Bib Short Review from another bike site!.

Chubba · March 2, 2011

After numerous bib threads and discussions of different bibs I’ve decided to pull all of my private research together and write a review of my favorite bibs.

Disclaimer: Everyone’s body, riding style, flexibility, conditioning, and most importantly opinions are different. This review reflects my opinion, body type and riding style. I’m 5’10” and weigh anywhere between 143-148 pounds depending on the Seasons (I like Christmas cookies). All bibs were tested on infamous southern PA roads riding an aluminum OLMO (carbon fork) with a Specialized Toupe saddle (aluminum seat post). My bike is set up in an “aggressive” position, more suitable for racing and fast group rides. All bibs were purchased in size Large, except CC’s Powerline which were purchased in medium (Sizes the manufactures recommendations for my height and weight). No chamois cream was used and no animals were harmed in this testing.

Sore based out of 1-10 1 the worst 10 the best.

Tested:

-Pro Race Dome bibs $44.99 at Pro bike kit

-Nalini “Base” bibs $45.00 at a LBS

-Colorado Cyclist (CC) Powerline $79.99 at Colorado Cyclist

-Giordana Silverline (2006 version) bibs $90.00 at Completive Cyclist

-Campagnolo Raytech bibs (Cod. C193) $96.68 (included shipping) at GB cycles

-Assos F1. Uno bibs $124.99 at Euro bike wear

-Santini Fluid Twist Gel bibs $130.00 at Bicycling hub

*Prices: The prices represent the prices that I paid at time of purchase, Current prices may be higher or lower (I bought all of the bibs earlier in the spring when a lot of online stores were having sales).

Pictures: I only took pictures of my top five favorite bibs, which were the Campagnolo, Giordana, Colorado Cyclist, Assos, and Santini. (Sorry for some grainy pictures, my digital camera was on the fritz)

Review:

Nalini, and Pro race:

These bibs are sharing a spot because they are bringing up the rear when it comes to price and quality. The pro race bibs were one of the worst bibs I have ever worn. This is partially due to the incorrect sizing suggestion I ordered, but more importantly the cheap chamois. (Due to such, I only tested these bibs on my trainer). As for the Nalini base bibs: they are actually fairly decent for the price. The style is a no frills approach due the being all black with hidden stitching. The chamois is the cheapest chamois Nalini makes and although is good for short rides, anything over 25 miles makes you feel like you are wearing a soggy diaper. …. These bibs are reserved for rainy days and trainer duty.

Campagnolo Raytech (long distance) $96.68

Flashest bib with the red seams

Pros: Leg grippers that are silicon, mesh back panel

Cons: Chamois bunched up in the front, thin lycra

OCP Factor: Flashy red seams and a reflective CAMPAGNOLO written across the butt

SCORE: 7.5

I was very intrigued by Campy’s new line of bibs featuring the ACS (Air Cushion System). However I was disappointed on the how chamois was designed for a more relaxed and upright riding position instead of a more aggressive position (in an aero tuck the air cushions are too far back on your sit bones to be of any use). This being their “long distance” chamois it is to be expected that the rider will be in a more comfortable position; however this does no good for riders that enjoy the occasional fast century. Altogether I am happy with these bibs, but would not buy them again.

Giordana Silverline (2006 version) bibs $90.00

2nd Best bib under 100 bucks.

Pros: Mesh shoulder straps, chamois stays in place (acts like a second skin), and under 100 bucks!

Cons: Thin pad (feel road vibrations), leg grippers (not silicon)

OCP factor: Silver flat lock stitching with a reflective Giordana logo on back…. Italian made baby!

SCORE: 8.0

When I fist started testing these I was concerned about how thin the chamois was. The silverline model is the model below Giordana Tenax and uses the 3D-OF chamois which was used in the 05 Tenax model. I am more partial to a denser pad; but I must say I was pleasantly surprised how well the 3d-OF chamois held up on the bone jarring bumps of PA (A very thin and flexible chamois). The flat lock stitching is top notch (better then the more expensive Santini, and Assos) with very minimal seams showing on my legs after a 3 hour ride. I was also pleased with the shoulder straps that incorporate a wide mesh back panel for ventilation (much like Assos). The only down fall I could find besides the chamois being suited for shorter rides, were the leg grippers. The silverline bibs are still using relatively cheap and un-flashy “rubber” looking elastic leg grippers (similar to Assos). Although the grippers did their job, they were not nearly as comfortable as Sanitini’s, CC’s or Campy’s.

Colorado Cyclist Powerline $79.99

Best bib under 100 bucks.

Pros: Silicon leg grippers, Excellent Chamois… very comfortable!

Cons: Terrible lycra

OCP factor: Saving money on these bibs to buy other bling

SCORE: 8.9

CC’s Powerline were definitely the dark horse in this review. I wasn’t expecting to much from these bibs considering they are CC’s house brand. However I really fell in love with the Chamois (same company that makes Assos and the same pad found in Adidas’ Adistar bibs Elastic Power bibs). This pad wasn’t too bulky, wasn’t too thin and got rid of almost all of the road vibration that I have grown accustom to on PA’s back roads. The only thing stopping me from getting rid of all my other bibs and stocking my closet with these is the lycra. CC’s lycra is very “dry” feeling with almost a cotton touch. This is good until you start sweating and then it just feels like a wet cotton t-shirt. I was a fan of the leg grippers that reminded a lot like Santini’s leg grippers. These bibs will definitely get a lot of wear in the cooler months when sweating and humidity isn’t much of a problem.

Assos F1. Uno bibs $124.99

Best workmanship and detail

Pros: They’re Assos!..... a comfortable pad, superb lycra and a wash bag!

Cons: Non silicon leg grippers and a hot pad

OCP Factor: They’re ASSOS!

SCORE: 9.2

Wow, how can you give Assos a bad review on anything? These bibs lived up to their reputation for being well made and having an amazing attention to detail. The lycra was very thick and durable (a great bib for cooler morning rides). The chamois was somewhat bulky with a classical feel to it but with a mix of new technology. Assos bibs have to be one of the most comfortable bibs to ride long distances with. They just disappear and you have no idea they are there. They do not bunch up like some other bibs but the lycra became just another layer of your skin. The mesh back panel breathes very nicely, but I would have liked some reflective piping to logos to make myself more visible to cars at early morning or late evening rides. One downside is price…. Al of Assos clothing is expensive, but with the proper research and thrifty shopping you can find some good deals.

Santini Fluid Twist Gel $130.00

A great century bib

Pros: The only seamless chamois in the review, silky lycra with full mesh shoulder strapsand a little pocket on the back of the bibs for a gel or chap stick

Con: The chamois lament showed some wear and tended to tent

OCP Factor: Their Italian and not many riding buddies own Santinis

SCORE: 9.3

Sanitni is a supplier of a couple pro tour teams and make a fine product! The workmanship is top notch second to only Assos. However I was disappointed that they did not have flat lock seams and tended to leave lines on my legs after long rides. The pad is very comfortable with no seams but a lament that glued the pad to the lycra. This is a nice concept but the lament tended to tent up which gives you the “Tom Boonen appearance” but also allowed cool air to move around the boys (a great cooling feature). The chamois is medium width but is very comfortable on longer rides. (Supposedly this is the same chamois that some top pros prefer i.e Danilo Diluca etc.) The leg grippers are very comfortable and do not move an inch. The mesh shoulder straps allow for great moisture exchange even on the hottest of PA days. My only gripe is the price and I wouldn’t want to do a lot of climbing with these bibs due to the tenting… other then that I love em!

CONCLUSION: When it came to making the final ranking I had a hard time picking my favorite. All of these bibs are very nice and each suit different terrain, and riding speeds leaving me to pick the best bib for the ride. However there must always be a winner. 1st place- Santini, 2nd Assos, 3rd Colorado Cyclist, 4th Giordana, 5th Campagnolo

Acknowledgements: Thank you everybody for helping me out with all of my questions and leading me towards some nice and more “affordable” bibs. I hope this review has helped some people and if any one has any questions feel free to ask or pm me. Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully my poor grammar didn’t kill you

Keep the rubber side down...Cheers!

Links:

Euro bike Wear:

http://www.eurobikewear.com/catalogs/index.php?fuseAction=viewItem&catID=27&levelID=387&itemID=792

Bicycling Hub:

http://www.bicyclinghub.com/safltwgelbic.html

Competitive Cyclist:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=BUY_PRODUCT_STANDARD&PRODUCT.ID=1900&CATEGORY.ID=163&MODE=

Pro bike kit:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C7384

GB cycles:

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=SHBCAM06C19401&desc=CAMPAGNOLO+RAYTECH+BIB+SHORT+C193