dhb Pace Roubaix 3/4 bib tight with pad

Three-quarter tights are perfect for autumn and spring when you want your knees covered but not the whole of your legs, and the new range from dhb has a couple of options worth considering.

The dhb three-quarter tights are available in two versions: the Pace model is made with lighter fabric (190g/m2), while the Pace Roubaix is made with slightly heavier material (235g/m2). Both versions are available with an insert pad (male or female) or no pad at all (you’ll need to wear a pair of shorts or a short-liner underneath).

I tested a pair of Pace Roubaix three-quarter tights with pad. From the very start – a little test-spin on the rollers – they were comfortable. To give a good anatomical fit there are ‘bends’ in the tights to align with your torso and knees when sitting on the bike, so they’re constructed from a surprising number of separate panels – including some unusual diamond panels on the upper leg. This means lots of seams, but the fit was snug all round without being over-tight, and none of the seams chaffed.

Next, a 30-mile training jaunt to make sure the pad was comfortable when riding the bike on the road. It was. It's a high level option from the Cytec range and it provides good cushioning without being too bulky. So I wore the tights on my last big ride of the year, the Severn Bridge Sportive, a beautiful 100-mile circuit through the falling leaves of the South Cotswolds and Forest of Dean. The day started chilly, but was warm by mid-morning, and even a bit hot by about 1pm, and the tights were perfect. Totally comfortable throughout the ride, they kept me warm enough on the descents without getting over-sweaty on the uphill bits.

Adding to the comfort, the main fabric of the tights is brushed on the inside to give a slight ‘fleecy’ feel, while the straps and back of the bib are made from a mesh to allow a bit of breathing. The front of the bib is quite high, but it didn’t crease or ruck when riding on the drops.

To make the tights easier to put on, and for male pee stops, there’s a YKK zip at the front. Other features include silicon grippers to stop the tights riding up your legs, and a little orange Cytec tab in the seam at the back. Also on the rear-end is the dhb wording and logo in reflective white, and there’s a little logo in red on the right leg too.

I’ll use these tights into early winter on any day there’s a hint of warmth in the air, then I'll probably put them away until March. I prefer three-quarters unless it’s really cold, and often prefer them when it’s raining as the bottom of full-length tights can sometimes get baggy when wet, whereas water just falls off bare shins – especially if you rub in a bit of Vaseline before setting off. No? Oh, just me then.

All the dhb Pace and Pace Roubaix legwear products are available in black only. The lighter fabric Pace model is £36, and the versions without pads are a few quid less again.

Verdict

A very comfortable pair of three-quarter tights, at a very good price, ideal for spring and autumn riding.