Assos bibs - do you need chamois cream? and other questions
#1
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Assos bibs - do you need chamois cream? and other questions
I was looking at assos bibs and saw assos chamois cream for sale.
Question 1: If you own a pair, do you use chamois cream?
Question 2: How are their low end bibs - RE: MILLE GT BIB SHORTS?
Question 1: If you own a pair, do you use chamois cream?
Question 2: How are their low end bibs - RE: MILLE GT BIB SHORTS?
#2
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I have 3 pair of assos bibs which bought in April.
I have not yet used chamois cream with any of them.
Each pair is worn once or twice each week.
The chamois is like new on each pair -- so far each pair has been worn only 20 times or fewer.
I hand wash them right after each ride, I just take them right into the shower with me and hand wash them with mild body wash or shampoo, then I hang them inside out to drip dry.
So far I've had no wear n tear on the chamois or anywhere else.
For the Mille GTs --
I bought them but I sent them back because the inseam is cut longer than the other assos lines which fit me better.
I'm short, I have shorter legs and the cuffs of the mille gts were down to my kneecaps.
Otherwise, the milles were nice and lightweight and the fabric fit comfortably but not as tight + compressive as the races lines like equipe and evo.
Assos describes them as their most lightweight bib short (I mean in terms of comfort / cooling / ventilation, not in grams) and they're basically designed with a relaxed fit for long hours on the bike.
Mille GT is their lowest-priced bib short at full price, but be sure you look at the sale prices on all their stuff.
Go to the assos use website, click MEN or WOMEN then click ARCHIVE, then choose PAST SEASONS STYLES and you'll see a lot of sale-priced stuff.
I have not yet used chamois cream with any of them.
Each pair is worn once or twice each week.
The chamois is like new on each pair -- so far each pair has been worn only 20 times or fewer.
I hand wash them right after each ride, I just take them right into the shower with me and hand wash them with mild body wash or shampoo, then I hang them inside out to drip dry.
So far I've had no wear n tear on the chamois or anywhere else.
For the Mille GTs --
I bought them but I sent them back because the inseam is cut longer than the other assos lines which fit me better.
I'm short, I have shorter legs and the cuffs of the mille gts were down to my kneecaps.
Otherwise, the milles were nice and lightweight and the fabric fit comfortably but not as tight + compressive as the races lines like equipe and evo.
Assos describes them as their most lightweight bib short (I mean in terms of comfort / cooling / ventilation, not in grams) and they're basically designed with a relaxed fit for long hours on the bike.
Mille GT is their lowest-priced bib short at full price, but be sure you look at the sale prices on all their stuff.
Go to the assos use website, click MEN or WOMEN then click ARCHIVE, then choose PAST SEASONS STYLES and you'll see a lot of sale-priced stuff.
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I don't see any downside to using chamois cream, and I've found that it is helpful to prevent the formation of the much dreaded saddle sores. I haven't found my Assos bibs to be any more comfortable than other high end bibs, however. If you use chamois cream in other bibs, I would use them on Assos as well.
#6
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I have 3 pairs of Assos bibs, including one Mille GT pair. Have not used cream with any if them and have not had any problems. All of them have held up well and I will continue to buy Assos in the future.
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All my gear is Assos, Accumulated over about 6 years. Absolutely the best kit I've ever owned. I generally use chamois cream but I've ridden without it with no ill effects.
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I dont bother with chamois cream for rides of 2 hours or less. If riding > 2.5 hours, i will apply some. I also tend to use my Assos bibs mainly for long rides (i mostly have the higher end version, purchased precisely for that purpose) - for shorter, weekday training rides, i am still working through my old Castellis, Giordanas, Sportfuls, etc.
Incidentally, i just (like, 30 min ago) ordered a pair of Mille GTs for weekday riding.
Incidentally, i just (like, 30 min ago) ordered a pair of Mille GTs for weekday riding.
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#10
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I think you'll be happy with the quality of the build and the chamois is really comfortable in the RS pair I have.
one note (sorry I didn't mention this before) -- I've worn only the summer weight stuff in their 1.3 line (in Miami), in your climate will you have spring / fall temperatures or do you have summer temperatures all year?
one note (sorry I didn't mention this before) -- I've worn only the summer weight stuff in their 1.3 line (in Miami), in your climate will you have spring / fall temperatures or do you have summer temperatures all year?
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#12
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I stopped using chamois cream after switching to Assos - for me their bibs work perfectly without any cream.
I guess chamois materials, shape and the way it is attached to the bibs lead to very little friction.
I've no idea, my choice is their Cento line due to kukuPenthouse.
I guess chamois materials, shape and the way it is attached to the bibs lead to very little friction.
I've no idea, my choice is their Cento line due to kukuPenthouse.
#13
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I use chamois creme pretty much every ride; I do live in a relatively low humidity area, but it is a must in higher humidity. For as much as I ride, it's worth the "safety" factor. I've never tried the Assos creme...just not available easily around here, have heard nothing but good about it.
I cycle through several sets of kit (Assos, Ale, Castelli Rosa Corsa, Santini, etc). I pretty much consider all of them to be my "top drawer" stuff... putting out 100km in them is perfectly fine. HOWEVER... when push comes to shove, the Assos bibs still get picked when I think it could be worse than usual for a ride.... All are equal, one more than the others.... (fair disclosure...hate Assos jerseys... but the bibs..... hard to fault )
I cycle through several sets of kit (Assos, Ale, Castelli Rosa Corsa, Santini, etc). I pretty much consider all of them to be my "top drawer" stuff... putting out 100km in them is perfectly fine. HOWEVER... when push comes to shove, the Assos bibs still get picked when I think it could be worse than usual for a ride.... All are equal, one more than the others.... (fair disclosure...hate Assos jerseys... but the bibs..... hard to fault )
#14
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I use chamois creme pretty much every ride; I do live in a relatively low humidity area, but it is a must in higher humidity. For as much as I ride, it's worth the "safety" factor. I've never tried the Assos creme...just not available easily around here, have heard nothing but good about it.
I cycle through several sets of kit (Assos, Ale, Castelli Rosa Corsa, Santini, etc). I pretty much consider all of them to be my "top drawer" stuff... putting out 100km in them is perfectly fine. HOWEVER... when push comes to shove, the Assos bibs still get picked when I think it could be worse than usual for a ride.... All are equal, one more than the others.... (fair disclosure...hate Assos jerseys... but the bibs..... hard to fault )
I cycle through several sets of kit (Assos, Ale, Castelli Rosa Corsa, Santini, etc). I pretty much consider all of them to be my "top drawer" stuff... putting out 100km in them is perfectly fine. HOWEVER... when push comes to shove, the Assos bibs still get picked when I think it could be worse than usual for a ride.... All are equal, one more than the others.... (fair disclosure...hate Assos jerseys... but the bibs..... hard to fault )
most of their jersey graphic designs are so ugly I want to cry. EXCEPT the speed club jersey, I want one of those but it's like $200.
can't say enough good things about their bibs though, I doubt I'll ever buy anything else.
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Beach Bob Fellow Canadian here. Where are you buying to Assos bibs/kit from? A local source or over the interwebs?
#16
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Beach Bob Fellow Canadian here. Where are you buying to Assos bibs/kit from? A local source or over the interwebs?
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Why would you need chamois cream only for a specific brand? If you normally need to use some, you'll need it regardless of the brand.
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I'll use chamois cream on my Mille GTs (Archive Sale for the Win) but I usually hedge and only apply during the ride.
I also have some Centos (yes they were spendy) that I did about 75 miles on and didn't even realize I'd used no cream until about 60 miles in. Had some chamois cream with me but just didn't need it.
IMHO lots of factors of needing it or not. Length of the ride, how much you sweat, how well the shorts wick and related to that, the build quality of the shorts. I used to think that the $100 Pearl Izumi's were fine, then my wife bought me an Assos gift card and it was all over.
I also have some Centos (yes they were spendy) that I did about 75 miles on and didn't even realize I'd used no cream until about 60 miles in. Had some chamois cream with me but just didn't need it.
IMHO lots of factors of needing it or not. Length of the ride, how much you sweat, how well the shorts wick and related to that, the build quality of the shorts. I used to think that the $100 Pearl Izumi's were fine, then my wife bought me an Assos gift card and it was all over.
#19
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Probably because the current Assos lines feature chamois designed to reduce friction, so maybe the OP wanted to hear from Assos users what their experience has been.
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The bibs/fit of bibs are not the only factors in the decision whether or not to use chamois cream. Once I'm in shape I generally don't need it, but during the recent spell of hot weather all of the cycling I was doing soaked in sweat caused chafing issues "down there" (used A+D ointment while sleeping for a few nights), so I went back to using chamois cream for a while. Personally I always keep some around just in case.
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I use chamois cream with all my cycling shorts. If Assos didn’t think you needed chamois cream, they wouldn’t make one of the best versions on Earth. So, there’s that.
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I use their cream but don't apply it to the shorts but rather onto me in spots where friction or hot spots can occur.