Assos S5 vs S7 bibs. Looking for feel and fit comparison

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dgasmd
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by dgasmd

I am curious to see if anyone here that has used both could give some real world insight as tot he differences in fit and feel. I have been using the S5 top of the line since they came out, but as I considered to add a couple of more, I noticed the S7 line came out. I presume the 3 new S7 bibs correlate in price with thee previous 3 S5 models, but there is a $100 or so difference in price between the new top S7 and the top S5!!

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Oswald
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by Oswald

I have several S5 Mille and one S5 607. I love them.
I also have the S7 Equipe and have experienced chafing on every occasion I have ridden it. I will try the Cento model and if that one doesn't fit me, I will see if I can get hold of some older S5 Mille.

solarider
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by solarider

To me, the difference is more about the cut than the pad.

The S7 cut is very low at the front. And the new wider 'braces' are nicer in warm weather. You feel much less like you have a total undergarment on at the front. The S5 kept you 'in' more and felt more supportive around the tummy (yes, I know we all have 2% body fat and rock solid core muscles so this doesn't matter!)

Otherwise, the pad doesn't feel that different. Nice, but not the revolution that Assos think.

I like them, but the S5 was just as good.

I have the Equipe which has a nice compression in the leg.

Altogether a nice piece of kit. They haven't chafed or rubbed, or felt uncomfortable in any way. But then again, nor did the S5. If you can get some S5s for a closeout price, buy some.

kode54
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by kode54

i normally wear most of the Assos bib shorts. tk607, tk434, mille, FI.13 and many others...all in medium. i bought a used S7 cento to try out from someone on WW. it was a small. ironically, the fit feels like my other mediums and fit very well. yes, the front is much lower...but makes for nice and easy bathroom breaks. i've been on only 2 rides with them, back to back (65 mile and a 45 mile) and must say that the pad on the cento is much better than the S5 variants...and feel like i can ride much further than in my S5s. not sure if i want to pay even more for the next level up...but the cento is very nice.
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Kjetil
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by Kjetil

I have the Mille, 13 and 607_S5, and the equipe and campionissimo (don't ask)_S7. All in M, and all fit me the same except the Mille which is too wide for skinny me.

All round the equipe is just as good as 13 was. The fit is better, but the pad not as great. Jury is out on the campionissimo, I've just done a single ride in it thus far.

The 607 will get a S7 replacement this fall, the Tiburushorts, using the equipe pad.
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goodboyr
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by goodboyr

I've got the T cento bibs. I don't like them as much as my s5's for two reasons
1. The side edge of the pad is not sewn to the shorts. It "floats" and thus the edge is exposed. This digs in and causes irritation.
2. Here's the most annoying issue. The back straps are now two different materials sewn together with a very large horizontal seam at each strap where the material is joined. These seams are huge and elevated. They dig in and "scratch" your back. Whereas the S5 straps were smooth.
I'm going to buy some more s5's now that they are cheap.

RedRacer
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by RedRacer

goodboyr wrote:2. Here's the most annoying issue. The back straps are now two different materials sewn together with a very large horizontal seam at each strap where the material is joined. These seams are huge and elevated. They dig in and "scratch" your back. Whereas the S5 straps were smooth.
I'm going to buy some more s5's now that they are cheap.
\

I own four pairs of S5 variants and two pairs of the new S7 variants and noticed the exact same problem with the shoulder/suspender straps!

All things considered I am not convinced the new S7 are really any better.

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Kjetil
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by Kjetil

I have not noticed that problem at all. I wear undershirts, though.
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kode54
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by kode54

Kjetil wrote:I have not noticed that problem at all. I wear undershirts, though.


same here. i always wear base layers regardless of temperature. i have different base layers for all 4 seasons. when i don't wear a base layer, it feels odd.
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Rush
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by Rush

Well I finally got around to replacing my S5 Mille's which died in a crash back in April. I wore a Large long leg in the S5.

Tried on the S7 Cento and it felt really nice in the shop. I really liked the feel of the new straps. The problem was that they leg length is just too short for me (I have long femurs apparently).

As a comparison I tried on the S7 Equipe. These felt a bit more comfortable (apparently the pad is slightly thinner in the perineum) and the leg length was better. The seam length is the same as the Cento, but apparently the lycra has a bit more compression on it so they don't ride up so high up my thighs. So I took the punt on the Equipe's. Most of the riding I do is about 100 km, its only occasionally I go for > 150 km.

I'm planning on doing a 250 km Audax ride this summer. I did a 200 km one last summer and the S5 Milles didn't miss a beat. Hopefully the Equipe pad (which is slightly thinner) doesn't cause me any dramas.

eaglejackson
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by eaglejackson

I wore the S5 Fl.13's for a few years. I'm a bit between sizes, where the medium feels a little tight and the large too big. The straps I don't find all that comfortable, and there is too much material above the waist -- I feel almost encased. For the past two years I switched to Rapha Classic bibs, which I found more comfortable. The pad is not quite at the Assos level but quite nice.

On the recommendation of a friend, who is a top cyclist in Mallorca, I gave the S7 T.Cento's a try. The mediums fit a little tight when I first put them on but after a few minutes fit perfectly. They are more like shorts with suspenders than a whole body garment. As others have said the front is much lower, and I like that. The downside is that it doesn't give as much midsection support for those of us with a few extra pounds (not fat by any means but not 5% body fat either). The pad, I really like. It feels like it molds to your body. It's the most comfortable pad I've ever used, and I wear for long rides. I wear an undershirt in all conditions, so haven't noticed any strap chafing issues. In fact, I find the straps to be very comfortable.

The leg length is a little short; I'd prefer a little longer.

The S7 T.Centos are now my go-to bibs, and I've bought a few pair.

dynaserve
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by dynaserve

I've had S5 Unos for years and recently got the S7. Everything about the S7 feels better to me, apart from the pad (so the most important bit) which is a lot thinner and I find moves out of position. So back to the S5s for me.

I'm wondering though if the S7 will be more transparent proof and wear better at the back because of the new design?

tinozee
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by tinozee

I have 2 pair of the S7 Equipe version. They are super comfortable but holes have developed on both pair at the stitch of the pad. It's rather annoying because all of the rest of the bib is fine and the chamois is amazing. Granted, the first pair have already 12,000 miles. But the second pair already have holes in the exact same spots after 3,000 miles. I am thin and these fit perfectly. Has anyone else seen these small holes at the stitch? You can see if you put hand inside and hold up to light. I have never seen such a thing on Castelli, Capo or a number of team kits and other bibs with years of use. My wife can see my white ass through the holes when we ride too. I hesitate to buy another pair because I think maybe the material is too thin where the pad is sewn on.

Svetty
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by Svetty

I have a few 000 miles on my S7 centos - best shorts I've owned. Pad is super comfortable and the lower front is an improvement over the S5. Just wish they were a bit cheaper but I guess quality costs

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tinozee
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by tinozee

Are the Centos thicker fabric than the Equipe?

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