Beyond the visuals of Colorado, the varied weather and riding conditions of the state inform Pactimo's clothing design, the company says - Courtesy
Having made a business in custom, Pactimo is expanding its in-line product, anchoring a location series around its home state of Colorado - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Developer Barb Hagner is constantly refining current Pactimo clothing, and examining what competitors are doing - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
David Newcomer used to run high-profile Colorado cycling events such as the Mt Evans Hillclimb - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Like many custom companies, Pactimo designs — and then prints — clothing in panels - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Here the final product is shown next to the final artwork - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The new Summit jersey features skinsuit-like sleeves and super light underarms using baselayer fabric - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Summit jersey and new Breckenridge W-XD vest - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
A closer look at the base layer fabric used under the Summit's arms - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Pactimo is also making running shirts and mountain bike jerseys - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
New designs being mocked up at Pactimo - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Yes, the work must be done - but there's always time to check out somebody's new bike, right? - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Pactimo's women's clothing has a few pricing levels - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
There isn't a drawing board per se at Pactimo, but ideas in execution, construction and pricing are constantly evolving - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Pactimo claims it has delivered more than a million pieces of cycling clothing since the company was founded in 2003 - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
As is the trend, Pactimo has hi-vis options for 2014/2015 - Courtesy
A small Colorado flag tag is stitched into every Pactimo item, a little reminder of the brand's home base. Since 2003, the brand has cranked out more than a million pieces of clothing — mostly custom — for customers around the world from its wholly owned factory in China. But the varied and beautiful terrain of the Rocky Mountain state is something Pactimo markets as part of its identity.
"We do most of our testing here in Colorado, both with staff riders and pros like Alison Powers," said Pactimo spokesman Joshua Cook. "We have such a dynamic and wide range of temperatures and conditions here, from blazing-hot summers to getting snowed and hailed on at 10,000 feet (3,000m). If the clothing works well here, we are confident it will work well anywhere."
Pactimo's main office is just outside Denver, Colorado, and about 18 people work for the company, which ships across the US, the UK and in Germany.
The summit jersey and new breckenridge w-xd vest: - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Pactimo prides itself on keeping its clothing prices relatively accessible
While a few companies, such as Rapha and Assos, continue to outdo each other for the most expensive clothing pieces, Pactimo takes another tack: "approachable" is how Cook described the pricing.
"Our customers are doing two or three rides a week. We know a lot of folks are having families, which puts a little pinch on the pocketbook. We want to bring quality clothing down to an attainable price," Cook said.
While custom clothes for clubs and teams are Pactimo's core business — the company claims a five-week turnaround on custom delivery — Pactimo is also branching out into stock clothing featuring the graphics of artists, and jerseys with US state themes. The Colorado Topo jersey launched this summer, and nearly sold out the first day, Cook said. "This is probably our identifying piece. It is so core to who we are, as the topography more than anything identifies who we are as a state."
Pactimo is also making running shirts and mountain bike jerseys: - Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
