Good, honest cheap, comfortable shorts....Which?

weepiglet

Ok, for us lesser mortals who don't have money to burn (due to wife, kids, cars, mobile phones, Sky, rates, mortgage, bills, food, etc) can someone recommend a pair of decent shorts or bibs that are comfortable, washable and fall into the "yes my wife allows me to get these" catagory? :oops:

I'm starting to increase my mileage now and have gone from 15 miles 4 weeks ago to 30 now and have signed up for a 80 miler in June and a 100 miler in August so will be out lots more but this has nothing to do with avoiding wife and kids

I have been looking at Endura and also Altura stuff but after this I get lost! Do I go for 6 panel, 8 panel, ProGel, etc, etc!! :roll:

cougie

I like the DHB 3/4 shorts - I presume their normal shorts are as good, and pretty cheap, but not as cheap as they used to be !

STEFANOS4784

I have some DHB Merston bib tights, they are ok but i find they restrict movement round my knees. This wouldn't be a problem with shorts though and other than that, very minor complaint, (oh yes and the fact i had to sew a couple of seams when they started splitting after just a few hundred miles).......... Hang on a sec, thinking of it that's terrible. Try explaining how, in the long run, you're saving by buying Assos

STEFANOS4784

P.s as far as cheap goes i'd suggest these:

http://www.totalfitnessbath.co.uk/catal ... -14-3.html

And then, when they prove to be no good it might be easier to persuade 'er in doors

.......That is unless there great in which case let us know :roll: 8)

giant_man

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

I have some DHB Merston bib tights, they are ok but i find they restrict movement round my knees. This wouldn't be a problem with shorts though and other than that, very minor complaint, (oh yes and the fact i had to sew a couple of seams when they started splitting after just a few hundred miles).......... Hang on a sec, thinking of it that's terrible. Try explaining how, in the long run, you're saving by buying Assos

Of course you're saving by buying Assos. it's just false economy really buying cheap and getting cheap. They won't last and you won't be happy. Which means your experience of cycling isn't as good as it could have been.

Anonymous

I've probably wasted 200 quid on duff cheaper shorts.

scruffyduncan

I bought some from Condor cycles in London , their own brand in a bucket at the front of the shop, for about £20. They aren't exactly Assos quality, but they beat a lot of £50-£60 shorts I've had.

sportbilly1976

I currently have some Trek bib shorts from Evans - I think they were £25 and are really comfy....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... gn=froogle

cougie

Lots of pro teams clad their riders in non assos shorts. If Assos was the be all and end all of comfort - I'd be amazed if they didnt ensure they were bought for the team.

Assos are nice kit yeah - but way overpriced and for my bum - no comfier than any other shorts I've had.

STEFANOS4784

I was wandering about this 'comfort' thing. When i went out in my shorts(super cheapo regular plain shorts) for the 1st time after winter it felt like i was wearing nothing at all :shock: much better 8)

However i have never owned Assos or any other up-market shorts so not really in a position to say...............

Anonymous

cougie wrote:

Lots of pro teams clad their riders in non assos shorts. If Assos was the be all and end all of comfort - I'd be amazed if they didnt ensure they were bought for the team.

Assos are nice kit yeah - but way overpriced and for my bum - no comfier than any other shorts I've had.

That's due to sponsorship as much as anything else...

chriskempton

Giordana Silverline bib shorts (or non-bib if that's your preference) for about £35 are great - they have an excellent insert.

mrushton

NapoleonD wrote:

cougie wrote:

Lots of pro teams clad their riders in non assos shorts. If Assos was the be all and end all of comfort - I'd be amazed if they didnt ensure they were bought for the team.

Assos are nice kit yeah - but way overpriced and for my bum - no comfier than any other shorts I've had.

That's due to sponsorship as much as anything else...

Assos don't sponsor anyone except the Swiss BMC team and cancellara when in Swiss colours.

OP. have a look at PBK and see if there are any reductions. prendas always seem to be good vfm

nferrar

Depends what your budget is but I'd go for one of the more expensive models in the DHB range. IME Altura shorts aren't very well cut and Endura stuff is of variable quality (I don't have any of their bib shorts though). I tend to buy Specialized bibs atm which are mid-range I guess but may be over your budget.

markos1963

Got a pair of DHB Earnley's and have found them to be fine for a £35 bib short. Have done a 100 miler in them with no problems.

cougie

mrushton wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

cougie wrote:

Lots of pro teams clad their riders in non assos shorts. If Assos was the be all and end all of comfort - I'd be amazed if they didnt ensure they were bought for the team.

Assos are nice kit yeah - but way overpriced and for my bum - no comfier than any other shorts I've had.

That's due to sponsorship as much as anything else...

Assos don't sponsor anyone except the Swiss BMC team and cancellara when in Swiss colours.

True - but if Pro teams were sure of the benefits - they'd pay for the shorts ? Is it Columbia that hasnt got a wheel sponsor as they want the best wheel for the particular race and buy the ones that suiit ? Could be Riis and Saxo Bank tho...

weepiglet

nferrar wrote:

IME Altura shorts aren't very well cut and Endura stuff is of variable quality (I don't have any of their bib shorts though).

Interesting although if anyone has experience of Altura or Endura I would like to hear reviews as the local LBS's around me seem to only stock these. If I want to go for DHB's, or anything else then t'internet is the way forward and I'm not really a fan as I would rather try them on but suppose I can return if needs be!

There is one shop that does Assos but as mentioned, the wife would go through me!! :?

Droops

I recently got some Altura ProGel bibs. Only worn them on one 50 mile ride, plus a couple of turbo sessions so far, but they seem pretty good. Certainly can't fault the cut as they fit very nicely and, importantly, feel like they fit nicely.

weepiglet

Cheers Droops, this is what I was looking for as these are the shorts/bibs that I was looking at and the ones that get lots of advertising locally in the shops. For £40 I might risk these as the progel pad seems good.

Droops wrote:

I recently got some Altura ProGel bibs. Only worn them on one 50 mile ride, plus a couple of turbo sessions so far, but they seem pretty good. Certainly can't fault the cut as they fit very nicely and, importantly, feel like they fit nicely.

gbs

weepiglet wrote:

For £40 I might risk these as the progel pad seems good.

Droops wrote:

I Just what I would say about LUSSO - British made - available on the web or some LBSs

gbs

weepiglet wrote:

For £40 I might risk these as the progel pad seems good.

Just what I would say about LUSSO - British made - available on the web or some LBSs

guilliano

I've never worn anything but Endura and have always been comfy on my bikes. The FS260 bibs at £55 are very good and the 10 panel construction is snug without being too tight

FSR_XC

DHB or Lusso.

I have DHB bib tights and Lusso shorts. Lusso are better made & the pad is probably a little thicker. Both are comfy (for me - shorts can be quite personal).

btw, Lusso customer service is excellent too.

Mattinthezie

It's worth looking around lbs sales too. I picked up a pair of Northwave bibshorts for £25 that are very comfy.

Toptube531

I have 4 pairs of Lusso bibs(2 with pro-x pad,2 with pro-gel pad).Owned for 3 years and still good as new.The pad is very comfy.

croggy

+1 for Lusso.Great value at £35-40.Great pad,super comfy.

cswebbo

For price definately LUSSO.
Mid range- SANTINI
Quality/Long lasting and Comfort- ASSOS

You get what you pay for most of the time. All 3 of the above brands i use throughout the year depending on type of ride i'm doing.