Endura MT500 Bibshorts

...a medium for normal clothing. Endura are a little better sizewise - their mediums seem to be a little larger than other manufacturers. It is however important to check the size guides, and even better try before you buy. I bought my MT500's online, and chose a large, and it fits fine. I do however have other Endura clothing and so had something to gauge my buying decision against.

Construction wise the MT500's are solidly built. The ...
...padded insert is well designed and of good quality, and I find it comfortable on the bike, although you do get a slight nappy effect.

A year on they're still going strong. On average, they're worn once a week, thrown in the washing machine usually still plastered in mud, chucked over the line, and they still come out looking pretty fresh. The pad is holding up well, and still has plenty of cushioning. The seams have all held. I've come ... more

Endura

Are a young Scottish company founded in 1992. According to their blurb, they were founded by Jim McFarlane, who after having his cycle gear stolen in Sydney was disappointed with the range of kit. When he returned to Scotland he decided to start manufacturing his own. The MT500 range was where they started out, and now claim to be the largest cycle clothing manufacturer in the UK.

Bibshorts?

They have several advantages over standard lycra shorts. First off the shoulder straps stop the shorts and the padded insert from moving around, thereby preventing plumbers bum crack. They also keep your back covered if your shirt rides up. Bibshorts also eliminate the problems caused by elasticated waistbands in standard shorts, which can dig in and also act as a sweat magnet.

The bottom line is that bibshorts are much more comfortable to wear. The downsides are that they are generally more expensive, and going to the loo is a bit more involved.

What about the MT500's?

The first issues is sizing. Cyclists tend to be skinny and slightly built, and so a cycle clothing medium is not necessarily the same as an M&S medium. I find generally that I am a large when it comes to cycle wear, but a medium for normal clothing. Endura are a little better sizewise - their mediums seem to be a little larger than other manufacturers. It is however important to check the size guides, and even better try before you buy. I bought my MT500's online, and chose a large, and it fits fine. I do however have other Endura clothing and so had something to gauge my buying decision against.

Construction wise the MT500's are solidly built. The lycra is thick and the seams are securely stitched. The padded insert is well designed and of good quality, and I find it comfortable on the bike, although you do get a slight nappy effect.

A year on they're still going strong. On average, they're worn once a week, thrown in the washing machine usually still plastered in mud, chucked over the line, and they still come out looking pretty fresh. The pad is holding up well, and still has plenty of cushioning. The seams have all held. I've come off a few times, and the only damage they received was a small tear when I caught my leg on the handlebar as I went over the front. I stitched it back up again - it's not pretty but is holding fast. Comfort wise they are excellent - I barely notice them when wearing them on the bike. The excellent padded insert and thick material mean that backside comfort is really good even on long rides, even with my painfully thin racing saddle. The only slight comfort downside is the leg silicone grippers which can dig in a little.

The MT500's are intended primarily for cross-country mountain biking. I pair them up with a short sleeved riding jersey, and then add layers as needed for warmth. For road riding in the height of summer you may find them a little warm, and for free-riding/downhill you're probably going to prefer baggies. In the Winter they work well paired up with off-road cycling trousers.

And do they make my bum look big?

No bigger than usual. They are figure hugging, and so leave little to the imagination. Any rolls of fat you may have will show, and they do little for chicken legs either. The MT500's thick lycra does provide a bit more modesty protection than the thin lycra in road shorts, while the curved line of the stitching creates the illusion of narrowing the waist and widening the thighs. My wife thinks I look good in them, but then I'm thinking she is somewhat biased in that department.

Overall

Long lasting and excellent comfort , all rolled up in a well built, well thought out package, and you might even look sort of OK wearing them. Unfortunately comes at a premium. 

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