Where are you getting bibs with the orange S2 insert? I killed both pairs of my bib shorts, and now all I have left are two half shorts...would love a source for the original Assos!

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Riding the Catskills

Where are people also buying Assos so cheap

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Baum Ristretto, Baum Mondrian Corretto & the '89 Merckx! | "If you could eat it in one sitting, hold your line." | twitter.com/Tinea_Pedis

Wiggle

Ribble, Shinybikes.

Buy summer apparel in the winter and vice versa.

Don't think so.

Have used Assos UNO/F1 Milles and Rapha classic bibs extensively. Am a large Assos and medium Rapha. I find i go for the Raphas much more frequently, very unique feel of the material and the cytech pad is very comfy. I find the Assos pad not as comfortable on the rivet and on long rides. Also Assos long term doesnt stand up well.
Really didnt like the Rapah team shorts, too short on the leg and too mcuh compressions, plus really shiny. I sent them back.

A few years ago I made the mistake of buying Assos S5 Mille on sale. Worst mistake ever because after the first ride I knew I could never ever go back. I own 9 pair of bibs/knickers/tights with the S5 insert. And "hundreds more is a joke". Never paid more than $165 for Mille S5 or more than $180 for FI 13s ... just gotta know where and when to shop.

The basic assos uno is just perfect.
The hi-end assos stuff is too thick.
Love the Giordana Carbon bibs too.

Never tried Rapha.




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This.

Have had various top end Assos bibs over the years (and they last for many years) - now days the "mid level" Uno's are all the Assos I seem to need (besides I like the logo'd version).

By shopping at the right time I've picked up Assos Uno's (with logo) for $125 - $135 plus $7 shipping from UK to USA.

Price isn't a barrier........

I definitely think that it all comes down to model when you're dealing with the "higher end" bib shorts. I've had Giordana, Assos, Castelli, Louis Garneau, and Voler, and obviously they all fit differently, but even within the same company the fit can be different.

For example, I had a pair of Giordana Silverlines (one of their less expensive models) for about a year. They were great bibs--they fit right, conformed to my body rather than having a predefined shape for me to fit into (something that Assos kind of does), and didn't have much bulk at all. They ended up getting destroyed in a crash so I tried another pair of Giordanas, but this time I went with their Laser series (their second tier model). The fit was TOTALLY different (much too big in the back end, usually a place that I don't have a problem with ) and the fabric was thicker, bulkier...not as comfortable. You just need to watch out for discrepancies within companies like that, as someone said earlier, Assos does the same with their models.

Now, I think that the purpose of the bib is really the big determining factor in fit and feel. My Assos S5 UNO bib doesn't feel like a second skin like my Castelli Body Paint does, nor is it supposed to. It's supposed to have that "all day" feel to it (although I could wear the Body Paint all day too), and the pad follows that function--it is much, MUCH bigger than any other bibs that I have. At first I found it uncomfortable, but I'm starting to adapt to it. Again, it's about the function of the bib, and the fit will *probably* follow.

That said, all the companies, whether it be Assos, Rapha, Castelli, Giordana, or Pearl Izumi or whatever, are going to have different fits. I think it's more about what company fits *you* rather than just simply choosing one.