The “Aeron” monicker gives the impression that they are particularly aerodynamic. I don’t know if this is actually the case, but even if it was, would the advantage be  significant? What I did notice is that the lycra used in the knicks has a very slick feel to it and there are two side-effects of this.

Firstly, it becomes very easy to move around on the saddle. Speaking for myself, I consider this to be a benefit enabling me to shift my weight around and avoid pressure spots. For others, this may be distracting but you probably already know which camp you belong to. Secondly, in winter the wind whips through them like they’re not even there; they are almost unwearable in temperatures below 7 degrees. I suppose, however, that if this was a summer review I would be waxing lyrical about how cool they are. Again, neither good nor bad, just details you don’t get from a picture on the internet.

The cut of the bibs are great. For the size of the shorts, the braces are nice and snug – designed for the riding position, not the coffee shop. Otherwise, all the panels followed my body’s contours nicely and they didn’t bunch or pull while riding. One other nice thing is that they don’t strangle my thighs, yet still stay where they’re supposed to.

Finally, the chamois is really nicely done. There are thicker ones in the Aeron range, however the high density makes this one very comfortable. It’s a good size, too – wide enough but not too big. Again, it’s designed to be comfortable on the bike, not necessarily at the cafe.

I highly recommended these knicks and would probably go so far as to extend that endorsement to the rest of the Aeron range, based on the quality of the chamois and the fit of these.

View online: Aeron Race Cycling Bib Short

The Feel

First and firmost, the chamois is 2XU’s “Fusion PRO”. It is their top of the range chamois and has different thicknesses of foam throughout. The thickness is actually labeled on each part, just in case you were overly interested in what’s going on down there.

The chamois is quite firm, so it provides good support and is very comfortable, even on long rides. Because of this firmness, it resists bending and stays flat and stiff while out of the saddle. What that means is that it’s very unlikely to get creases in it while riding. This is particularly important as those creases provide a pressure point on which a saddle sore can develop. Although it’s a very subjective thing, the “Fusion PRO” chamois competes with all but the very highest quality foam-based items.

The Fit

The rest is a mixed bag. The fit is generally quite good. As you would expect from a high quality pair of bibknicks, the braces are designed for the riding position and definitely not for walking around in.

Unfortunately, the brace material does not have a lot of elasticity. What this means is that if they fit you perfectly, then that’s great, you’ll be very impressed. If you’re proportionally tall and skinny in the legs, you’ll find them digging hard into your shoulders. Conversely, if you’re proportionally short, you may struggle to get them tight enough. This is a shame, because 2XU spend a lot of time espousing the benefits of compression wear and in this case, your sizing decision has to be based on the length of the knicks, not the fit of that compression. The standard length shorts have the same issue.

In our opinion, if you can try on a pair that fit your lower half well, you can get away with a pair that are a bit loose on the shoulders (if you’re lucky enough to have those proportions). This is because the rest of the material holds its shape well and actually feels quite supportive even without the braces on.

The Compression

The ? style does provide what 2XU describe as “muscle support” and 2XU branded ? length cycle shorts will likely trigger the word “compression” in just about anyone’s mind – after all, this is what 2XU has built their brand on.

The actual benefits of compression as far as improved performance on the bike may be debatable*, but they do feel good. In fact, the relatively firm fabric compression through the knee area feels pleasantly supportive – it makes you feel more efficient. It’s a bit like wearing a new pair of socks. It feels good but heaven help you if you try to describe it.

*On the other hand, compression wear has been proven to have an effect on recovery, but please don’t go wearing your cycle shorts for 3 hours after a ride, it’s just not healthy from a bacteria perspective and it’s definitely not euro-cool.

The Verdict

The 2XU – Cycle Bib Shorts are a high quality pair of bibknicks from a technical point of view. For the price (RRP $240), you’d expect that. Are there other shorts that provide the same level of quality and performance for less money? Maybe. Though do yourself a favour and get the right size and fit because in the premium segment for cycling wear, the size of your investment will not make ill-fitting gear magically perfect.

2XU gear is available in 2XU Stores and bike shops across Australia as well from the 2XU online shop. www.2XU.com