Bib tights are in season and Hincapie’s warmest and most protective bibs are the Arenberg Zeros. With a host of fleece-backed materials and comfortable, flatlock construction, how have these bibs performed?
Hincapie Arenberg Zero Bib Tights Features:
- Super Roubaix™ fabric is wind resistant and fleece-backed for breathability
- TourTek™ Zero panels repel water and wind while remaining flexible
- Locking front fly for ease of use
- Hincapie Power Chamois with E.I.T. Max fabric and perforated, high density foam inserts
- Zippered leg openings facilitate easy layering
- Reflective seam treatment and logos for high visibility
- Inseam: 29″
- MSRP: $200
It’s Arenberg Season Already
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to put away the summer kits and pull them out for indoor duty only. It’s time to slow things down and get out when the weather is good enough for riding. For me, the definition of “good enough” is typically 40-degrees and sunny. At that temperature, the roads aren’t slick and the sun warms just enough to keep from freezing my extremeties. Over the past few weeks, I’ve donned the Hincapie Arenberg bib tights to stave off the cold and give my legs a fighting chance.
These are Hincapie’s most weatherproof bibs and feature a mixture of fleece-backed and weatherproof materials. The majority of the bibs are constructed of Super Roubaix fabric for excellent wind protection while delivering equally excellent moisture management. The knees and parts of the thighs are then protected by TourTek Zero, which is also highly water-resistant. With this concoction, the Arenberg bib tights are perfectly-suited to my acceptable riding conditions, but may not do so well if it rains or snows in earnest or gets much colder than 40-degrees.
TourTek Zero does bead water quite well, but Super Roubaix fabric soaks it up like a sponge, so I wouldn’t recommend these as weatherproof bib tights. For me, I’d give these a working temperature between 40 and 55 degrees with the ability to shed light moisture without getting too overwhelmed.
In general, my 5’11” 170 lb. body is perfect for Hincapie’s medium tops and bottoms and it’s no different here. The size medium offers just the right compression and muscle support throughout the pedal stroke with the exception of the TourTek Zero knee material, which slightly restricts movement at the top of the stroke.
With a 29″ inseam, these are shorter than most bib Tights, so take that into consideration and be sure your shoe covers fill that gap comfortably. I’ve been riding with the Castelli Tempesta Outdry shoe covers and they have worked together like a charm. The side zip of the Arenberg’s stays out of the way of the Achilles area for comfortable pedaling.
The Good
- Good muscle compression/support
- Two thumbs up for flatlock seams throughout
- Front zipper makes for easy pee breaks
- Good working range for reasonable winter riding
The Bad
- Length is a little short
- Will get overwhelmed in moderate/heavy rain
- Bib straps tend to bunch up and not sit flat
- Chamois is good, but not on par with the best in the biz
The Bottom Line: Arenberg Zero Bib Tights
The Arenberg Zero bib tights are well-crafted and comfortable for most reasonable winter riding conditions. Yes, there are more protective bib tights, but these remain a good value if you’re in the market.
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