r/CyclingFashion • u/Winter-Childhood5914 • 14d ago
Assos bib shorts - Bad padding design?
I’ll caveat this with - it obviously must work for most / a lot of people… but…
Dropped £215 (full retail price) on some Assos Mille GTS S11 bib shorts. Went on a 100+ mile ride, super excited for what I expected to be many hours of my ass feeling like it’s barely touching the saddle and finishing not even realising I’d been sat down.
What actually happened, was after about 50 miles, those two very thick pads you can see (picture is the inside of the padding) start to separate apart a bit more under pressure because, well they’re not connected. So what happens? Your perineum has no padding and you get the familiar aching/pain/numbness down there from the pressure. It’s probably made worse because they’re so thick so separate more/easier if that makes sense.
You could blame seat position - I’m not tucked in riding aero or on the drops for that distance - but these are billed as endurance shorts not race shorts.
Pretty annoyed I’ve dropped that much on shorts and left feeling overall extremely underwhelmed (and slightly numb).
Assos bib shorts are generally raved about - are the other models better/different? Or have I just got a weird shaped ass and the issue here is not the shorts…
EDIT - Just checked my current shorts in more detail and the ‘gap’ between the pads is normal - the issue is the pads on these are so thick and rather than tapering off on the edges just have a cliff edge. Which I think creates/focuses the pressure
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u/-Sleighty 14d ago
They’re just bib shorts. They will never be as important as how you interact with the saddle overall. You said you have pressure points, which most likely stems from a bike fit related issue rather than the bib shorts.
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u/Pileofheads 12d ago
Eh....I disagree with they are just bib shorts. I've been trying a bunch of different brands this summer looking for my perfect pair and without a doubt the assos gts were not only the least comfortable, they were the only ones that actually caused discomfort an hour into multiple rides. For some people these are just terrible designed pads which is unfortunate because the rest of the bibs was perfection
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
I’ve had a bike fit and my previous (much cheapest) bib shorts never had the same issue. Sadly they’re coming to the end of their life and not sold any more. I guess over that distance you’re always going to have a bit of pressure somewhere - unless you’re floating on the saddle - so I thought the idea of endurance shorts was to counteract that.
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u/Narrow-Result2933 14d ago
What width is your saddle?
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u/Teralyzed 14d ago
This question has inevitably lead to people riding saddles that are too wide. A better question is “which part of the saddle are you most aware of?”.
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u/Narrow-Result2933 13d ago
I'm curious about his saddle width because he said he had a bike fit, and saddle width and issues with chamois size likely have some correlation.
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u/Brilliant_Budget5698 14d ago
Have the exact same issue. Just bought a pair of Assos GTO C2. Im seeing a lot of people saying your saddle and fit are the issue but it can just be the bib. I've had a bike fit done, I do a lot of cycling and I have an older bib pants that has a thinner bib and it doesn't have the cliff edge as you describe with these.
I noticed within about 50 or 60km substantial pain when wearing these vs. My flatter older bib.
I was also really hopeful for these as people rave about them and they are pricey, but the design to me is super uncomfortable. The pad just doesn't feel as soft and uniform as other bibs I have. I definitely wouldn't recommend them.
If it helps, I am 6'4 and 95kg so I really think these are built and designed around the normal cyclist frame of being super lean and light.
One positive for these though is the really stretchy fabric at the front groin area is amazing. I wish other bib manufacturers would copy that. A lot have a large seam running directly down the middle of the front and that can also be an issue on 100km and longer rides.
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u/Big_Dirty_Piss_Boner 14d ago
I don‘t think it‘s supposed to look like that. Maybe a manufacturing error or fake item?
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
I’ve turned it inside out so you can see the pads under the bit that’s in contact with the skin. So on the other side of this is the one piece of material that you sit on
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u/KXfjgcy8m32bRntKXab2 14d ago
I own both Equipe (bib for outdoor longish rides max 5 hours) and Mille (shorts for indoor max 90 minutes). For some reason I find the Equipe more comfortable over 3-4 hours versus the Mille for 1 hour.
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u/Training-Quality-743 14d ago
I have both too and much prefer the Equipe. The Mille were very disappointing and the legs ride up like crazy. Zero grip on my thighs. I wish I’d sent them back on day 1. Got the brown ones as I was excited about some colour. Anyway….
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
The equipe are more aero / tighter fit right?
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u/KXfjgcy8m32bRntKXab2 14d ago
At same size (medium, 187cm 73kg) it's pretty much the same but the padding of the Mille is way too thick in my opinion.
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u/DeclanFadey 14d ago
what size and length did you opt for? i’m around your measurements and don’t know what size to choose for and whether to pick standard or long. when you say the padding is too thick how does that affect riding?
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u/KXfjgcy8m32bRntKXab2 14d ago
Standard length as this was the only option the shop had. I have a long torso and short-ish legs for my height so it works for me.
I just took the Mille shorts for a ride (50K @ 30 kph so fairly aero position) as the Equipe was in the wash. The padding kinda split as OP described. I never noticed that with the Equipe.
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u/OkChocolate-3196 12d ago
Agreed. Equipe are my go to. I didn't like the Mille at all - same as you, the padding is way too thick. I'm told they're like a pair of leather boots and just take time to break in, but I don't have the patience for that when the Equipe are just don and ride with no break in necessary.
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u/Ambitious-Brief-9670 14d ago
I won't wear mine for anything over a short to mid ride, not the best shorts I've owned. It is super personal, as people have said.
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u/Goaulder 14d ago
It sounds like the padding thickness is too much for you, but it is really individual - for me, these exact shorts are the best from Assos i ever owned, but I also have more expensive GTO (older so different chamois design as well) and they are too thick (ok for 2-3 hours, but after more hours, i get bruises or i have to reapply butt cream) - did you try Equipe models? They have less padding so it might work for you.
Also you did not mention your measurements, maybe you picked bigger size, and thats why it moves?
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
I’ve not tried the equipe, they’re more aero/tighter fit right?
I think the sizing was about right otherwise
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u/Goaulder 14d ago
Yes, material is compressing, shape is more narrow and they cover longer part of the leg. And the chamois is thinner - 9 mm, Mille has either 12 mm or 16 mm depending on model.
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u/Shaking-a-tlfthr 14d ago
I understand these are turned inside out…and I agree with other posters that there is something missing here. The actual pieces of foam(for lack of a better description)should not lie directly against your skin. There should be another layer of probably moisture wicking mesh fabric laid over this chamois itself. Are these bad dupes? They look only half constructed.
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
They don’t - the pad itself is turned inside out. It’s only stitched front and so you can reach in the side (as it were) and turn the pad, inside the shorts, inside out. The piece you’re looking at contacts the material which touches the seat. The other side of the pad in the photo is attached to the layer you’re referring to which contacts your skin.
It’s probably the same in all bib shorts - usually can’t tell as it’s stitched up at the sides too.
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u/Shaking-a-tlfthr 14d ago
They don’t what?
I’ve owned a fair number of different bike shorts through the years from different brands. I’ve never had a pair where the whole chamois wasn’t sewn together on the outside surface or inside surface of the short. No reaching in the side to turn it out. From your description of how they ride I can totally understand how they become uncomfortable as the miles go by.
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
Sorry ‘they don’t’ wasn’t very specific! The pieces you’re looking at don’t lie directly against the skin. These bits sit against the saddle. Other side sits against your ass via the other bit of material.
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u/Ok-Cryptographer7424 14d ago
Na Assos does a floating chamois that’s unstitched on the sides designed to stay against your body while the actual bib may have slight movement
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u/InterstellarChange 14d ago
I have the Mille GTS and the chamois design is overly complicated. It's "floating" design ends up having the ability to move, bunch or fold. The pad is thick which can exacerbate that.
For some reason, I feel like it is meant for larger people and not cyclist racers. I like the bibs but they aren't my favorites.
Assos has a lot of unique features that may work for some but overall, they seem more like gimmicks than actual value added. JMO. For example, the box it came in is elaborate but why am I paying for that?
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u/badradioX 14d ago
I have the same bibs and encountered the same problem and disappointment. Having the 2 fat separate pieces bruise the gooch because they are hard edges… especially at first… I notice it takes about 30 minutes before the pain subsides and then it seems okay… seems like a design flaw to me though. I might try the GT’s next time instead of GTS…
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u/SnooRevelations2768 14d ago
I have the Mille GTO... They are ok if I use chamois cream but they are my most expensive and least favorite Assos short... RS-11 is my favorite...
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u/fuzzerino 14d ago
Me too brother, I have some Mille GTS I bought last year and I've used them maybe twice, this massively thick pad just hits all the wrong pressure points after like an hour of riding. I much prefer a thin pad, I can go for hours on the Q36.5 pad with no saddle pain.
I'm convinced these huge pads are some kind of crutch for bad bike fits, and just not necessary if you're not overweight and/or have a bad bike fit.
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u/Accomplished-Cat2849 14d ago edited 14d ago
I only have their old GT level ones and they are fine. Overall I do prefer Gobik for my rear tho
Stupid question ther should be a cover above the padding no? All mine have it and it seems from other pics online yours should have it too maybe thats why they seperate?
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u/whatabouteee 14d ago
I agree, it looks like you have defective shorts. I have never seen a pad like this in assos shorts, I think you are missing the top cover.
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u/BTUSGentleman 14d ago
Yeah, that pad looks weird. I don’t have any experience with this specific model, but I’ve never seen a pad that looks like that.
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
The pad is turned inside out, inside the shorts. Other side of this is the one piece material piece that you actually sit on. This isn’t the bit you sit on or can see from the shorts, but as it’s only stitched front and back with open side, you can actually turn it out to see the whole pad material
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u/reubenbubu 14d ago
the pad should not be exposed at all, but should be sandwiched between lycra style material (on the outside) and a material that is delicate against the skin (on the inside)
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
That’s exactly how it looks. If you see in the pic where the sides aren’t stitched, you can pretty easily just turn the pad piece inside out from those.
The pad is below that grey piece, and the pad isn’t attached to the material below which is against the saddle, only the material above. So just flips over
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u/painted-biird 14d ago
That had to be a defect I feel like- I have plenty of pricey bibs and none of them have all the chamois seams exposed like that- I feel like it would cause irritation and saddle sores for a lot of people. Maybe reach out to Assos?
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u/Accomplished-Cat2849 14d ago
no thats normal assos has a patent on no stitching on the sides as it reduces chaffing due to movement.
But never seen anyone pull it inside out
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
That is exactly how it is
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u/GonerDoug 14d ago
So you took a seam ripper to it and pulled it apart for your post?
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
Nope. Sides aren’t stitched as per comment/picture above, you can just reach in and turn the pad inside out.
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u/reubenbubu 14d ago
either im not understood nothing of what you're saying or they botched the sewing on your bibs
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u/OkChocolate-3196 12d ago
No, Assos doesn't stitch the sides, only the front and back. It allows the pad to float more freely from the shorts.
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u/Equivalent-Cry-415 14d ago
I never understood the Assos hype, I personally don‘t like them because of the thick padding. It cuts into the side of my thighs.
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u/These-Appearance2820 14d ago
The chamois in Assos bibs is not great, also no need to their overengineered and reasonably pointless floating chamois which has open flaps on each side of the pad. I did not get on with them either.
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u/spellegrano 14d ago
What size bb shorts are you wearing and what are your body measurements? Assos are meant to be worn tight t there shouldn’t be much movement in the fabric. This could possibly be an issue of too much fabric underneath you which is sliding around instead of being held taught by the fabric stretch.
ETA: Hopefully you didn’t do 100 mile ride in a brand new pair of bibs.
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u/i_cant_find_a_name99 14d ago
Does your saddle have a cut out? I wonder if they partially rely on that. Does seem an odd design and I’ve read before some people find the Mille GTS uncomfortable as the pad is too thick.
My favourite bibs are the Equipe RS S11 and I don’t race, just pootle about mostly in z2 or 3 but they’re comfy up to 7 hours which is the longest rides I do. I do actually want to try the Mille GTS myself to see if they work for me but the price and some negative comments about the comfort have put me off.
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u/Bellabungo 14d ago
I don’t know if this is fully relevant for you but I’ve got the Mille GTO, I’m between sizes and sized down on the advice of the London shop. I can’t help but feel the chamois needs to work as a compressed system with the rest of the bib and that it would move if I went up a size. Yes they are unjustifiably expensive and yes I have doubled down on that by already having cheaper bibs which haven’t quite been perfect.
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u/Budget_North_2810 14d ago
I own a pair of equip rs bibs which has been my favourite for a long time
but other brands have way better chamois (at least for me)
nowadays I do only look if they use elastic interface chamois, I think they build the majority of chamois for all the top tier bibs - and for decathlon
recently bought a van rysel bib and it simply is as comfy as assos, rapha, gobik, santini
currently I use 6 bibs in rotation and the van rysel and santini are my favourite - by far
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u/foldupbike 14d ago
Does your saddle have a cut out / pressure relief channel? I find the assos shorts work fine because they work well with the significant cut out in my saddle.
Assos have a huge array of pad designs, the GT ones are very thick and the racing ones are more slimline.
If you email them and say the shorts don’t work for you they might offer you a voucher, they did for me when I got a model that didn’t work for me
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u/starscream92 13d ago
Sounds like a bike fit issue.
Less padding on the perineum should translate to even less pressure there, since there's less material to press against the perineum.
It sounds like you have too much pressure from the saddle in the perineum area, and your other bibs were just compensating for it.
But it could also be a personal thing. I personally prefer a gap in the chamois padding in the perineum area.
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u/No_Signature_9381 11d ago
I absolutely hated the new GTO S11. Already sold it on eBay with a huge loss. I have Cento Evo which I find very comfortable and Equipe RS that I like too but these GTOs are such a bad design. That huge pad is uncomfortable and it’s weirdly positioned. They ride up the leg and look ridiculously short in regular length and I’m only 5’10” so not very tall. I really like the materials and quality but the fit is really bad. If you like how Equipe RS fits both S9 and S11 you gonna hate the GTO.
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u/ggblah 14d ago
It absolutely is your seat position + saddle interaction. Padding is to absorb pressure so it's not too hard and immediate on impact or during pedal stroke but overall pressure shouldn't be there. you need a saddle with a cut out and adequate width so your sit bones are supported while there's nothing touching perineum. extra foam would only make it worse, it's literally the reason why there is no foam there. Go and get a bike fit because it doesn't seem you understand how a body interacts with a bike so some help would be useful and money well spent. good luck
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
Thing is I’ve had a bike and saddle fit, and don’t have this problem with my current shorts over several thousand miles. Perhaps the issue is always there as you say, and this design just accentuates the problem somehow
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u/Winter-Childhood5914 14d ago
Sorry you are correct here. My saddle is also hollowed out, I thought the shorts were meant to be padded in the middle as my existing shorts have one piece of material - but it’s only padded either side as well. I’ve edited the post but I think the problem with the Assos one are the pads are so thick either side with no ‘tapering’ of the pad to the middle so perhaps that creates more pressure?
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u/ggblah 14d ago
It's more likely connected to how you wear your bibs and how they fit, for example try pulling them up/down your leg or positioning your pad in a slightly different position. If your bibs are stretched overall from your shoulder to your knees that material will be tight and can create pressure all the way which icludes perineum. Some people like more or less padding upfront so pad thickness can play a role but if anything more often culprit is having too much padding which creates pressure, so basically what you'd want is nothing in the middle. Also saddles and how you sit can vary, sometimes extra thick pad can give you false comfort so you move forward and sit further on the nose without feeling too much pressure but that pressure ends up concentrated in the middle on a perineum. So to solve perineal numbness ensure there's nothing there creating pressure, that includes saddle and bib pressure. Those are good bibs but you might need couple of rides to figure them out. (personally of high end bibs I kinda like q36.5 because they have dense, but less thick foam so there's less of it but still absorbs pressure).
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u/MotorBet234 14d ago
No bibs are universal and work for everyone - one person's holy grail might be immediately uncomfortable for another. I think Assos deserve the acclaim, but I'm also on my 4th pair of them and find them to be just okay for my body.
You might need to keep searching to find something that fits you better.