Bib shorts

BigG67

I'm settled on one of 3 bib shorts and wondered if anyone has any experience of them - Craft Elite Attack £100, Castelli Velocissimo around £90 or the ever popular Assos FI Uno S5 at £120.

None are "perfect" but what is. I like my Craft jerseys and base layers but there's little in the way of reviews around, and think the Castelli's look great but get some mixed reviews about the pad and spending £120 on shorts, even Assos seems tough to justify.

Cheers

cjw

After initially thinking the same as you regarding high end clothing - and buying DHB and similar. I've realised that good quality clothing increases the enjoyment of cycling as much (if not more) than the bike.

Now I have virtually the full wardrobe of Assos clothes (their bib shorts are absolutely fantastic) and never wear the cheaper stuff at all.

Many will shortly post saying it is crazy to pay so much and can't be worth it and they are happy with the Aldi kit etc.... But do yourself a favour and try the Assos shorts for yourself

nicensleazy

When its comes to bib shorts, I always choose Assos! The Castelli 'KISS' pad is crap! You get whay you pay for and Assos bibs are still the best out there!

meanredspider

I'm relatively new to this but tried various shorts & tights (DHB, Bontrager, Endura, Assos) and the saying "Buy cheap - Buy twice" applies as much in this area as any other. Assos all the way.

What I hadn't figured on when I started some "serious" biking was that the gear was going to cost me every bit as much as the bike itself. Getting the Butt-to-Bike interface right has to be one of the most important bits.

hopper1

Assos....

bendertherobot

Nice pair of Uno's in the classified section *cough*

moonshine

my girlfriend bought me a pair of Assos F1 Uno's for my birthday....

Good Girl!!!

verloren

I believe Ribble have something of a sale going on for Assos at the moment - might be worth a look...

Velonutter

hopper1 wrote:

Assos....

+1

guilliano

Gore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore!!!!

Failing that buy the 2nd best and go for Assos

iain_j

I've given DHB top marks this winter for their longs... how do their shorts rate?

cjw

guilliano wrote:

Gore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore Gore!!!!

Failing that buy the 2nd best and go for Assos

Ah yes... I have a pair of Gore shorts too... only use them on the turbo trainer as they are useless on a 5 hour ride - basically a pad of foam! Which Assos ones don't you use in favour of the gores?

cjw

iain_j wrote:

I've given DHB top marks this winter for their longs... how do their shorts rate?

Iv'e a pair of their second most expensive ones (finchdean at about £65) and tbh they're not too bad - but not a patch on the Assos.

Rich K47

I've just returned a pair of DHB Finchdean bibs and been given my money back. A terrible pair of shorts with a pad that left me with cuts and abrasions to the inside of my legs and arse where it rubbed. I've been riding long distances for years with numerous brands of shorts and, while some have been better then others, I've never previously been wounded by a pair of shorts! To be clear it's not where you're in contact with the saddle but the very edges of the pad. I was pretty unimpressed by the general fit and shape of the pad from when I got them but the damage was pretty shocking. I'd never touch DHB again.

ajb72

Another vote for the Uno's from me. I found the pad a more comfortable fit than the more generous cut of the Assos Mille, and having just completed my first sportive this weekend I can confirm my harris is the only thing not aching!!

The cost is high, but it is relative for the quality of the garment and the comfort on the bike.

bigpikle

Rich K47 wrote:

I've just returned a pair of DHB Finchdean bibs and been given my money back. A terrible pair of shorts with a pad that left me with cuts and abrasions to the inside of my legs and ars* where it rubbed. I've been riding long distances for years with numerous brands of shorts and, while some have been better then others, I've never previously been wounded by a pair of shorts! To be clear it's not where you're in contact with the saddle but the very edges of the pad. I was pretty unimpressed by the general fit and shape of the pad from when I got them but the damage was pretty shocking. I'd never touch DHB again.

I got the Merston bibtights for winter and found the edges of the pad uncomfortable on those - nothing as severe as your experience but >1hr got very uncomfortable!

Rich K47

That's interesting that you've had a similar problem, I couldn't see that it was just a one off thing as I'm a pretty normal shape! The first few rides I did in them were 3 or 4 hours which left me sore, it was 3 hours in the rain that actually cut me up. Even my battered old Nike shorts are better. The only good thing about the experience was the speed and efficiency of Wiggle's customer service.

bigpikle

I was disappointed in several ways with the Merstons, but keep being told I'm the only one

Assos bibtights were light years ahead and I also have a pair of F1 Mille bibshorts on their way as well.

brin

Don't be fooled by the 'just as good as a more expensive brand' claims, they are not,when i 1st started cycling 3 years ago i bought my fair share of cheap stuff,which basically was just that - CHEAP.
my personal preference is Gore, had no problems at all with them, comfortable, look good, and good quality pads, obviously everyone has their own favourites and opinions, but anything you pay serious money for should last you a long time, it's well worth the initial outlay.
The same can be said for shoes and gloves, remember there are 3 contact points while you are on your bike, you need to be comfortable with all 3 of them - esp on long rides.

BigG67

Good God folks...get of the fence and say whether the Assos are good or not

So an resounding vote for the Unos...a quick follow up question.

I fancy something different that black, black, black...are the white ones OK or will I end up on the sex offenders register?

Humph

Just had first ride out on my authentic Sportful Italian team 2006 bibshorts from Prendas - only 20 miles but fitted great and v comfortable while riding.

FOAD

I started off on a pair of DHB Earnley's, cheap as chip but I still find them comfortable a year on.

I then rode Merstons thorugh this winter down to minus 12 on my commute every day and they are still in great nick now and very comfy (same pad as the Earnley's).

For the money, brill, but will deffo be buying something more exotic for summer and winter non-commuting use, but I wll stick with Merstons for next winter because for £30, getting salty shite all over them gives no worries at all. I certainly wouldn't want to ride at 5.30am, 5 days a week all winter in a pair of Assos bib tights, I would cry at the damage.

meanredspider

I'm certainly happy with my DHB Merstons for my 1 hour ride to work - couldn't comment beyond that. Assos stuff is much nicer made though - very happy with my shorts.

iain_j

I've ridden in DHB Merstons all winter, very cold days and very mild days, some 10 hour days, and I'm more than happy with them, especially the pad. May give the Earnleys a try if they've got the same pad.

iain_j

Actually, just read the bikeradar review of Earnley shorts. Maybe not :?

bristolpete

Just bought a pair of Castelli Cervelo team training bibs, will report once worn.

bendertherobot

Just got some Castelli Free Aero. Pad seems amazing.

As far as comfort on is concerned they are awesome. Like wearing some gossamer spun virgin. So smooth, like silk.

If the pad is any good (it's the one after all) Progetto X2, then they look like Assos competitors for sure!

Squaggles

The DHB shorts are very strange , didn't like them at all won't buy again . Never found anything to beat Assos yet . I thought it was all hype as well until I tried them . Cheap shorts are a false economy .

cabbage1875

I have just ordered Santini SP1120 Max Primo 3/4 bibs. Does any one have any reviews on these? cheers

Got them for £50 from £70

ThreeLionsBrian

Whats the UNO sizing like, I am a rather obese 5 10 90KGS ? with large mid section. i am just worried that the leg will be too long if i buy xlg .

ThreeLionsBrian

Everybody says how good they are, but nobody has any idea on sizing or fit ?