Assos Mille - anything better

shooter999

Hi everyone

I'm doing a charity ride in September whereby I'll be riding 350 miles in 3 days, a very big challenge for me.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've done a couple of 100 mile rides and after both rides my arse has been extremely tender.

I've been wearing a pair of specialised bib shorts, which have been fine on rides up to 70 miles.

I've done a bit of research and the Mille seem to mentioned quite s bit when it comes to doing long rides.

I've seen a pair of Mille s7 half shorts (prefer these to bib) for about £110.

This is an awful lot of money for a pair of shorts. Before I press the buy button, is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks for all replies.

Bordersroadie

All of those who can afford a decent pair of shorts will extoll the vitues of one brand or another, but what's good for one person may not be for another, so it can be confusing.

It boils down to three things I think.
1. The premium brands of shorts are all very good quality.
2. Like saddles they may be perfect for you, or not, it seems to be dictaced by what fits you personally, from the cut of the shorts/straps, to the sizing, to the pad design.
3. If you don't have the "right" saddle for your bottom then no shorts will be perfect on long rides.

I use Assos FI Mille and FI Uno bibshorts with the older S5 pad in each. They have been well-used and hand washed for two or three years, are as good as new and as supremely comfortable on 100 miles plus rides. For me, worth every penny, especially as they appear to be heading for a very long life.

Also, do you use chamois cream on your behind? It can help for longer days.

northpole

Assos S5 Mille are hard to beat for a long day in the saddle.

My all time favourites are the F1 13 S5's which were the top of the range before S7 came along. My comments a while back are included here

viewtopic.php?t=12913024

Interestingly, unlike most cyclists, I have put on some weight since 2013 and my view on the Mille's has changed for the better! I must therefore agree entirely with the previous post where your individual shape will have a significant impact on what will be comfortable for you.

I have a pair of the current top of the range Assos Campionissimo which are most definitely a race day short - very hi-tech lightweight materials which weigh next to nothing! I also have the S7 Cento which I suspect are the replacement of the Mille. These don't work so well for me - I find the padding just too substantial.

I also have a couple of pairs of Rapha shorts. They are fine and I'd have no problem recommending them but they are a bit pricey and if you can get them, I'd still be inclined to recommend the Mille and F1 13 S5's for a bargain top quality short.

For any ride I'd strongly recommend Assos Chamois creme - it stops chaffing and provides a more sterile environment for your bits!!

For a long ride like you are contemplating I would urge you to consider bib shorts - this takes all strain/ pressure off your tummy which can make a huge difference if you have the misfortune of any degree of stomach cramps during the day in the saddle. Less of an issue but also makes breathing easier.

Good luck with your ride.

Peter

sloppyschleckonds

Castelli free aero race

mason5697

Are these dearer shorts worth the extra cash?

I have a pair of altura pro gel shorts. And a 40 quid pair of specialized bib shorts. Never use chamois cream and never had a sore ass yet.....

So if I. Was to buy more gear, what makes the dearer stuff worth buying? I usually do 30 - 50 miles most days I'm out.

marcusjb

northpole wrote:

I also have the S7 Cento which I suspect are the replacement of the Mille. These don't work so well for me - I find the padding just too substantial.

I've experienced much the same and as a long-time user of S5 Mille, I was pretty disappointed with them. I am sure they work for some riders, but not for me. Tore me to pieces within the day. I must just sell them on as they really are at the back of the queue for shorts I pick out of the drawer and it's daft having shorts that cost whatever they did that I don't want to ride any distance in.

Grahamsjz

mason5697 wrote:

Are these dearer shorts worth the extra cash?

I have a pair of altura pro gel shorts. And a 40 quid pair of specialized bib shorts. Never use chamois cream and never had a sore ass yet.....

So if I. Was to buy more gear, what makes the dearer stuff worth buying? I usually do 30 - 50 miles most days I'm out.

Am guessing for you 'no'.

I returned to cycling a couple of years ago and slowly went up the price range looking for comfort (changed saddle too) and eventually found comfort with Assos Cento S7. All was well in the world until they went for a hot wash and I killed them. Rather than fork over that kind of money again I thought I would try Rapha Classics and found for my butt they were every bit as good. I then bought a pair of Rapha Brevet thinking as they are meant for long distance day after day that they would be even better - wrong - for me. I really think it comes down to luck finding the right one for you.

Good luck, I can remember riding out of the saddle and taking some weight off my butt towards the end of Sportives, essentially hating the last couple of hours. Now I am comfortable on the saddle, it allows my brain to focus on other things such as hot foot, cramp and lack of fitness towards the end of long rides.

mason5697

Grahamsjz wrote:

mason5697 wrote:

Are these dearer shorts worth the extra cash?

I have a pair of altura pro gel shorts. And a 40 quid pair of specialized bib shorts. Never use chamois cream and never had a sore ass yet.....

So if I. Was to buy more gear, what makes the dearer stuff worth buying? I usually do 30 - 50 miles most days I'm out.

Am guessing for you 'no'.

I returned to cycling a couple of years ago and slowly went up the price range looking for comfort (changed saddle too) and eventually found comfort with Assos Cento S7. All was well in the world until they went for a hot wash and I killed them. Rather than fork over that kind of money again I thought I would try Rapha Classics and found for my butt they were every bit as good. I then bought a pair of Rapha Brevet thinking as they are meant for long distance day after day that they would be even better - wrong - for me. I really think it comes down to luck finding the right one for you.

Good luck, I can remember riding out of the saddle and taking some weight off my butt towards the end of Sportives, essentially hating the last couple of hours. Now I am comfortable on the saddle, it allows my brain to focus on other things such as hot foot, cramp and lack of fitness towards the end of long rides.

Cool cool. I've had cheaper shorts at the start of the year that were around a tenner. They have now been thrown out since I got the altura and specialized. What a difference. But now that they are comfy for long rides I always wondered if the proper dear ones were worth the extra. Don't mind paying the money if it's beneficial.

tangerineowl

I recently purchased the Mille S5 (longer-thigh version) through the Assos store.

Have been pretty happy with them; riding around 150km at a time.

Previous to those, I had Red&White The Bibs.
These are marketed as an endurance bib/pad and they too, are very good for that purpose.
Though quite different in pad construction to Assos.

Between the two, I'd say Red&White would outdo the Mille, the longer your day was, in the area of reducing the sore rear.

shooter999

Thanks guys for all of the replies. Just come back from an 85 mile training ride and my butt is a bit sore (wearing the specialized bibs), but not too bad.

I would have got the S5 Mille, as everyone says they are excellent, but unfortunately I can't find any anywhere in a medium.

northpole

Have a look here:

https://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/men/ ... leg-black/

Peter

robbo2011

Personally, I find the Assos S7 Equipe bibs far more comfortable than the Mille on long rides. The Mille pad is too bulky for me.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/06/04/as ... e-changer/

I'll probably update it soon. The S7's are growing on me now. I think they are better than the Mille overall, though not in all areas. But these things can be so very personal. I do also think that some shorts work with some saddles better than others might. Though I have kept my Charge because it's a good control for testing.

I'd echo what others have said above though. For 40-50 miles you don't really need Assos. No harm in having them mind...........