Primal Trimotif Men’s Evo 2.0 Bib

The Primal Trimotif Men’s Evo 2.0 Bib Shorts offer a race fit and feel thanks to some decent fabrics and plenty of panels. The quality is good for the money too but the E6 Carbon Chamois isn’t the best that I’ve used from Primal.

• Pros: Well made; great fit
• Cons: Pad isn’t the most shock absorbing

I’ve worn loads of Primal clothing over the years and I’ve also been impressed with the overall finish and quality. The stitching throughout is very neat and tidy and robust too. These shorts are going to stand up to many miles in the saddle.

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If you like to stand out when on the bike then you are certainly going to like the bright colourway of the Trimotif shorts, especially if you go with the matching jersey and gilet. And if the style of the Trimotifs isn’t for you, Primal does offer quite a range of other Evo 2.0 kit.

The company has used Vero fabric for the main parts of the shorts. It feels soft against the skin, and with 20 per cent spandex added there is a fair amount of compression, which is great for keeping your muscles fresher, if you believe the claims.

Primal uses multiple panels to create a close and tailored race fit, giving the shorts a sort of shaped cut that suits when in the saddle, so there is no bunching or stretching of fabric when you are crouched in a race position. More panels means more seams, but Primal has done a good job of keeping them all out of the way of anywhere that is likely to rub or chafe. Although wide, the seams are flatlock stitched and you don’t feel them giving any pressure points when wearing the shorts.

For the bib section, the Evo 2.0s use a stretchy mesh fabric with nice wide shoulder straps that remove any chance of pressure points and irritation when worn directly against the skin.

It’s quite a fine mesh but does a good job of clearing moisture when you are riding very hard or are out on a hot day.

For the pad Primal has specced the E6 Carbon Chamois and it is a pretty decent one. It uses Resistex anti-static carbon fabric which is said to promote blood flow and reduce lactic acid, although I never really felt any noticeable difference, it has to be said. The fabric is also antibacterial and antimicrobial.

Made up of four layers, there is plenty of padding of different densities to cosset your sit bones, with a slight central relief channel. The padding is quite firm and while I had no real discomfort when riding, I didn’t find the pad as supportive as the HX8 Carbon pad found in Primal’s Helix 2.0 bib shorts I was testing alongside.

The E6 pad takes out the worst of the road buzz, but if the surface was really rough it did feel almost like the padding was bottoming out. I found it best for shorter rides of a couple of hours or so.

When it comes to value, I don’t think £95 is over the top, especially considering the overall quality. They sit alongside the Altura Race bib shorts at £89.99 and the Lusso RS19s for £99.99.

There are some very good shorts available for less, though, like Cycology’s Logo shorts, which are just £70.

> Buyer’s Guide: 27 of the best cycling bib shorts

Overall, the Evo 2.0s are an all-round quality pair of bib shorts. Highlights for me are the fabric and the cut, plus how well finished they are. The E6 pad isn’t my favourite, but as with saddles, everyone is different and if it suits, you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.

Verdict

Excellent quality and fit but not the most supportive pad for rough roads

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