I’ve found my new best friends in the Hincapie Power Bibshorts. These bibs have wiggled their way onto more than their fair share of rides this season letting all my other bibs collect dust.
Hincapie Power Bibshort Features:
- Durable AT2 Force™ Lycra Power provides unsurpassed structure and elastic retention for a compact fit
- Proprietary Schoeller® coldblack® finish technology reflects heat away from the body to regulate temperature and provide SPF 50+ UVA/UVB protection
- ABR Resistor™ Lycra© in saddle wear areas readily resists abrasion
- Comfortable, quick-drying VelociTek™ mesh upper wicks moisture away from the body
- Anatomical Power Chamois with E.I.T. Max fabric and high density foam inserts
- Reflective treatments for high visibility
- MSRP: $130
My Experience
If you haven’t converted to bibshorts yet, then let me introduce you to the first pair you should try. The Hincapie Power Bibshorts have all the right features that make a great pair of bibs. The number of panels and the mixture of materials is spot-on.
Back in the day, every pair of shorts featured a grippy elastic band around the leg cuffs. Man am I glad that good shorts have gone away from that awful practice. The problem with making them overly-grippy is the shorts will never sit right — at least for me. I’m constantly pulling them up or down slightly to find the sweet spot, but in the end, grippy rubber can never feel comfortable next to the skin. So, instead of grippy rubber, the leg cuffs simply use a doubled-up band of Lycra to provide a little bit more tightness without feeling constricting — smart.
The mixture of materials provides extra abrasion resistance and body-mapped comfort. The bulk of the shorts utilize ABR Resistor Lycra, which features ribs that resist abrasion — so far so good there. I’ve been impressed with the overall durability after many uses and washings. The fabric also provides extra support for hard-working muscles. The mesh upper straps breathe well and are comfortable with or without a base layer. And, importantly, the upper stretches easily when nature calls.
Another important feature is the chamois. Size-specific designs provide just the right padding in the right locations. I’ve worn these shorts on both the Specialized Romin and Toupe saddles — much to the delight of my backside. I’ve not had any chaffing issues or discomfort in the saddle.
The only improvements I would make would be to utilize flatlock stiching throughout the bibs for additional next-to-skin comfort. For best results, I’d recommend sizing down. The medium fit me best (5’11” and 165 lbs.).
The Good:
- Body-mapped panels provide support
- ABR Resistor Lycra adds durability to high-wear areas
- Excellent, non-grippy leg cuffs
- Mesh upper breathes well and easily stretches when nature calls
- Fantastic next-to-skin comfort with/without base layer
The Bad:
- Could utilize flatlock stiching for even better comfort
The Bottom Line
A great pair of bibshorts indeed. I highly recommend the Hincapie Power Bibshorts for their comfort, excellent mixture of materials and the chaff-free chamois. They have been my bibs of choice all season.
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