When I was informed by Fat-Bike HQ that I’ll be reviewing a pair of bib shorts I was a little confused. Personally, I thought fat bikes and bib shorts didn’t go together as well as bullets and guns! However the new GORE Wear Vent C7 Bib Shorts soon put that thought out of my head.
The C7 range of bib shorts were developed in collaboration with ‘Spartacus’, the current Olympic Time Trial champion Fabian Cancellera, who is also an ambassador for GORE Wear.
The C7 bib short range are available in 3 different versions, the Long Distance, the Vent and the Race. The names give a clue as to what they are designed for so I won’t go into detail on each. For this test I was given the GORE Wear Vent C7 Bib Shorts.
The GORE website states that “riding in the heat just got easier with this highly vented bib short. Utilizing the input of Fabian Cancellara, these short finds the balance between ultimate breathability while maintaining the support needed to perform at your best”.
May and June in the UK isn’t renowned for its heat (and neither is the UK summer!) but the test went ahead anyway. The range features the ergonomically shaped and patented GORE WINDSTOPPER Cup, which is both breathable in warm climates and as always, protective against wind chill.
My first impressions were this is a professional piece of kit as they are packaged in a box with plenty of information on the Gore technology and the Expert Vent chamois. Upon opening the box and close inspection of the bibs reveals these truly are a top end piece of kit.
The Vent version offers perforations on the outside of the thigh for extra cooling which also add to the great look. They even have a little pocket at the top of the back for the team radio!
The shorts were developed by starting off with the pad as the foundation of how the garment’s fit. Gore’s Central Core Architecture starts by working out where the pad should sit on the rider’s body and then designing the straps and body fabric to keep it in place. This ensures a comfortable fit with no rubbing from internal stitching.
I mostly wore these under my baggy shorts or under my cycling trousers as like I said I’m not usually one for wearing bibs. They have been super comfy and at times I forgot I actually had them on! I’ve been on a couple of long days out in the saddle and they were unobstructive for all the rides. Even at the end of a ride I’d usually feel a little irritable in places but not once with these bibs. The silicon grip on the thigh is comfortable too with no stitching piercing you. They are a race fit so make sure you check your sizing on their website prior to a definite purchase.
For me, my view on wearing bib shorts has now changed thanks to the GORE Wear Vent C7 bibs.
For more information on the fantastic GORE Wear range visit:
https://www.gorewear.com
These earn a whopping 5 Welsh dragons out of 5 rating!
The ‘Darkside’ looms closer Jeff. Great review though.
#fatbikespartacus