ALÉ R-EV1 Hammer bib shorts
Bib shorts are a cycle clothing necessity that you have to get right. Thankfully, ALÉ are a brand that understands this and put all of their world tour expertise and years of research into this critical area of clothing. For me, the three main elements of the pad to get right are: the pad, the fabric, and the straps. Here in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the riding is unrelenting, meaning that cycling bib shorts need to perform. There is no place for cycle clothing that might be okay – it has to be the very best, and these men’s cycling bib shorts from Italy are top quality.
Let’s start with that all-important chamois pad, which is just as important to us cyclists, as Tuna is to a cat. This pad from ALÉ is all about technicity and comfort, all rode long; so, let’s find out more about it, shall we.
The Science of the Chamois Pad
1. Developed with an open cell foam with a density of 100 kg / m3 and a thickness of 12 mm to ensure excellent protection during rides.
2. The perforation of the foam with 3mm holes significantly increases breathability and the passage of air, for a pleasant feeling of freshness and dryness.
3. The HF moulded shape improves the support on the saddle, while the central relief channel protects the nerve endings for greater support even on longer rides.
In simple terms, having used these shorts for some time now, the pad is absolutely awesome, even on a warm day; allowing you to stay comfortable and sweat free all ride long.
Movement, Cut & Compression
Looking at the Hammer bibs generally, they’re made by ALÉ using their lightweight, fast-wicking Airfix fabric, providing mild targeted compression to your muscles in just the right places. I love the soft feel and compression, and how the body-mapping of the shorts and fabric choice work together, wrapping my upper legs like a second skin. The raw-cut leg design ensures total freedom of movement and increased comfort, keeping the shorts perfectly in place, while the super breathable fabric with 38% Lycra is quick drying and offers built-in UV protection – viola!
The cut is multi-panelled, using the ALÉ body-mapping expertise, and the soft feel to the fabric is simply quite nice. It’s so well made and simply stylish, in the perfect way that only Italian brands can do.
Those Finishing Touches
Finally, then, the braces, which are wide, strong, made from a heavy weave elasticated fabric (80% polyamide, 20% elastane) and sit perfectly across the shoulders, and don’t move around, as some cheaply finished bib straps often seem to do. The straps join the lower leg fabric using a mesh weave for maximum breathability and wicking across the back, using a high quality back/waist insert made from 77% polyester and 23% elastane.
Using the dark blue shorts, teamed with ALÉ ss cycling jerseys, you’ll look and feel fantastic this summer, wrapped in that perfect mix of cycle clothing heaven – style, performance and comfort, from Italy and ALÉ. Yes, as you can tell, I really do like these shorts, and they’d be a great addition to any cyclist’s kit bag.
