Assos

Assos has a reputation for high quality and charging for it. These bib shorts fit that reputation. The way I justify the price is the fact that their products (particularly their shorts) last 7-10 years with plenty of use. I have found these to be very comfortable for any length ride, from 1-6 hours.

I am 6'2" and 170lbs and prefer a size XL. The reason I prefer XL over L is that I like the extra length of the straps. I have not found XL to be looser around the legs or waist; it's just a tad bit longer, which ensures the straps are not too tight on the shoulders.

Essentially the same bib as the Equipe RS Bib Shorts S11, but with a few differences. The RS has bit more room up from than the R, but it's tolerable. The RS has a very thin seam running up the center of the codpiece, and the R does not, so it lays flat much easier despite having less room. On the underside, the front of the chamois of the RS has 24 holes which provide fantastic ventilation. The R does not have these, so it's a better bib overall for cooler rides.

The leg length and S11 compression is exactly the same, as is the strap design / bib attachment. On the underside of the leg openings on the side/back, the R uses a row of 4mm u-shaped grippers, while the RS uses four rows of smaller, 1cm coin-shaped grippers. Both work great and are of course a personal preference.

Other than that, the bibs are almost exactly the same - with the R being slightly less expensive.

This is mainly due to the RS utilizing a more technical, lighter, and breathable strap material than the R.

Can't go wrong with either one.

Unlike most other reviews here, I'd say these bib shorts might not be suitable for everyone. In my case, the thick padding can actually make things worse since it needs to be precisely positioned; otherwise, it creates uncomfortable pressure points underneath. While I've had a few great rides with them, most of the time they've caused discomfort. Many have mentioned no saddle soreness even during long rides, but for me, discomfort typically kicks in after about 5 miles. My bike fitting remained consistent across both good and bad experiences, so it seems my rare positive experiences occurred when I happened to position the padding correctly, while most of the time it was just slightly off.

I have been using this bib short just like the previous version, on road and gravel. The legs are long for protection with good compression and the grippers are wide and hold. The pockets are secure and large enough to hold my iPhone and easy to access while riding. The pockets are close to the thigh when empty and easy to stash wrappers while riding. I actually had to look if my phone was on my thigh because it was so comfortable. This short has everything I need for comfort and ride protection. The chamois is very comfortable and the shorts are abrasion resistant.