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In this edition of Product Picks, Australian tech editor Matt Wikstrom takes a look at some new bibs from RedWhite, bar tape from Prologo, a set of Shimano’s sunnies, KindHuman gloves, Campagnolo’s latest update for its Shamal wheels, and bike protection from Bopworx.
Click the links below to skip through to a particular review:
RedWhite calls itself a “special bibshorts company”, which is why their catalogue comprises nothing but bibshorts. Based in Singapore, RedWhite makes use of Italian fabrics and Romanian manufacturing to create its products.
The RACE is the newest product in RedWhite’s catalogue and it was designed (unsurprisingly) to suit racers. The company started with the template from its BIBS, and swapped out the plush padding for a thinner, lighter design. The new padding is 30% less dense and 16% thinner; it is also dimpled to encourage extra heat dissipation.
The RACE is made from the same nylon-rich Lycra as the BIBS for a soft, stretchy fit. The straps are made from nylon-rich mesh and the leg hems are finished with a wide polyester/elastane gripper backed with silicone microdots. Buyers have a choice of four sizes (S-XL) and one colour (black with white straps).
According to RedWhite, dimples increase the surface area of the padding, which in turn, increases heat dissipation.
When I reviewed RedWhite’s BIBS last year I was impressed with the quality of the fit, the feel of the fabric, the no-fuss leg-grippers, and the plush padding. The RACE retains the same exquisite fit and feel, but the difference in the padding was only obvious once I was on the bike.
In short, the padding is not as plush as the BIBS, and essentially rivals anything on offer by other race-oriented bibshorts such as Castelli, Rapha, Capo or Sportful. As such, it was comfortable and effective, though I didn’t notice any difference in heat dissipation when compared to any other bibshort, including the BIBS.
All told, RedWhite have created another high quality bibshort that easily justifies its reasonably high asking price. These shorts are very easy to wear but I found myself hesitating to use the RACE for a long ride (4-5 hours) when I could wear the plusher BIBS instead. It’s not that the RACE bibshorts would get uncomfortable, it’s just that the BIBS were always more comfortable.
Price: US$160 (~AU$223) (shipping included).
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