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review

Primal Trimotif Men’s Evo 2.0 Bib

7
£95.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Excellent quality and fit but not the most supportive pad for rough roads
Weight: 
216g

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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.

> Buy these online here

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.

primal-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-riding.jpg

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-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-side.jpg

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.

primal-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-straps-front.jpg

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.

primal-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-straps-back.jpg

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.

primal-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-pad.jpg

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.

primal-trimotif-mens-evo-2.0-bib-rear.jpg

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

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Primal Trimotif Men's Evo 2.0 Bib

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Primal says, "Primal Custom Evo Collection is made for cyclists that push themselves to the limit. Using our elite Vero fabric, known for its superior compression and abrasion resistance, this short has redefined comfort on the bike. A duo base paneling system eliminates undesirable seams and the anatomic, race specific fit allows for superior flexibility and compression while promoting blood flow. A laser cut FlexPro leg band features hypoallergenic silicone microdots that keep the bib secure throughout the entire pedal motion while promoting blood flow and wicking moisture from the surface of the skin."

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

Primal lists:

* 9 Inch Inseam

* Contour Race Fit

* E6 Carbon Chamois

* Flatlock Stitching

* Promesh Bib Upper

* Silicone Leg Gripper

* Vero Fabric

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Primal offers pretty realistic sizing in my mind. If you are a medium in real life then a medium in Primal kit will fit you well.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Washing has thrown up no issues over the test period.

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

A very good fit on the bike.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Excellent material choice.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The pad wasn't right for me.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Looking at the opposition from the likes of Lusso and Altura mentioned in the review, the Primal shorts look to be about the right money when you take everything into account. Brands like dhb do make some very good shorts for less, though, like the Aerons.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

For the money, the shorts deliver great quality and an excellent fit on the bike; the only thing that takes the edge off for me is that slightly squidgy pad.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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