More Than a Jersey: The Story Behind Ardei, a Woman-Owned Cycling Brand
More Than a Jersey: The Story Behind Ardei, a Woman-Owned Cycling Brand
Before Ardei was a brand, it was a sketchbook full of rough ideas and a big question: Why does everything in cycling look the same?
Safe color palettes. Predictable fits. Logos that shout but stories that say nothing. As a rider, I couldn’t find anything that felt like me on the road. As a woman, I felt like most brands weren’t really thinking about riders like me — women and men who wanted kits that performed well and actually felt like their own style
So I stopped looking and started building.
Built From the Saddle Up
Ardei started as a side project between early morning rides and late-night Pinterest boards. I didn’t have a design degree or VC funding. I had a bike, a notebook, and a growing need to make something that felt unapologetically different.
At Ardei, we asked the questions no one else seemed to be asking: Why pay $200+ for a plain jersey? Why should men get more options than women? Cycling deserves apparel that performs, fits, and inspires — without compromise. We design kits that move with you, flatter every rider, and bring bold personality to the road or trail. Because feeling like you belong in this space isn’t just for some — it’s for all of us.
A Small Business That Doesn’t Play Small
Ardei is proudly woman-owned and rider-run. Every piece is designed in Colorado, made in small batches, and tested by real cyclists on real roads. We’re not cranking out collections for the sake of trend cycles.
We focus on the things that matter on the road — making sure pockets can hold your phone and snacks without bouncing, making sure jerseys breathe in the heat, and making sure you actually want to wear them on repeat.
No big team. No outside investors. Just a few of us trying to build something better — something that makes you feel bold the second you zip it up.
Not Just Woman-Owned. Women-Empowered.
There’s power in being overlooked. It gives you permission to flip the table. Ardei is rooted in that spirit.
We make jerseys for riders who don’t want to blend in. Who want gear that keeps up with their watts and their energy. Who want something that doesn’t just perform, but says something.
The goal was never just to make a jersey. It was to make a space. One that feels different because it is different. One where the starting point isn’t, “What’s trending?” but “What haven’t we seen yet?”
Ride Different. Ride Bold.
This is still a small business. Still woman-owned. Still figuring it out. But that’s what makes it special.
If you’re the kind of rider who wants to feel good, look good, and ride your own way—you’re already one of us.