Btwin bib shorts - yes or no?

Climber_Andy
Climber_Andy Posts: 852
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
My two current pairs of bib-shorts are worn to the point of near-pornographic indecency, so I am in need of some new ones... a trip to the LBS revealed cheapest would be £35 - Giordana and Sportful - but that is pretty shocking for a tight and penniless student like myself...

Got directed to Decathlon in London the other day, and they have a mid-range pair for £25. Are they worth it? Are they good? Should I open the purse strings a little and pay ten quid extra for the LBS ones??

Comments

  • Shaky
    Shaky Posts: 50
    I've got a couple of pairs of the Nalini bib shorts from ProBikeKit. They do the job, are only £14 and should cover a bit more than your current pairs :wink:

    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C8185
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  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    i bought some basic cycling shorts from decathlon for 6 quid, and another endura pair for 20... don't really use the endura much now as i get on so much better with the decathlon ones (fits me better), dont think there is anything wrong with there stuff....
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
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  • Van_Heerden
    Van_Heerden Posts: 128
    I think I have the 25 quid pair but got them in sale for 9.99. They have been great and they actually feel better than some more expensive ones.

    In general decathlon kit is great value for money and every bit as good as most of the lower price namebrand goods.
    "The grass is always greener on the other side - unless Jens Voigt has been riding on the other side in which case it's white with the salty, dried tears of all the riders whose souls he has crushed."
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    I think I would spend the extra on Giordana :) Don't worry, I am also a penniless student.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I got some fairly cheap (£20 ish) ones a couple of years ago and they have been really good - good pad, good fit. I wanted something a bit more refined for the etape this year so got a pair of their top end ones, for around £35. Be warned, they have ridiculously placed sheer sections of lycra, basically over your arse and your balls. Not fit to be worn in public, mine went back after the umpteenth person pointed out why they weren't sitting on my wheel on the dragon ride!
  • biggstevie
    biggstevie Posts: 112
    Can you order online from decathlon ? as the website was sending me round & round.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    biggstevie wrote:
    Can you order online from decathlon ? as the website was sending me round & round.

    Nope you have to buy them instore.
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  • loz*
    loz* Posts: 25
    I've got a couple of pairs of the Nalini bib shorts from ProBikeKit. They do the job, are only £14 and should cover a bit more than your current pairs

    i happened to order some of these, they arrived yesterday so haven't had a chance to try them - but they look a little on the rubbish side!

    I would suggest some dhb Earnley Cycling Bib Shorts from wiggle - i have those and they're good for the money
  • Climber_Andy
    Climber_Andy Posts: 852
    EXACTLY the same here, mine came yesterday. The sizing seems a bit fcuked up on the site, so I reckon I ordered one too big (tried them on, a bit loose). I'll see how they go, but my reaction was the same as yours.[/code]
  • shoei
    shoei Posts: 14
    snap, mine arrived yesterday. Sizing is right, sort off. Will keep these for using on the turbo trainer. Not the best quality ive seen, but for £14 cant complain.
  • jimmythecuckoo
    jimmythecuckoo Posts: 4,712
    in short... Decathlon. Yes!
  • SCR Pedro
    SCR Pedro Posts: 912
    Hey there,

    I also have 2 pairs of the £14 Nalini bib's. I have to admit I've never tried anything better, but I find them to be really comfortable. My only annoyance is that the leg grippers aren't as tight as they once were.

    I'd agree that they're good enough value for the money.

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  • loz*
    loz* Posts: 25
    I won't be buying anymore of the Nalini bibs, £10 more gets you the dhb Earnley ones which are quality

    edit: just had a quick blast with the Nalini bibs and they're not as bad as they look! wouldn't fancy a long ride with them though
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    I buy a fair amount of stuff from Decathlon, but I wouldn't use their shorts. I've felt the padding & it seems mighty thin compared to the likes of Pearl Izumi... :?
  • hodsgod
    hodsgod Posts: 226
    I have a few pieces of kit from Decathlon, and to be honest I can't fault it.
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    The bTwin arm & leg warmers on the other hand are a great bargain.
  • lochindaal
    lochindaal Posts: 475
    I did my first 100 miler on Sunday wearing the £25 Decathlon shorts and still have the bruising on my Butt to prove it.

    I have previously done 80 miles in just under 5 hours with no problem but this was a hilly 100 just under 8 hours. So I would say it depends how far you are riding and how long you are going to be in the saddle.

    I am looking for some newer upgrade for future long distance events
  • pdrolo
    pdrolo Posts: 127
    at the price the bib shorts are fine. If you are prepared to pay double - you will get some better ones - other than that these are great
    Roadie with an MTB

    www.cyclestuff.org.uk
  • fezzyboy
    fezzyboy Posts: 6
    Was in Decathlon (Surrey quay London) on Tuesday this week and bought the "cuissard sport flat black bib" shorts. They were £19.99 and I previously bought the longer full length version of the same style, which is why I went back. I am 32"-34" normal and these were similarly sized and fit well. The long ones have worn well and are comfy. The padding in the various shorts offered in Decathlon varies with "Road" and "sport" being generally fitted in the more expensive lines. I find the stuff in there good quality and if you go at the right time they have some great value sale items. My mate bought a windproof winter fleece jacket there today £20 down from £40. Looks good rear pockets etc. I think you need to go though and try stuff if poss.

    I ride about 40 miles a day on a commute , but just went from a very padded double gel saddle to a "cut you in half" selle italia race, on a new bike.. I may have other opinions about padding next week !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :shock:

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  • bazza59
    bazza59 Posts: 33
    can't comment on the decathlon bibs but the DHB earnleys are much superior to the Nalini's in the padding (comfort) department.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I live about 2 miles from Decathlon, London (Surrey Quays) and get a lot of stuff there. It's dirt cheap and although I'm sure you can get better from other brands, the price is literally a fraction of the fancy brands out there and to be honest, the slight difference doesn't make the added expenditure worth it. Their standard, non bib shorts are something like a fiver a pair.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I hate going in to Decathlon.

    I go in for things like innertubes and socks and come out with things I never knew I wanted like a freaking stunt kite, a tent, some horse riding equipment and a jai-alai set.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I regulary use the decath bib shorts - plenty good enough for me ! - my only gripe is they don't do a 3/4 bib short....unless you know different !
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I hate going in to Decathlon.

    I go in for things like innertubes and socks and come out with things I never knew I wanted like a freaking stunt kite, a tent, some horse riding equipment and a jai-alai set.

    I hear ya! It's a bit like going to the supermarket for a bottle of milk an a loaf of bread and coming out with a crate of beer, some chilli sauce and a bunch of bananas
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  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    kingrollo wrote:
    I regulary use the decath bib shorts - plenty good enough for me ! - my only gripe is they don't do a 3/4 bib short....unless you know different !

    I saw some on my last visit, but I wasn't convinced with the quality for the price - and they only had one or two pairs.

    I've bought some of their better quality bibs for next to nothing in the sale before and they're great.
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    Chain Rection are doing adidas bibs for £20ish - no idea how good they are