Triban RC500 cycling shorts with pocket

The Triban RC500 Bib Shorts are an impressive package, especially at this price point. Well made and extremely comfortable, they also feature some touring-friendly tweaks that I wasn't expecting.

• Pros: Great fit, solidly made, extremely comfortable
• Cons: Sizing slightly off – they're a little short in the leg

The build quality feels reassuringly solid – better, in fact, than several I've got commanding twice the money – with neatly executed and unobtrusive stitching and seams. I would happily choose these for a gravel-biased ride. Besides, I doubt Decathlon would whack on a two-year warranty if it wasn't confident they'd last.

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The legs are made from 80% polyamide, 20% elastane, while the mesh bibs are 77% poyester, 23% elastane, designed with easy movement and efficient moisture management in mind.

Plenty of smiles per mile here. The stretchy bib sections offer unhampered movement without any distracting slip on longer rides, while the relatively thin panels do an excellent job of trafficking moisture from the skin and, conversely, trapping some welcome warmth when the temperatures dipped unexpectedly, late evening.

Sure, a mild mistiness will creep in given 40 minutes or so at a decent tempo, but this is spirited away soon afterward. Odour management is good too – even after a day's steady riding, nasty niffs were a moot point.

According to the blurb, there's no fatigue-cheating 'compression' technology, although, like for like, they were on a par with a couple that do. This may be partly attributable to the broad silicone gripper. For me this was on the snug side but hasn't presented any problems, and is infinitely preferable to a loose-fitting example that can permit the fabric to ride up, inducing chafing/similar discomfort.

Though they did 'creep' slightly as the miles racked up, I concluded that the mediums were slightly shorter in the leg than ideal for me. (It's not me in the photos.)

Pad

Arguably, pads are the most crucial determinant of shorts' comfort. Most are very good by degrees, these days. Decathlon describes it as being a 'gel' design. It is, in fact, polyamide sandwiched between a polyester/elastane mix with a variety of densities to provide optimal support and minimise chafing.

Like many others, it initially felt like the proverbial loaf of bread, especially post-washing. However, it quickly morphed to my shape and went unnoticed, regardless of whether I was doing a sub-30 minute 10 on my TT bike or indulging in an 80-mile mixed terrain meander on my tubby tourer.

The outer fabric permits subtle shuffling/shifting position without distracting slip, irrespective of saddle cover type.

Other features

Unusually, the right leg has a pocket – something of a rarity, although I have a pair of Polaris Challenge Nexus shorts which also have this feature, as do, at the other end of the scale, Rapha's Core Cargo bibs. It's a welcome plus, provided you load it sensibly – cash/patches and other little valuables you might need easy access to. (They're available without, too, if you prefer.)

The backs feature a smattering of discreet retro-reflective detailing.

Sizing/fit

Ours were medium and, on balance, I think I might be between sizes. These were slightly shorter in the leg than I'd prefer. Decathlon's sizing chart is reassuringly accurate, so in all probability online purchases shouldn't present any unexpected surprises.

Value

At a penny under £40, these shorts are really good value for what you get. They're not alone at this end of the scale – dhb's lowest priced bib shorts come with a Cytech pad and silicone leg grippers and, at £35, could give the Tribans a good run for your hard-earned.

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best cheap cycling shorts

Caratti's Sport Bib Shorts are £40, though the test sample's stitching lacked the Triban's refinement.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Triban RC 500s represent excellent value for money and are, thus far, on a par with some in my collection costing twice as much. A lot of thought seems to have gone into their design. Just beware you might have to go up a size if you have sprinter-esque thighs or fall between sizes.

Verdict

Really good, competitively priced riding staples – but check the sizing