Road Cycling - 69 bucks for Performance bibs, 16 panel design.

Need a new pair of solid bibs, worn out my other 3 pair of cheap santini bibs, none of which were very good to start with. Im sort of tempted by the Performance bibs, especially the 03 ultra bibs with the 16 panel design, the price is 69, cheaper than the top end stuff for sure, but am I missing something with these. Anything to look out for. I have read a few good reviews on some of the Performance bibs.

what is a "bib"?

i really like my performance elite multi-L bibs, but then again, i've never worn any of the castellis or assos, so i have no idea what a high end short feels like

For 69 bucks on ebay, you should be able to score a pair of castellis or nalini. Very comfortable and durable.

I wouldn't spend 69 bucks for Perfomance anything. That's not a rip on their stuff, but their stuff ain't worth 69 bucks. Giordana is available for $69.

I have been using Performance Elite bib shorts and I have been very happy with them. I have used Assos bibs and Giordana. I liked the Assos the best but I was able to get them at cost at one time, if I had to pay full price I would never buy them at $200.00 each. The Giordana at least there Silverline bibs do not last as long as the Performance Elites bibs.

I've been using the Performance Elite bibs for several years and find them both comfortable and durable. In fact, I think I have finally worn out the first pair of them after five years of use. And I bought them on sale at 2-for-1 price of $60. That's $30, each. Can't beat that for something that lasts five years and is comfortable.

I find that the high-end of Performance's offerings to be well designed, durable and very cost effective. I use their carbon seatpost and bottle cages and Mg/Ti SPD pedals. They are light-weight and cost half, or less, than the big names. But then I have to live with the shame of having the name of Forte on the parts and the extra $300 in my pocket. You choose.

I have a friend...a velo-poseur. he has a $4000 colnago and he wears castelli everything. he rides his bike maybe once a month, but he carries himself like he's the biggest cycling nut that ever lived. i on the other hand bought my bike for $800, and i buy lots of performance branded stuff. i don't think keeping my money in my pocket has cut out that much from my enjoyment of this sport.

I have a friend...a velo-poseur. he has a $4000 colnago and he wears castelli everything. he rides his bike maybe once a month, but he carries himself like he's the biggest cycling nut that ever lived. i on the other hand bought my bike for $800, and i buy lots of performance branded stuff. i don't think keeping my money in my pocket has cut out that much from my enjoyment of this sport.

I will vote for that. I bought a couple pairs of there new 16 panel shorts and they are as good as any that I have owned or seen and about $100 a pair less. I am sure I can find something to do with $200 don't you?

Philli

I have a friend...a velo-poseur. he has a $4000 colnago and he wears castelli everything. he rides his bike maybe once a month, but he carries himself like he's the biggest cycling nut that ever lived. i on the other hand bought my bike for $800, and i buy lots of performance branded stuff. i don't think keeping my money in my pocket has cut out that much from my enjoyment of this sport.
:rolleyes:
I don't know, it sounds like it has cut out some enjoyment because you sound pretty bitter to me.

perhaps Deleriou5 means that he is a poser because he only bikes once a month rather than because of his higher priced fancies.

but getting back>>>i just bought some of those same perfromance bibs, cleared out for $34.99 from 69.99 or something.... but they are great.
you can't put a price on comfort. ever.

bless everyone.

If Performance branded clothing is working for you guys that's great, it hasn't worked for me in the past. I'd look at their stuff again except that I'm wearing out PI and Giordana stuff way to fast for my liking and currently have Assos stuff on order because comfort and durability is worth all costs now. I'm a velo-poseur on a $5000 Pinarello riding >150 miles per week with >15,000 ft of climbing. Maybe if I weren't a poseur my stuff would last longer... :rolleyes: :D

I loved my Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor bibs that I purchased last spring for $100, but they have already worn thin just above the butt. I figured if I have to purchase bibs every year that I might as well give the more inexpensive Performance bibs a try. It's early in the season, but so far they have worked well.

If Performance branded clothing is working for you guys that's great, it hasn't worked for me in the past. I'd look at their stuff again except that I'm wearing out PI and Giordana stuff way to fast for my liking and currently have Assos stuff on order because comfort and durability is worth all costs now. I'm a velo-poseur on a $5000 Pinarello riding >150 miles per week with >15,000 ft of climbing. Maybe if I weren't a poseur my stuff would last longer... :rolleyes: :D

I just had a pair of shorts wear out just thinking about the 15,000 ft of climbing... :eek:

If Performance branded clothing is working for you guys that's great, it hasn't worked for me in the past. I'd look at their stuff again except that I'm wearing out PI and Giordana stuff way to fast for my liking and currently have Assos stuff on order because comfort and durability is worth all costs now. I'm a velo-poseur on a $5000 Pinarello riding >150 miles per week with >15,000 ft of climbing. Maybe if I weren't a poseur my stuff would last longer... :rolleyes: :D

Try s***ing yourself off somewhere else.

The Performance bibs are as good as my PI or Giordana, not as good as Assos. They are a lot better than Nashbar or Cannondale.

Try s***ing yourself off somewhere else.

The Performance bibs are as good as my PI or Giordana, not as good as Assos. They are a lot better than Nashbar or Cannondale.

Try reading comprehension classes and a sense of humor. :)

OK, sans the ugliness, I am genuinely curious as to what kind of milage you guys are getting out of the Performance Elites? 5 years sounds great for a pair of bibs, but if it's 500 miles per, that's a different story. I have nice PI bib/tights with fleece that aren't going to make 1000 miles more than likely, piling the lycra and developing holes in the upper hamstring/buttcheek crease area. My favorite pair of Giordana bibs has started to pile, it has maybe 700 miles. I just got my pair of Assos T FI.13 S2 today, I was very impressed, of course I should be. Did a 38 mile ride with about 2600 feet of climbing, 0 net, average 18.1 mph, one of my local rides when I don't have time to load up for Auburn and the shorts felt great, really great. These will definately be my century and 2C shorts, but if their not durable (as they are extremely soft and plush so don't know what to expect there) I won't waste them on shorter rides. I would love to be able to take advantange of Performance pricing for every day shorts if they will last. $30 a pair shorts that I throw away every month are no bargain.

OK, sans the ugliness, I am genuinely curious as to what kind of milage you guys are getting out of the Performance Elites? 5 years sounds great for a pair of bibs, but if it's 500 miles per, that's a different story. I have nice PI bib/tights with fleece that aren't going to make 1000 miles more than likely, piling the lycra and developing holes in the upper hamstring/buttcheek crease area. My favorite pair of Giordana bibs has started to pile, it has maybe 700 miles. I just got my pair of Assos T FI.13 S2 today, I was very impressed, of course I should be. Did a 38 mile ride with about 2600 feet of climbing, 0 net, average 18.1 mph, one of my local rides when I don't have time to load up for Auburn and the shorts felt great, really great. These will definately be my century and 2C shorts, but if their not durable (as they are extremely soft and plush so don't know what to expect there) I won't waste them on shorter rides. I would love to be able to take advantange of Performance pricing for every day shorts if they will last. $30 a pair shorts that I throw away every month are no bargain.


I have two pairs of Performance Bibs with the Multi-L Elite Chamois. They were on sale for $34.95. I don't ride nearly as much as you, but one pair went through over 2,000 miles so far, and are still hanging in there. I'm not a lightweight, so they take some punishment between me and my saddle. I think they're very good for the recreational rider that puts in a few thousand miles per year. I think all the climbing you do puts a lot more wear on your shorts than most riders. It sounds like the companies could use you to try out their bibs for free.:) I've talked to people that swear by one particular brand of bibs/shorts, and they'll swear at anything else. I think it's like saddles, some work, and some don't, for each individual.

I have a pair of Garneau shorts and Performance Ultra bibs..The inserts look the same to me. Both very comfortable. I did get the Garneau shorts on sale, at least... Performance's top end shorts are very good and durable from my expereince.. Even their cheap Century shorts, which i use only for short rides- have been reasonable durable.
My only complaint with Performance shorts...My blue colored ultra bibs, the material gets thin fast.

Thanks Chief :beer: . I was on the Enterprise a few moons ago when Pier 3 NAS Alameda was its home.

OK, sans the ugliness, I am genuinely curious as to what kind of milage you guys are getting out of the Performance Elites? 5 years sounds great for a pair of bibs, but if it's 500 miles per, that's a different story. I have nice PI bib/tights with fleece that aren't going to make 1000 miles more than likely, piling the lycra and developing holes in the upper hamstring/buttcheek crease area. My favorite pair of Giordana bibs has started to pile, it has maybe 700 miles. I just got my pair of Assos T FI.13 S2 today, I was very impressed, of course I should be. Did a 38 mile ride with about 2600 feet of climbing, 0 net, average 18.1 mph, one of my local rides when I don't have time to load up for Auburn and the shorts felt great, really great. These will definately be my century and 2C shorts, but if their not durable (as they are extremely soft and plush so don't know what to expect there) I won't waste them on shorter rides. I would love to be able to take advantange of Performance pricing for every day shorts if they will last. $30 a pair shorts that I throw away every month are no bargain.

What do climbing miles have to do with bib life? I rode 8000 miles last year, (mountain and road) and I will say the Performance bibs are still good with at least 3000 of those.

I ride about 135 miles a week sometimes a little more or less depends on the weather. I have been only using Performance bibs for about 4 or 5 mo's so far they are showing no wear or piling, I have 3 pair and ride 3 times a week and I hand wash after each ride. They are comfortable bibs, I am not B.S.ing you I have used just about every brand of shorts and nothing last and the only thing that makes the Assos better is there chamois witch I think is more comfortable but not $150.00 more comfortable.
I used to do a lot of riding up around Auburn & Kool until the traffic started to get bad up there. I used to do the Sierra Century every year , does it still start in Auburn?

I have one pair that is five years old, two that are four years old and two that are one year old. I average 3,000 per year the first four years and 4,500 this past season. The oldest pair, assuming equal use per year, would have 3,000+(1,000x3)+(4,500/5)=6,900 miles plus my MTB riding, which I have no way to gauge mileage on. So I would estimate that I am getting about 7,500 miles of riding before serious wear sets in. And mine isn't wearing out by getting thin in any particular spot, but at the seams where the chamois is sewn into the crouch. They are starting to tear out due to being stretched when worn over the years.

For my money, this is excellent performance (pun intended). One reason these may be lasting so long is that I have several pairs that I rotate through so they don't suffer in the wash more than once a week. At $35/pair when on sale, these have proven to be one of the best bargains around (at least for me). Almost as good as the Performance Pro Mg/Ti pedals.