Based on my good luck with Voler bib shorts (I loved the Voler Elite bibs,) I picked up a pair of the Voler Campione bib shorts. The Campione line had just launched (January 2009,) so VeloWear did a 30% off sale to support it!

So I got a sweet pair of white bib shorts for $55.97! Normally I wouldn’t buy white shorts, but hey, the price was right!

Here are my thoughts on these bibs:

Price

Like I said, the price was right. $55 for nice bibs is a steal, even in the case of white bibs that I probably won’t wear very often.

Comfort

These shorts are certainly comfortable. They are nicer than the average Voler shorts, but quite a ways behind the Voler Elite DX bib level (only because the Voler Elite bibs were so good to me though.)

If you’re looking at comfort in relation to the price, comfort is excellent.

Looks and Style

One word: White! If you’re looking for white bibs, then I bet you’ll like the looks and style here.

White is flashy and attracts attention from everyone, in good and bad ways. If you have the right body and confidence to wear white, it could attract the ladies, and it could improve visibility in traffic. (Hopefully that means drivers won’t hit you.)

To be stylish with these white bibs, remember…

When Not To Wear White

Much like wearing white after Labor Day or wearing a white dress to a wedding, there is a similar limitation to wearing white bibs. And this has to do with current weather conditions.

The question is, how do they look when soaking wet from rain or saturated with sweat?

My answer is, I don’t know! That’s because I don’t wear these in inclement weather. Furthermore, I have no plans to wear these unless the weather is stunningly perfect.

White gets dirty easily, so one ride in the rain and you could lose that bright white shine. And the only thing worse than stained, off-white bibs is completely see-through bibs (think “wet t-shirt contest” and apply it to bib shorts.)

Durability

While I’ve had these bibs a couple years now, I’ve only worn them on special occasions (see “When Not to Wear White”.) So I can’t say how long they will last under heavy use. But if they are anything like the other Voler shorts I’ve worn, they’ll last plenty long for the price.

My final verdict is…

These are nice, comfy bibs, that are also stylish. Just remember – you’ll stand out if you wear them. So make sure you don’t wear them unless you have a nice tan and ripped muscles, as well as serious speed to back them up.

Official website: www.Voler.com

A few years ago, Voler came out with some very nice shorts called the Voler Elite DX bib shorts. They looked comparable to high-end shorts priced at $200 or more, but they were only $120.

But then VeloWear.com held a “12 days of deals” Christmas sale, giving me the opportunity to snatch up these shorts for $72 (that’s 40% off!) I couldn’t pass it up!

Quite simply, these shorts are amazing!

Price and Value

I’ve always thought the regular Voler bibs for $40-55 were a great value, but these Elite bibs for $72 are the best value I’ve ever seen!

Even at $120, they’re still a good deal. But if you don’t find them on sale, you can also go to the Hammer Nutrition website and get their logo bibs. They are almost this exact same short and chamois, but they sell for $69.95 regularly.

Sizing

As usual, I picked up a size Medium. Voler shorts fit me (about a 31″ waist and 5’8″ height) very well in a medium.

Not too tight nor baggy. The bib straps are just right for my torso, and the legs are just the right length.

Comfort

I’ve worn a few pairs of the regular Voler bibs that are like $55, and they’re pretty nice, but nothing like the Elite DX! These are the most comfortable bibs I’ve ever worn.

They just feel so perfect; the fit is spot on, so comfortable. When you’re riding, you don’t even notice the shorts! The 10 panels move with your body seamlessly. The chamois is great, too.

While I don’t like to spend much money on shorts, I have purchased plenty of $100+ shorts on sale before. I’ve had some nice Giordana and DeMarchi bibs, and loved them, but these Voler bibs are about two steps above them!

Technology

The extra technology in these shorts probably won’t make a difference unless you’re an elite Time Trial racer, but it’s cool nonetheless. The shorts are made from Quantum DSX material, which has a micro-waffle surface – i.e. built-in dimples like golf balls and expensive Zipp rims have for less wind drag. I don’t have any of my own wind tunnel tests to prove this does anything to improve aerodynamics, but I doubt it hinders you any.

Looks & Style

These Elite bibs are very cool looking if you ask me. I like the design (which is basically how the panels are sewn together.) They’re more exciting than plain black shorts, without being obnoxious like bright shorts covered in sponsor logos.

Durability

While I’ve had these for a few years now, I haven’t worn them that often. I save them for long rides on nice days. So far they are doing fine, but I haven’t put thousands of miles on them!

If they prove durable, I’d be happy to pay $120 for another pair.

My final verdict is…

When I need new bibs, you can bet the Voler Elite DX shorts will be at the top of my list. I’ve never seen such technology and comfort offered at such a low price, so I highly suggest you check these out.

Official website: www.Voler.com

Like most cyclists, when I made the move to cycling-specific shorts with a chamois, I opted for the regular shorts. They were familiar, cheaper, and bib shorts just looked weird!

But by the time I completed my cycling outfit, I had heard most serious riders saying something along the lines of “you gotta get bibs!” So I did, and I have been wearing bib shorts ever since!

If you are in the same predicament, this guide to the pros and cons of regular and bib shorts should help you decide.

Regular Cycling Shorts

Why you might like regular shorts:

• Relatively inexpensive. Regular shorts are typically $10-20 cheaper than comparable bibs.
• Easily removed for going to the bathroom. Whether it’s alongside the road or in a Port-a-John, slipping out of regular shorts is just like normal.
• Can be cooler on warm days. Since there is no fabric on your upper body, regular shorts are good for a lightweight outfit.

Why you might dislike regular shorts:

• The waistband is tight. Having a tight waistband on the shorts can cut into your stomach and become quite uncomfortable (especially in a hunched-over riding position.)
• They slide around. Regular shorts usually slide around, so the chamois could shift and cause chafing, or just become uncomfortable and require some shifting to get everything back in place.
• “Plumber’s Crack.” There’s nothing holding these shorts up, leading to this well-known situation…

Bib Cycling Shorts

Why you might like bib shorts:

• Very, very comfortable. Bib shorts are so much more comfortable than regular shorts I can’t even describe it! As long as you get the right size, the fit is amazing.
• Everything stays in place. Bib shorts stay in place, which makes life easy and comfortable. No chamois movement or chafing, and no mid-ride adjustments.
• No “plumber’s crack.” Since the bibs can’t sag down, there are no worries about this. (Your riding buddies will thank you.)

Why you might dislike bib shorts:

• Expensive. Most bib shorts range in price from $40-220, with good ones costing at least $70.
• Sizing issues. Since the right pair of bibs needs to match your height and waist measurements, it’s more difficult to find the perfect size. Plus, size charts vary greatly between manufacturers.
• Straps can cut into shoulders. Even if the bibs are the right size, some of them have thin, rough straps that can cut or scrape your skin.
• Restricting. Some people seem to feel restricted by wearing bib shorts. That can be an issue, especially if you’re already wearing a sports bra. (The bibs can also restrict you from going to the bathroom quickly and easily.)

My Final Verdict on Cycling Shorts Is…

While there are pros and cons to each style, I love bibs and have an answer to all the supposed cons of bib shorts:

First off, the immense comfort from bibs outweighs any potential sizing issues. Just go to a shop and try on the bibs before purchasing to make sure you get the right size.

Good bibs will have soft, wide straps that don’t cut into your shoulders or feel restricting. They will also have a low cut front so that trailside pee breaks don’t take any longer than usual (for guys at least.)

And the top part (back and straps) is usually a wicking material that can keep you cooler than if you didn’t have it against your skin.

Or just wear a base layer beneath the bibs!

So yes, I always wear bibs, and I highly recommend them. But some people swear by regular shorts, or even cut the straps off their bibs, so the choice is yours.

While it’s great to find bib shorts on clearance, it’s a bit risky to order a brand which you’re not familiar with. There is the question of comfort, but the real question is the sizing chart…

See, my bib shorts I just got are a bit small. And I think it has something to do with the discrepancy between Nashbar’s sizing and the true sizing on my bib’s label. I ordered size Medium thinking they were a 30-32 waist, which would be my size (especially because Large was 33-35.) Turns out that Demarchi’s Medium is 28-31, just a wee bit on the small side.

See the pics for proof:

The moral of the story is to take any catalog’s sizing charts with a grain of salt.

However, the good news is that my new shorts do feel great!! I might even order some more of the Demarchi bibs.

Disclaimer: I’m not used to wearing Assos or any expensive bib shorts, so your opinion of these bibs may differ.