Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Oneten Tempo Bib Shorts

8
£59.99

VERDICT:

8
10
For the money they're very good, and at their discounted price we've seldom come across better. Highly recommended
Weight: 
174g

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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Buying bib shorts on a budget can be a dangerous game – you're just as likely to pick a dud as you are a decent pair – and it's well accepted that if you're going to spend your money on a piece of clothing, getting a decent pair of bib shorts with a good quality pad is an absolute must. So we're happy to report that Oneten is on to a winner with its excellent value – currently discounted to £44.99 – Tempo bib shorts.

Buy these online here

They come with a Cytech Performance Air pad. At first glance it doesn't look anything special; there are plushier, larger and more 'detailed' pads out there, graduated with different densities. But used over a period a few weeks on several rides of around 80-100km, plus a track session thrown in for good measure, it stood up to everything thrown at it. It's only when I ventured over 100km on one ride that I began to feel pressure on my sit bones, and even then it certainly wasn't unbearable.

Not sure which bib shorts to get? Check out our buyer's guide here 

The fabric used for the legs is cool and breathable. Although none of the seams are flatlock stitched, they are well positioned and caused no rubbing or discomfort. The silicone grippers are comfortable and secure too, and again caused no irritation. The legs are slightly shorter than most on the market, though not hugely different, and for summer rides it's quite nice to have a bit less fabric covering your skin.

On the top half, the shoulder straps are comfortable enough, with no hint of digging into the shoulders, and the cut fits extremely well, whether you prefer a racy aerodynamic position or a more relaxed upright ride. There's also enough mesh to provide ample cooling for warmer days.

At this price point you'd expect there to be a compromise, and after three washes (following the 40 degree instructions) one of the yarns in the stitching has come loose. Otherwise, they've held up well. 

For the quality of performance they offer, both in terms of fit and comfort, at £44.99 the Tempo bib shorts really are a snip, and are strong candidates if you're looking to buy your first pair, or you want an inexpensive upgrade from old ones.

Verdict

For the money they're very good, and at their discounted price we've seldom come across better. Highly recommended

road.cc test report

Make and model: Oneten Tempo Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium, Orange/Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Reasonably priced bib shorts designed for mild riding conditions.

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

Highly elastic, deep-cut bib straps with an open structure on the back

CYTECH Performance Air chamois

Machine washable

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10

Unfortunately, one of the stitching yarns came loose after a couple of washes.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Fabrics stood up well to our test rides, save for the one seam.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Excellent fit and comfort from straps to pad.

Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

At discount price of £44.99, a snip.

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

Very well - we had no complaints at all at this price.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Great value.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A shame about the stitching coming loose after a couple of washes.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 188cm  Weight: 83kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

 

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
macrophotofly | 9 years ago
0 likes

Confused - the review above states the "fabric used for the legs is cool and breathable.... ....designed for mild riding conditions" but the website selling them (link in the article above) describes them as "perfect addition to your winter cycling wardrobe and will provide you with the ultimate warmth and comfort when out on the road on those cold days .....Constructed with insulating Roubaix fabric..."

Anyone know if these are the same shorts? and if so do the legs have the furry insulating inside material e.g Roubaix, or normal summer lycra?

Avatar
caaad10 replied to macrophotofly | 9 years ago
0 likes
macrophotofly wrote:

Confused - the review above states the "fabric used for the legs is cool and breathable.... ....designed for mild riding conditions" but the website selling them (link in the article above) describes them as "perfect addition to your winter cycling wardrobe and will provide you with the ultimate warmth and comfort when out on the road on those cold days .....Constructed with insulating Roubaix fabric..."

Anyone know if these are the same shorts? and if so do the legs have the furry insulating inside material e.g Roubaix, or normal summer lycra?

Mine arrived earlier (following the link to purchase), I was hoping they would be the warm Roubaix fabric but they are certainly not - they are made from extremely thin lycra, you can see right through them if you hold them up to the light. The pad is as basic as they come, and having just tried them out on an hour long ride it feels very basic too. To me they have a 'Made in China' feel (there's no indication where they are made), next time I think I'll stick with the dhb Aeron Pros, about the same price but on another level when it comes to quality.

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 9 years ago
0 likes

I thought that too, albeit in respect of VR90s but rowlocks: medium orange "out of stock".

Avatar
bendertherobot | 9 years ago
0 likes

Those'll match my Giro Empire SLX........

Latest Comments