Louis Garneau

CB Carbon Lazer Cycling Bib Short - Women's

There are two solid reasons for using the same kit in training and races. First, when you find a chamois and fit that work for you, there's no reason to deviate; second, two dedicated wardrobes can be expensive. Louis Garneau's CB Carbon Lazer Cycling Bib Shorts for Women are built to accommodate the cyclist who'd rather simplify the pre-ride ritual whether the ride in question is a hammerfest, red-mist crit or an hours-long day of training miles.

Much of the shorts' material construction is the same as the men's version, but the six panels are laid-out in a women-specific fit and the bibs—ever a source of contention for we women of the peloton—are also shaped for women. The standard Farmer John suspender-style bibs work great if you're built like a Boonen, but for those of us whose bodies look more like a Hosking or a Stevens, the CB Carbon Lazer's semi-mono bib construction is a better fit. The bib also detaches in front, alleviating the issues women typically encounter with bibs when nature calls.

The shorts take their name from the CB Carbon main body fabric, a material composed of nylon, Lycra, and carbon fibers finished with a coldblack coating to help the fabric reflect—rather than absorb—UV rays. CB Carbon is supplemented with CB Lazer Rev (another namesake) and CB Gladiator, which provide durable wear and compressive benefits.

LG uses Highlander Mesh on the bibs, which provides the expected blend of stretch, breathability, and a barely there fit for unobstructed layering. That unobtrusiveness is reflected in the shorts' understated aesthetics. While they aren't as embellished as many of LG's other shorts, the CB Carbon Lazer shorts do still afford a bit of flair to set you apart from the too-cool-for-school crowd in solid black. After all, cycling is supposed to be about enjoying yourself, not just about suffering.

Given that mandate, easing the cyclist/saddle interface is ultimately a pair of bibs' primary directive. LG equips the CB Carbon Lazer bibs to fulfill that role with a women-specific 4 Motion chamois. The women's 4 Motion arrays multi-thicknesses of high-density foam across its breadth in order to target support and pressure relief where needed. The main padding sections beneath the ischial bones are separated by a mesh insert. This bit of mesh articulation ventilates and flexes, allowing either side to move independently of the other to maintain support and comfort throughout the pedal stroke. The edges are beveled for a gradual transition from shorts to chamois, and the whole thing is wrapped in a soft, anti-odor microfiber.