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review
£59.99
VERDICT:
Cracking value for shorts that are so comfortable on the bike and look good too
Weight:
151g
Contact:
www.sugoi.com
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 meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Priced at just £60 (and nearer £40 on some websites) the new Sugoi RPM bib shorts offer outstanding value for money with performance that wouldn't be out of place on shorts costing twice as much.
The chamois is excellent. It's Sugoi's own design and goes by the name of S.100. It's anatomically shaped with a one-piece 4-way seamless construction. An anti-microbial synthetic top layer is stretched over the top. They're outstandingly comfortable: I've done several long rides and I haven't' found any shortcomings on the saddle at all.
Excellent too is the P3 fabric. The shorts are well shaped with an 8-panel design and well-proportioned. The fabric has a compression feel to it, which results in a very snug fit. Out on the bike these shorts are fine and comfortable; the cut of the fabric means there's no pulling in the wrong direction.
But squeezing into them before a ride isn't very flattering; I could probably gone up to a large. I'd advise checking out the sizing before you buy, especially if you're on the border between medium and large shorts anyway.
A wide 2in hem removes the traditional gripper tape and instead relies on the elasticity of the fabric to keep them in place. Flatlock stitching removes any further possible scratching of seams on skin. The bib straps holding the shorts up are made from a lightweight mesh and you hardly notice them in use.
I've always had a soft spot for Canadian firm Sugoi's clothing, and these RPM bib shorts only serve to reinforce that, with their high performance at a great price.
Verdict
Cracking value for a short that is so comfortable on the bike and look good too.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Sugoi RPM bib shorts
Size tested: Medium
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?
An excellent bib short for year-round use either as your first choice or to expand your cycling wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
8 panel design for body contoured fit
Flat seams for increased comfort
Broad leg hem band for comfort and support
Mobil Mesh: A spandex mesh which provices comfortable mobility with excellent ventilation. Mobil Mesh features breathability with wicking properties to keep you cool and dry
An evolution of the Matrix fabric, P3 offers a whole new level of comfort and performance. With a 33% reduction in weight, P3 features a sleek surface combined with a soft texture for maximum comfort
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Flat-lock stitching is good at this price, and the 2in wide leg hem boost comfort
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
At the price, excellent performance
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
The chamois is impressively comfortable for a short of this price.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Outstanding value for money, feature packed.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Excellent performance.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The chamois and wide hem.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
They're a bit snug.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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