Anybody who shops for clothing on the internet has to run the gauntlet of the size lottery (apologies for the mixed metaphors). There should be a universal table to which all manufacturers adhere, yet time and time again we are faced with a Google search of what Large really means if you buy Brand X. Anecdotal evidence dictates much of my online shopping.
Matters are further compounded for cyclists with the notorious "Italian Sizing", which for all intents and purposes might as well refer to Roman numerals for all the relevance it has to the real world - "Yes, I'll take that jersey, but only if you have it in 10-50."
After much key bashing and forum surfing, I recently bought some Sportful Giro bibshorts to replace one, if not all, of my historic and downright obscene collection of bibs. So loose was the seat pad on my "best" pair that on a recent ride I thought I'd lost all feeling in my contact area while adjusting my mode of "dress"; I had to stop and do a visual check to see if everything was indeed still there.
So, taking advice from the internet and guided by my own misguided belief that I'd lost some weight, I selected XXL (or 10-10-50) and waited by the letterbox. I was pleased, nay relieved, when they arrived and didn't resemble a pair of those Magic Gloves that stretch to fit no hand size whatsoever, so was not too bothered to check the fit and sizing straight away. Later that evening, I cautiously pulled them up my not-tiny thighs and began to regret my initial optimism.
Having ripped a previous pair of shorts irreparably by using the wrong technique (ease them up, don't expect them to snap into place) I managed to get them up and over my hips without further alarm. My svelte and toned abdomen posed no obstacle, but as I tried to pull the shoulder straps up, my body seemed to take on the proportions of ET. Still half dressed, I returned to my iPad and checked that I'd read the reviews correctly, hoping that I'd not bought some Lycra equivalent of a cut-and-shut.
I was beginning to think that the mythical Roman fashion for fastening one's tunic to a pair of strategically placed piercings was the only way I was going to keep my trousers up. Not fancying extreme (and no doubt painful) measures or the acute embarrassment of actually returning an online purchase, I hoisted the shorts up further and eventually managed to get the straps over my shoulders without changing my singing voice from baritone to castrato.
Once on, the shorts felt incredibly supportive and well made. The seat pad (so I read) has multiple density for my sitting comfort, although I hadn't yet tried moving, and flatlock seams keep all the panels together well. The silicone leg grippers kept the fluro stripe in place nicely. There would be a greater test of their suitability the following day when I took on a 50 mile sportive.
Squeezing myself back into the Giro Sportful bibs the next day was less fraught with anxiety. The initial wearing seemed to have put some, but not much, give into the straps. I wore them on the drive to the start of the sportive and felt no distress or any inkling that I was developing two more Adam's apples. The true test was to come out on the road...
On the bike, the cut and support were ideal. The compression in the fabric kept everything in the right place, with no uncomfortable creasing in the seat pad. No matter what kind of pedalling I was doing in or out of the saddle, the shorts didn't ride up, chafe, sag or slip for the entire three hours, even when I had to stop to replace a tube or make running repairs to my chain which snapped on the final ascent.
One of the issues I have with tight-fitting shorts is comfort breaks, favouring the "up and over" approach rather than an "all off" or "down a leg", despite the racing tuck one has to adopt. In this respect, I'm pleased to report nothing untoward. Another test passed with flying colours.
In summary - if you can negotiate the minefield that is bibshort sizing, these are incredibly good value for money. A medium range bibshort with lots of support and an excellent seat pad, they are easily as good, if not better, than shorts costing 20% more. My new favourite piece of cycle kit...
Sportful Giro bibshort, £48.34 from Retto.co.uk
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