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review

Sugoi Evolution bib shorts

9
£70.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Hugely impressive shorts for the money
Weight: 
0g
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.

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Sugoi's Evolution bibshorts are at the lower end of their performance orientated range but the quality and ergonomics belie the price tag.

The eight panels are stitched together using flat seams providing a close contoured fit. The 'Evoplus' material made up of 68% Polyamide (Nylon), 18% Polyester and 14% Elastane (Spandex) feels soft to the touch but also has a solid, close knit feel to it minimizing stretch.

Obviously getting the correct fit becomes more important with a material like this but get it right and you get a feeling similar to that of some compression garments on the market. On longer rides you notice this supportive effect due to less muscle vibration meaning that your legs feel fresher.

The Evoplus material along with the mesh bibs come together to form a highly breathable and good wicking pair of bibs while the textured material means no sliding about on the saddle. The RC Pro pad contains various contoured pads that mold to the body and reduce vibration, while a centre channel runs the full length for ventilation and pressure relief.

No bunching or movement of the pad while in the saddle kept things comfortable and miles bent over onto the nose of the seat in a race position caused no irritation either. Inseam length is 9' on all sizes finished off with elastic leg grippers, these never moved once the ride had started and were so comfortable they were never even noticed. Available in black, black & white or charcoal the Evolutions's should blend well with any style of jersey you're wearing.

Verdict

Quite simply these are hugely impressive pair of shorts. The fit is good, very good in fact plus they certainly feel built to last. They've had a good few washes and still look good as new. Wicking is good keeping you dry while the pad is comfy for both long or short rides no matter what the intensity. For £70 rrp they're good value but shop around and you'll find them for less than fifty and at that price they're quite simply the best shorts I've worn.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Sugoi Evolution bib shorts

Size tested: Medium, black

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?

Sugoi say the Evolution is for the race/speed end of the market. The fit is certainly aimed at that market plus the pad keeps things comfortable no matter how hard you push.

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

The Evoplus fabric is designed to be high wicking and it does seem to work. Full details of Pro RC pad are on Sugoi's website

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The stitching quality is good and the welding on the seat pad should avoid any unwanted chaffage.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Good fit plus that tight compressive feeling helps when a lot of hours are spent in the saddle.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

These shorts have done some serious hard miles over the test period and plenty of washes and still look the same as when they were delivered.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

The bulk of the test miles have been put in on my fixie and with two downhill sections reaching 130+rpm a lot of bouncing in the saddle and friction on the seat is the norm, the Evolution's have shown none of that.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

At £70 I think they're good value but shop about and you'll get them loads cheaper making them great value for money.

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

Brilliantly, simple as that

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit and the pad comfort.

Did you enjoy using the product? yes

Would you consider buying the product? yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 180cm  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Genesis Flyer  My best bike is: Ribble Gran Fondo

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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5 comments

Avatar
Psyclyst | 12 years ago
0 likes

I like these shorts A LOT! In fact they are the most comfortable bibs I have tried. The fabric feels strong. The straps are smooth and comfortable. The fit is on the tight side but in a good way. Best of all though, and the revelation for me, is the pad. It is really comfortable!

My only gripe, as a bloke, is that the bibs are quite high at the front which will make spending a penny more difficult. That aside...these are brilliant bib shorts! I will be buying another pair as and when.

Size wise I am 5'7", 30" waist and the small fits me, but only just..in fact I reckon the medium would be a better fit

Avatar
Fat_Birds | 12 years ago
0 likes

Sugoi did a nice job, personally I find the product neutral looking. No risk at all, but definetively good product.

Pad can improve to be one step ahead.

Avatar
keefus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for that Tony...unfortunately Cycle Surgery have just told me via the old dog & bone that they have only small left. Wiggle.... no medium or large stock, Cycle Surgery.... no medium or large stock......well Mr Kerton where did you get your bibshorts from?

Avatar
Tony Farrelly | 12 years ago
0 likes

they're going fast, Wiggle still had them when the review came out, Cyclesurgery have them - if you're a small they're a bargain price http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CSUG0106Z... they also seem to have them in other sizes too, but at list price.

Avatar
keefus | 12 years ago
0 likes

Good review especially as I'm in the market for some new bib shorts. Problem is I cant find anyone on tinterweb that sells them. Over to to you Mr Kerton.

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