{"id":55423,"date":"2023-10-18T16:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=750382"},"modified":"2023-10-18T16:35:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T14:35:31","slug":"lifes-too-short-for-rubbish-bib-straps-7-lessons-from-testing-budget-cycling-shorts","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/lifes-too-short-for-rubbish-bib-straps-7-lessons-from-testing-budget-cycling-shorts\/","title":{"rendered":"Life\u2019s too short for rubbish bib straps | 7 lessons from testing budget cycling shorts"},"content":{"rendered":"

In short, you get what you pay for <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at 14:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Over the spring and summer, I tested eight different bib shorts as part of a group test.<\/p>\n

The shorts all cost between \u00a365\/$90 and \u00a3110\/$134 and came from a mix of budget-oriented and well-established clothing brands.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s possible to spend upwards of \u00a3300\/$365 on bib shorts, this range of price points represents what most cyclists will realistically be spending.<\/p>\n

When I started cycling seriously in 2013, I remember \u00a3150\/$180 representing the pinnacle for premium options.<\/p>\n

Oh, how times have changed.<\/p>\n

That bib shorts can now cost as much as \u00a3300 is shocking and not something many of us can afford (at least not at full RRP).<\/p>\n

In my testing, each pair of shorts was subjected to a mixture of short and long rides on both road and gravel. Each pair was tested on at least one ride of 100km or longer, with some getting treated to centuries.<\/p>\n

From fit-dependent flaws to washing machine woes, here are seven things I learned.<\/p>\n

Always try for size<\/h2>\n
\"Ale\u0301\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Buy the shorts that best fit you, rather than seeking the best deal.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As with any piece of clothing, I\u2019d highly recommend trying shorts on for size before purchase, or ensuring there\u2019s a straightforward returns policy if you\u2019re ordering online.<\/p>\n

I typically take a size large in most brands and I was fortunate this carried through to the majority of the shorts I tested.<\/p>\n

Even so, the fit of some of the shorts didn\u2019t fully work for me. If I had been spending my own money, this would have been beneficial because it would have ruled out some of the shorts.<\/p>\n

The pad didn\u2019t sit in the right place on some options \u2013 it was one of the flaws of the Rapha Core<\/a> and Dhb Aeron 2.0<\/a>, both of which I\u2019d have preferred to come a little further up the back. I also found the Sportful Neo bib shorts<\/a> a little baggy underneath the pad.<\/p>\n

The Specialized Men\u2019s RBX bib shorts<\/a> were an odd fit in general \u2013 tight around the pad, but more forgiving around the legs and even looser at the straps. Like the Rapha shorts, I wish the pad extended further at the rear and that it were wider to offer more coverage.<\/p>\n

Then, the Van Rysel Road Cycling Racer 2s <\/a>were all over the place \u2013 baggy just underneath the crotch, tight on the bib straps and legs, and the pad was the wrong shape for my anatomy. It didn\u2019t help that they shrank after the first wash (more on that later).<\/p>\n

When the fit was right, it really made a difference, and by trying shorts on for size you stand a much greater chance of finding the perfect pair for you.<\/p>\n

Check the seam locations<\/h2>\n
\"Rapha\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Cheaper materials inevitably mean more seams.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A badly placed seam can ruin an otherwise good pair of shorts. Cheaper shorts tend to use less exotic fabrics, resulting in the need for more seams to hold everything together and bring down costs.<\/p>\n

Take the time to check how close seams are to the pad to avoid any discomfort.<\/p>\n

On the Rapha Core and Van Rysel Road Cycling Racer 2 shorts, I could feel the left seam on the inside of the upper thigh pressing into my groin. This caused some discomfort on longer rides, particularly when out of the saddle.<\/p>\n

The issue was even worse on the Specialized Men\u2019s RBX bib shorts because the seam is positioned even closer to the pad.<\/p>\n

Of course, everyone\u2019s build is different and a seam that irritated me may be fine for you, but it once again proves trying shorts before buying is critical.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no room for rubbish bib straps or leg grippers<\/h2>\n
\"Specialized\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The leg grippers on the Specialized Men\u2019s RBX shorts started to degrade after four rides.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

That cycling shorts should have comfortable bib straps and leg grippers should be a given. Luckily, all of the shorts tested were sound in this department.<\/p>\n

However, speaking from experience, poor-quality bib straps can dig into a baselayer<\/a> or skin, or the leg gripper can leave an unwanted mark. Any good review should assess this, so it\u2019s worth reading whether the tester had a good experience in this department before you buy.<\/p>\n

The elasticity of the leg grippers can also degrade over time. This isn\u2019t something you can tell until you\u2019ve ridden in the shorts, and it proved a problem on the Specialized Men\u2019s RBX bib shorts after only four rides. This is why we test bib shorts extensively to highlight any possible faults.<\/p>\n

Different saddles can produce different results<\/h2>\n
\"Specialized\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Specialized Power Pro Elaston is my saddle of choice.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The performance of any pair of bib shorts will be influenced by the saddle you combine them with.<\/p>\n

A well-fitting saddle is just as important as a quality pair of bib shorts. You\u2019ll be uncomfortable if you pair even the best bib shorts<\/a> with a poor perch.<\/p>\n

I made sure to test each pair on at least two different saddles to get an idea of how they work with each, with all bar one seeing three or four different models.<\/p>\n

All of the saddles were tested on my favourite road bike saddle \u2013 the Specialized Power Pro Elaston<\/a> \u2013 and the excellent Fabric Scoop<\/a> for gravel riding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Bjorn\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Bj\u014drn\u2019s Setka is a much firmer offering.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Many of the shorts also got paired with a flyweight 127g Bj\u014drn Setka<\/a> I\u2019m testing on my Pinarello GAN K Disk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This 3D-printed saddle<\/a> is much firmer than my two favourites and it was interesting that my most comfortable ride on the otherwise disappointing Specialized Men\u2019s RBX shorts was with this saddle. The narrower profile of the saddle seemed to better suit the chamois\u2019 shape.<\/p>\n

Finally, many of the shorts were tested with the Forza Stratos on a Ridley Helium Disc<\/a> that was in for review at the same time as this group test. This was a new saddle to me, so it was interesting to see how the shorts fared.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth spending time finding the best saddle<\/a> for you to take one element out of the equation in finding a suitable pair of shorts.<\/p>\n

Be careful with the washing machine<\/h2>\n
\"Van\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Always follow the washing instructions religiously.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

I\u2019m always very diligent in reading the label on cycle clothing. Unless stated otherwise, I wash cycling clothing at 30 degrees without fabric softener and pair like colours together.<\/p>\n

Three of the bib short pads tested changed significantly after washing \u2013 an issue I have never experienced in all my years of cycling.<\/p>\n

The Elastic Interface pad noticeably changed properties on both the Dhb Aeron 2.0 and Van Rysel Road Cycling Racer 2. The pad felt firmer in some areas of the shorts than others and subsequent rides were uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Dhb said this shouldn\u2019t have happened and sent a second pair for re-test. They didn\u2019t degrade, although I still found the pad unsatisfactory.<\/p>\n

The own-branded pad on the Al\u00e9 Strada also softened after a few washes, but this didn\u2019t seem to have an impact on performance or overall comfort. It was the only aspect that held the shorts back from scoring top marks.<\/p>\n

Although many brands recommend washing their shorts before the first use, I decided my first ride in all of the shorts would be before I\u2019d washed them to see if the properties changed. I\u2019m glad I did, otherwise I wouldn\u2019t have picked up on my findings above.<\/p>\n

In fact, I got on reasonably well on my first ride with the Van Rysel shorts and I wouldn\u2019t have had this positive aspect to add to the review if I hadn\u2019t done so.<\/p>\n

Because this is an unknown element when buying a new pair of shorts, I\u2019d highly recommend choosing a brand with a generous returns policy in case this happens to you.<\/p>\n

Cycling kit has improved<\/h2>\n
\"Castelli\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Castelli includes features found on its top-end shorts on the Competizione, such as its Vortex BLC textured fabric.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For the most part, I would say the quality of cycling kit at this price point has improved in my 11 years of cycling.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all bought a duff pair of shorts once or twice, but the quality that can be purchased at this price point is impressive.<\/p>\n

Both the Castelli Competizione<\/a> (4.5 stars) and Al\u00e9 Strada<\/a> (4 stars) prove it\u2019s possible to make a brilliant product at a lower cost. I will happily continue to use both of these for years.<\/p>\n

Spend more cash if long distance is your jam<\/h2>\n
\"Oscar\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
There\u2019s a stark difference as you spend more on bib shorts.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After spending the best part of four months in low-budget bib shorts, I must admit it felt revelatory putting on a higher-end pair afterwards.<\/p>\n

My current favourite Assos Mille GTC Kiespanzer C2 <\/a>bib shorts had never felt so good when I switched to them during a bikepacking trip on The Pictish Trail<\/a>. The material seemed much more luxurious against my skin and the pad felt perfectly suited to my anatomy, to the point I forgot I was wearing them.<\/p>\n

I wore them for three days straight at one point when wild camping in the remote Scottish Highlands. I think this would be asking too much of even the best-in-test Castelli shorts.<\/p>\n

While three of the shorts were uncomfortable on rides over any distance, my limit on the Sportful Neo and Altura Endurance bib shorts<\/a> was the three- and four-hour mark respectively. I was happy to ride in the Rapha, Castelli and Al\u00e9 shorts for six hours.<\/p>\n

If your rides are under three hours, there isn\u2019t much of a benefit to spending more money when you can get perfectly acceptable levels of comfort at this price point.<\/p>\n

However, if you know you\u2019re going to be riding longer distances, there is undoubtedly a significantly reduced chance of buying a dud if you spend more money. The difference between shorts costing \u00a380 to \u00a3110 and a premium option is stark.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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