Bib shorts
- Thread starter DP-UK
- Start date
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Big John
Legendary Member
For purely personal reasons I wouldn't want to buy used bib shorts for the same reason I wouldn't buy used pants. I'm also after bib shorts because many of my current ones are past their best but my budget is a lot less than £100. I'd have thought that the choices would be many and varied for circa £100. I'll watch this thread with interest to see if any of the suggestions fall within my limited funds 👍
Note: Of all the pairs of bib tights I've got the longest lasting were made by Endura. Also good value were ones purchased from Zipvit but sadly they no longer sell cycling kit. I've had some Giordano ones too that have given excellent service but after maybe 20 years they've now given up the ghost lol.
Note: Of all the pairs of bib tights I've got the longest lasting were made by Endura. Also good value were ones purchased from Zipvit but sadly they no longer sell cycling kit. I've had some Giordano ones too that have given excellent service but after maybe 20 years they've now given up the ghost lol.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Planet X Carnac ones are perfectly good. Did 205km sportive and bike packed on a pair for 350km last year. Cheap !
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Best budget shorts in a review were the decathlon offerings
VinSumRox
Über Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders
For me it is a problem of finding the right fit, at the moment I have found Castelli ones fit me well, so I've got a couple of pairs bought in sales.
Animo
Senior Member
https://road.cc/content/review/boardman-9-series-bib-shorts-313797
Saw this review today - might fit the bill.
Saw this review today - might fit the bill.
oxoman
Senior Member
2nd hand bibs. 🤢. Decathlon bibshorts are good, but don't go for the cheapest ones. I rate Planet X ones tbh, cheap and cheerful and do the job. Boardman as mentioned. Last pr of Endura i had the stitching come apart and also some altura ones went the same. Le-col and castelli are very good but the price is to rich for me. Funkier aren't to bad either.
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i had several pairs of cheaper bib shorts, none were good. Ive had Castelli, Le Col, Assos, DHB, Gore and probably others. Le Col, Assos have been the most comfortable and long lasting.
ive yet to find any good bibs or tights for £100. I wear mine at least four times a week.
good luck.
ive yet to find any good bibs or tights for £100. I wear mine at least four times a week.
good luck.
Not sure what size you are after, or whether you have a preference on makes at all?
I've tried an enormous amount of makes, I did used to very much like La Passione, and still have a couple of pairs I really rate, but I think they have cheapened their materials and pads a bit in recent years.
I tend to play safe now, and for me (ymmv) the Castelli Progetto X2 pad is simply a reliable and VERY comfortable pad - it's just key to get the right size, and nab something in the sale - I wouldn't pay the full price of around £160.
The Endurance 3 is at Winstanley for £89.99 (Weirdly Small is £98) which to my mind is a very good deal:
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/castelli-endurance-3-bib-shorts#172=295&173=168
I have a pair of the Pro Race ones as well - again grabbed in a sale, but the Endurance ones are arguably a better short imho.
A lot of people highly rate the Castelli KISS pad (found on their cheaper shorts), but for me, it really did not work - I'm a smallish build (Usually buy Castelli small kit) although currently a bit over what I should be at 74kg, I still wear small shorts. Ideally I should be hovering around the 70kg mark.
Another worthy mention that may be available around £100 would deffo include Lusso bibs.
I'd also not personally buy 2nd hand shorts, as you don't know how people have treated them, what they have used to wash them, and at what temperatures etc.
I've tried an enormous amount of makes, I did used to very much like La Passione, and still have a couple of pairs I really rate, but I think they have cheapened their materials and pads a bit in recent years.
I tend to play safe now, and for me (ymmv) the Castelli Progetto X2 pad is simply a reliable and VERY comfortable pad - it's just key to get the right size, and nab something in the sale - I wouldn't pay the full price of around £160.
The Endurance 3 is at Winstanley for £89.99 (Weirdly Small is £98) which to my mind is a very good deal:
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/castelli-endurance-3-bib-shorts#172=295&173=168
I have a pair of the Pro Race ones as well - again grabbed in a sale, but the Endurance ones are arguably a better short imho.
A lot of people highly rate the Castelli KISS pad (found on their cheaper shorts), but for me, it really did not work - I'm a smallish build (Usually buy Castelli small kit) although currently a bit over what I should be at 74kg, I still wear small shorts. Ideally I should be hovering around the 70kg mark.
Another worthy mention that may be available around £100 would deffo include Lusso bibs.
I'd also not personally buy 2nd hand shorts, as you don't know how people have treated them, what they have used to wash them, and at what temperatures etc.
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PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I've ridden in Assos for 25+ years. I find they are the very best fit for me. I've paid anything up to £160/70 for Assos. Its a question of looking for deals. I find a pair lasts 3 years but it's only the lycra that's worn out. The pad is usually good for another 2 winters so i wear them under unpadded biblongs. This means Assos works out at around £30/40pa.
They have an offer that fits your budget. I bought a pair of these last week. First ride tomorrow. They feel good and crucially are based on the superb Mille GT which is no longer available.
£84 for Assos bibs!!!!!!
My other favoured brand is Lusso. I'm a huge Lusso fan and the company is always my first call for kit. I have a pair of these
Perform Carbon
They're very, very good but the pad isn't quite right for me. Lusso pads get 9/10 but Assos 10/10. I've recently sent my Lusso bibs back, they will fit an alternative pad for me. That's the joy of using a quality, small business. You get what you pay for.
They have an offer that fits your budget. I bought a pair of these last week. First ride tomorrow. They feel good and crucially are based on the superb Mille GT which is no longer available.
£84 for Assos bibs!!!!!!
My other favoured brand is Lusso. I'm a huge Lusso fan and the company is always my first call for kit. I have a pair of these
Perform Carbon
They're very, very good but the pad isn't quite right for me. Lusso pads get 9/10 but Assos 10/10. I've recently sent my Lusso bibs back, they will fit an alternative pad for me. That's the joy of using a quality, small business. You get what you pay for.
Animo
Senior Member
La Passione went out of business Dan.
The people behind the brand have started a new brand called Noove but they seem to be a fair bit more expensive.
Bib shorts are very subjective though. I've had cheapo ones from Ebay for £20 that have been really good. Other way more expensive ones which I cannot say were any better.
Everyone is different as well of course. What I or anyone else finds comfortable others may not.
Be aware Castelli stuff seems to always be on the small size. In bibs and other stuff. So a medium elsewhere a lot find they need a large from Castelli.
Sorry not a massive amount of help but it's almost a case of trying a pair of bibs and see what suits. For your budget i've found Altura kit decent and good value. Likewise DHB is good value.
To echo what others say, I wouldn't go 2nd hand on bibs.
Everyone is different as well of course. What I or anyone else finds comfortable others may not.
Be aware Castelli stuff seems to always be on the small size. In bibs and other stuff. So a medium elsewhere a lot find they need a large from Castelli.
Sorry not a massive amount of help but it's almost a case of trying a pair of bibs and see what suits. For your budget i've found Altura kit decent and good value. Likewise DHB is good value.
To echo what others say, I wouldn't go 2nd hand on bibs.
Boopop
Legendary Member
Nothing wrong with used cycling shorts. If they look disgusting when you get them, return them. Otherwise, I don't see the issue. People who don't like used cycling shorts must have a very hard time at hotels, unless perhaps they think that such establishments get new bed linen with each new guest, which seems rather unlikely.
If the washing machine didn't make cycling shorts clean I wouldn't want to re-use my own collection of them, nevermind buying from someone else.
If the washing machine didn't make cycling shorts clean I wouldn't want to re-use my own collection of them, nevermind buying from someone else.
I think it's more the thought of it. Unless you are really strapped for cash it seems a bit odd. However if you have no concerns and get a mega bargain carry on.
