Hincapie Sportswear Nitro Bibshorts

The Hincapie Sportswear Nitro bib-shorts are comfortable all over, neat and close-fitting. They're not cheap though, and some riders may baulk at the brand-name so prominently displayed.

There are five main clothing ranges under the Hincapie Sportsware umbrella, from the top-end Signature range down to the Performance range at the 'budget' end (although it's all relative). The Nitro range is one up from Performance. As well as these Nitro shorts, matching jerseys, caps, gloves, arm- and leg-warmers are also available.

In case you're wondering about the name, long-serving Grand Tour rider 'Big' George Hincapie and his family have been in the cycling clothing business for many years, mainly focused on custom-made team kit for the US market (as well as a few in the pro peloton). The company now makes off-the-peg clothing, available in the UK through Evans Cycles.

Comfortable and close

I've tested these Nitro shorts on a few rides, and first impressions are good. They're very comfortable with a close fit that's not too tight anywhere. At first, I thought the actual bib was a bit 'slack' and wouldn't hold up the shorts properly, but it was fine; the shorts stayed firmly in place around the rear end without any apparent pressure on the shoulders.

The main panels on the front and back of the shorts are made from a fabric called AT2 Lycra Power, which the Hincapie website says provides a 'supple yet durable fit that moves with your body while retaining shape and firmness ... the perfect blend of compressive support and performance.' It's a fair description. The side panels are a lighter fabric called AT2 Transition Lycra.

Compared to some bib shorts, the bib is fairly low at the front, which further adds to the comfort. The bib itself is made mainly from lightweight mesh to help breathability.

One-piece chamois

The insert (or chamois) is a single piece, stretchy and seam-free, with various pads separated by narrow channels for ventilation. The pads under the sit-bones are slightly thicker than the rest.

Compared to the chamois in other shorts, I'd class this as medium thickness. For some riders it will be fine for a day in the saddle, while others my want something a bit thicker for 100-mile sportives and other long-distance events.

The shorts are finished off with a large 'leg-band' around each thigh, made from a fabric called DimpleTek, which holds the shorts in place and also helps wick moisture away from the skin. It's not clear if, or why, this wicking feature is just on the leg band.

That logo

The Nitro shorts I'm testing are black, with wide white side panels and red stitching. They're also available in dark blue, light blue and white, and in yellow, black and white. There's a suitably big 'H' logo on the side panel, and the word 'Hincapie' is writ large around each leg-band.

It's not unusual for the manufacturers of cycle clothing to display their name so prominently, but because Hincapie was the lieutenant of a certain disgraced Texan, some riders may prefer not to be so overtly associated with this brand.

On price, the shorts retail at a penny less than £90. This is on a par with similar kit from some other brands, but it's still a lot of money for a pair of shorts, and can't be called good value. But of you want a light and comfortable pair of shorts for scooting around on those warm summer evenings we all love, then these Nitros might fit the bill.

One final note: These shorts will need to be washed carefully after use. All our test kit carried a warning: 'Inks may bleed slightly. Wash garments in cold water and line dry to remove any bleeding effects.' This might be too much hassle for riders who want to bung sweaty kit in the washing machine after a long hot ride. Other riders may feel that for the best part of 90 quid, the colours simply ought to stay put.

Verdict

Comfortable, lightweight and close-fitting bib-shorts, ideal for warm-weather cycling. Not cheap though, with a well-displayed brand name that some may wish to avoid.