I haven’t used the Free Aero RC shorts, but all my Castelli and Pactimo stuff is Sm…5’9" / 150 lbs.
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Thanks. How is the fit of the Pactimo compared to any Castelli bibs you e tried? Are they tight fitting?
Pretty comparable, I’d say…some variation between models / styles, but not enough for me to think of changing sizes on the Pactimo side.
legs are bit longer on Pactimo, but I also order the longer length usually…
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I have two pairs. They’re great for the price. I wouldn’t call them the best bibs on the market though.
I found they wear out quicker than many of the other top brands I have. The material loses its finish and then becomes a bit threadbare. Although it’s been a few seasons so I’m not knocking points off. They still fit good and haven’t lost too much compression.
Overall they’ve been comfortable. So that’s an obvious plus.
They’re great value but there are definitely better bibs out there though those cost more. I probably wouldn’t buy them again unless I couldn’t find any sales on other brands.
New year. New thread. Same answer.
- Giordana FR-C bibs.
Next question. 
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Anybody have expierence with https://theblackbibs.com/? I was going to take a flyer on their adventure cargo bids for ultra this season for the price.
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I have a pair if the cargo bibs. The pockets are good, the one in the back is really nice once you decide what to put there. I find the fabric to be thicker/denser and hold onto sweat more than my Castelli bibs but that’s not always a problem.
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The least expensive Assos bibs are lightyears better than any low-to-mid-end brand, as far as comfort goes.
Their sizing chart was useless for me, though. It was off by three sizes.
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I thought I would post a follow up on the Assos bibs I mentioned in my previous post. I was a big fan of the Assos, Cento Evo bibs, which were the previous generation, top of the line endurance bibs.
The replacement for the Cento Evo is the Mille GTO C2 - I just received a new pair of these and put them to the test today and did a quick comparison.
The Mille GTO C2 has a thicker pad than the Cento Evo - the thickest pad I think I have ever ridden. I thought it might feel weird, but when on the saddle it totally disappeared and the comfort was exceptional. Gone is the Kuku Penthouse, but there seems to be adequate room for ones goods up front. The leg length, comparing regular length (not the long version) seems marginally longer than on the Cento Evo, and the grippers seem a little tighter. Overall the build quality is great, and I will be purchasing a couple more pairs now that I know they will work for me. Sizing remains consistent.
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Assos GT Mille half shorts for me. These things are superior quality, look and feel, cannot praise them enough. Also, they las ages…
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I’m not sure if that’s the pair I did LBL in they were good shorts and despite the constant ribbing over their ‘cr0tch pocket’, I persevered with them as they were so damm comfy 
Besides on the bike nobody sees it, off the bike though the style police did have a point though 
I have two pairs of the Assos Mille GT bib shorts, which are their cheapest model. (Still not cheap). Super comfortable however, so I also have some bibtights and 3/4 from them, none of these are the highest spec ones. Above the GT in the ‘comfort’ series (comfort = MIlle, their racy compressive ones are called Equipe) are the Mille GTO and if I ever win the lottery I’ll take a good look at them.
My bibs are a few years old though and I’ve just seen a model they call Mille GTS spring/fall, which are thicker for more warmth. Given we don’t really have a reliable summer here in the UK I’d be very interested to know what people think of them, especially the temperature range that they work in.
Other brands I’ve tried are Endura and Santini. Not tried any others. TBH the Assos basic Mille GT are very good, even last year’s, but watch out for models with pink pads, the more recent pads are black and IMO black is a better colour 
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I had originally ordered some Mille GTS’s. The quality was amazing, but they were far too compressive for my thunder thighs. The biggest size would have still been too tight on my legs. The GTs are much stretchier.
Next time, I think I’ll wait until I can find them on sale, though… Tariffs and returns destroyed me.
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Quick further update to the new Assos Mille GTO C2 bibs - I now have 3 pairs of these and have been riding them for a couple of weeks. In that time, I have a couple of additional observations that are likely details that only those that are coming from the Cento EVOs might care about.
The front of the bibs sit against your lower abdomen more tightly than the Cento EVO, which for me is a slight minus as I like that area to be loose. I assume this was done to address the complaints that they seemed baggy in the front when off the bike (who cares). The other thing per comments from my wife - the material that replaced the Kukoo Penthouse actually draws more attention to ones private parts, and seems to make it appear more prominent…not sure what to say about this…
Aside from those two issues, they are supremely comfortable on the bike.
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I’d like to drop my loyalty for Assos Mille’s since their sizing got a bit weird in the las few years but at the same time I don’t want to lose the soft, silk like feeling of their stuff and their "looking goof in it " factor.
My winter bibs are all from Castelli and while I love their padding I’m not a fan of their material, although I have to say I never splurged on their top of the line stuff.
So, should I give Castelli a try or venture with MAAP or something ?
I don’t know what “high end” is, unless we’re simply using price as de facto measure of quality (which it is not).
I have plenty of Assos too. They’re very comfortable on my butt – mostly because my wallet is empty. So, may I suggest perhaps Black Sheep ? https://au.blacksheepcycling.cc/ I got my first pair about a year ago (when they introduced the Liberty of London jersey fabrics). Anyway, I’ve been quite happy with the bibs and rate them equal to my Mille (T-whatever)
I have the velocio concept bibs and they are the favourites out of my collection of various brands (PNS, Rapha, Assos).
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i have:
Garneau inner-shorts, used them for everything, mostly use them for shorter trainer rides now as theyre dying a slow death
The black bibs, got them when i knew nothing else, seemed good but are now my least favourite, use them for shorter trainer rides
DHB bibs, not the base level but the one just above, they worked alright and better than the black bibs…until they didnt. Still use them on the trainer
Neopro bibs, affordable decently comfortable for rides of about 90 minutes or so
Castelli Competizione Nero (giro ditalia edition) bibs, loved them better than all the ones above
Le Col Pro bib, love them too about the same as castelli but for a bit more $$ lol
I actually don’t know what to get next 
i wanna get something for long rides outside, could get more LeCol possibly if i get a good sale
Just got these Castelli Premio Black - Bib Shorts at a significant discount (€250 down to €140)
Very comfy, great compression, though straps feel a little tight (size Medium and I’m 5’11")
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I’m all in for bike related impulse buy but this has to be the worst one I’ve ever splurged on.
MAAP team bib evo, these guys know how to design and market stuff but holy hell this is why I keep buying Castelli chamois even if I don’t like their logos.
Obviously the guys at MAAP aren’t backed by years and years of study about bones,blood flow and muscles “down there”, so they thought it was ok to slap a full memory mattress and call it a day.
Up for sale after only 45kms 
