I'm not usually a fan of bib-tights, being round of body and short of leg, however these bargain offerings from Ride buck the trend. Lacking foot loops the modest amount of spare leg material is easily accommodated under a pair of long socks. The tights fit snugly and well, with a brushed roubaix material that keeps you warm and snug. It's not the thickest of materials, for comparison it's thinner than my usual Endura Thermolite 3/4s but thicker (and warmer) than the Endura FS260 Pro knickers that I tested a few years ago. You'll probably want something warmer for sub-zero temperatures, but they're fine for cool autumn/winter rides and may I draw your attention to a) the thermometer and b) the price.
For a bargain pair of tights they are remarkably well made. The seams are sturdy and the straps are pleasingly wide. You also get a short zip to facilitate mid-ride widdles although be careful, you can easily catch yourself on it. The pad is chamfered, channelled and foldable. There isn't much more to say about it, other than I managed a tough hundred miler with neither chafing nor discomfort, which is what you want from a pad.
The real selling point is the price. Ride sell these for rrp £35. Currently they're on offer for £31.49, which is a ridiculous bargain, the closest comparison we could find are the dhb Pace padded bib tights and dhb's Pace Roubaix Padded bib tights in terms of features, on paper at least the Rides fall somewhere between the two - on list price though they are a fiver cheaper than the former and 15 quid less then the latter, of course being Wiggle's house brand they are currently on offer at considerably less then list price too. Even so the Ride bibs are still a tad less.
As a combination of versatility, quality and price these are hard to beat.
A great pair of bargain winter bib tights.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Ride Bib Tights with insert
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 Bibtights are incredibly highly specced for their price point, with multipanel fit, cam-lock zipped front, silicone grippers and reflective detail. The padded insert is from Dr.Pad one of the most innovative chamois research and development companies in Italy. The high-density UFO insert is designed to achieve utlimate support and comfort for middle-long distance rides. It has a double layer construction that uses 2 foams with 2 different thicknesses and a rear-side perforation to increase breathability."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Multi-layer pad
Silicone grippers
Cam-lock zip
Reflective detail
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Nothing cheap or flimsy about these.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
For cold autumn, cool winter weather these are just right.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
They feel great. Bib tights are always going to be too long on me, but these were a superb fit and the spare leg material just shuffled up nicely under some socks.
Rate the product for value:
10/10
Even at full retail (£35) these are seriously good value.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Superb
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Modest price, warmth, snug fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Definitely
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Great tights, tiny price.
Age: 42 Height: 5' 8 Weight: er....85kg
I usually ride: Kona Dew Drop, Dawes Century SE, Carlton Corsa My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Audax and long distance solo rides
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4 comments
Been keeping an eye on Ride kit...was thinking it wouldn't be much cop due to the extremely low price...may have to source some gear to try for myself now...(being of the small/rotund form myself...lol)
Can't speak for the rest of the kit, but the tights are bloody good. I'm 5'8", 36" waist and 42" chest if you want to measure up precisely.
Anyone taller than 5'8" (national average) is deformed btw...
double post...d'oh!
Just to clarify - that's tall skinny Matt in the pics. I'm shorter and wider, but it looks like they fitted him just as well.