Road Cycling - Voler shorts/bibs

Along with a new saddle, I'm going to get some new shorts pretty soon. Has anybody used the voler shorts or bibs? They look ok, and the price is right. The last few shorts I've bought(Pearl Izumi attacks, Nashbar somethings) have been crappy. I'd like to get something a little nicer this time. My Canondale Vertex are the standard by which I measure all my shorts, so I'd like something similar.

Or what about the Exte Ondo olympic shorts?

Fubar,
I have a couple of pair of Voler bibs. I find them quite comfortable. The padding is very good quality and just the right amount. I have two minor quibbles with them though not enough to discourage my buying them again. After just a few rides the fabric began to show some chafing/scuffing in the very upper inner thigh/crotch area where there is brushes the saddle while pedalling. Other shorts don't show this wear even after much more use. I don't know if this is actually an indication that the fabric will wear through faster or if it is strictly cosmetic. Also the bib suspenders/straps are made of lycra and tend to get soaked with sweat. Other bibs which have mesh straps don't seem to accumulate as much moisture or if they do it is not as obvious. This is not really a comfort issue when riding. I just notice it when I take them off.

So there ya go. I like the fit, comfort and pad. I will probably buy Voler again despite these two small issues. Let me put it this way, I like the fit and comfort better than some shorts I paid almost twice as much for.

I really like Giordana bib shorts. They have a really well shaped chamois and general cut that keeps me comfortable for miles and miles.

Rich

Fubar,

I have Etxe-Ondo Olympic shorts and they have by far
the most comfortable Chamois I have used.
I wear mostly bibs but was given these (shorts) and
will consistantly reach for them.
If you can get them (kind of rare) I'd say do it.
Miles beyond PI, Voler etc. closest is Assos and they
are expensive.
check out this site, great deals on E-O
BicyclingHub (http://www.bicyclinghub.com/index.html)

Marty

I just bought some Voler shorts. I got the ones with the better/best pad in them and the price was good. This pad isn't the newer type of pad but it should be o.k.. My favorites are Briko, but they cost alot. They have the new type of pad in them that is combact or denser, is variable thickness, and has welded/melted seams in the pad. But like I said they cost.

in connection with Lotek's post above.

While I have not purchased any shorts from bicyclinghub, I have had good shopping experiences with them. (I purchased some tights and long-sleeved jerseys that I like). I would not hesitate in ordering from them.

I have a couple of clubsets (Orlando) and I like the Voler brand. they have worn well and have not faded.

As a matter of fact I do wish they would fade, it is hard to be thought serious when your 250# and wearing purple and blue cycling lycra with a big pink bird riding a hiwheeler on your back.

I have a pair of Nalini Bib Short, they are good so far, especially the chamoise, it is really very absorbent....

I have multiple pairs of Voler shorts (team uniforms). I like them very much, and they are by far my favorite.

Like Rainman said, I do notice they get some small chafing on the inner thigh. It doesn't hinder their performance, or comfort, however. I do notice that they wear slightly quicker than other shorts. I think the comfort is worth it, though.

I have the Nalini bibs as well and they were my favouritetill Itried the Assos Campionissimo and now the FI-13 or what ever the heck the thing is called.

look herehttp://www.assos.ch

I have three sets of bibs from Voler and will not wear anything else. I've tried some others that cost quite a bit more but were not as comfortable. Yes, as rainman and velo said, they do chafe a bit but the comfort and feel is worth it.

Rick

, they do chafe a bit but the comfort and feel is worth it.

is'nt that in conflict. The whole point of wearing lycra shorts is too prevent chaffing

Originally posted by 1oldRoadie
I have a couple of clubsets (Orlando) and I like the Voler brand. they have worn well and have not faded.

As a matter of fact I do wish they would fade, it is hard to be thought serious when your 250# and wearing purple and blue cycling lycra with a big pink bird riding a hiwheeler on your back. :o :eek:

one of my resolutions a couple of years ago was to buy one quality short or bib instead of several cheaper ones. you know, you have $40 and buy a short.....then a few months later, same thing.
its like buying a bucket of balls to hit on a golf range. if you go 2-4 times a week you could buy a round of twilight golf midweek and play instead of just hit!!!

Thanks guys, I'm going to get Voler shorts, and maybe a pair of bibs. I'm not to worried about the inner scuffing, most of my shorts have the same thing anyway. The price for Voler stuff is not bad, so I was a little suspicious of their comfort and quality.

Originally posted by TimB
is'nt that in conflict. The whole point of wearing lycra shorts is too prevent chaffing

Probably my fault for using a less than appropriate word. The fabic itself shows chafing or scuffing or rubbing or pilling or fuzzing or wear or abrasion. They do not cause chafing of your skin.

Originally posted by TimB
is'nt that in conflict. The whole point of wearing lycra shorts is too prevent chaffing

No, that's not what I meant. The lycra material seems to get some small chaffing at the point at the inner thigh. It does not go through the material, however. There's no chafing on your skin. The shorts are very comfortable!

Just clarifying it along with Rainman.

The other nice thing I noticed about the Voler shorts, you can get them in different colors. Nice change from the solid black that I'm used to. I am on a team for the local MS 150 Bike Tour here and we are ordering team jerseys from Voler. Apparently, once we get the order in, we get a 10% on anything else on the website. I'm once that kicks in, I'm probably going to order a few bib shorts.

PBW

In the last 3 years I have used 3 pair of Voler bibshorts. I have one pair that is still alive and very healthy. The shorts seem to last about 9-10,000 miles and have been comfortable all the way down to no material left.
I'm sure that I could have gotten more out of the shorts, but I'm not too careful about washing (sometimes).

the fabric began to show some chafing/scuffing in the very upper inner thigh/crotch area where there is brushes the saddle while pedalling. [/B][/QUOTE]

Tim,

As RainmanP said in his msg, I was speaking in terms of chafing on the outside. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

Rick

I thought I'd revive Matt's thread about Voler shorts.
I bought two pairs about 6 weeks ago. Great shorts! :thumbup:
Before I wore these I had PI, REI, Nashbar, and Canari. I always thought the PI shorts were good, but I've changed my mind.
On a scale of 10 I'd give the PI about a 5 or 6 depending on the style (Attack, Microsensor, etc.).
I'd give the Voler a 9. :beer:
They are so comfortable I decided to try the bibs.
I went crazy and bought one black pair and one gray pair. :eek: ;)

i've got a pair of voler bibs which work just fine. the pad suffers by comparison to the one in my p.i. microsensors, but for the price, you can't beat voler stuff. plus, they send tootsie rolls in each order. gotta love that.

Hmmm, thanks for the good press to those who gave it. You know who you are. I talk to a lot of people each day about shorts. A good pair of mid level shorts often last as long as the expensive ones at the bike shops. Universaly, cheap, $20 shorts often equal a sore down south (if you know what I mean.) Without naming names, one of the most expensive brands on the market is often the worst in terms of comfort.

If anyone has the Velonews article I think it's a pretty good place for info on bibs. It was earlier this Spring. I do have to take issue with one of the shorts they rated but all in all it was a good article.

I will never buy anything else other than Voler. have PI's and they are crap compared to Volers. I wear the shorts. Comfortable,long lasting and great price.

Louis Garneau makes some very comfortable bib shorts, as well

My team strip is all Louis Garneau. The shorts with the Ergo-G chamois are as good as any on the market. Volers are comnfortable, but they'll only last a season... if that...