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review

Cycology Women's Logo Bib Shorts

8
£70.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Comfortable, stylish and hard-working shorts at a really good price
Weight: 
155g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Cycology's Women's Logo Bib Shorts prove that good quality needn't come with a huge price tag. In fact, these bib shorts have it all, bar a super-long chamois, which has shrunk a bit in length from previous models.

  • Pros: Comfy women-specific centre strap; quality sweat-wicking chamois
  • Cons: Chamois could be a little longer; shorts come up a bit small

With bib shorts commonly costing well in excess of £100 these days, the Women's Logo Bib Shorts are in line with the price point of its Spin Sista jersey – that is, they are kind to the wallet.

> Buy these online here

They pick out the neon lime of the Spin Sista, which I also tested, but otherwise are far more visually understated than most of the other shorts in Cycology's women's range.

At first glance it looks as though the cut could come up a bit small, and while they are indeed a little on the snug side, in action they felt comfortable and unrestricted. If you're on the cusp of two sizes, consider sizing up.

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - side.jpg

I own a pair of Cycology bibs from 2016, and these 2019 versions have seen a few tweaks. First up, the all-important chamois. Cycology has increased padding to the front section, and it's smaller in size than the previous design – seemingly the case with current trends. It's also smaller than others I've tested in the past from brands including Alé, Rapha and Assos, but it doesn't feel compromised on comfort; the only thing you lose is excessive pad-bulge.

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - pad.jpg

When standing, it feels as though there might be little protection to soft tissue towards the front, but once in position – especially aero – everything sits in place. As a result, I almost forgot to scrutinise comfort over test rides, because it simply felt like I wasn't wearing them. While the chamois lacks a little length toward the rear, this didn't cause discomfort – though some might prefer a little more end-to-end coverage to suit different riding positions and for additional comfort over longer rides.

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - rear.jpg

On to the chamois sweat-test, where these shorts were put through their paces in the summer heat. On even the warmest ride they stayed remarkably dry, so I took it to the next level: the highly scientific shower test. The pad soaked up water fast and was impressively non-damp to the touch very quickly – the fastest out of four in the line-up.

> Buyer's Guide: 27 of the best cycling bib shorts

This sweat-wicking performance is matched by an impressive cut, with no bagginess anywhere. The legs sat mid-thigh, while the leg cuff's coloured grippers are classic Cycology – super-wide and super lightweight, making for a bulge-free zone. While Cycology has kept the band the same width since its 2016 bibs, the grippers are much-improved; their laser-cut lines continued to provide excellent stickiness through machine washes (my biggest issue with the previous version) while adding to the outer aesthetic.

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - cuff gripper.jpg

The centre front strap design is new for 2019 and a prominent feature, as seen on the Liv Race Day Bib Shorts Emma tested earlier this year. It's a simple difference but a stroke of genius in its ability to accommodate any breast size without compromising comfort, unlike a traditional brace-style bib. The only potential downside is that once in a riding position the centre strap naturally gravitates upwards a bit, which means it could be visible if you want to unzip the top of your jersey on a hot summer rides. It just looks like a black top underneath, though, so it's nothing unsightly!

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - front fulll.jpg

As with the leg cuff, the bib straps are cut generously wide, which adds comfort to the shoulder area, leaving no indentation after a long stint in the saddle – and being super-stretchy too, they're really easy to whip off and on for impromptu wee-stops.

Cycology has extended the breathable mesh material of the straps all the way down to the abdomen for maximum summertime breathability. Sometimes bib straps can be too short, leading to shoulder-ache, but the straps' mesh and stretch look set to provide decent levels of comfort above my 5ft 7in height.

Cycology Womens Logo Bib Shorts - detail.jpg

As with the Spin Sista jersey that they're designed to be twinned with, these bib shorts are finished with a single, subtle reflective strip to the rear for added safety. The finishing touch is a pair of very subtle Cycology logos – providing an aesthetic that counterbalances the energetic design of the top.

Overall, these shorts impressed. The pad's sweat-wicking capability, the upper's breathability and the attention to detail on the grippers make for an excellent bib short contender for spring/summer cycling – especially given the SPF 50 fabric treatment.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling shorts here

They are up there with the most comfortable I've tested, which is an accolade for the kind-to-wallet RRP. At £70, they're a tenner less than Liv's Race Day Bib Shorts, but they're grippier – and they're cheaper than many others on the market.

Verdict

Comfortable, stylish and hard-working shorts at a really good price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Cycology Women's Logo Bib Shorts

Size tested: Small

Tell us what the product is for

Cycology says, "Our Logo Bib Shorts with lime leg grippers, mix and match with a range of our coloured jerseys. Designed with an emphasis on comfort, they will perform no matter what the distance or terrain."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Cycology:

- Body contoured, panel construction

- Centre front strap

- Reflective strips on rear leg seams

-Quality chamois for comfort, breathability and moisture wicking

-Laser cut elasticised grippers on leg cuffs

-Durable, breathable, lightweight fabric with four-way stretch

-Subtle "Cycology" logo detailing

-Flat-locked seams

-Sun Protection Factor 50 fabric treatment

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The new women-specific centre strap performs on comfort and practicality – it's a very nice touch.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The chamois provided particularly good moisture-wicking.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Cycology has improved the durability of its leg grippers. There were no issues with them (or any other part of them) after six washes.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

They fit well overall, the straps will accommodate a range of heights.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

They came up a little bit smaller than some other brands.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

These shorts are designed with an emphasis on comfort and it shows.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Really good value for the performance.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Regular washing is fine, no issues at all.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

As intended, these shorts are mega comfortable and provide top-class sweat-wicking for summer rides.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The grippers. Wide, soft, effective and extremely pleasing on the eye!

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The pad just felt a touch on the short side. While it didn't hamper my riding, I just felt as though I could have had a little more protection.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It performs well, particularly on the well-designed centre strap and leg grippers.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? For the looks yes, but personally I prefer a little more length on the chamois.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

I've scored the Cycology Logo Shorts an 8 as they performed very well across fit, feel and function. For me, the pad could be a little longer, but that's personal preference and I still found them very comfortable.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 0  Height: 172cm  Weight: 60kg

I usually ride: My Scott Foil   My best bike is: Oldie but the goldie, CAAD 8

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Novice

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, general fitness riding, triathlon, audax

Janine is an Ironman triathlete, GB Age Grouper and an Ironman Certified Coach who has raced multi-sports since 2013.

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