We’ve been hard at work since last fall on a new round of RDO LAB clothing, and for once we’ve actually got it completed and ready for y’all in time for spring an summer. Perhaps the days of launching short sleeve jerseys in late September are past us? Dont’ hold your breath! Read along to see what we’ve cooked up!
Explorts 2.0
We first decided to go our own way on cycling clothing in 2018, after seven kit releases using core items from other respected cycling brands. Our motivation wasn’t that those brands weren’t creating quality garments, it was that we wanted to ask ourselves, just like we do with our bikes, if we could develop clothing with fit, function, and design that met our more nuanced Rodeo goals. It took two years to develop the first 1.0 Explorts bibshorts, and I first rode them in the 1200km Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco. We’ve learned a lot more about fit and function since those first shorts, and I’m really proud of what we’ve built next in Explorts 2.0.
Our general pattern for our shorts has fit well since the beginning, and along the way we’ve received so much positive feedback about how comfortable our shorts are in particular. But we also get plenty of tips about what to improve from shorts length, chamois position, strap tension, fabric durability, the clip system we invented, and plenty more. Each 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 revision got better and better, but the more we ride the shorts the more things we notice that can be improved. Going out for a ride really is the ultimate inspiration, and we put that inspiration to work.
Here are the primary changes that we’ve made to Explorts 2.0. Even if you’ve ridden in previous versions of our shorts, I genuinely think you’ll appreciate and love the improvements we’ve made to our newest edition:
Explorts 2.0 are improved in the following ways:
- Fabrics: Our main bib fabric is now constructed from a fabric made of recycled plastics, turning cast-off materials into supremely comfortable cycling garments.
- Fabrics: Our fabrics are now more durable and supportive than our earlier Explorts. The fit remains identical to previous versions of our shorts, but you’ll feel just a bit more support, and the shorts will resist chafing and pilling better.
- Fabrics: Our main shorts are now constructed of a single panel of fabric. No longer are the leg grippers sewn on, they are now integrated seamlessly into the main legs of each short, and are injected with silicone gripper material to improve cuff positioning.
- Fit: In addition to changes to the lower short, we’ve added a panel around the belt line which brings up the belt line on average about 4cm per size in the front, and higher in the rear. This higher belt line provides more fit support, and also ensures that no gap between jersey and shorts opens up while the rider is in the riding position.
- Fit: Our new bib straps are lighter and more elastic, which will improve fit and help riders forget that they are there at all.
- Function: The higher beltline and new bib strap design allowed us to insert a hidden pocket on the lower back, which is useful storage for those that like to ride in a loose fitting tee, but don’t like losing those back pockets that cycling jerseys traditionally have.
- Fabrics: Our main bib fabric is now constructed from a fabric made of recycled plastics, turning cast-off materials into supremely comfortable cycling garments.
- Fabrics: Our fabrics are now more durable and supportive than our earlier Explorts. The fit remains identical to previous versions of our shorts, but you’ll feel just a bit more support, and the shorts will resist chafing and pilling better.
- Fabrics: Our main shorts are now constructed of a single panel of fabric. No longer are the leg grippers sewn on, they are now integrated seamlessly into the main legs of each short, and are injected with silicone gripper material to improve cuff positioning.
- Fit: In addition to changes to the lower short, we’ve added a panel around the belt line which brings up the belt line on average about 4cm per size in the front, and higher in the rear. This higher belt line provides more fit support, and also ensures that no gap between jersey and shorts opens up while the rider is in the riding position.
- Fit: Our new bib straps are lighter and more elastic, which will improve fit and help riders forget that they are there at all.
- Function: The higher beltline and new bib strap design allowed us to insert a hidden pocket on the lower back, which is useful storage for those that like to ride in a loose fitting tee, but don’t like losing those back pockets that cycling jerseys traditionally have.
Jerseys
The Lasso Lightweight Merino Jersey
Rodeo has always been about celebrating our Colorado roots and the culture surrounding them. Nearby our headquarters in Denver, the small town of Deer Trail lays claim to the title of being the first town ever to host an actual Rodeo. That factored a fair bit when we were choosing the Rodeo name in 2014, and what would a Rodeo be without a lasso? Cowboys and ranchers have been using ropes to round up and herd ranch animals since long before we were around!
Our lasso jersey is our first offering with a newer unisex jersey cut using a long-favorite lightweight Merino jersey, combined with a slim cut cycling jersey profile. A new addition to the jersey is an elastic gripper lower hem to streamline the look and hold it in place more seamlessly. Other new revisions include reinforced stitching at critical points of the triple rear pocket assembly for more durable construction. We love loading up our back pockets on long rides, and when we do we want them to last!
Rodeo Pool Party Short Sleeve Jersey
Spring is here and summer is around the corner. After a long, cold fall and winter in Colorado, we were in the mood to celebrate with a jersey that celebrates pool dips and celebrations of long rides well ridden. What do the designs on this jersey mean? Don’t overthink it! They mean only one thing: Fun. The graphics are hand-drawn and arrange with a healthy dose of abandon. As a bonus, the large bright color blocking of the jersey is highly visible, especially from behind, which is always nice when we have to share our ride routes with large four wheeled contraptions.
We kept the Rodeo branding less prominent on this jersey, because while we are proud of every garment that we make, sometimes it’s more about the vibe than the brand.
Rodeo SPF Highlighter Long Sleeve Jersey
With the shoulder seasons being so unpredictable in our neck of the woods, we find ourselves reaching for long sleeve jerseys much of the year, even in the warmer months. When this jersey is combined with base layers and outer layers like vests or jackets, it’s possible to stay comfortable starting on a brisk morning and riding into the heat of the day. Along with that heat of the day comes the sun’s strong UV rays, so with this entirely new piece in the RDO LAB collection, we specified SPF 50 long sleeves for the garment, hoping to keep those rays at bay as long as possible. Fundamentally though, this is still a lightweight jersey that will breathe incredibly well across a ride range of temperatures and conditions. If there is one thing we love, it’s a versatile garment, and this one is that.
Each one of the new clothing items that we’re releasing this spring was crafted with care and an eye for design. I certainly hope you enjoy using them as much as I have for the last six months during development. In 48 hours from writing this I’ll be off to race the 350km Traka Adventure in Spain, and I’ll be decked out to head to toe in the items you see here on this page. Giddyup!
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