Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Rapha Men's Core Bib Shorts

9
£100.00

VERDICT:

9
10
The new 'value' offering from Rapha that doesn't skimp on quality
Weight: 
197g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Rapha's Core bib shorts are an impressive mix of knowhow from premium ranges – giving good quality, comfort and a great fit.

The new Core range from Rapha is aimed at simplicity: no frills, just good performance and elegant design. A review the Core jersey and the women's non-bib Core shorts are to come, but the men's bibs achieve those aims convincingly.

> Buy these online here

Let's start with the showpiece of any bib short: the chamois. Rapha has used the same pad you find in its Classic range of bib shorts, and it's a well-regarded design. It's not as comfortable as the Cytech pad seen in Rapha's Pro Team and Pro Team Lightweight bib shorts, but it's certainly adequate for most rides.

Rapha Mens Core Bib Shorts - back.jpg

During my testing, I wore them on several 100km rides, all of which the pad took in its stride, providing great comfort and as much padding as is needed (but no more, which will suit some).

Rapha Mens Core Bib Shorts - riding.jpg

It's also testament to the thought gone into the fit that the shoulder straps are very comfortable too – especially so when you get down in the drops into a more aero position. They're not meshed, so coolness in hot weather might be limited. They do have a stretchy quality, which means if you have a particularly long or short body, the Core bibs are going to mould somewhat to your body shape – and this goes for the leg fabric, too. That means you can stick to Rapha's sizing charts, and customise the fit to your needs. For example, I usually wear mediums when it comes to Rapha bibs, but can also get away with large quite easily for a slightly more relaxed fit, as demonstrated by my test pair.

Rapha Mens Core Bib Shorts - straps back.jpg

The bib is cut low enough for easy comfort breaks, while the leg grippers – a textured variety, rather than ribbed – are generous enough for legs larger than mine (I have quite skinny thighs). Get into the saddle and start pedalling, and they settle into a very comfortable, flush and neutral position up the leg.

Rapha Mens Core Bib Shorts - straps front.jpg

The fabric in general is a comfortable blend of 82% polyester and 18% elastane, but in the absence of any Roubaix lining, they're not for cold winter use. Milder conditions are the bibs' forte, and they will be at home in UK spring, summer and autumn weather. The fabric is dense, too, so even when stretched across the skin they don't become at all see-through.

> Check out our guide to the best bib shorts here

Comfort is also good where the seams are concerned, despite them being more pronounced than you see on Rapha's more expensive bib shorts. While the stitching is flatlocked, from the outside you can easily see the where the seams meet. It's not bad quality and they don't rub or chafe, but they can leave a slight mark in the leg after a long ride.

Rapha Mens Core Bib Shorts - leg detail.jpg

The bibs wash easily, retaining an as-new feel after several machine cycles. So even though £100 still represents a quite significant investment, you're likely to get a good lifespan out of them.

Overall, these are very well-designed, comfortable and good performing bib shorts at a competitive price point – for Rapha. You can go cheaper – like the Merlin Elite bib shorts I reviewed recently for nearly half the price – but against rivals in the same price range, the Core bibs more than hold their own. They're also available in two options, with black or white straps. 

Verdict

The new 'value' offering from Rapha that doesn't skimp on quality

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Men's Core Bib Shorts

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Rapha says: "[The Core bib shorts are] simple, quality bib shorts to complement any ride, the main panels use a dense-knit fabric for support and modesty and laser-cut leg grippers lined with soft silicone for a close, comfortable fit. The bib section uses high-stretch material, machined efficiently for even distribution of stretch and to accommodate longer torsos. Flatlock seams are positioned carefully throughout to hold the shorts in place without chafing. The shorts are available in an entirely black colourway, or with a white bib section to prevent straps showing under a light-coloured jersey."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Features

- The same Rapha chamois pad used in all our Classic bib shorts

- Black dense-knit fabric for compressive support and modesty

- Colour-matched trims throughout

- Laser-cut, soft-silicone leg grippers to hold shorts comfortably in place

- High-stretch bib accommodates any rider height without compromising fit

- Comfortable flatlock stitching

- Black or white bib section

- Subtle tonal branding

Fabric

-82% Polyester

-18% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Aside (slightly) from the prominent seams, these bibs are well made, with Rapha clearly using knowhow from previous models.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very comfortable, with a chamois capable of dealing with all but the very heaviest of riding days.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The Core bibs wash very well, coming out like new (something I find with all Rapha products, to be honest). The fabric is soft but can stand up to snicky surfaces impressively well.

Rate the product for fit:
 
10/10

Lovely fit in all areas, and can cater to practically any body shape.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

Sizes up very slightly from other Rapha offerings, but not a problem.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

A pleasure to wear, with my only criticism being the seams.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

For around the £100 mark I've seen bib shorts that fall well short of these.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Almost perfectly.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Brilliantly - I'll be using them again.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Lovely fit, good quality materials, kudos of the Rapha branding.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The seams, and even that is being picky.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

For £100, I've found bibs can be hit or miss in terms of performance, longevity and comfort. The Rapha Cores are a big hit.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 188cm  Weight: 83kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
sammutd88 | 3 years ago
0 likes

I find these shorts extremely average. The chamois is most of the issue, too bulky and too soft, not enough density to it. Each to their own.

Avatar
mrmo | 7 years ago
0 likes

thought i would add my further thoughts, just done a 200k ride and the shorts have one issue. There is a seam done the middle of the pad that gets f***ing annoying after a while. A fairly major flaw in design, but on more normal rides no issue.

Avatar
ChancerOnABike | 7 years ago
0 likes

Or that it's made in china

Avatar
Peowpeowpeowlasers | 7 years ago
0 likes

Holy crap, an article on Rapha clothing not chock full of comments talking about how expensive it is and how a carbon fibre bottle cage offers more value!

Latest Comments