Van Rysel 900 Women’s Cropped Bibless Tights

These sleek Van Rysel 900 Cropped Bibless Tights from Decathlon's new race range deliver on fit, feel and performance at a competitive price. The bulky pad might not suit everyone, but if you're looking for race-focused shorts at a pleasing price, they have a lot to offer.

• Pros: Excellent fit, snug waist band, good price
• Cons: Chamois is dense, grippers ride up a little

For autumn and spring days in the saddle, three-quarter-length cycling tights come into their own, and Decathlon has launched a budget pair in its new Van Rysel range, designed to deliver premium comfort in cooler conditions.

> Find your nearest Decathlon store here

> Buy these online here

The 900s look classy and a little better-finished than their Bib Shorts counterparts, owing to neater seams and an eye-catching interior pattern. But do they perform better than their £34.99 price tag might suggest?

The tights are made of polyamide and elastane, a super-stretchy blend that's great for comfort. The fit of the size small I tested is spot on; generous enough so as not to pinch, yet close enough to feel slick and super-aero – which you'd expect from a range designed for racing.

The stability waistband further adds to the comfort – it sits pleasingly high, meaning that no matter how aero you go, there's little chance of a chill creeping in, and it crosses over towards the front, resulting in four layers of soft material around the stomach.

The addition of a thinner, breathable fabric to the rear of the knees adds to the chafe-free feel, because the fabric doesn't bunch up or dig in.

The pad, stitched to the shorts, is identical to that in the bib shorts with its 'lady comfort channel' and three levels of density. And it's the density of the pad on these tights that you'll probably notice first: if you hold them up by the waistband, it looks really chunky – longer and firmer than many.

Once on, this firmer feel remains evident, creating a dense feeling when sat down. In action, the pad did feel less comfortable than the softer pads I've tested, leading to regular wiggling in the saddle to find a comfortable position. As with the Van Rysel shorts, though, after several washes the pad settled in. With time and more riding, they became a better companion to my rear, even over longer miles. Given their race focus, it may come as no surprise that the pad is also forward-focused. Sat upright I could feel the rear edge of the pad – so it's not made for laid-back days on the tops – but in a lower riding position, on the hoods or drops, the coverage is exactly where it needs to be.

The tights' panelled construction, stitched with flat seams, provides a quality look and a secure yet flexible feel. As with the Van Rysel bib shorts, some of the interior seams are a bit rough, but in action this went unnoticed and was far outweighed by the overall feeling of soft comfort that the tights provide.

The leg hem finishes mid-way down the calf – far enough down that even longer-legged riders should still find that they finish well below the knee. However, although the hems are wide and grippy with a silicone diamond pattern, they rode up a little in action, especially when positioned further down the leg to start with.

When it comes to wicking, the 900s do not fall short, further aided by the addition of those breathable panels behind the knees.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling shorts and 3/4s here

Overall, the shorts are not without their quirks, but if you get on with the chunkier-than-some pad they are a brilliant budget option that feel more premium than their price tag might indicate. The soft, sleek feel with generous comfort, especially across the waist, makes for a pair of three-quarter tights ready for faster rides in cooler conditions – though the addition of some reflective detailing wouldn't go amiss for a product designed for shorter days.

Verdict

Wallet-friendly three-quarters that perform well, though the pad may not be for everyone