Neon Velo Pro Fit Bib Shorts

Neon Velo's Pro Fit Bib Shorts are great for performance-minded riders. They feature a lightweight fabric, a very close and supportive fit from the material and the bibs, along with wide leg grippers. My only gripe would be the finish around the chamois. A small issue, but at this price you'd be expecting perfection.

• Pros: Very supportive, lightweight material, great bib straps
• Cons: The price, chamois could be denser

Let's move swiftly past the fact that they're blue. Neon Velo does a black version so you can stop panicking. These ones are designed to match the jersey and together I really like the colour. But for most, the black version will be better as it just goes with more kit. Apart from that, the styling is very clean and understated.

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Riding in these has been a pleasure; whether it's been over some leg warmers, or with the knees exposed to the first warmth of spring, I've been comfortable on longer rides. There's no better compliment than to say that I forgot that I was wearing them. Thankfully I still remembered to wear them... Anyway.

To my mind, at the heart of a pair of bib shorts is the fit. The pad can be brilliant, but if it's out of place, or the shorts don't support properly, they're not going to work for you. Here, on my rather skinny legs, the Pro Fit that gives these shorts their name is brilliant. I'd say that they're very similar to Castelli and Santini's race kit.

That close fit is achieved through effective panelling, with flatlock stitching holding everything together very well. The small that I was sent was perfect and matched the recommended size on the chart. With so many shorts getting longer, I was pleased to find that these rested a nice distance above my knee. And the bib straps were tight when I was stood up, relaxing slightly when on the bike to be supportive but still comfortable.

Those bib straps are made up in two parts. The back section is a mesh material that is designed to aid breathability and moisture transfer. The front sections are a flat elastic material that feels quite grippy against the skin or a baselayer. The join is well stitched and comfortable and together they provide good support.

For the main part of the shorts, lightweight Italian fabric has been used. It's basically very nice Lycra and doesn't change around the shorts. The only change comes with the wide leg grippers that are less stretchy. They do a great job of keeping the shorts in place.

The chamois is from Oeko-Tex and I found it to be perfectly comfortable on longer rides. It was positioned perfectly for my forward riding style. I'd like to see a touch more density in the sit bone areas to bring it closer to the – for me – perfection of Castelli's Progetto X2 Air seatpad. I'd also like to see the stitching used around the rest of the shorts used to secure the chamois. It's a very minor point, but for £170, perfection is key.

That brings us on to value, and how they compare with rivals. Castelli has a brilliant pair in the Free Aero Race Bibshorts; they're cheaper at £140 and perform very well. I do prefer the simpler styling on Neon Velo's shorts, though. You can still spend more, just. Le Col's HC bibs are a tenner more at £180, though the weird hex pattern won't do it for everyone.

Value, then, is okay. You're getting a pair of shorts that fit brilliantly and are comfortable for longer rides. But there are rivals that do the same for a bit less.

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

In conclusion, you're getting a great pair of shorts that suit racer body types perfectly. The bib straps are supportive, but I'd like to see a slightly denser pad to justify the price tag. The styling, though, is elegant and clean.

Verdict

Stylish and perform brilliantly, but a big price