Assos is well known for its high-quality premium cycle clothing, but it is fair to say the prices often make it unobtainable for many cyclists. Aiming to address that, these are the company's most affordable shorts and while £120 ain't exactly cheap, if you're in the market for bib shorts in the £80-140 price bracket, these are worth a serious look. They're seriously good.
What you're really interested in knowing is if the padded insert is any good, so we'll cut to the chase. Yes is the simple answer. It's one of the best not just at this price but even compared to more expensive shorts. Assos has been perfecting its chamois design over the years and that expertise really shows in the comfort of these shorts, and you get pretty much the same chamois technology as higher up the Assos range, albeit in short with a simpler design.
Buy Assos T.neoPro_s7
The S7 padding is made from 8mm thick memoryFoam with multiple layers including a waffle and dimpled construction that provides excellent cushioning, for the shortest and longest rides. Breathability is similarly impressive, ensuring the pad remains dry even during sweatier rides.
A feature unique to Assos is 'goldenGate,' whereby the middle section of the padding isn't actually attached to the shorts. The idea, and it does work, is that the padding is allowed the freedom to move with the body, which reduces the potential for chafing and discomfort.
Read more: The best cycling bib shorts
The surface fabric of the pad is very soft next to the skin, and there are no edge seams to eliminate the potential for chafing. The shorts proved comfortable everywhere from lunchtime rides to longer weekend adventures. You don't need any chamois cream with these shorts.
The shorts are made from the Swiss company's own Type.429 fabric. Breathability of the fabric is good and performance in hot weather impressive. The fabric is also supportive and I've found them to be very durable, even during off-road excursions through some very overgrown trails and paths.
Assos hasn't skimped on the key details of the shorts, so you're getting a chamois that's similar to the ones found on its more expensive offerings. It has kept the price low by the simpler construction of the shorts. And it's an approach that works. These are every bit as comfortable as more expensive bib shorts and compare extremely well to other bib shorts in the £100-140 price bracket.
They are exceptionally well cut and shaped, and the fit around the legs and waist is excellent. The cut is simpler than the company's more expensive shorts, but thanks to the smart cut and fabric stretch, the fit doesn't suffer unduly. I certainly found no complaints with the fit and comfort compared to the more expensive Assos shorts I've tested previously.
Assos has moved the bib straps outward compared to other bib shorts, and that does appear to result in slightly improved comfort as the bib straps sit flush to the torso with less pressure over the shoulders when hunched over the drops. The straps are wide and flat and spread the pressure across the top of the shoulders nicely, and the back panel is constructed from a mesh material to aid breathability. A low waist band reduces pressure around the lower torso area and also makes toilet stops a little easier.
Verdict
Exceptionally comfortable bib shorts
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Assos T.neoPro_s7
Size tested: Small
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?
Our new entry-level shorts are attractively priced and feature a regular, all-around fit.
They're ASSOS, so they use the exact same high quality materials and technologies as the higher levels. But they have a simpler construction, they're more essential, though plenty good enough for most applications. T.neoPro is the spiritual successor of the Uno _s5, just better, offering less weight and more performance. Simply an amazing pair of shorts! You need them!
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
For frequent riders, T.neoPro is ideally suited for your daily lunchtime ride or, if you are a young avid cyclist and new to ASSOS, these are the shorts you should start off with to enter the ASSOS total comfort universe.
There are certainly cheaper shorts but if you want a premium short packed with design that delivers supreme comfort, these are worth a look, and possibly worth saving up for
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
A very comfortable short for short and long rides, the padded insert is the jewel in the crown with these shorts
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
High-level comfort from the padded insert, wrapped in a simple but effective bib short
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I can't think of anything to fill this box with
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
They're worth saving up for as they offer superb comfort and a great fit, better than most rivals at or near this price
About the tester
Age: 31
I usually ride: My best bike is:
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: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.
9 comments
Plus................the bib straps are totally flat meaning they dont show through your (close fitting) jersey top. Wish other bib manufacturers would understand that the 'bib straps showing through' look is utter crap.
Very tempted- these look the business.
https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/06/04/assos-s7-bibshorts-equipe-v-cento-g...
It's worth looking round to see if you can get the Equipe, which are great.
These are my daily and long distance bibs. Done nearly 3k miles in them so far. Super comfy in all positions, and look class. They're actually two tone, something I think a lot of people don't notice right away. Colour has started to fade a touch in the front panels, though I move a lot on the saddle and use them in the rain too. Not sure I'd go higher up the Assos range when these burn out. Probably just re-buy. Unless there was some feature to draw me up though not sure what that would be. I've done quite a few 100 to 125mile rides in these so they seem great for endurance.
say hello to the Kuku Penthouse!
Also present, in a slightly different form, in the RedWhite shorts.
So, slightly contrarian view here.
I find the sizing off, the height based size guide doesn't work for me as the leg length and lower leg gripper are both too large so I had to size down, which meant the straps were tight. But then Castelli sizing works for me so that gives you an idea of where I am in relation to 'average'.
I actually have the Equipe shorts and while the pad is comfortable it's on a par with the Castelli Progetto X2 pad for me, i.e. very good but not chamois heaven. I wouldn't wear either without chamois cream for anything but short rides.
The best part is the actual shorts themselves which I agree are beautifully cut and offer a superb balance between comfort, fit and support. Plus the branding is subtle (I'm looking at you, large red & white scorpion) which is a plus.
They're chuffing expensive though and Assos doesn't seem to get discounted to the same degree as other brands, which makes their real world price higher again compared to the competition. Marginal gains and all that though, at this level an extra £40 doesn't get you night and day improvement.
Hey Nixster - I work for ASSOS - we beleive that the additional £40 gets you a lot more. For example, the crash replacement / repair policy if you damage the product within two years. Damage which can be a reality of cycling, and would consign other brands to the bin. I would also contend that ASSOS bibs wash better and hold their shape longer than other bibs, due to the materials used.
Shut up and take my money
Ended up having a look around the Assos range last night and spotted some bibs have glasses holders in the straps. Really like that idea. Nice and secure there and easy to access.
I could maybe hack my existing bibs to do the same thing. Might entail sewing though