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review

Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training Bib Shorts

8
£150.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Comfortable and cool, great-looking pair of indoor-specific bib shorts for all-out workouts
Super-breathable
Very comfortable pad
Great looks
Weight: 
203g
Contact: 

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The Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training Bib Shorts are optimised to keep you cool and locked on your indoor training goals. With a trainer-specific pad and more holes than a Swiss cheese warehouse, these are your best bet to hit those lofty targets.

Le Col's partnership with Wahoo emphasises the importance to the cycling industry and its customers of indoor training, now there's a virus about and riding bikes outside is hard to impossible for many. We've had clothing tailored to specific seasons and weather types forever – now is the time for indoor training gear to get specific.

If you're going to spend £150 on a pair of shorts for riding maybe four or five hours a week, you want them to be both comfortable and performance-orientated – and if/when you can visit a gym or spin class, you want them to look good too. In the Indoor Training Bib Shorts Le Col has nailed every need.

2020 Le Col Wahoo Pro Light Spinning Shorts - back.jpg

The shorts are made from a lightweight and very stretchy fabric, which is laser-cut with thousands of holes down the side of the hip, legs and around the torso. The fabric with the pad attached is not cut with holes for, I imagine, structural and modesty reasons. When worn, the skin underneath isn't really recognisable as skin – could more be simply small dots of colour. Anyway, modesty is not offended in the least – if you're happy to be in a spin class with a bunch of strangers or friends, you're used to Lycra and all that comes with the shared-workout game.

2020 Le Col Wahoo Pro Light Spinning Shorts - mesh.jpg

The pad is a multi-density foam with more emphasis on padding around the front, more likely to be used in the static on-the-saddle-nose positions encountered in indoor training. You generally don't have any reason to be out of the saddle unless a drill specifically calls for it, and you really want to keep your sit bones anchored, so it's important the pad doesn't cause you discomfort which affects focus.

2020 Le Col Wahoo Pro Light Spinning Shorts - chamois.jpg

The leg grippers are plenty colourful and wide, and don't move an inch. The cut in the legs is reasonably long, something those with shorter legs or preferring a shorter cut might factor into sizing.

2020 Le Col Wahoo Pro Light Spinning Shorts - cuff.jpg

Over a few months of thrice-weekly use I couldn't find any fault with the Indoor Training shorts. Le Col advertises the seams as flatlocked, but that's only around the chamois and leg gripper joint. That said, I didn't notice a hint of discomfort, and had you asked I'd have thought they were all flatlocked. Seeing how these are designed to be worn only for short periods of time between washes, maybe it's a non-issue for even the most sensitive of epidermis.

I'm a big fan of getting out of the saddle every 10 minutes or so, to allow circulation and to stretch a bit. On Britain's 'roads' that's pretty much a moot point as there are few areas where council underfunding doesn't require a vibration-removing slalom of pothole minimisation more often. But indoors it's a different kettle of muscular numbness – focus on hitting and holding power numbers is often at the expense of good posture and certainly reminders to stand every now and then. What Le Col has done is built a pair of shorts where – for me anyway – it didn't matter. When I remembered to remember, I couldn't remember the last time I remembered to stand, if you get my point. Suffice to say, over sessions from 60-90 minutes, from 70% of FTP aerobic-base snoozefests to rip-'em-off-and-beat-you-with-the-soggy-ends leg-killing nightmares, the issue of whether the pad or indeed the whole garment was 'comfortable' simply did not arise. Which is exactly the hallmark of a great pair of shorts.

> Buyer’s Guide: 17 of the best smart trainers

Regarding the cooling aspect, the wee holes certainly worked their magic – there was never a sensation of uncomfortable heat build-up in either of the two large critical cycling muscle groups, nor was there a sensation of dampness caused by unwicked sweat.

2020 Le Col Wahoo Pro Light Spinning Shorts - detail.jpg

The obvious match for the Indoor Training bibs is the Indoor Training Jersey. Together they make for a very snazzy outfit, and as we all know image is worth an extra 4.75W on any given day you pass a mirror on the way to your bike. Both top and shorts are available either in black or the Collective Edition, as tested.

The consumer seems a bit spoilt for choice right now regarding indoor-specific bib shorts, with offerings from Madison, dhb and Lusso around the £50-£60 mark, all the way up to Castelli's Insider shorts at £110. So at £150 Le Col's throwing down a pretty hefty marker that its offerings are a cut or two above the rest.

> The locked-down cyclist’s guide to getting fit and staying fit

While others claim to be made of lightweight fabrics, Le Col seems to be the only brand to do actual physical cutouts in the fabric to aid ventilation. I have a few pairs of summer-weight bibs made from pretty darn thin fabric, which were my go-to turbo shorts until the Le Cols arrived for review. As with the Le Col Training jersey that matches the shorts, you don't know how warm even a summer 'climbers jersey' is until you compare it to the Le Col alternative. There's a definite advantage, and as I mention in the matching jersey review, knowing that as much as feeling it is a genuine boost to your mood when things get dark towards the end of a session. And let's face it – if you're on a turbo to get fitter, if things aren't getting dark then you need to ramp your target FTP some.

All in all, the benefit of a turbo-specific pad, the cooling effect of the laser-cut holes, and the great fit/looks all add up to a premium indoor-specific product that delivers where needed most and doesn't disappoint anywhere that I can tell.

Verdict

Comfortable and cool, great-looking pair of indoor-specific bib shorts for all-out workouts

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: Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

They're for indoor aficionados who want the best in comfort and cool, with good looks to boot.

Le Col says: "The Le Col x wahoo indoor training bib shorts, deliver all the features you need to focus on the ride. Compared with regular bib shorts, the indoor training optimised bibs offer increased temperature regulation throughout their construction and a pad that offers extra protection in the areas that you most need it when in an indoor training environment.

"Adapted from the lightweight summer pro bib-shorts as used in the WorldTour on the hottest of days, the shorts feature a lightweight fabric with laser-cut incisions in heat-release zones through the thighs that flow into a highly breathable, wicking bib strap to draw sweat away from your body and allow you to focus on your cadence. Riding long periods indoor often means staying seated in the same position, usually on the nose of the saddle.

"The Le Col x wahoo indoor training bib shorts offer increased padding in this area to keep you comfortable on your block sessions, with a multi-density padded foam chamois that actively draws away sweat to keep you drier. The result is a short that offers maximum airflow to keep you cool as you sprint to your indoor goals."

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

Le Col lists:

80% Polyamide

20% Elastane

Care instructions

Machine Wash at 30°C / 86°F

Do not use fabric conditioner

Close all zippers/velcro fastenings

Dry flat, do not tumble dry

Do not bleach, iron or dry clean

We'd also suggest turning inside out prior to washing and keeping them separate from other items by popping them into a mesh laundry bag

Lightweight Lycra Sport Fibre

Laser-cut incisions on the thighs to maximise ventilation

Fast wicking mesh bib straps

Dolomiti Pro Gel Chamois, optimised for indoor training

Flat locked seams

Silicon leg gripper

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Really well assembled, but more flatlock stitching at the price would be nice.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Comfortable for a long time and cool – great.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Early days, but they look really well made, so no concerns.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Great fit – no bunching or riding up anywhere.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Sized really well.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

Not superlight, but pretty good. That pad will add some heft, but it's worth it.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
10/10

Supremely comfy in every way.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

There are turbo-specific shorts out there for less than half the price, but not having worn them it's hard to judge how they compare. Going off the reviews, these are a premium product that you're paying a premium for.

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

Still look great after a few months of near-daily washes.

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

Really well – can't fault them.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The pad. It's comfy for a long, long time.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

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

Somewhat less well than the matching jersey. With a load of turbo-specific shorts for less than half the price, you really are paying a premium here.

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 overall score

Unlike the matching Indoor Training jersey, I'm marking the bibs a 4 instead of 4.5 – only because they face stiffer competition in the market at a lower price point.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 46  Height: 183cm  Weight: 72kg

I usually ride: Merida Ride 5000 Disc  My best bike is: Velocite Selene

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, club rides, general fitness riding, mtb, Dutch bike pootling.

Living in the Highlands, Mike is constantly finding innovative and usually cold/wet ways to accelerate the degradation of cycling kit. At his happiest in a warm workshop holding an anodised tool of high repute, Mike's been taking bikes apart and (mostly) putting them back together for forty years. With a day job in global IT (he's not completely sure what that means either) and having run a boutique cycle service business on the side for a decade, bikes are his escape into the practical and life-changing for his customers.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
richliv | 3 years ago
0 likes

£150 for a fashion item no-one will ever see except you? I mean, even with the usual Strava discount, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Before anyone gets shirty, I really rate Le Col regular bib shorts for outside, the most comfy I've owned. But really, for indoor riding, who are they kidding? For 1-2 hours on the turbo, it doesn't really matter. I wear my fairly worn club shorts and they are just fine. No one has complained yet about my lack of colour coordination either 😁

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to richliv | 3 years ago
1 like

Genuine question: If you're happy to spend £150 for really comfy bibs to wear on the weekly Sunday am run (2 x 2hrs, with coffee & Cake in between), why is it not also OK to spend £150 on bibs you wear for the same period of time, during the week, indoors? You're still riding your bike, still putting out pwer, still on the saddle - but with less opportunity to unweight / move around. 

And if you go to spin classes - as many people do - why wouldn't you want to be comfortable, feel cool, and look good too?

Appreciating the golden rule is never read the bottom half of the internet, this idea of premium kit optimised for indoor use really has some folks exercised with a need to dismiss people having the choice. 

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to richliv | 3 years ago
0 likes

.

Avatar
JWL | 3 years ago
2 likes

Paying this much for turbo trainer shorts is bonkers. A) who the hell is looking at you? Your cat probably; B) buy some decent quality tri 'all in one' suits. They dry off very quickly, they're cheap (Decathlon!), and they are only one thing to wash and not two. 
 

By the way, does ANYONE ever pay full price for Le Col? They are the cycling equivalent of MFI... perpetual sales. 

Avatar
Freddy56 | 3 years ago
1 like

The seams are NOT flat stitched. What does the tester not pick this up for something that is expected to do so many revolutions. I would expect more from a pair of shorts at £50 never mind £150

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to Freddy56 | 3 years ago
0 likes

"Le Col advertises the seams as flatlocked, but that's only around the chamois and leg gripper joint. That said, I didn't notice a hint of discomfort, and had you asked I'd have thought they were all flatlocked"

 

Cheers

 

Avatar
JohnnyEnglish | 3 years ago
0 likes

What is the point of bib straps on 'indoor' shorts other than making one feel hotter and more restricted?

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to JohnnyEnglish | 3 years ago
2 likes

Some people like them for keeping the pad in place whilst not restricting by needing a wasteband. Choice eh?

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