks like a Seventies Arsenal shirt (I reckon Lee Dixon, now a keen road cyclist, would look smashing in this one).

The fit of the medium was good for me, with generous neck – an area of ample proportion for yours truly. The stitching seems solid, one or two loose threads, but no big issue. The biggest deal is that Torm jerseys are constructed from Sportswool which is warm and wicking – “machine washable superfine merino”. It feels good against the skin and I found I could wear just the T1-armwarmer set with just a baselayer on our recent mild winter days (50F/10C). On cooler (sorry, frickin’ freezing) days, it works well as midlayer. Talking of temperatures, I have now washed this jersey several times at 30 degrees and the T1 still looks A1.

The zipper works easily and there are three main pockets in the rear with a subtle dash or reflective trim. Additionally, you get two waterproof pockets with easy to grab zip tabs. What to put in them? Cash, credit cards, toilet paper, car keys. Ticks all round. Except for a mobile phone. My most water vulnerable possession can’t quite squeeze in. A tiny handset might make it in, but not my smart phone.

When I first pulled on the T1 on my other half’s first reaction was to ask, do they do ladies versions? Take note, Torm! You could make a lot of women happy. And while I’m hyperthetically growing your range, Torm, how about some matching bib shorts and a cap? And can clubs get their names overprinted on the jerseys? Please, Torm, can we have some more?

Worth noting that this brand sell a useful line in Sportswool baselayers, also very competitively priced for 25 quid.

The website proclaims that these are “real clothes for real cyclists at real prices”. With their long sleeve versions priced at £50, you won’t find an argument here. Actually, the Torm staff are pretty real, too and easy to deal with.

T1 retails at £45
Armwarmers £15

www.torm.cc

Good write up Shannon.

Just received my short sleeve jersey and arm warmers.
They sent me a T2, but in red which is apparently new. and some size I arm warmers.

According to the thread, I bought my T5, baselayer, and arm warmers in 20th October 2010.

I've only just started wearing the arm warmers, so I'll ignore them.

I love the base layer. After almost daily wear, and weekly washes (I find that 4-7 days unwashed is fine) it is now starting to get a little looser and not as tight as it once was. But it's still fitted enough. All of the stitching is still good as is the colour (black).

The T5 is also in fine condition. It gets less use, as I tend to only wear it under a jacket in winder when it's really cold, and then on it's own commuting in the warmer bits of the spring, and then whenever I'm going on proper rides. Either way it's had plenty of use and it's still in good condition. I wash it like any of my other clothes, and now the arms are starting to get a bit shorter than they once were. But it's still fine for me.

All round I couldn't be happier. The only thing I'm still annoyed about is, despite asking they still haven't started making long sleeves... and I really don't get why!

Great write up. Short sleeve base layers are a bargain at that price. Think I'll ask for a jersey with my birthday coming up.

+1 for the jersey. Had mine for nearly a year. Washed it after nearly every ride and it still holds it's shape and hasn't dropped any threads.

Same here, owned for 14 months now and it's still like new even though it's been used most days since then. Torm originally asked me if I wanted to try the new stuff, but I couldn't accept as everything I own still serves me really well and I'm sticking to my plan to not take anything more into our small flat, even if it's free, even if I'd eventually use it. Hence why I offered it to others to try out.

The jersey just does the job, day in, day out.

Hard to know what else it needs to do. At that price point (and yes I purchased mine originally) it's just unbeatable.

+1 to the sizing on the armwarmers. I have the large size and they're very snug indeed.

Statement retracted - see below.

Was that with the new guys who bought the business or the original guy doing it?

I find the short-sleeve jersey arms just a little bit too short, YMMV. Otherwise just lovely. If/when I need another jersey it'll probably be another T3.

Sounds like they should definitely offer a lady's cut though?!

I've found the opposite with the arm warmers. I have size II and they're too short, yet way too wide at the top, so won't stay up. I am tall and thin and if you are too, I'd think twice about ordering unseen (or make sure you can send them back if they don't fit).

Was that with the new guys who bought the business or the original guy doing it?

I'm not sure - I wasn't aware that the company had been bought. I'm guessing that I was dealing with the original owners in that case - as it was over a year ago.

If it's case that Torm is now owned by different people then I'll retract my original account as it doesn't seem relevant or fair.

Torm moved to new owners in August 2011 (or around that point in time).

It's now owned by a couple of cycling fanatics who also own http://www.stpeterscycles.com/ which is a LBS based in Broadstairs, East Kent.

Following my review above, Torm have set aside a red T4 for for Mr Dixon. They have plans to take on board the feedback from this thread. Would anyone have a problem with them posting here?

not particularly - I don't see them engaging with their customer base through the forum as a problem.

VB and hippy probably need to keep an eye on it though - there's a thin line between feedback and marketing.. especially given this thread is the 5th result in google and favorably comes up with the "Nice and not pricey" title

No different to Dani Foffa when he posts in the Foffa criticism thread.

I've said before to them that if they want to engage with people directly that they can.

Some companies do this quite well, the question is basically: Is it spam, or are they just passionate about their product and talking to us to help improve it? We love the latter but not the former.

What sets aside companies that talk to us is how they handle it when (inevitably) someone slags off their product. Few companies have grace in light of such criticism, but that's where the big PR wins are had and where most of us come away with a ton of respect for a company.

When I've been asked by companies who want to talk to people via the board, I basically say all of that to them... go ahead, but stay the right side of spam and be calm and reasonable in the light of trolls who are slagging your product of. Very few companies then actually take me up on it because it's a hard thing to do, to actually engage with a large cycling community.

I do know that Torm do read this thread, they do take on-board all feedback left. So in some way they get to improve without risking confrontations. Can't blame them for being cautious about it, especially when you read the early part of the thread.

V. Does Chris at Swrve read the Swrve thread also?

I'm not sure on that one. Perhaps clefty knows (as she spoke to them a lot when the discount was first given).

FYI.. Chris does not read the Swrve thread.. At least that's what he told me when I picked up some jeans.

I got the exact same jersey for Christmas - in medium, based on their fit guide - I think I really should have gone for a small, its not quite as "race fit" as the website implies.
That is literally my only criticism of it - the attention to detail,material, stitching, cut (aside from sizing) are all great. I am sure I will be buying more (in small)

I got the exact same jersey for Christmas - in medium, based on their fit guide - I think I really should have gone for a small, its not quite as "race fit" as the website implies.
That is literally my only criticism of it - the attention to detail,material, stitching, cut (aside from sizing) are all great. I am sure I will be buying more (in small)

May i ask what your measurements are?

May i ask what your measurements are?

Sorry - should have said - I am 6ft, 65kgs and with a 37"chest

Thanks. About my sizes too. My chest is a bit skinnier at 35" though. Maybe i should go with a small right away..
It's the T5 long sleeved one i'm thinking of ordering so a Medium would maybe leave some wanted room for a base layer underneath for colder days. Still a few months left before you can wear short sleeved jerseys here in sweden.

First world problems.

Cool - would definitely go with small in that case.