Assos
It took me a while to get to Assos Shorts. I've tried many different brands over the years, some were good and some were not. I tried a set of Assos Mille bibs and had a revelation. The fit, comfort, quality of materials on what is the more affordable version of their product line is fantastic!
After such good luck with the bibs, I decided to try the GT Shorts for the days when Bibs may not work as well. These are just as good! durable and well made. Don't be afraid to make an investment in quality cycle gear. The initial cost is higher, but if you take good care of them, they will last years and years.
On a side note, being the middle-aged, average-built man that I am, I find that bib shorts do better for me. My 12-pack abs don't seem to work so well with regular shorts, so if you are on the border between shorts or bibs. Doing away with the waist band bunching up certainly makes riding more comfy.
I have been riding with Assos bib shorts for over a decade. As long as you take care of them they will last you for many years of good riding. I put all of my gear in a pillow case and wash them on delicate cycle and hang them to dry each time. They have lasted me for years in the process. These bibs have a phenomenal chamois in them that is comfortable and keeps the bum from hurting on extended rides. The straps hold the bibs on snugly so that the chamois can do its job of keeping the bum from getting sore. These were on sale for a decent price. Thanks!
I love, love, love these bib shorts! They are comfortable in all areas. I was having issues with other bibs that would bunch up in the creases of my legs/hips and cause a lot of discomfort. Not with these guys, they fit so well and I have to remind myself I'm wearing shorts. If I had to say one bad thing is the clasp and the over the head bib part. It would be better if the bib part was in the front and went over your head and around your neck. That way when you have to use the bathroom, you can unzip your jersey, take it off over your head to the front, and voila! But seriously, hands down the best chamois and bib on the market.
I love Assos bibs & shorts, but I've had a hard time keeping one of their jerseys. I wanted the white version of this jersey for summer >80F. White clothing in desert heat works great for temp management. But this jersey fit a little smaller than expected and was much too translucent for the entire abdomen - requiring a base layer and defeating the purpose of having white. The material also seemed to be less robust and prone to premature wear, but I didn't end up testing that. Ended up returning and going with the Giordana FR-C Pro which has super strong, thin, lightweight material and the fit and compression are perfect for me.
