Not much to add that hasn’t already been said but here is my 2 cents:
Cycle shorts like running shoes can be expensive trial and error
For me pad or chamois is the big game changer
Castelli Progetto X2 works well 4hrs+
Santini Gel pads are good 4hrs+
Endura FS260 Pro is very good as well
GOBIK very good but not offered in gel and personally I don’t like them beyond 4hrs every thing else is great.
Decathlon well you can find good prices and quality is not bad BUT
Good luck buy what you can afford and if you want save for a pair of high end shorts but be aware there is a saying in the USA:
…Once you walk into a double wide you’ll never go back to single…
Echoing the sentiment in this thread I would say they are highly subjective to each individual. Having said that I just purchased 2 pairs of Velocio’s bibs. I got a pair of their concept bibs and signature bibs. I love their signature bibs and have been on them for 3 years. These are very expensive but they have lasted me the 3 years and only now I’m noticing them lose elasticity and the chamois feels more compressed. They are expensive up front but they are sooo comfortable and last a few seasons if you take care of them. I’m not buying new bibs each year. I take good care of them and they aren’t used on the trainer. My old bibs get relegated to the trainer.
You think about how much time is spent on the bike versus the cost and I’ll pay more for good quality gear any day. I’ve learned in the past few years you really do get what you pay for.
I really don’t think, that you get what you pay for with cycling clothing. You can probably get much of the comfort, longevity and features at a much lower price than with the infamous brands.
But I gotta say, I rock a lot of chic cycling wear (mainly Rapha, but also LeCol, Isadore, Castelli, and Assos) and never had a saddle sore, a fabric chafing my skin open or suspenders cutting into my circulation, while many people I know have.
However, I hardly ever race in these clothes because the fit of them is really good, but not perfect. When you want every watt out of something, there are certainly better brands than the ones I just named…
I’ve tried DHB, Rapha, Sportful, Ale and Assos - Assos are the clear winner despite the unfortunate ‘codpiece’ look
Castellis got destroyed ridiculously quickly, especially on the trainer - the chamois pad seams disintegrate where inner thigh makes contact with the saddle and the gel inserts start to move around before disintegrating.
The cheapest Assos mille bibshorts just go on and on - perfect for the trainer and cheaper than the Castellis I was going through at a rate of knots. My favourites are the t equip evo which unfortunately they seem to have stopped selling. The S9 are very nice but lose points by having an annoyingly itchy seam at the base of the straps - not good as it’s right on your arse!
As others have noted, there are for sure differences in quality as you move up the price spectrum. Whether the marginal value of the nice bibs is worth the marginal cost is 100% dependent upon your preferences. I think most people’s preferences have them in the mid range tier, and probably 1 expensive kit that they got for Christmas or something. However, the first time I ordered nice bibs, my wife received the package, was shocked at the price, but commented that she could tell the quality was way better than my other cheap ones.
The main reason why I have moved towards nicer kits is because I think there is a very big difference when riding in the heat. Cheap material and cheap chamois don’t hold up very well in the heat, in my opinion. This goes for both bibs and jerseys.
You all have inspired me: I’ve been riding with “upper-tier” DHB shorts for years now, dropping about $120USD and being reasonably happy. But the last month or so I’ve been dealing with a recurring saddle-sore issue, so I decided to drop a few extra dollars and see if I’ve been missing anything. Picked up a pair of MILLE GT Summer Bib Shorts, and yes, they’re amazing, and no, I don’t think I can go back.
Now I just have to figure out a way to somehow remove the logo so I can wear them on group rides.
Hmm… I never have really bad saddle sores but my favorite bibs are DHB Blok ones I got second-hand but unused for 25 quid on eBay. These are way better than my Santini bibs that costed 6x more.
Its really trial and error but I’d never buy any of the big brands, especially fashionista brands like Rapha and Le Col given I’m on a budget and really the DHB stuff especially Aeron is SO SO good (for me). But if you like how they look and they feel good, why not!! spending money on bike stuff is never a waste
Slightly off topic… BUT
Don’t even question this…or try to find logic…
Find Vick’s vaporub and put a bit on the sore every time you get out of the shower (and probably before bed).
Works like MAGIC!
I was once on a camping/mtb trip and didn’t have easy access to a shower. I’d rubbed my sensitive bits raw by day two and was worried about developing some sort of nasty rot, so cleaned up as best I could and grabbed the only thing available: a couple of squirts of hand-sanitizer. Now that was refreshing!
Yeah, the DHB Aeron are excellent and good for 90% of the rides/workouts I do. I’m going to save the Assos for those 2 hour Z2 rides where you don’t get out of the saddle.
The other 1% stems from feeling self-conscious about tooling around in a $200 pair of shorts when some of the folks I ride with have a hard time affording a new wheel when one fails.
