B E N D E R's non sweary review site, roubaixcycling.cc (and general kit discussion)

the_rover

Evening.

I’m in the market for some bib shorts around the £80 price range.

I’m currently using some DHB Aerons and Endura FS260 ( I think that’s the model ) but I’ve seen Raphas core bibs at £85 direct from rapha which use the same pad as the classic range.

Anyone using these or anything else around this price?

Cheers Stuart.

Edit - I only get out for 4 hours at the most due to health issues and I plod along!

bendertherobot

At that price range I'd say try and find the older Assos S7, so Mille, Neo Pro. Still proven after all this time.

Core will be a good bet too, I think.

daniel_b

The Core shorts are fine, but I'm waiting for a pair of these to be delivered on Monday.

£60, and comes with the Progetto x2 pad, which may be the best pad I have ridden.

https://chpt3.com/collections/sale/products/defiant-shorts-1-16?variant=52717219396

the_rover

Thanks, Bender and Dan.

I've also emailed lusso to see if I can call in to try some of the carbon V2 as they are only 30 mins away.

Cheers.

daniel_b

I have never posted about socks before, but feel compelled to post about these Gripgrab ones.

They come in a HUGE range of colours, the reviews are glowing, and having bought 3 pairs (To get the 20% discount) realise why - they are sublime, and my favourite socks by some margin.

DO note the reviews that say they size up large, I am a UK 10, and medium fits me perfectly.

I went for the lengthy version, but a shorter one is available too.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gripgrab-lightweight-sl-socks/

Bonus points for anyone who guesses what colour I bought.

bendertherobot

VERY impressed with the Rapha Core shorts. Not quite as good as Assos S7 etc. But it's so marginal, and they are soooo much cheaper, especially in a bundle.

So, investing in the Cargo ones next.

ajkerr73

Daniel B wrote:

The Core shorts are fine, but I'm waiting for a pair of these to be delivered on Monday.

£60, and comes with the Progetto x2 pad, which may be the best pad I have ridden.

https://chpt3.com/collections/sale/products/defiant-shorts-1-16?variant=52717219396

I ordered these bit sent them back as they were much "Grey-er" than they looked on the website.

My mate also bought a pair. Top quality, if you are ok with looking like you've wet yourself.

joey54321

bendertherobot wrote:

VERY impressed with the Rapha Core shorts. Not quite as good as Assos S7 etc. But it's so marginal, and they are soooo much cheaper, especially in a bundle.

So, investing in the Cargo ones next.

Best bibs for under £100 do you think?

bendertherobot

I think so. Particularly in a bundle. So, the grinduro bundle is 135, the etape is 150.

daniel_b

For me, the La Passione Bib shorts are the best shorts under £100.

I have the Cores, but for my fit and posterior, the LP ones are superior.

Additionally the recently available Chpt3 shorts for £60 and £75 respectively, both with the Progetto X2 pad, are rather superb, if a little grey.

drhaggis

Daniel B wrote:

Additionally the recently available Chpt3 shorts for £60 and £75 respectively, both with the Progetto X2 pad, are rather superb, if a little grey.

The following is an honest question: what do you combine the £75 ones with?

I find the hue of grey on the blue side, and don't go well with the acid green pactimo jersey I have. I don't see these matching well with some of the shades of green you have purchased, but it may just be a case of stock photography just not aligning things right.

daniel_b

DrHaggis wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

Additionally the recently available Chpt3 shorts for £60 and £75 respectively, both with the Progetto X2 pad, are rather superb, if a little grey.

The following is an honest question: what do you combine the £75 ones with?

I find the hue of grey on the blue side, and don't go well with the acid green pactimo jersey I have. I don't see these matching well with some of the shades of green you have purchased, but it may just be a case of stock photography just not aligning things right.

I have a fair few black and yellow jerseys, and to my untrained eye, they seem to go fine, but I appreciate everyone has an opinion

bluemoon17

Daniel B wrote:

For me, the La Passione Bib shorts are the best shorts under £100.

I have the Cores, but for my fit and posterior, the LP ones are superior.

Additionally the recently available Chpt3 shorts for £60 and £75 respectively, both with the Progetto X2 pad, are rather superb, if a little grey.

I'd agree with this. I prefer my original LP classic bibs to my Core shorts. They are still my go to shorts after several years of use.

That being said, I did get some of the Team Wiggins Core Shorts which I prefer to the original Core Shorts. Material is a much darker black, better to look at and nicer to touch.

I'm very tempted to get some more LP shorts, but they have expanded their range in recent years and I'm not sure which ones I'd like best now!

daniel_b

Bluemoon17 wrote:

I'm very tempted to get some more LP shorts, but they have expanded their range in recent years and I'm not sure which ones I'd like best now!

Yep, same boat here!
Quite an array now, suspect I'd just go classic.

Jackofallgrades

bendertherobot wrote:

I think so. Particularly in a bundle. So, the grinduro bundle is 135, the etape is 150.

Following this I went and looked at the bundle section for the first time, some great deals there! Went for this as I’ve been looking for a good lightweight jersey for a trip abroad this summer, and the shorts themselves should be £195!! £100 saving, not bad. Shall report back.

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-tea ... BUN-H11918

joey54321

I had ordered the LP shorts before but returned them as I didn't feel the fit was right. I know it can be hard to tell as shorts do seem to change shape a little bit in the first few washes/wears.

daniel_b

joey54321 wrote:

I had ordered the LP shorts before but returned them as I didn't feel the fit was right. I know it can be hard to tell as shorts do seem to change shape a little bit in the first few washes/wears.

Which ones out of interest?

joey54321

Classic and Classic LX

daniel_b

joey54321 wrote:

Classic and Classic LX

Is the LX longer leg then?
That wasn't an option when I ordered, though I found the standard about right, as I refer long leg shorts, and have long legs.

Mine fitted straight out of the pack, and continue to do wash after wash, so I reckon you made the right decision.

I expect a lot of it is down to different body make up, and what suits me, does not suit you.

joey54321

Yup, they previously did a longer leg version. I just had a look and they dont seem to anymore.

I know there will always be a bit of variation between people and fits, but I do find buying bib shorts incredibly difficult for some reason. Not least because you have to guess how comfortable they'll be ~2hrs into a ride while wearing them in your bedroom.

step83

Just had a nose as I'm rather tempted by the cargo bibs after trying a cheaper Decathlon version. Looks like the etape bundles out of stock.

I don't mind the Grinduro colourway but the branding on the back of the bib annoys me, plus I don't have a gravel/adventrue/cx bike. Still debating as I wont see that branding.

daniel_b

joey54321 wrote:

Yup, they previously did a longer leg version. I just had a look and they dont seem to anymore.

I know there will always be a bit of variation between people and fits, but I do find buying bib shorts incredibly difficult for some reason. Not least because you have to guess how comfortable they'll be ~2hrs into a ride while wearing them in your bedroom.

Yes I know what you mean - it can be an expensive mistake, but there's no other way to do it really :?

Having said that, if you choose a desirable brand, it's easy enough to shift on, and if you get lucky in a sale, you may not even lose much money.

Have to say with the bundles, I have bought them before, especially when the 15% new user discount was working, chosen the shorts I wanted, and then chosen a jersey I thought would be a popular size and colour, and then flogged it on to make the shorts even cheaper.

Just ordered the pro team long sleeve thermal jersey - anyone got one, decent bit of kit?

daniel_b

Just noticed some of their bundles are not as good a deal as they first appear.

For example.

Pro Team Winter training bundle - £295 saving 20%.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-team-winter-training-bundle/product/BUN-H21815

However, these same items are individually in the archive store, and I think in the same sizes:
£147
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-team-winter-tights-with-pad-ii/product/PWT03XXNYESML
£112
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/pro-team-training-jacket/product/TRA02XXNYESML

Total: £259 - Saving more like 30% I estimate.

bendertherobot

Now, I've not tried the La Passione shorts so can't comment on whether they are better. But, wow, the Cargo are good. Better than the Core normal bibs. Just so useful. I ended up the ride having my Galaxy S10+ in my thigh pocket and it felt so natural having it there. They felt more premium than the other Core shorts too. Which is probably just my imagination.

letap73

Might as well get my two penneth in:

Red and White bibs - 20% off storewide - the bundle offer linked below is a bargain:

https://www.redwhite.cc/apps/bundles/bundle/11769

Sizing is close to ASSOS - In terms of quality not too disimilar to ASSOS/Rapha but much better value - especially if the pad suits you.

These shorts - admittedly I have never tried, however they have cargo pockets, decent reviews and seem very good value for money:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/nukeproof-blackline-bib-short/

joey54321

That does look like a bargain! Though I imagine, given the location, that returns could be expensive.

I've got some Rapha and some Isador bibs on the way, may another month i'll take a punt on some RedWhites as I have heard a lot of good things.

bendertherobot

The RedWhite's are amazing

FatTed

bendertherobot wrote:

The RedWhite's are amazing

The best bibshorts I have

joey54321

I got the Rapha Core bibshorts delivered yesterday, the M is a touch tight but I think they'll work and look and feel nice. Any sizing advice if I do go for some RedWhites in the future? 180cm, 76kg

letap73

Red and White bibs sizing is very similar to Rapha (and ASSOS).

For sale on Ebay in large:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Red-White-Th ... Sw9PNbllf5