With a name that embodies one of the world’s most desirable cycling locations, Australian cycling clothing brand Ventou represents some of the finest custom and off the peg cycling kit available. After cutting its teeth proving custom cycling kits for some of Australia’s most prominent corporate clients, brands, clubs and mass-start group events, Ventou has re-entered the retail direct cycling clothing market with Brooklyn Project.
In this article, we give you an overview of the Brooklyn Project range and a brief history of the brand behind it.
- Related Reading: Custom Cycling Clothing Buyer’s Guide
SHOP BROOKLYN PROJECT
Behind the Brand
With a history stretching back over 25 years, Ventou is a well-known and established innovator in not only the Australian cycling scene but the international industry as a whole. Established by Jack Libeson in 1995, Ventou has grown into the company it is today from humble roots. Jack, was a passionate cyclist in his native Russia, balancing an amateur cycling career with his job as a textile cutter. After emigrating to Australia with his family, Jack had turned his hand to making cycling shorts and chamois for a few of his mates. Word quickly spread about the quality of his wares and before too long Ventou was born in the mid-'90s.
Fast forward to the present day, and Ventou is still headed up by Jack and his son Vlad in Brooklyn, Victoria. With an eye on forward-thinking manufacturing techniques, including locally manufacturing the Brooklyn Project range, and incorporating fabrics produced from recycled ocean plastics and performance wools, watch this space for more exciting additions in the year to come.
Brooklyn Project
Born in the suburbs of Melbourne, not New York, the Brooklyn Project range represents the latest design venture into the mass production cycling kit market for Ventou. With a range that oozes simplistic style, classic colourways and functional fabrics, there’s sure to be a combination to suit every rider.
The high-quality design of the garments is all taken care of in-house at Ventou, with fabrics sourced exclusively from leading European suppliers and manufactured in Melbourne. Despite the emphasis on quality fabrics and design, Ventou has still managed to keep the price down, with the range significantly undercutting many of its competitors.
Better, faster and lighter, the Melbourne outfit offers the Brooklyn Project to suit both the male and female physique, with a range of colours and subtle designs to suit. The hero piece of the men's range is undoubtedly the cafe racer jersey. The jersey features a light, breathable, and ergonomic fit, Accelerate Plus Italian fabric and quality SBS lockdown zippers.
We had two team members test the Cafe Racer jersey over the last month, with both wearers applauding the jersey for its comfortable fit, shaped collar and efficient moisture wicking properties. The jersey pairs well with the Pro Bibshorts which feature a Pro Tour Italian chamois, soft micro mesh bib straps and compress tech lycra for a secure fit. Another highlight of the kit is the woven cycling socks, which are manufactured from odour resistant Coolmax fabric and are available in two different designs, a multitude of colourways.
The women's collection is headlined by the Pro jersey, which is available in a host of designs including Petals, Honeycomb, Dots, and Zebra. The Mulberry Pro jersey shown here features an elite jersey template at its heart with a subtle design that pairs well with the Women Pro Bibshorts.
The women’s Pro Bibshorts feature the same technology as found in the men’s, albeit with a female-specific fit. This includes the same contoured chamois technology, compress tech lycra, soft silicone leg grippers and tech comfort straps.
If the weather is changeable, the Brooklyn Project range also includes a host of winter gear including merino base layers, thermal long sleeve jackets, windproof arm warmers and soft shell capsule jackets for when things get particularly foul.
[eho]
So if you’re in the market a thoughtfully designed, high-quality cycling kit that won’t break the bank check out the full Brooklyn Project range right here, at BikeExchange.
Looking for more information on staying warm this winter? Our guide on How to Layer is loaded with all you need to know.