Spanish Fly: Etxeondo
September 15, 2014 – We hadn’t heard of this brand until recently, so actually pronouncing the name correctly was out of the question. The little black and white logo was vaguely familiar though and for good reason. Etxeondo may be new in the US, but they have been making clothing…
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September 15, 2014 – We hadn’t heard of this brand until recently, so actually pronouncing the name correctly was out of the question. The little black and white logo was vaguely familiar though and for good reason. Etxeondo may be new in the US, but they have been making clothing in the Basque region of Spain for more than 30years and that clothing has been worn by legends of the sport on the most important podiums – Indurain, Jalabert, Kelly, Contador and more.
Ben Edwards
From Etxeondo’s line of detailed and beautifully finished clothing, we’ve been riding in the Trier TX short sleeve jersey and the Orhi Bib Short, two garments designed for performance riders in hot climates. The stand out feature of the Trier TX is fit and it comes thanks to construction from panels unlike any we have seen before. Using computer-modeling and endless testing of prototypes Etxeondo’s panels hug the body in an aggressive position with a second skin feel across the arms and torso. They even forgo a hot weather staple, the full zip, to ensure the jersey fits perfectly at the belly, and it does, better than any other we have worn. But riders with a penchant for climbing unzipped will miss the full zip.
The fabric Etxeondo uses is called Microsystem 1.2, designed to pull moisture from the body for quick evaporation. The finish of the jersey is sublime, from the low collar to the logo elastic at the rear and the comfortable armbands. The rear pockets aren’t big, but they do hold your cargo securely thanks to the jersey’s great fit and a fourth pocket is zippered for a phone or credit card. The fit, and this is true of both jersey and bibs, is very snug and very small. Riders used to US sizes will need to go up at least one, or maybe two sizes. Etxeondo is smaller than even traditional Italian race fit.
The Orhi Bib Short is made from Lycra Sport Energy fabric, which provides compression without feeling like a medical garment. The Orhi is still soft and supple against the body with the same attention to detail and unique paneling as the Trier TX jersey. The bib straps are made from a single piece of fabric with no hem or seams and a gusset at the back to help keep them comfortably in place. Like the Trier TX jersey, the Orhi bibs have subtle reflective details.
Etxeondo makes the clothing for Giant-Shimano and the Orhi’s chamois, the Urraki, is the same one the pro team uses. It has the thickness of a performance chamois, with surprising comfort over long miles. It also happens to be named after a climb favored by the employees of Exteondo during their lunch ride. It is a fitting name for a company clearly enamored with cycling and putting in the miles to ensure the clothing they develop is of the highest standard.
Trier TX Jersey Price $162
SIZES: S-XXXL
COLOR: Black -White / Black-Red / Black-Blue / Black-Fluor / Red-Black / White-BlackOrhi Bibs Price: $203
SIZES: S-XXXL
COLOR: Black-Blue / Black-White / Black-Fluor / Black-RedMore: etxeondo.com