I'll say it: I'm a mountain biker, and I'm a lycra guy. I used to be a baggy guy when I was younger, but I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I don't see any benefit to baggy shorts while riding a bike the way I ride one, and I see a whole lot of drawbacks. It doesn't help, in my opinion, that most mountain bike baggies look like leftover stock from a mid-90s Hot Topic.
So anyway, the point is I don't like baggies. But it does feel a bit odd if you go out on a group ride and then a beer with a bunch of guys wearing baggies, and you're wearing your XC race kit. So I thought these would be a good compromise, and that's exactly what they are, in ways both good and bad.
First of all, they really are nicely made. The construction and fit are good, they are just as tight when you pull them on as any Italian roadie bibs, and the pad is very nice. However, the overshorts are pretty slim-fitting, and aren't baggy at all when you're on the bike. They ride up just a touch--though not in an uncomfortable way--and end up sitting tight against your thighs. They're not restrictive in my experience, but they end up being snug. For me, this is a good thing. There's no droopy crotch to get caught on your seat or leg openings hanging down around your knees. But if you are actually looking for something that looks baggy while riding, this ain't it.
But they're also not just lycra bibs. That extra material is there, and it creates a constant swishing sound while pedaling. Like, every pedal stroke. After a little while you kinda stop noticing it, but it actually makes me wonder if it'll cause premature wear.
So, all of that said, I do like them and I'm glad I bought them (on sale). They do fulfill their purpose for me, and I tend to wear relatively slim-fitting shorts that hit me above the knee for casual wear, so I like the way these look when you get off the bike. I also like that they bring t-shirts into play as riding apparel, because sometimes it just feels good to wear a t-shirt.
So yeah, I do like these. But you have to know what you're getting when you buy them.
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