Which shorts to upgrade to after Castelli Free Aero Race?

prhymeate

I have a pair of Castelli Free Aero Race shorts that I've worn for the last year or so, they are really good but I have lost weight since buying them and they ride up my leg quite a bit now. I'm 6'3 and they're XL.
I'm tempted to try some Assos equipe s7 shorts after hearing so many glowing reviews. I'm not so sure about the compression though, I'm after comfort on long rides more than anything. Ideally I'd like to buy the Cento shorts but they are way more than I'm prepared to spend (£150).

Does anyone have experience upgrading from the Progetto X2 and feel like offering suggestions?

Thanks

arlowood

Not sure what your budget is but you can get the Assos F1 Mille_S5 bibs from the outlet shop for £127.49. The F1 Mille pad is designed for long ride comfort so should suit your needs.

http://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/t-fi-mille-s5-regularleg-black.html

prhymeate

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19626466#p19626466]arlowood[/url] wrote:

Not sure what your budget is but you can get the Assos F1 Mille_S5 bibs from the outlet shop for £127.49. The F1 Mille pad is designed for long ride comfort so should suit your needs.

http://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/t-fi-mille-s5-regularleg-black.html

Thanks for the link, I hadn't really looked back to the previous s5 assos shorts. I'm thinking £150 max, so could just about stretch to the S7 equipe. I guess it's a case of trying to figure out if higher end shorts with the s5 chamois are better than the comparatively lower end shorts with the s7.

Anonymous

Get the same but a size down, or possibly bodypaint?

20% off at PBK at the moment (see bargains thread in commuting chat for the code)

prhymeate

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19626507#p19626507]coriordan[/url] wrote:

Get the same but a size down, or possibly bodypaint?

20% off at PBK at the moment (see bargains thread in commuting chat for the code)

That's a pretty good deal, thanks for the heads up on the code. I guess I'm narrowing it down to the following three. Half of me thinks go with the Castelli's as I'm already quite happy with mine, but the other half is tempted to try something new and go for a pair of Assos.

Castelli Bodypaint 2.0 £140
Assos T Fi.Mille_s5 £127
Assos T.equipe_s7 £157

hegyestomi

I only have older models of Assos shorts but the pads are thicker than in my Castelli.
I prefer the thicker pads of the Assos and don't find that Castellis very comfortable as the pad moves too much for my liking.
If you liked the Cast then the thick pads of Assos may not suit best: although you probably need to try it yourself.

brettjmcc

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19626531#p19626531]Prhymeate[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19626507#p19626507]coriordan[/url] wrote:

Get the same but a size down, or possibly bodypaint?

20% off at PBK at the moment (see bargains thread in commuting chat for the code)

That's a pretty good deal, thanks for the heads up on the code. I guess I'm narrowing it down to the following three. Half of me thinks go with the Castelli's as I'm already quite happy with mine, but the other half is tempted to try something new and go for a pair of Assos.

Castelli Bodypaint 2.0 £140
Assos T Fi.Mille_s5 £127
Assos T.equipe_s7 £157

I got some of the Bodypaint for the first time after having about 5 pairs of FRAs. I am now searching for deals for more of them, I am preferring to wash them than wear the FRAs. I find the Castelli pad works for me, but I also admit I haven't tried Assos or Rahpa that people go on about.

As you're XL, I suggest you type 'Castelli Bodypaint' into Fleabay; just did it and there may be a few things of interest for you (not my size, boo)

Thanks for the heads up on the code

FatTed

Maybe this review will help you decide
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2012/10/assos-capo-castelli-and-rapha-bibshorts-review/

prhymeate

Thanks again for the replies. I'll be honest, I can't seem to get away from wanting to try some Assos shorts... I've decided I'd rather save my money than buy the Castelli Body Paints, as the ones I have are just about ok for now considering they'll have the same chamois.

I'm trying to decide between the Assos T Fi.Mille_s5 (£127) and Assos T.equipe_s7 (£157) now. I'd be interested to hear from anyone if they have worn both.

napoleond

The S7 Equipe are really quite splendid.
I have the Castelli, pretty damn good but the Assos are a step up.

bernithebiker

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19628290#p19628290]NapoleonD[/url] wrote:

The S7 Equipe are really quite splendid.
I have the Castelli, pretty damn good but the Assos are a step up.

Horses for courses, I have S7 Equipes and Castelli Free Aero and Body Paint, and I prefer the Castellis.

The Assos just feel too bulky for my liking.

robbo2011

In my experience, the S7 Equipes are more comfortable than the Mille pad on long rides. I find the mille pad a bit bulky. I'd spend the extra money and get the Equipes.

prhymeate

Thanks again for the replies. After reading a few other opinions online and the reviews on Wiggle it seems like quite a few people prefer the equipes over the mille's. There are a few comments about scratchy straps in the s7's though...
I just got wiggle to pricematch them down to £133 so I think I'm going to click buy in the next 24 hours.

frogdr1ver

Ive been using the Assos s7's and no issued with itchy straps. You can get them cheaper here http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Assos/T-equipe-s7-Bib-Short/2XNL?wmp=189 and if you sign up to their newsletter you get 10% off your first order. I got my second pair from them earlier in the week no problems.

prhymeate

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19629655#p19629655]frogdr1ver[/url] wrote:

Ive been using the Assos s7's and no issued with itchy straps. You can get them cheaper here http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Assos/T-equipe-s7-Bib-Short/2XNL?wmp=189 and if you sign up to their newsletter you get 10% off your first order. I got my second pair from them earlier in the week no problems.

wow, thanks. Surely I can't go wrong at £117

daniel_b

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19629677#p19629677]Prhymeate[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19629655#p19629655]frogdr1ver[/url] wrote:

Ive been using the Assos s7's and no issued with itchy straps. You can get them cheaper here http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Assos/T-equipe-s7-Bib-Short/2XNL?wmp=189 and if you sign up to their newsletter you get 10% off your first order. I got my second pair from them earlier in the week no problems.

wow, thanks. Surely I can't go wrong at £117

Only if the pad or cut do not agree with you, which is what happened when I ordered the same two Assos shorts.

I now wear Etxeondo Orhi and La Passione classic summer bibs, the lp ones being my go to shorts for longer 70-100 mile rides.

indyp

I have a pair of Castelli Body Paint 2.0 bib shorts in classifieds if any interest, also the Assos neopro s_7, both size XL.

prhymeate

For what it's worth, they arrived today. Took them for a quick 20mile spin so can't really comment extensively. They feel great though, much less vibration coming through the saddle, having your junk out front is so much more comfortable than pushed to one side. They feel really smooth to wear too. I think the chamois coming higher up the sides helps as well, I can't feel it high in my groin like I can in the Castellis, although that might be because they are slightly too big and crease easier. I look forward to a longer ride soon. That said, it is impressive how good the Progetto X2 is given how thin it is in comparison.