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review

dhb Ladies Aeron Pro V2 Bib Short

8
£74.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Comfortable, good value, but the innovative bib didn't quite work how we wanted it to
Weight: 
182g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.com

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The dhb Aeron Pro Bib V2 bib shorts are a higher specced tweak of the Aeron Race I have also reviewed. dhb's shorts are frequently good value for money for the levels of comfort and performance they offer, and I had high hopes that the V2's might be just the ticket for long days out on the bike.

One of the things that often puts ladies off the idea of bib shorts, despite their increased comfort levels for long duration rides, is the difficulty in answering calls of nature when wearing them. Funnily enough, few are overjoyed at the idea of stripping off almost entirely just to take a pee!

The Aeron Pro V2 is made from an ultra lightweight Fieldsensor fabric, designed to wick moisture quickly and effectively and be breathable to keep body temperature stable. The pad is the company's top notch CyTech 'Tour Air' elastic interface chamois, while the leg openings are broad and flat, with silicone dots as grippers.

The main differentiator for the Pro V2, though, is its bib section, which has been updated from the Pro with a hook fastening at the front to make a call of nature much easier. Aside from the hook, the bib is made from a carbon based mesh fabric, with straps that fit down the middle of the bust rather than around it.

It's a good looking pair of bibs, with attractive contrasting panels and stitching. But there's no way you'd want to wear it in any way other than under a jersey. The fit is as described, with the size 14 I tested being a fairly standard requirement for my 'sportier' thighs, with no pinch in the leg gripper region.

In wear, the Pro Bib V2 were very comfortable, with a supportive, cushioned female specific chamois that did the job without the feeling of wearing a bulky pad. On a recent 75 miler there were no problems at all with discomfort, chafing or numbness and the stretch Fieldsensor fabric did its job exceptionally too.

The leg gripper dots were effective but without the skin mangling tendencies of full silicone strips, and therefore infinitely more comfortable and flattering. Sadly the bib section didn't quite live up to the potential I had thought it might have on initial inspection. The hook design, whilst definitely innovative, didn't completely dispense with the need to pull the bib over the head and hold it safely out of the way whilst, erm, seeing a man about a dog.

Putting it back required some wriggling and fishing around behind the back, under the jersey, to pull it back over the head. It still made for an easier life than no hook at all. The bib was comfortable and didn't rub, while the central panel design means it'd be suitable for most bust sizes without any problems. The rear of the bib was nice and high and gave good riding comfort, without being overhot.

A good value pair of bib shorts (especially if you can find them on offer), with excellent comfort from fabric, fit and pad. Good for all distances of ride. Just a shame the bib didn't quite fulfill its suggested potential.

Verdict

Comfortable, good value, but the innovative bib didn't quite work how we wanted it to.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Ladies Aeron Pro V2 Bib Short

Size tested: 14

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?

Aimed at "the serious rider who wants to ride hard and stay comfortable"

I'd agree with that. Female specific but men's version available too.

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

Fieldsensor fabric

69% polyamide

16% polyester

15% elastane

Bib

82% polyester

15% elastane

4% carbon

Available in sizes UK8-16

Machine washable at 30 degrees

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made from good fabrics.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Excellent comfort, moisture wicking and great pad performance. Updated bib design wasn't 100% successful in solving toilet stop problems.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Fabric of legs is very light and stretchy and could age more quickly than some heavier fabrics, as is bib fabric. Very good quality and high performance though.

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

Really good levels of comfort from both shorts fabric, bib section and chamois.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Not a bad price at all for a lightweight high performance bib short. These are sometimes available on offer and then it's an astonishing deal.

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

Performed extremely well. Very comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfort, breathability and moisture wicking properties of fabric,chamois pad, bib hook closure, style of short section

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Slight sagginess of bib fabric, bib still tricky to get on and off in times of "need"

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Well conceived and high performance shorts with an exceptionally comfortable pad but the bib still needs some tweaking.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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2 comments

Avatar
Abbie | 10 years ago
0 likes

Could they not make a bib with a hook front and back? Then the loosened bib could stay round your neck whilst you do whatever you need to do. Then you re-hook the back first and then the front. Eliminating the need to fully strip. Just an Idea. I might have a go at altering a pair I've got already!

Avatar
HaloJ | 11 years ago
0 likes

I'm a fan of their prior aeron pro bibs finding them comfortable way past the 100 mile mark. My only complaint was the lack of easy comfort breaks so the hook is a great addition for me and I'll upgrade as soon as I can.

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