Danny Shane Cycling Clothing: Quick Review
Danny Shane Cycling Clothing: Quick Review- by Grannygear
“Danny who?”
That was my response to a request for us to review some cycling clothing by a company called Danny Shane. I had not heard of them, but It turns out I have been missing some fine clothing with a mix of bold fashion, high function, and a focus on ecologically responsible fabrics in much of the clothing.
Reading the Danny Shane website, there is this:
THE DANNY SHANE WAY
Performance and style shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. At DannyShane, we’ve made it our mission to create cycling apparel that brings meaningful complements to the lives of our customers. Our lifestyle brand is retrospectively inspired, bold in design, and appealing to cyclists with all levels of experience.
The DannyShane rider is a true original. He’s bold, he’s vibrant, and he isn’t afraid to take the lead or get noticed on the racecourse. We’ve kept this rider in mind when designing all of our latest lines of apparel, developing the highest-quality, most eco-friendly apparel company the cycling industry has ever seen.
Original. Bold. Vibrant. I am not sure that describes me. I mean, Danny Shane makes jerseys in plaid, for crying out loud. Who does that? It’s the anti-Rapha style. But there is more to Danny Shane then edgy patterns (I find them pleasingly different then the ‘herd’, actually). They also have a blended fabric in the jerseys that is a bit special. From the website:
BAMBOO WHITE ASH TECHNOLOGY
PERPETUAL PERFORMANCE, COMFORT, & FIT
DannyShane jerseys are made from a proprietary fabric blend with 50% to 55% Bamboo White Ash (BWA). BWA is among the latest innovations in natural performance fibers. In addition to its aesthetic benefits, BWA is also an eco-friendly solution. The material offers natural breathability, rapid moisture wicking, odor resistance, anti-static qualities, durability, and softness that cannot be matched.
By weaving BWA directly into our polyester fabrics, we’re able to ensure that DannyShane jerseys won’t fade or discolor, even after years of daily use. Cyclists can feel confident that DannyShane products will stand the test of time, and that they won’t irritate the skin like other materials may.
Bamboo White Ash also provides cyclists with many comfort and performance benefits, including:
Naturally wicks moisture rapidly to keep you dry (without any irritating chemicals)
Captures odor (naturally anti-microbial)
Provides thermal regulating benefits
Fibers are durable and long-lasting
Creates high breathability
Provides natural UV protection
Provides ultra soft comfort
BWA is in every weave of fabric and does not wash out like competitors’ chemical rinsesWhile other cycling garments may contain wool or up to 10% bamboo, our fabric is made from 50% Bamboo White Ash. This makes the DannyShane roadwear collection more breathable, comfortable, thermal regulating and odor resistant than any other performance wear. The moisture-wicking capabilities of bamboo far exceeds that of cotton, wool or any other material. In fact, bamboo absorbs 60% more water than cotton, keeping skin dry, comfortable and cooler in hot temperatures – warmer in cool temperatures.
So let’s take a look at the pieces of Danny Shane wear that we were given to review. I have three jerseys and one pair of bib shorts.
Aston Performance Jersey Grey SZ LG
Aston Performance Jersey Pink SZ XL
Surrey Performance Jersey Pink SZ LG
Shelby S5 Race Bib SZ LG
And yes, I wear pink. That is me…bein’ all bold and stuff.
I asked for an XL and a LG size jersey to compare sizes as I often fall between the two. At 6”2” and 185lbs with long arms and decent shoulders, I can often wear an XL but with a slimmer build and a 32” waist, I am not really an XL unless I want a looser fit.
As well, when I am on the road bike, I prefer a close fit to all the clothing, so a LG is it. But on the gravel bike I may want a more casual fit but not quite baggy. I mention all this to show how the fit lays out when you see the images of me in the clothing. It might help you decide for yourself. As an aside, my measurements place me pretty much into a LG in a Danny Shane jersey. The sizing chart does have me into a Medium bib short with a SZ 32 waist, but you have to take height into consideration when wearing bibs. At 6’2”, I land in SZ LG land for bibs.
I have worn the jerseys and bibs over late spring into summer, putting many miles and hours in them on both the road and gravel. Here are my thoughts.
Styling is in the eye of the beholder and some of the tartan plaids are not my thing, but they are not what you typically see on riders in the local packs. I like that. Overall I found the Danny Shane jerseys classy and well done, many of the styles being decently bright and visible, something that is important if you are on the road a lot. The chevron and pink one is very nice.
The fit was roadie snug in the LG, but not Saran Wrap tight. MAMILs better watch the calories as there is not much grace here…or size up one level. Oddly enough, I found the Surrey jersey to have shorter sleeves than the Aston, something which was annoying as it pulled up past my typical cycling tan line. It was also a loose fit at the sleeve, exaggerating the tendency to ride high on the upper arm. Talking to Nic at Simbol PR, the marketing group for Danny Shane, it is possible that the Surrey jersey was made from the old pattern as Danny Shane has lengthened all sleeves across the jersey line. Danny Shane is looking into this. The Aston in the LG size (the grey one) was a better fit and frankly was a darn good looking jersey if I say so myself. I got a lot of compliments in it. Now when I tried the XL in the Aston jersey (the pink one) I found a bit more room across the shoulders, etc, and it was also better with layers under it (like a base shirt). But the fabric billowed at the chest a bit when leaned over and the rear pockets hung down too far on the backside to be a great fit. In Danny Shane, at least in the Aston, I am a LG
The cut of the rear pockets is a bit different. The two side pockets have a slanted cut to them, which I assume is to facilitate reaching into the pocket when riding. I have some Rapha jerseys that require a contortionist to get into when riding as they are so high and close to the body. I like this but it does make the two pockets shorter in height and lesser in capacity. I actually lost a set of cheaters (reading glasses) out of one side pocket and I sure would not put my phone in there. The center pocket is pretty typical. As well, there is a zipped securities pocket that allows secure storage of a car key, cash, ID, etc. That pretty much rocks!
That fabric. Oooo that fabric. That is really nice. Soft against the skin, not scratchy or hot, and with a nice ‘look’ to it, the jerseys seem to wash well, either by hand or machine. I am not sure what Bamboo White Ash is in any great detail, but it feels great to wear it as Danny Shane uses it.
At $129.00 suggested retail, the jerseys fall into the middle price range…yes, I know, it’s hard to think of that as middle, but it is.
The Shelby Series 5 bibs are very well done. My gold standard in bibs are the Raphas I have, although I have never been in Assos, another high end brand. Typically I have some variety of Specialized or Endura or such brands…leftovers from past reviews over the years. I would put the Danny Shanes in the top few I have used. I love the wide grippy section that keeps the legs from riding up yet does not constrict or bind. The straps are not too short for my height so the sizing works and the chamois is very good. No complaints there, and they have a nice look too with the company name on them on a contrasting panel. I have been in them for as long as 4 hours at a time and never been fidgety or unhappy. They sell for $209.00, where something like a Rapha Classic bib is 25 bucks more.
Worn together, it’s a nice look and a very functional one too.
A focus on sustainable and eco friendly fabrics that also function beautifully, a sense of style that is all his own, and cost that, while premium, is not preposterous. Danny Shane, here’s to you and your way of doing things. It’s a good one and it has been a pleasure to meet you at last.
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NOTE: Danny Shane sent over the jerseys and bibs to Riding Gravel at no charge for test and review. We were not paid nor bribed for this review and we strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
About The Author: Grannygear hails from SoCal and spent most of his cycling days as a mountain biker from the formative years of mountain biking all the way up to the present day. His day job is in the tech sector, but he has spent time writing about off road 4X4’s, 29″ mountain bikes, and cycling in general. Grannygear and Guitar Ted have worked off and on together since 2009 after a chance meeting at Interbike. With gravel cycling on the rise, Grannygear has been exploring how this genre’ works in SoCal and now does guest pieces for RidingGravel.com in his spare time.