Fad Lads have expanded (ba dum!) into Lasses clothing with a range of clothing including these Pedal Pushers.

This new brand has a USP is which very close to my heart: cycling clothing for the not-skinny. These 3/4 length padded pedal pushers are available in sizes up to high street 26. For once in my cycling life I am not wearing the largest a company can provide. As a 16-18 I am wearing size 5 out of 8 in the Fat Lass At the Back (FLAB) range.

The overall fit of the pedal pushers is good, especially in the all important stomach area, where a separate curved panel contains, rather than constricts, excess tummy. These knickers have an extremely high waist and back – no low rise bum cracks to be seen here. One of the problems I find with plus size gear is that it tends to be sized up according to a formula, whereas the FLAB tights seem to have redesigned the basic pattern to take account of the tummies and bums which account for needing the larger sizes. Both are well covered here and I did not need to seek out a particularly long top in order to feel comfortable when out riding.

The waistband has both a silicone gripper and a pull cord – the latter which ties on the inside which left an little knot near my tummy button. I didn't much like the silicone gripper around my waist as it tended to leave a sweaty ring around my back.

The length of these knickers is good and the silicone strip at each calf neither rode up nor dug in. There is a very subtle logo on the calf, and I think a missed chance to make this reflective. The outer seams of the leg are cut on the bias, which offers increased flexibility and the white stitching looks flattering and gives some shape to the leg.

I wasn't very keen on the pad, which I found had a tendency to bunch up. Chamois choice is always very personal, but I felt that this one was not sufficiently curved to my body and could have offered greater coverage.

The material used for these pedal pushers was ok, but nothing to write home about. It wasn't particularly wicking, but it did the job and washed well. Standard lycra fare.

£45 puts these pedal pushers at the bottom of the mid range pricewise. I would happily pay ten or fifteen pounds more to see the little details fixed and a better pad. Usually there is a premium to pay for clothing from small, new companies, and also for producing the plates for larger sizing so these are extremely economical and in the next price band up from own-brand offerings. Surprisingly these knickers carried a made in Italy label. Again, I would have expected the far East at this price.

Overall these pedal pushers were comfy to wear and I didn't feel at all poured into them.

Verdict

It's fab that cycling kit is available in this range of sizes and this is a great fit, but I'd pay more for a better pad

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Fat Lad At The Back Lasses Pedal Pushers

Size tested: 5

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?

The say: "We have put a lot of thought into our Lasses Pedal Pushers and they have been carefully designed with the aim of improving women's cycle wear. As well as a curve friendly cut, they feature a tummy friendly high waist so there's all the comfort of bibs without the … inconvenience! So there should be no riding down, no gap at the back, no waist band cutting your tummy in two – it's simple stuff but it makes a big difference."

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

* Lycra® fabric short

* High density seat pad

* Silicone gripper elastic to legs and waist

* Comfortable high waist

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
5/10

Pretty average despite being made in Italy. More consideration to labels etc would help.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No signs of wear after rigorous use and washing.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The fit is great. Waistband needs a little work to score higher.

Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

I was very surprised at the low price and Italian manufacturer.

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

These fitted well in use and were as flattering as they could be.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Got to be the range of sizes.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The waistband's silicone gripper.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Certainly

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 5'7  Weight: size 16

I usually ride: Trek 7.5 WSD  My best bike is: Turquoise Cruiser

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Novice

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