If your pre-season riding includes riding out in the cold, then these tights are for you. The Ground Effect Montezumas tights are built from 8-panel 4-way stretch Hot Shot Lycra which are surprisingly warm and light weight. Though this is not really a surprise considering Ground Effect is a New Zealand company. These tights were designed to fit like a glove while you’re spinning or out of the saddle.
As a year round cyclist, I’m accustomed to riding in cold conditions, and I like to know my tights stay around my waist and not bunch down, or up around my knees. The wide elastic band around the waist hugs the waist and the HighRise rear ensures that your lower back is covered up.
The Softail 3D anatomically shaped chamois pad is superbly comfortable, whether on a long ride or a short commute. And if you’re out in the rain, the multi level foam keeps your backside dryer than other tights or bib knicks I have worn. Even when they do get wet, they dry very quickly. The S shaped seams are stitched flat because to avoid friction between your butt and your saddle which can cause nasty saddle sores.
There are two main differences between the women’s-specific and men’s-unisex versions of the Softail pad. While the molded part of the pad remains the same, the pad is shorter at the front in the women’s version. The position of the pad inside the short is also gender specific, with differently shaped Lycra panels in the short’s gusset supporting the pad.
Cycling tights should provide you with protection from the elements and wick away sweat and water from your skin and the Ground Effect Montezumas deliver. On my first ride they felt more comfortable than the usual bib knicks I have been wearing. The size and shape are well proportioned and fitted snugly. They kept me warm even in 4?C temperatures for my whole ride and I didn’t over heat plus they are lightweight and felt great sitting in the saddle or out of the seat. I’ve ridden in wet conditions and put them in for a wash (on the first wash, wash separately in warm water) and they came out fine.
Features on the tights include a wide elastic band to keep them secure and comfortable flat, s-shaped seams allows the lycra to stretch with your body and the seams don’t irritate you, a comfortable 8-panel construction and a seamless 3D anatomically synthetic ‘chamois’ with a anti-bacterial finish, these panels keep high-sweat areas cool and dry. One useful addition that I would have liked were more reflective lines in order to be more visible to cars.
The Ground Effect Montezumas are available from www.groundeffect.co.nz for $99
