Decathlon's own brand BTwin is well known for bringing good value sports products to the market, and its 700 Cycling Bib Shorts have some top features to celebrate.
First, there's the excellent chamois. Graded with multiple density levels and gel inserts, it's almost as comfortable as anything 'premium' I've ridden in all year – and that includes the likes of Rapha, Mavic and Bontrager. I certainly wasn't troubled by it on 100km rides.
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The shorts don't feel uncomfortable in other areas over that distance, either. The legs feature seamless and minimalist grippers at the hem for great performance-orientated retention, while the seams are of a good quality and don't rub or chafe.
So far, it's top marks – but there's more to be impressed with. The bib section is meshed for great cooling efficiency and does a good job of helping regulate your body's temperature, the straps at the top of the shoulder are flat for added comfort, and the styling is – to my mind – well considered and tasteful. Match these bib shorts up to their sibling jersey (review here), and you've got a great looking set.
The one downside, by my reckoning, is the width of those straps. They're comfortable and flexible, but fit incredibly widely. I hadn't noticed at first on my first outing with them, but by the time I'd made it to my coffee stop, the straps had pulled so wide they felt as if they were going to slip off. They're certainly generous size-wise in this area, but overly so I think – especially as I know my shoulders are wide on account of a former life spent ploughing up and down a swimming pool.
However, it's a small black mark in an otherwise excellent pair of bib shorts. They wash through well on a delicate wash, maintaining their size and shape, which is good because the overall cut is a great blend of performance without restricting or being uncomfortable when what you want to do is take it easy.
> Check out our guide to the best bib shorts here
All this makes the asking price of £40 an extraordinarily good bargain. Stu tested the £49.99 BTwin Aerofit bib shorts recently and gave them full marks, but I can't think of any bib shorts I've tested that are quite as good value as these – even compared with the OneTen Tempo bib shorts I tested last year. These have to be serious candidates for any cyclist, not just those hoping to save a few quid this summer.
Verdict
Very well made bib shorts that feel great to ride in, at an excellent price
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Make and model: BTwin 700 Cycling Bib Shorts
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?
BTwin says: "These men's cycling shorts guarantee optimal comfort thanks to their ergonomic pad and gel inserts. Stretchy bib helps hold shorts in place, thigh hem lined with ultra-light silicone gripper, slim fit"
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Features:
- Main fabric : 80.0% Polyamide, 20.0% Elastane
- Yoke : 80.0% Polyester), 20.0% Elastane Padding
- Inner fabric : 100.0% Polyamide
- Outer fabric : 77.0% Polyester (PES), 23.0% Elastane
- Slim cut
- Graded chamois
- Mesh straps
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Feel great to ride in, supportive and cool.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
No complaints during my testing.
Rate the product for fit:
7/10
They fit well, with a decent cut to the leg that should suit riders of most sizes and shapes. The straps are almost crazy wide on the shoulders, though.
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Comes up about right in my experience, so order your usual size.
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Reasonably lightweight on all fronts.
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
I hardly noticed wearing them, barring the straps.
Rate the product for value:
10/10
£39.99? Can't fault that for this overall quality.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I had no issues treating them with a delicate wash.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Great.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Price, price, price. And the pad is very decent, too.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The width of the straps on my shoulders. They just work their way wide and feel like they may slip off. Although in fairness, they never did.
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
A great price for some really very good bib shorts.
Age: 26 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
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