You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Need to replace my very old Gore Xenon bibs as the pad has finally decided to give up. Love the pad for 2-3 hours on the bike but longer than that it can feel a little thin. I am tempted by the Rapha trail bibs as I have a 15% discount code, but for over £100 I’m at the top end of my budget. What else is worth considering?
Hmm, if it weren't for the price I'd be recommending Stolen Goat or Bioracer 'Epic' bibs. They're a cut above anything else I own (Castelli/Morvelo/Endura), the pad is definitely more substantial and the material is really good and compressive.
If you wanted something cheaper maybe see who else offers the 'vapour' pad which I think is the same as the one in the 'Epic' bibs
I love the gonso sqlabs bibs, find they match up to my specialized power saddle spot on, though it is also quite thin, I personally prefer a thin unobtrusive chamois.
Our club kit is from Impsport and they're fantastically comfy. They use a Dolomiti pad.
I'm also currently liking the Rivelo kit, and have bought from them again.
I like the Endura F260 Pro, currently discounted 40% to £48 at wiggle except the logo falls off in the wash quite quickly, and Galibier shorts are very good for the money.
Rivelo from sports pursuit seem good for the price. Have a couple of pairs from them.
Kryton57
Full Member
I like the Endura F260 Pro, currently discounted 40% to £48 at wiggle except the logo falls off in the wash quite quickly, and Galibier shorts are very good for the money.
Logo coming off isn’t an issue, they’re for under baggies and only for MTB so I’m not fussed about looks. Comfort is the only real priority.
The gonso sqlabs are also available as a bib undershort.
I haven't found a pad better than the Castelli Progetto X2 yet. Pricey, but there is often a sale on somewhere.
IME Castelli bibs size up small which is something to watch.
Mrs_oab loves her Bontrager Meraj women's - I think Velocis are the men's equivalent.
I really like my couple of Galibier bibs I've got.
Castelli bibs size up small
Yep i have some madison cargo bibs in a L, but the Castelli bibs i got on Merlin are a 2XL and still a bit snug.
Merlin still have some great offers on Castelli i think, and there are some on Sport Pursuit as well.
THe pad in the Castelli shorts is excellent, and so is the Madison (and lots of extra pockets)
Yep i have some madison cargo bibs in a L, but the Castelli bibs i got on Merlin are a 2XL and still a bit snug.
TBF any clothing I have from Madison is absolutely all over the place when it comes to sizing. I have Medium lycra shorts that are a bit loose, Medium waterproofs that are a bit snug and a Medium top that looks like it's sprayed on.
^ yep, we've found similar with Madison. And Endura.
Sizing, and their size guides, are all over the place.
Dhb aeron are pretty good. Better still when reduced in price obvs.
IME Castelli bibs size up small which is something to watch.
I find they size correctly on me (i.e S fits my 30" waist but admittedly I'm skin and bone and even then they are a "race fit'), so yes you might want to size up especially if you have any belly to speak of.
Le Col sport are good - and can usually be had with significant money off, via easy strava challenges.
I'm still getting good use out of my rivelo bibs from sport pursuit.
Good kit and decent price, they are lasting really well too
I'd order a few pairs to try on. Also try a couple of different sizes as I can strangely fit into a small, medium or large in different brands and ranges. Just return what you don't want to keep. Fit and feel are a very personal thing especially around the 🐓 and 🥎⚽
+1 for Galibier, with the added bonus - for me - anyway - that they're available in different leg lengths.
Are there any bibs out there with integrated armour?
Another for Galibier, I have shorts and bibs all very comfy but size up they are made for racing snakes.
Another satisfied Galibier user. As regards size, they seem to be the same size as other bibs I have, except for Castelli which requires a sizing up all of their own!! ( I am a racing snake only if you have in mind a python that swallowed a buffalo 😂)
In the last 2 months I've tried
Rivelo
Rab cinder
Albion
Madison
Santini
All cargo, Albion best, Madison worst by a long way all the rest equal 2nd
As for Rapha, they refused an independent unpaid review, make of that what you will
I haven’t found a pad better than the Castelli Progetto X2 yet. Pricey, but there is often a sale on somewhere.
+1, and it's miles better than the pad they use on their cheaper shorts. Merlin often have good deals on the free aero shorts, I go up one from my usual size.
I've found that Giordana frc bibs are pretty darned good.
+1 on Endura FS260, Rapha Core stuff is better IMO
As for Rapha, they refused an independent unpaid review, make of that what you will
They don't give out free kit to chancers? 😎
My Core shorts were the nicest cut and material of any bib-short I've worn, but I could never get on with the pad, the split down the middle seemed to cause me issues. If they changed the pad design I'd have 5 pairs.
The aftersales is good too, I emailed moaning about the quality of the stitching and fabric and they instantly sent me a new pair. I only realised afterwards that the velcro strap of my seatpack had been rubbing the shorts exactly where the damage had occurred, so no fault of the shorts 🙄
Endura FS260, Rapha Core stuff is better IMO
Agreed, Rapha Core and Bioracer/Stolen Goat shorts make my FS260s just feel flimsy and cheap.
That said, for summer days on the road bike the FS260s feel pretty comparable to my Castelli (Volo I think) but the Castelli look nicer.
Castelli's with Progetto X2 pad, great for putting a pair of baggies over the top as you don't get hot.
The Rapha's look like they are going to be warm with all the coverage on the back and sides. Ordered some of their trousers as I'm fed up of Fox's wearing through on the bum
My Core shorts were the nicest cut and material of any bib-short I’ve worn, but I could never get on with the pad, the split down the middle seemed to cause me issues. If they changed the pad design I’d have 5 pairs.
If only an independent review had pointed that out and saved you some money rather than a paid for review that said they were great. 🤷♂️
Just get the Rapha and be done with. I've had shorts from from a variety of brands and none are as good. Whether that's comfort, sizing or quality for the price.
Anyone know of the Rapha shorts plus liners are any good?
I wore Xmas Rapha outerwear shorts this afternoon, perfect fit and they just kinda vanished during the ride.
Now considering the core bibs… 🤦♂️
As for Rapha, they refused an independent unpaid review, make of that what you will
Do you mean they refused to supply you with a free pair of shorts in exchange for a review that will probably be seen by 25 people? 😉
Rapha Core (2nd hand on eBay) have been the comfiest bib shorts I’ve ever owned except for Endura Equipe. Never got on with the Assos Mille something or others - forever getting stuck where you don’t want things stuck!
Totally depends on your butt shape I think. I’ll be buying more Rapha for sure when the current ones give up the ghost.
I like the Endura F260 Pro, currently discounted 40% to £48 at wiggle except the logo falls off in the wash quite quickly
This does annoy me a bit I must admit. I mean obviously it doesn't matter, but everybody else seems to have figured it out, so why can't Endura manage it?
Anyway, I got some Albion tights over the winter that I really like so my next pair of shorts will probably come from them.
Do you mean they refused to supply you with a free pair of shorts in exchange for a review that will probably be seen by 25 people?
25+ an hour according to the analytics but thanks for the publicity 👌
25+ an hour according to the analytics but thanks for the publicity 👌
You've very welcome, but I still have no idea of what your site / channel / blog or whatever is, so I'm not sure I've done a very good job 🙁
Anyway, I'm sure your site is very good, but my point is that Rapha - or anyone else - isn't under an obligation to gift you gear for review and the fact that they decided not to presumably means simply that they decided not to, I'm sure they get approached by lots of influencers, so it will have been a marketing decision. I'm not sure what other conclusion you expect people to draw, unless you think their afraid of your fearless, independent reviews?
Oh,oh..#
dogfight 😉 😜 😆
IMO,shorts can be like saddles,what works for some may be an instrument of torture for others.
My last purchase was a pair of Pearl iZumi,so far,so good.
Rapha have been recently doing 20% off shorts, you might have missed it though! I’ve been using a pair of their cargo/ brevet bibs for a few yrs and they are amazing. Just bought some rapha winter long core cargo bibs in a sale this spring as when using my old endura winter bibs they just aren’t as good/ comfy etc as the rapha ones.
I also have the Rivelos from sports pursuit, sizing is good. Large form me with a 34” waist.
My only criticism and it’s the same for all the bib shorts (these more so), they are too high at the front. Makes stop for an emergency pee. difficult!
My problem with bibs is a long torso. If I get a size to fit my waist the straps are often too short and pull the pad up to squash my unmentionables. Any with adjustable straps?