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£100 to Spend on Bib Shorts: Suggestions?

TheHappyClownTheHappyClown Posts: 51
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Hello,

I'm after a pair of lycra bib-shorts and have about £100 to spend, maximum. I've had a good look at the DBH ones on Wiggle (Knowle and Finchdean) and also been eyeing the Assos F1 Uno S5 shorts which are available for £95 from Ribble. Any thoughts on these? Are the Assos's worth the extra money? Are there any other shorts I should consider?

Posts

  • guillianoguilliano Posts: 5,495
    I'd recommend my Gore Xenon shorts to anyone..... extremely comfortable and look as good as lycra can on me
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • skyd0gskyd0g Posts: 2,540
    A fair amount may depend on yor physique.
    If you're slim, I'd particularly recommend the Santini range from Prendas Ciclismo http://www.prendas.co.uk/default.asp - The Italian brands generally are slimmer-fitting than UK & American brands. :wink:
    Cycling weakly
  • AnonymousAnonymous Posts: 79,692
    Assos.

    You know it makes sense.
  • rjh299rjh299 Posts: 721
    Love my Gore ones. Brother goes for Assos. Don't think you can go far wrong with either. Think Assos are cut higher up the leg which is why I went with Gore in the end, glad I did.
  • jermasjermas Posts: 484
    Sugoi RS Flex Bib Shorts. V Comfy on long rides. Pad is thick so not to everyone's taste.
  • adydowadydow Posts: 92
    Assos Best £106 I spent. Although I have a pair of 3/4 Gore ones aqnd they are very good to.
    Of course its about the bike! Although having the legs helps.
  • a_n_ta_n_t Posts: 2,011
    a.s.s.o.s.

    I spelt it out for you :wink:
    Manchester wheelers

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    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • PuzzlerPuzzler Posts: 73
    Always been an Assos man, great bibshorts.
    But recently bought a pair of Skins bibshorts and must say they are the best I've ever bought.
    Really fit me well, are super comfortable and the chamois is as good as they come. Bit expensive, but generally you get what you pay for.
  • frenchfighterfrenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    My advice would be to buy two for £50 each.

    As a random aside, I have never been overtaken by someone in Assos or Rapha gear but have overtaken them in droves.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • TheHappyClownTheHappyClown Posts: 51
    Assos seem popular then :P I might have to push the boat out and go for them I think, thanks for all the advice.

    Frenchfighter, I know what you mean! I've only just started road biking, but have been mountain biking for years. My Focus hardtail has full XTR, Fox forks etc, so basically looks the works and I have the kit to match it. After getting pretty unfit after a couple of months travelling last year there was something truely shamefull about getting passed on a climb by someone riding something a quarter of the price and wearing track suit bottoms! :oops: I think (!) I'm pretty fit at the moment so I think it can just about justify some expensive kit!
  • nferrarnferrar Posts: 2,511
    The last bibs I bought were Assos Unos and pretty impressed with them (although I've happily pay £10-15 pound less and not have all the fancy packaging :p ). I don't think they're perfect though so think next ones I buy will be DHB Knowle then maybe try some Mavic or Rapha.
  • bristolpetebristolpete Posts: 2,255
    I got a set of Altura bibs from cycle surgery and superb - very comfy and decent gel/padding for the longer rides.
  • pianomanpianoman Posts: 706
    Giordana Body Clone.

    You know it makes EVEN MORE sense :wink:
  • sturmeysturmey Posts: 964
    As a random aside, I have never been overtaken by someone in Assos or Rapha gear but have overtaken them in droves.

    What's that got to do with the price of fish?

    Nobody ever said expensive shorts made you a faster rider.
  • TheHappyClownTheHappyClown Posts: 51
    Anyone have any experience with these?:

    http://www.cyclesurgery.com/1028205/Mav ... Short.html

    Nice little saving there, and I've heard mostly good stuff about Mavic clothing, but can't find anything specific feedback on these.
  • huuregeilhuuregeil Posts: 780
    sturmey wrote:
    As a random aside, I have never been overtaken by someone in Assos or Rapha gear but have overtaken them in droves.

    What's that got to do with the price of fish?

    Nobody ever said expensive shorts made you a faster rider.

    No, but faster riders tend to be those who've spent more time on the road. Those who've spent more time on the road have gone through more pairs of shorts. Those who have gone through more pairs of shorts soon work out that dropping £100 plus on shorts soon leaves them without any cash. Those who've worked out the financial impact of their short choice, soon manage to find the "sweet spot" in terms of performance/value.

    FWIW, I love my Giordana Body Clones, they're always the first out of the drawer when I'm going for a long ride. I've also heard good things about Santini twistgel, plus my Nalini tights have a very nice pad too. All of these can be had for under £100.
  • geoff93geoff93 Posts: 190
    I find SKINS to be very good, I love them anyway. They're a little more expensive though, at £130. You could probably find them a little cheaper if you bought them online.
    Trek Madone 3.5 (RS80s, Arione)
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  • a_n_ta_n_t Posts: 2,011
    frenchfighter wrote:

    As a random aside, I have never been overtaken by someone in Assos or Rapha gear but have overtaken them in droves.

    What has fitness got to do with comfort?
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • mikeqmikeq Posts: 141
    huuregeil wrote:
    sturmey wrote:
    As a random aside, I have never been overtaken by someone in Assos or Rapha gear but have overtaken them in droves.

    What's that got to do with the price of fish?

    Nobody ever said expensive shorts made you a faster rider.

    No, but faster riders tend to be those who've spent more time on the road. Those who've spent more time on the road have gone through more pairs of shorts. Those who have gone through more pairs of shorts soon work out that dropping £100 plus on shorts soon leaves them without any cash. Those who've worked out the financial impact of their short choice, soon manage to find the "sweet spot" in terms of performance/value.

    FWIW, I love my Giordana Body Clones, they're always the first out of the drawer when I'm going for a long ride. I've also heard good things about Santini twistgel, plus my Nalini tights have a very nice pad too. All of these can be had for under £100.

    Or... because assoss seem very popular, therefore more people wearing them, therefore when passing other cyclists the chance of them wearing assos is higher. Is this too simplistic a view
    Cycling from Glasgow to Paris to raise funds for Asthma UK

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  • softladsoftlad Posts: 3,587
    for £100 I would buy two pairs of Lusso pro-gel bibs...
  • neebneeb Posts: 4,383
    I've been getting on very well with the new Campagnolo C550 Raytech shorts - they have a new pad for 2009 which is a vast improvement on the previous one (which used air pockets that always eventually deflated..) the fit is excellent (for me at least), and they are very comfortable. Not too bad value given the quality, at £80 or less. Just don't pay any attention to the fitting guide on the campy website - I have a 28" waist and M fits me perfectly, but according to the chart M is for 34.5 - 36" waists!!!
  • sturmeysturmey Posts: 964
    I have tried six pairs of different bibshorts in the past 12 months and the one which were the most comfortable on the bike were Assos Unos. Yes,they are expensive and the chamois takes ages to dry out after washing but they are kind to my butt-cheeks so I'm sticking with them.
    I had a pair of Lusso Pro gel but I didn't like the fit. The pad did look good but I wondered how it would feel on a long ride.
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