sstorkel

Old Assos models:
FI.Uno: entry-level bib.
FI.Mille: their long-distance model. The cut is a bit more generous and it has a relatively thick chamois. I own two FI.Mille's and love them!
FI.13: top-of-the-line race bib.

New Assos models:
neoPro: entry-level/everyday model; successor to the FI.Uno
equipe: upper-end race model; successor to the FI.13
cento: new long-distance model; successor to the FI.Mille
campionissimo: price-is-no-object top-end bib

FWIW, I found that the "long leg" version of the FI.Mille was too long for my legs. Their regular bibs fit like every other bib on the planet. The "long leg" models are 2 or 3" longer. I wouldn't order the long leg Assos bibs unless your current bibs are pretty short...

TrojanHorse

The only bibs I own that I think are long enough are some giordanos - the rest could be longer by a good 2" and I'd be happy.

Thanks for the primer - that's great info.

JakiChan

Specialized RBX Pro. Love em. I also like Twin Six Standard.

TrojanHorse

Those RBX bibs are spendy! I'm sure they're good... I'm pretty impressed with specialized gear lately.

I did order a set of FI.Mille bibs btw, can't wait to see how they pan out. They were on sale, what can I say.

JakiChan

I have the Comp as well. A bit cheaper. But the RBX fits me better than just about anything I've tried.

TrojanHorse

Aw yeah! Got the Assos bibs in the mail yesterday and went for a quick family ride today to try them out. They fit GREAT! The logs could be a little longer (I got the regular leg) and I got an XL, which fits me the way I expect them to fit (so not as tight as castelli XL and about the same as Giordano and Pearl Izumi Pro, and more snug than other american brands (sugoi, Craft, pearl izumi elite)

The straps are a work of art - they fit perfectly for me and they're wide enough to not bunch up (like my castelli body paint straps... drive me nuts) and the chamois comes up higher in the front, which I expect will help with some chafing issues I've had in the past where everything isn't organized perfectly.

Anyway, glad I got 'em on sale and I can't wait to try them on a long ride.

JakiChan

Ok, so short of trying on a pair of PI Pros, would you recommend ordering a size up from PI Elite sizing? For example, I find PI Elite 2XL to be fairly comfy, but I dunno about Pro. (And I dunno if they even do a 2XL.)

sstorkel

I found that sizing for the Assos FI.Mille bibs that I bought was quite generous. Sizing for the Mille is the same as for most "American fit" brands. If you're wearing shorts that have a European or "race" cut, you may need to order a size down (ex: if you wear a Large in Castelli you'll be a Medium for the FI.Mille).

The FI.Uno and FI.13 are reportedly cut much smaller than the FI.Mille, BTW. I haven't tried them, but all of the recommendations I've read suggest you need to order one size larger for those models.

JakiChan

I can't really find the FI.Mille anywhere. Any idea if the cento fit matches?

ETA: They have their TIR size. Anyone have any idea what that means?

PhotoJoe 

The FI.Mille has been discontinued and cleared out. I'm not sure what the replacement is, but it's more $$ than I paid for the clearance FI.Mille's I bought.

THe TIR is "XLG, but wider". I'm 6"2" 242 and bought the XLR. Wish I had bought the XL's (I think). It's close, but when I lose a little weight, I'm sure I'll wish I had the XL's. They just weren't available at the reduced price. Still very happy with the purchase.

JakiChan

WHen you say XLR do you mean TIR or is XLR yet another odd size? Why can't they just give waist numbers, I swear...

PhotoJoe 

Sorry...I was engineering an audio system when I replied, and had microphones and consoles on my mind. I meant XLG.

Sized are
XL
XLG
TIR

Hoping to sell my Castelli's soon. The committee isn't doing any happy dances over how much I've spent on bibs in the past two months. Then again, I just painted the studio this weekend, so I think she's starting to forget.

JakiChan

Makes sense. Cycling involves balancing...

If you don't mind my asking, what size waist are you?

PhotoJoe 

I'm right at the point of not knowing if I need to buy 36 or 38, though if I were totally honest, 38's fit better.

PhotoJoe 

...for now.

sstorkel

The FI.Mille has been replaced by the Cento. I haven't purchased any of the newer Assos bibs, so I can't comment on whether the sizing is a match.

TIR is an abbreviation for something in French; I forget the exact meaning. Basically, it's XX-Large (= XLG in Assos-speak) in height but designed for someone with more... bulk.

FYI, there's a Sizing Chart on the Assos website.

JakiChan

That's where the "why can't they just give a waist size" comment came from. And that size chart doesn't seem to take in to account that different bibs have different fits. I've heard all the stories of Assos, and I'd love to try a pair, but looking at Competitive Cyclist...$368 is a lot to risk on a pair of bibs from a performance brand that doesn't exactly like big guys.

sstorkel

Where's the risk? If they don't fit, you send them back! That's what I did with my first pair of FI.Mille's...

JakiChan

I thought they were like underwear, which you can't return? I've only bought bibs of sizes I knew fit (by trying on in store).

TrojanHorse

I have a pair of PI Elite shorts in XL and a pair of PI P.R.O. shorts in XL and the pro are definitely more snug. I find the Elites to be a bit loose on me, at least the way I want them to fit. I know sstorkel was saying to go a size down but maybe it depends on which size you're talking about for Assos. I really don't know. I'd say the Assos fit more snugly than the Elite and not quite as snug as the PRO (they are intentionally less compressive - the racer model shorts are a different fit, apparently, so even with all the confusion about waist sizes, the compression can be different too.)

I got mine at the outlet store for about 159 or so, which was pretty decent IMO. Assos T Fi.Mille_s5 regularLeg Bib Shorts Black - Shorts - Men | ASSOS Official Factory Outlet

JakiChan

Bless you my child. $160 for a proven product? I'll risk it!

tunavic

I ordered a pair also.

sstorkel

You should check with your vendor, but I exchanged my first pair of FI.Mille bibs for a different size and model (standard leg vs long leg). I think I bought them from BikeTiresDirect but it might have been Competitive Cyclist.

You should only size down if you're comparing the FI.Mille to a brand of bibs that is known to run small (ex: Castelli or other brands with "Euro" or "race" fit).

sstorkel

FYI, I ordered a pair of Assos FI.Mille bibs from the Factory Outlet on November 20th at 11pm and selected the $7.50 FedEx priority shipping option. The bibs shipped on Friday, November 21st and arrived at 9:30am this morning just as expected. They were missing the 10-cent bottle of Assos laundry detergent (maybe to avoid shipping restrictions?) but did include the 5-cent wash bag. Quite a bargain! I might have to order one more pair...

TrojanHorse

For a minute I thought you were saying they got there overnight, but still impressive. Mine came pretty rapidly too.

They only put the ten cent wash solution in the LONG legged package. If you have short legs you are apparently relegated to regular ol' Tide.