[Rbrown]

I think there was a previous thread on this topic but I can't find it.

I have dhb Aeron bib shorts which have seen me
well. Done about 6k km in them in the last year and feeling the old undercarriage could do with a new pad!!!!

Anyone got any recommendations?

The Castelli Endurance 3 has been recommended and the pad looks comfy!

Many thanks in advance.

[MashinBenzin]

Really rate Castelli and had a couple of pairs that lasted years. Bought Endura last year, initially very happy with the comfort etc. but after less than 2k the pad has come adrift inside the shorts.

Castelli are a size up from Endura and probably DHB as well. I.e. a UK L is a Castelli XL.

[Blacktemplar]

Pad comfort can be quite an individual thing, and to a degree depends on the length of rides you're doing and the width of your sit bones. There's no substitute for a well-fitting saddle, a bike fit and a bit of @rse-callusing!

I've used Endura FS-260 kit for years, and have always found them pretty good for short-medium rides up to 100km, along with DHB Aerons. If I'm riding longer distances I'll generally wear Castelli or a pair of 7Mesh bibs I got this year - I've only tried these on a couple of rides but they feel very good.

I'd say the quality of Endura's kit has slipped a bit recently, and I noticed the pad compacts quite a bit if you're over-generous with the chamois cream...

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

I think there was a previous thread on this topic but I can't find it.

This one?

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...cycling+shorts

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

I'd say the quality of Endura's kit has slipped a bit recently, and I noticed the pad compacts quite a bit if you're over-generous with the chamois cream...

I tend to use shorts rather than bibs now for the MTB but I'm not blown away by my latest Enduras. The chamois seems comfortable enough but the cut of the rest of the shorts leaves a lot to be desired, and the silicone grippers pretty much rip skin off. Size wise I'm a 30-31" waist and the mediums are too tight really, I should have gone for the large. Given they're cycling shorts from a specialist manufacturer you'd expect them to be designed to accommodate cyclist's thighs!

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

I tend to use shorts rather than bibs now for the MTB but I'm not blown away by my latest Enduras. The chamois seems comfortable enough but the cut of the rest of the shorts leaves a lot to be desired, and the silicone grippers pretty much rip skin off. Size wise I'm a 30-31" waist and the mediums are too tight really, I should have gone for the large. Given they're cycling shorts from a specialist manufacturer you'd expect them to be designed to accommodate cyclist's thighs!

I agree, it feels like they're starting to cut corners a bit. I had a set of Team Endura Racing kit (remember them?) which I wore for years - they survived at least a couple of 'offs' on tarmac and I only ditched them because they were starting to get pretty faded & tatty looking after 6 or 7 years' regular use. The pad however was still in great nick.

I find DHB can be a bit hit or miss - some of their Aeron stuff is really well made, good quality lycra and a decent pad, but I've bought a few bits & pieces over the last 2-3 years that's not been so great.

What I find interesting is that manufacturers like DHB, Endura & Sportful have started to creep ever closer to the sort of prices being asked by the likes of Castelli, Gore and Pearl Izumi not that long ago.

I quite like the look of some of the Le Col kit, my mate has a pair of their bibs and swears by them for comfort.

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

I agree, it feels like they're starting to cut corners a bit. I had a set of Team Endura Racing kit (remember them?) which I wore for years - they survived at least a couple of 'offs' on tarmac and I only ditched them because they were starting to get pretty faded & tatty looking after 6 or 7 years' regular use. The pad however was still in great nick.

I find DHB can be a bit hit or miss - some of their Aeron stuff is really well made, good quality lycra and a decent pad, but I've bought a few bits & pieces over the last 2-3 years that's not been so great.

What I find interesting is than manufacturers like DHB, Endura & Sportful have started to creep ever closer to the sort of prices being asked by the likes of Castelli, Gore and Pearl Izumi not that long ago.

I quite like the look of some of the Le Col kit, my mate has a pair of their bibs and swears by them for comfort.

The Le Col shorts have also caught my eye!

[SantaEugence]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

The Le Col shorts have also caught my eye!

Le Col still doing the Strava challenges to get money off too?

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by SantaEugence

Le Col still doing the Strava challenges to get money off too?

Good point - will have a look!

👍

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Good point - will have a look!

👍

https://lecol.cc/pages/strava-challenge-t-cs

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

https://lecol.cc/pages/strava-challenge-t-cs

Great stuff! Had done the hours already, so got the voucher when I clicked on the challenge!!!

Many thanks

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Great stuff! Had done the hours already, so got the voucher when I clicked on the challenge!!!

Many thanks

Ah that's good, wasn't expecting it to count hours already logged. Have joined and will try out there bibs with the discount, cheers!

[Bianchi Dave]

As someone who does regular 100+ mile rides, its all about the pad!
If going Castelli the Endurance 3 are a good shout, as are the Free Aero Race, as both come with the Progetto X2 pad, which is excellent. Avoid the cheaper Castelli shorts with the Kiss Air pad as they are garbage and don't keep their firmness.
I have a few pairs of Le Col bibs too, and my go to's are the Pro Blackout version. They are excellent, with a gel pad. HCs are also good but again avoid the cheaper Sport range as the pad is just foam.
For reference sizing wise, I'm a large in Castelli bibs but a small in Le Col, which is bigger made (Italian v British sizing).
HTH

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

I agree, it feels like they're starting to cut corners a bit. I had a set of Team Endura Racing kit (remember them?) which I wore for years - they survived at least a couple of 'offs' on tarmac and I only ditched them because they were starting to get pretty faded & tatty looking after 6 or 7 years' regular use. The pad however was still in great nick.

I find DHB can be a bit hit or miss - some of their Aeron stuff is really well made, good quality lycra and a decent pad, but I've bought a few bits & pieces over the last 2-3 years that's not been so great.

What I find interesting is that manufacturers like DHB, Endura & Sportful have started to creep ever closer to the sort of prices being asked by the likes of Castelli, Gore and Pearl Izumi not that long ago.

I quite like the look of some of the Le Col kit, my mate has a pair of their bibs and swears by them for comfort.

It's happening in lots of other outdoor areas too where good but ultimately second tier manufactures are increasing their prices to match top tier brands in the hope that an increased price will convince people they're also top tier. Mountain Equipment did that a few years ago to challenge Arcteryx, as did North Face, but sadly neither are up to the quality or ingenuity of Arcteryx. North Face aren't even close now they focus on selling Chinese made hoodies to chavs, yet their prices are even higher! Unfortunately enough people who don't really know what they're doing continue to pay the prices for status and not care whether the product is demonstrably better for the price.

I'd say most of the top end MTB clothing brands are pretty poor in my experience; Fox stuff is generally pretty well made but some of the materials aren't the comfiest (i.e sweaty as F), and the price is extortionate. Troy Lee haven't ever made something that actually lasts and it seems they still can't (helmet liners disintegrate after six months, gloves last half that etc), and Leatt last even less. The best stuff I ever had was O'Neal (not the surfing O'Neill), with one pair of shorts lasting 10,000km of muddy riding but they're quite expensive now too and more difficult to get hold of than back when I could just email their head of marketing and get more sent

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Bianchi Dave

As someone who does regular 100+ mile rides, its all about the pad!
If going Castelli the Endurance 3 are a good shout, as are the Free Aero Race, as both come with the Progetto X2 pad, which is excellent. Avoid the cheaper Castelli shorts with the Kiss Air pad as they are garbage and don't keep their firmness.
I have a few pairs of Le Col bibs too, and my go to's are the Pro Blackout version. They are excellent, with a gel pad. HCs are also good but again avoid the cheaper Sport range as the pad is just foam.
For reference sizing wise, I'm a large in Castelli bibs but a small in Le Col, which is bigger made (Italian v British sizing).
HTH

Good info, thanks. Will try the HCs, as I guess the Pro Blackouts are warm (I'm going to be mainly zwifting for the foreseeable).

[Bianchi Dave]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Good info, thanks. Will try the HCs, as I guess the Pro Blackouts are warm (I'm going to be mainly zwifting for the foreseeable).

I wouldn't describe the Pro shorts as being particularly warm, in fact the Castelli Endurance are perhaps a bit of a denser lycra. But you are correct in that the HCs are a bit lighter than the Pros (in which there are also therma and lightweight versions).

Got an email this morning for todays deal on the HC shorts, pretty much half price with the Strava code. At that price they are well worth it. I usually buy the Pro shorts when on a similar offer. I've never paid rrp, there are always deals if you're patient!

For zwifting I tend to just wear older shorts, the pads are a bit worn but its no big deal as you're backside doesn't need to deal with the road vibrations.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Bianchi Dave

I wouldn't describe the Pro shorts as being particularly warm, in fact the Castelli Endurance are perhaps a bit of a denser lycra. But you are correct in that the HCs are a bit lighter than the Pros (in which there are also therma and lightweight versions).

Got an email this morning for todays deal on the HC shorts, pretty much half price with the Strava code. At that price they are well worth it. I usually buy the Pro shorts when on a similar offer. I've never paid rrp, there are always deals if you're patient!

For zwifting I tend to just wear older shorts, the pads are a bit worn but its no big deal as you're backside doesn't need to deal with the road vibrations.

I had only seen the Thermas, so that explains it. Thanks again Dave, useful info.

[mikeoz]

I have some Mavic bib shorts which I like but looking at getting some Assos next.
I have Castelli kit for everything else but never got on with the shorts I tried...

This may help https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-...s-guide-137253

[dazzapb]

Castelli has also been my go to shorts. The last 2 pairs lasted 30 odd months.

As I am getting so fat I do have to get XXL but to be fair they are tiny in size.

I just got a few pairs of these and bizarrely I am wearing one now not cos I am weird but I haven't bothered to change from afternoon ride yet.

My last pairs were 130 odd each these seems just as good!

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cas...Bib-Short/OZ1D

[Beancounter_74]

Surprised that Assos and Rapha haven't got a mention. I've not cycled for the last 3 years, but the above were my 'go to' bibs when I was riding.

[MashinBenzin]

Ordered the Le Col Pros yesterday for £110 with the Strava discount. No doubt this is effectively paying retail as I think they always have the Strava offer, but fancied trying them following the positive comments from Bianchi Dave

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Ordered the Le Col Pros yesterday for £110 with the Strava discount. No doubt this is effectively paying retail as I think they always have the Strava offer, but fancied trying them following the positive comments from Bianchi Dave

Good choice. I got mine a couple of weeks ago.

They seem great so far. Washing helps soften the chamois. I also like the material round the legs and lower bag. Feels really good quality!

Hope you like them!!!