Giant Elevate Bibshort

Giant's Elevate bib shorts are perfect for competitive riding as well as long hot summer days in the saddle, and represent very good value for money too. The branding will put a few off, but like the Elevate jersey I was also testing, they're a high-quality piece of kit.

• Pros: Summer leg length and construction, supportive fit, good chamois, value
• Cons: A little tight around upper thighs

The Elevate bib shorts form the second part of Giant's self-branded jersey-short combo, and in many respects my comments about the top half are to be repeated here. You'll need to decide if you mind wearing a bike brand's name so prominently on your leg – but if you decide that you don't mind, you're getting a seriously good deal here.

> Find your nearest Giant store here

A summer cut and lightweight, low profile design are at the forefront of things with the bib shorts (as they are with the jersey). The TransTextura fabric is breathable and flexible, and a little denser than in the jersey, which adds to the bib shorts' resilience and its SPF50 properties and – frankly – comfort too.

They're still light against the skin, though – nobody can call 163g heavy – and the fit around the legs (the panelling, especially) is well thought out: compressive yet unrestrictive. You feel supported around the quads, hips and lower back because of the high-tensile fabric, which aids the feeling of high performance.

Medium bib shorts usually fit me perfectly, but here I found the top section of the thighs a little tight, which caused slight rubbing on long-range rides. That said, my legs have bulked up a bit recently (I can thank rowing and overeating for that), so that needs to be taken into account with the fit, which is otherwise excellent on me.

The hems are perfect, with an elastic band doing the gripping in the absence of any silicone insert. This results in a really comfortable fit on the skin, without the potential to rub like some do. The seams that join this to the panel fabric are flat and low profile, so there's less chance of chafing there too.

The leg section joins to a laser cut upper that's very flexible, and able to stretch comfortably to my long torso with no discomfort. To be honest, it's one of the most comfortable bib sections I've come across – perfect for either long summer days or high-intensity efforts. It helps keep breathability high so the jersey can do its work, and dries quickly too when at a café.

The hidden gem, though, is the pad. It's an Etxeondo model (E.I.T. Urraki Multi-Density Comp, in case you're interested in the details), and Giant says it's been adopted by the Giant elite race teams – a marker of quality if ever there was any.

For my money, I found the graded sections brilliant at relieving pressure points, and there's a channel down the centre – presumably for perineal relief. There are five separate foam thicknesses and densities strategically positioned, including a generous frontal section for a little added 'manhood' protection.

It's all covered in a microfibre fabric that Giant claims is breathable and antibacterial. There are no perforations, although you can feel indents under the cover fabric which indicate channels for improved airflow internally. I found it especially good at dealing with high-intensity 40km efforts, but longer rides are no issue either.

It truly is a pro-level chamois, and that makes the Elevate bib shorts' value even more impressive at £124.99. Comparing them with Le Col’s top-end HC bib shorts, for example, you have to view the Elevates as a bit of a performance bargain. Sure, they lack the luxury edge of the £180 Le Cols, but all the racy performance is right there. Similarly, Rapha’s Pro Team bib shorts claim to do the same fundamental job of the Giants, yet you’re paying close to £200.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling bib shorts

It's just a shame that the branding is so prominent, which could automatically limit the kit's appeal unless you ride a Giant (or don't care).

Verdict

High quality bib shorts from a high quality name, which unfortunately you can't really miss...