I tried Free Aeros a few years ago, and the chamois is very low in the front with stiching there. Things were uncomfortable were they really shouldn’t be. Yikes. I returned a pair of Cuores without riding in them b/c the chamois was cut similarly. Are all Castelli like that?
I probably sound like a Le Col fan boy, and I suppose I am, but the Pro are basically nothing like the HC. Different material, different uppers, very different chamois.
My last pair were the Pro Therma for $55. I think they were the previous version and on close out, but they’re awesome.
Generally I think I’ve paid around $110 for Pro and HC bibs.
I have noticed the Castelli issue w/pad length, but it hasn’t been an issue for me personally. Bibs are a bit like saddles though. I do hike them up as high as I can manage to get the seam in a bit of better location.
I tried Black Bibs early on and had serious issues in that same area. Never again.
I may have to try the Le Col Pros if I can stack some discounts. The HC are not my favorite.
LC is not specific about which Dolomiti pad is used, other than gel. Looks like the Stelvio. This (the HC) chamois is okay for me, but relatively narrow. I tend to prefer an Elastic Interface pad (of those that are identifiable) that’s a bit on the wider side, to match my wider hips. I am 195 cm (6’5") and 96kg (210 lbs.), however. If I was of a narrower build I might feel differently.
The cargo ones are honestly my favorite Rapha bib even after wearing a few times. The leg gripper is not wide and the design is nice. Not sure I would ever use the side or the back pockets but at least they are there. With nothing in them you hardly notice they are there.
Quick tip though if you do buy some just get the “Explore cargo bundle” that comes with the technical tshirt. You pay $5 more for both than just the normal cargo by themselves. I figure worst thing I can always sell the t-shirt if needed. Outside of a sale of course.
If you ever end up in a Rapha storefront, ask about specials. They will very often tell you things like “if you buy bibs AND a jersey, we’ll give you 25% off”.
I don’t live by one but my best bud does in Seattle. Will ask him to check for me but honestly I try to keep at only 6 jerseys and not buy any additional ones.
It was just an example. “What discount can I get on two pairs of bibs?” Might get you a nice discount. Worth a shot.
Do the LC Club discounts stack with the Strava codes? 25% + $60 off could make for some crazy deals.
Not sure. I joined the CC after I bought the bibs. It doesn’t hurt to try though.
To answer my own question for future reference, based on Pactimo’s size chart I chose Medium which fits perfectly. In Voler I always bought Large bibs, so maybe Voler runs a little smaller than Pactimo. Of course, YMMV!
At this point I have used the Assos Mille GT and the LeCol Pro bib. Both are fairly comparable. The Lecol’s Medium seems to have a tighter fit than the Assos. Lecol’s had a thicker foam.
Overall I had just switched this winter to using the Assos which are very nice. Saw various posts on the Le Col and tried them after using one of the strava discounts. I have no trouble with Either…both are great.
Nope. I recently tried to stack my Le Col Strava discount on top of my 30% Club discount and it did not work.
Big thumbs up for Le Col Pro bibs, but Id put their sport bibs in the “overly expensive, disposable” catergory…If theyre the last clean ones I have, ill wear em, but theyre certainly not my first choice. Chamois is crap on the sport model. They run similar in size to castelli. I have to size up for them
Theyre a bit pricey but always either on sale or an easy Strava code for $50-70 off. I have like 5 or 6 bibs from them and never paid full price
I would stay away from the Castelli Free Aero Race 4 bib shorts [link is to Competitive Cyclist, as I couldn’t find this version on the Castelli website] - last year’s version. I’ve been a Castelli bib shorts for years, and really like the previous version, but whatever material Castelli went to for the straps just isn’t robust enough. I bought multiple pairs of these when I could get them on sale, and this material has ripped on at least three pairs - so not a one-off problem.
I’m hoping that the new “version” - Free Aero RC Pro Bibshort - fixes this problem. From the pictures on the Castelli website, it looks like they redesigned the straps, so I’m betting that I’m not the only one who experienced this ripping problem.
I still like the lower price Castelli - competizione , Velocissima or whatever - Kiss air pad is good enough - they are often on sale in the UK - fit great and the straps are robust - I think it’s further up the range where the performance/longevity trade off goes wrong!
This would have been a nice post to see before I bought them on sale a couple of days ago!! Oh well, I will just be careful with the straps…
I’ve been really happy with my Jakroo bibs Custom Apparel for Cycling, Triathlon, Running and Nordic Ski -JAKROO for up to 8hr rides. No chaffing or soreness ever.
And it was kinda fun designing my own kit too
Thanks to all who recommended the pactimo bib-shorts. I got the Summit Strike bib shorts when they went on sale, then kept them for like 4 months in a drawer waiting for the spring temperatures.
Now I have used them for like half a dozen times. The fabric is incredibly soft, I did not feel like I was overheating in the upper leg area under the hot Mallorca sun, and there was no chafing.The straps were exactly as long as they needed to be and felt great. Even the grippers are different to what I am used to and very good. Let’s hope they are durable
MAAP bibs I have are my favourite, really comfy. And in the sales on their site are kind of reasonably priced, I paid 75 and 110 GBP for my 2 pairs.
Recently purchased a pair of Siroko Squadra and extremely impressed with the quality of chamois. They use their mid tier chamois in this style (Strato+). Much of their stock is ‘on sale’ (pretty much permanently) which puts these in the same price range as DHB aerons (which I also rate) but I reckon the Siroko chamois is twice as good. Will definitely buy more when my wife allows 
.
But as per all the other comments, the more you pay the better the quality and comfort.
I’d also say that riding indoors requires better quality bibs then outdoors as there is less compliance riding on fixed trainer rig vs trye.