Hailing from just outside of Dallas, Texas, DannyShane are a young company dedicated to the design and production of cycling gear that does not compromise on performance, style, or environmental friendliness. First out of the gate for the company were a line of race-oriented jerseys made of 44-50% Bamboo White Ash, a moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and thermoregulating material- including the granite Lausanne jersey tested here.
We had the chance to talk to the folks from Interbike last year and were impressed by their determination not to use their “Eco Mission” compromise their products’ performance or aesthetics. In fact, while many will find their gear appealing for environmental reasons, DannyShane intend to make every piece competitive with other high-end product on performance grounds alone. After eight months in the Lausanne, it seems to me as though they’re well on their way. Hit ‘more‘ to find out why.
A striking jersey that features an outsized graphic of a Swiss Cross on the front and a racing stripe down the back, the granite-colored Lausanne is one of DannyShane’s more conservative- and to my eyes handsome- designs. The mid-weight ripstop fabric is a blend of the aforementioned Bamboo White Ash and a microfiber synthetic and is soft without being wither overly fuzzy or shiny. The locking YKK full-length zip is tucked away so as to be all but invisible and, with the pull flipped up, can be opened by pulling at adjacent fabric. The three back pockets are fairly standard, with bar tacks at their tops and good-sized elastic inserts to help them hold up habitual overpackers. A zippered “iPod/communications pocket” sits on top of the right pocket, but no provisions are made for headphone cables. Purchase of the jersey comes with membership to Club DannyShane, which boasts a number of unique benefits.
The fit on the Lausanne is unapologetically race-oriented. With my 15in neck and 140lb weight, DannyShane’s sizing chart would put me in a size small jersey. Despite that, my medium jersey leaves little room for modesty and is one of the closer-fitting jerseys that I own. Even riding one size larger than the company recommend, the Lausanne’s fit is impressive. Between the jersey’s cut and fabric’s stretch, the Lausanne never flaps at speed and items in the rear pockets stay put (no doubt helped by the silicone waist gripper). The snug arm openings are even flattering on my cyclist’s (read: small) biceps.
Modesty aside, the only real disadvantage to DannyShane’s close fit comes with warmer weather. 
Like most close-fitting jerseys, it’s hard to get air around between the skin and jersey on truly hot days, even with the front zip at levels not seen since Studio 54’s heyday. That said, the Bamboo White Ash fabric does a good job at pulling moisture away from the skin and the Lausanne is not any less comfortable that much lighter jerseys I own with similar fits. Though it’s a bit sacrilegious to get such a nice jersey dirty, I find that the Bamboo White Ash fabric does a good job at keeping me dry and the funk at bay, even under a big day pack, and it doesn’t seem as pill- or snag-prone as other high end fabrics.
A well-made jersey, the Lausanne is easily as worthy of its $109 price tag as much of its competition- even without an eco-premium factored in. Though I’ve been shifting to looser jerseys as temperatures head above 80 degrees, its look, fit, and construction have quickly made DannyShane’s first effort my fall and spring favorite. Mesh side or back panels would go a long way to extending its favored status into the summer.
marc
