At a glance Expensive but superb bib shorts for warmer weather that are high on comfort and luxurious to wear
Tested by
Jon Adams, tester for The Bike List
Performance
Altura's 'Ergofit' range of shorts, jerseys and jackets is
designed for when you're in a cycling position, so the cut of the
fabrics is tweaked to have the best fit when you're actually
pedalling, rather than when you're standing around. The £100
Ergofit Pro Bib Shorts are the top-of-the-range offering, though
you'll find a Comp version with a similar cut for £20 less if
you can't justify the outlay. The shorts are constructed from
multiple panels and fabrics to perfect the fit and maximise
breathability, and there's even a laser cut pattern of venting
holes at the small of the back to help heat escape. The braces are
made of a stretchy mesh, and two different weights of Power Lycra
are used in the shorts themselves. A 240g fabric is employed in the
high wear, high abrasion areas like the seat and thighs, and a
lighter 210g Lycra runs in a single panel that extends straight
down the back and into the side of the thighs in an inverted Y
shape. The different fabrics have contrasting colours, with a grey
for the Y panel and a near-black for the rest. Finishing off is a
flash of red trim around the leg grippers and braces, and these
bibs really look the business. There's a matte
finish throughout, so a high-end styling complements the price tag.
Silicon leg grippers on the hems hold the shorts nicely in place,
and a scattering of retro-reflective logos help out for after-dark
runs.
So far, so good, but if you fork out £100 on a pair of shorts you expect a high quality chamois, and the Ergofit Pro Bibs don't disappoint here, either. The pad is an Italian-made Gel Injection model that offers paraffin oil-based gel in the sit bones padding. Though the attachment points around the perimeter of the pad aren't elasticated in the same way as, say, a Gore or Assos chamois, the stitched-in design still holds everything in place when you switch between seated and standing, and the comfort level is really high. In fact, from the moment you slide these shorts on, there's a feeling of luxury about them. The pad has a soft, microfleece finish, and the high level of next-to-the-skin comfort is supported by an anti-microbial silver coating to keep bacteria at bay. There's no bulky 'nappy' feeling, as the chamois seems to disappear when the shorts are on, and the pad extends a good way back, too, so these are equally at home if you ride an MTB with a more upright position.
On the bike, these shorts are very impressive whether you're in
the drops on the road or sitting back on a full susser. The fit is
snug, offering a gentle level of compression, and the different
types and 
weights of fabrics are all cleverly and precisely
positioned to transfer the heat and wick away the sweat. The mix of
fabrics makes these shorts quite cool to wear, so they're perfect
for the warmer months, and the only problem I experienced was a
slight scratchiness to the seam at the back of the neck (where the
mesh joins the grey Lycra). This was straight out of the bag,
though, and a couple of washes resolved the problem. Back to the
subject of fit, it's worth noting that Altura's size chart is a
little smaller than that of some other brands (an S waist is
27-30in, M is 30-32in, and L is 33-35in), so you might need to go
up a size.
The price of these bibs is high, and if you're considering £100 shorts, you're probably covering a lot of miles on a commute, or are perhaps doing some regular club runs, races or tours. Whatever the reason, this price puts you into the professional realm and that gives you a luxury choice of high-end options. Pro-level bibs are all about the fit, and it's definitely worth considering these when you're weighing up the contenders, as the finish, comfort and performance is up there with the best. These are excellent bibs that hold their own at the higher end of the market, so if you're after high quality shorts for warm-weather endurance rides, try a pair on - you'll probably end up taking them home!
Also reviewed: Altura Ergofit Comp Short Sleeve Jersey
Buy from: www.wiggle.co.uk
Altura says:
Ergonomically shaped bib shorts featuring a new 3D moulded gel insert for the ultimate combination of comfort and performance in the saddle.
- Pre-shaped, multi panel ergonomic fit
- Riviera 210g/240g Power Lycra construction
- 3D Moulded, stretch, multi density insert with gel injection sit bone pads and silver anti bacterial cover
- Pre-shaped, high breathe mesh bib with silver thread Laser cut rear bib vents
- Flat elastic comfort leg grippers with silicone print
- Reflective trim
- 76% Nylon, 24% Elastane
- Sizes XS -XXL
Find out more: www.zyro.co.uk
