So here's another gear review. And for this one I am actually pretty amped up about. I don't get super excited about new gear unless it's something I really think everyone should take a look at.
I just got myself a new pair of Bontrager RXL Bib Shorts and they are amazing. Usually I don't condone spending more money than you need on anything in such an expensive sport. However, when it comes to being comfortable on the bike. Splurge yourself in a nice pair of bibs. If they're on sale, buy a few pair.
There's a few things I'd like to note that make these especially nice in my opinion. Let's go from the top down.
First off is the seamless straps that come over the shoulders. There are a lot of comfortable chamois out there, but when it comes to shoulder comfort, having no seems and minimal feeling of pull is amazing. These bibs feel like nothing is riding up over your shoulders and they lock in place pretty well, holding the bibs up nice and secure.
Next we move down to the chamois, and this is the big one. Not literally though. The chamois in the RXL bib is put where you need it, not where you don't. Having been used to both over the top chamois in lower-end equipment and minimal chamois in my triathlon gear, this one takes the cake fitting right in the middle, but being much more comfortable than all of the rest. I have done a few road rides and some commuting in them. And in both conditions, the chamois was superb. No excessive rubbing, no diaper out the butt feeling and no excessive pad up front that gets in the way when you tuck in low on the saddle to attack. Then again, when you get off the bike to walk, you don't feel the need to move the pad around to make it bearable to walk in.
Finally, we move down to the leg openings. Being a guy who chooses not to shave his legs, some bib shorts out there pull the crap out of my leg hairs. It's so ridiculously annoying, I can't even explain. Having to constantly move the openings around when I stand up and sit down off the saddle is such a pain in the @ss. What Bontrager (and other brands) have done is taper off the end of the shorts in more of a lazer finish rather than a tight noose to sausage up your legs. There are no rubber pieces tugging at your leg hair and no cuffs that seemingly cut off circulation to your feet if you wear your bibs tight or have larger than average legs. These just work well.
So there you have it. These are my favorite bibs to date so far. I love just about everything about them. The only thing I haven't liked is the shoulder straps roll up pretty easily when you're putting them on, so you have to take the time to unroll them. But I'll take that with all the good things I find about these bibs.
Check them out here.
-Dave
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