padding

cost

Agree with Dan 100% for long rides when you want a lot of padding this short is hard to beat. It looks funny at first because the padding is somewhat stiffer or bulkier than most but that goes away with riding have had these over a year and no stitching problems.

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all

For the first few wears, these fit very well, comfortable, no chafing, good padding.

Man do these wear out quick, and when they do, watch out for really nasty rashes caused by the stiching on the seams. Unhappy hinder = unhappy rider.

These only work well for a few rides, then the seams cause unbearable rashes, even with copious amounts of assos chamois cream. Even before the stiching starts to come undone, the seams will rip a few layers of skin from some sensitive areas and leave you unable to ride for days. I really liked these at first, but I'm going back to the PearlZoomies.

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Pearl Izumi microsensor, Louis Gareau, others

Chamois is fat, but fantastic...

Stitching is absolutely shoddy.

I recieved these as a birthday present from my girlfriend, usually I ride Blackbottoms. I was a little skeptical of the Depends-esque thickness of the chamois, but I was training for a 100-mile backcountry race, I thought, "What the hell..."

After nine hours in the Gambrill watershed, I had no chafing. None whatsoever. Absolutely amazing.

Then, in a glimpse of things to come, I noticed that the chamois was starting to come unstitched from the lycra. Uh oh.

The day of the race I spent 11.5 hours in the saddle, and again, after finishing, only the most minor chafing. Alas, the shorts made the ultimate sacrifice, as the chamois is now coming unstitched, the waistband is coming unraveled, and even the drawstring is unstitching. Two rides, $100. Not good.

Buy these if you're the scion of a wealthy middle eastern oil dynasty, are married to a professional seamstress, or have a rare medical condition in which your nether regions must be protected at all cost.

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Blackbottom 8-panel; Pearl Izumi; Nashbar POS

Padding and cut
Comfort while in the saddle

Excessive price
Questionable seams

After 3+ years of using this product, I thought I'd add a follow-up review to my initial 1999 review.

I’ve gone through 4 pairs, averaging roughly one pair a season. The seams tend to be rather weak. Additionally the lycra wears quickly on my upper thighs. This may be due to my riding/usage style, as opposed to a product defect or weakness.

I believe the cost to be excessive, but until a better product hits the market offering better value, I stick with it.

Assos offers excellent comfort for riders spending a lot of time in the seat or those looking for extra comfort (unfortunately) at a price.

I wouldn’t recommend them for riding constricted trails and/or bushwhacking, as these shorts will quickly shred. I learned this lesson the expensive way.

Kent

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Several brands prior to purchasing first pair of Assos in 1999. Since then, this what I use for most rides.

I like the tie up waist band.
Great fabric.

A little too much padding for my taste.
Seems to be a regular length on the inseam.

Looks great out of the bag and performs well on the saddle. Although, there is a little too much padding for my taste. These shorts feel a bit bulkie in the butt. When I first put them on I was concerned about the padding. However, I will say this early in the season the padding is welcome. I like the support I feel from the fabric. I am happy with them but am still searching for the perfect short for me.

Similar Products Used:

Microsensor, Ultrasensor, Performance Gell

Padding
Overall design

price

While the price was staggering, these shorts have met my initial goal of providing comfort for more miles then I currently achieved before soreness set in. 5-stars from me

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All the major brands

Lightweight, comfortable, thoughtful design with top quality "sewmanship".

Price...a little too steep to own more than one pair

After repeated 60+ mile rides, the ASSOS Half-short is by far the most "butt friendly" short to date. When I am properly seated on the bike, the chamois creates a "cove", which surrounds my "boy's" instead of squashing them; crotch adjustment is not required. The chamois is plush but supportive and does not bind or chafe. Incidentally, I do use Chamois Creme...it helps alot'. I hear that the Castelli's are pretty good, but I have not tried them.
I save this shorts for my longer rides. Bottom line the $100.00 is a moot point if I can comfortably stay in the saddle longer.

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PI Microsensor, Velowear, Performance GEl, Century