Gege-Bubu

I was at Performance last week and I was pleased to find new style bibs. It looks they did big step forward from my old Performance Elite bibs
I actually liked them more than LG or Castelli bibs
I am looking for new bibs for everyday training and long distance rides.

Ultra SL II Bib - 99
Ultra Bib - 89
Elite Team - 69
Elite - 59

Did someone tried them? What is the best bang for the $$??
What is the difference?

Sy Reene

Haven't had the chance yet to wear on a ride, but picked up the Ultra SL bib on sale $79. Keep on the lookout for periodic sales. I like the way they fit though.

dr_lha

I only have the Ultra bibs, so can't compare, but they're really nice for the price I paid for them ($54 including tax and shipping).

rpenmanparker 

I just bought two pair of Elites and find them awfully similar to the Ultras. Both are excellent. But I wouldn't pay full price! I ended up paying $27/pair for my Elite shorts (not bibs).

Number400

I just picked up a few sets of the Elite. While at Performance, I looked very carefully at the chamois in each model and decided that the Elite was actually finished better than the higher end bibs. The cloth at the edges of the chamois is terminated very nicely and sewn back into the shorts with a very clean transition. On the more expensive bibs, it was just a rough edge that I know from experience will deteriorate more quickly and irritate my crevices (yuck).

thin_concrete

I have 2 pairs of the Elites and like them, but I haven't tried the Ultras so I can't compare the two. They periodically have good sales on the Castellis and I've picked up 2 or 3 pairs. Those fit me better than the Elites and the Castelli pad is better.

cderalow

I prefer the fit/materials of the ultra.

I find the rubber gripper on the leg of the elites to be uncomfortable when riding.

Again, best to buy when they're on sale. for $60 and even better with a further discount.

PhotoJoe 

I had older Elite's and last year's Ultra. I like the Ultra better, but that make no difference because things change over the years, and comparing to older models isn't apples to apples. I really like my Ultras. They're $59.99 plus 20% off one item today. (4-18-16)

Wheever

I bought a pair of each, and the ultras were so superior, I sent the elite back and bought another ultra. YMMV, of course.

MagicHour

I have the previous model of Ultra SL - very comfy and well featured. Just tried to a pair of the 2016 Ultra (non-sl) gonna have to send them back. Same size Med as my SLs, but these are very tight and short. They seem well made, though, in the US, and the chamois looks nice, and ALL BLACK version unlike the Ultra SLs. Was hoping the 2016 Ultra SLs would have upgraded look this year, but unfortunately the new Orange version is even worse than the previous model - at least IMHO.

noodle soup

I like the Ultra bibs very much. They are affordable enough that I can machine wash and dry them, without worrying about shortening their lifespan. They aren't the best bibs ever, but they cause no issues for me, even during 100+ mile rides.

CadenceCrazy

I have the 2016 version of both bibs. The Ultras seem to breathe better and appear to be a little higher in build quality. The chamois in both are very comfortable. The Ultra's were $72 on sale which was a very fair price. Look for a Performance sale and go for it.

armybikerider

As of right now - 11:00 PM CST on Monday 18 April, Performance has Ultra bibs (solid black Item #11-0409) at $59.99 and Elite bibs at the same price.

I've ridden Elites for the past 6 or 7 years, averaging about 6,000 miles per year. They typically last about a year and a half for me before they get so thin on the back that you can see through the fabric. All in all, I really like them. I always watch the Performance website for sales and have gotten them for as little as like $39.99. IMHO a real bargain.

About 2 months ago, I was gifted a pair of the solid black Ultras - I guess 2015 models. They are on sale right now for $59.99. I rode in them this past Saturday for the very first time on a hilly 60 mile ride here in north Texas. After the ride I had no unusual discomfort, rubs, rashes, chafes etc. They were comfortable for the 3 hours that I had them on.

Both bibs are comfortable and really, after 15 minutes on the bike they both become "invisible." No weird rubs or chafes, no pinching, they don't creep up in the legs or dig at my crotch. The gripper band on the Elites never really bothered me. The Ultras have a wide band of fabric on the legs and the fabric is very thin at the leg, very "pro" feeling.

Do I have a favorite? With only one ride in my Ultras, it's hard to say how they will last. But they feel just the slightest bit nicer....better finished.....better quality material.....better quality pad.....I guess I would vote for the Ultras.

One big piece of advice.....the ultras, at least the all black 2015's, RUN SMALL. I wear a medium Elites all day long, but the medium Ultras are on the small side and tight. I replaced them with a better fitting Large. (I'm 5'8, 155 on a heavy day)

Gege-Bubu

Thanks everyone!
I jus t got this one.
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1132969_-1___

Website says only 2 left... so one of them is mine.
Also, I earlier I have two new bibs replaced by the warranty: Castelli and another Ultra in red .

While at the store I could not refrain from getting matching Castelli jersey...
Sorry, I have Castelli Performance Team matching kit now.... need to take a picture.... However it is in black, and I do not have black socks, only white, and white pair of gray.

armybikerider

Good choice. I think you'll like them....and hopefully you read my sizing advice!! These shorts run on the small side.

dr_lha

This may not be true for all sizes. All my shorts and bibs are size XL, and XL Performance Ultras fit me just fine.

Also I'll add one thing that surprised me the most about these bibs, the fact that they are Made in USA.

noodle soup

yeah, I don't agree with them running on the small side. These run true to size IMO.

TimothyH

Ultra SL doesn't give me the support I need between the legs and private parts, doesn't seem to "cup" the jewels like my Assos shorts did.

datlas 

KuKu penthouse?!?

cderalow

Funny you say that.

I got some 2016 Ultras and felt the same way. My 2014/2015 Ultras are Mediums, however the 2016 ones I bought earlier this year are larges. Fit is the same and I haven't changed.

I think they swapped manufacturers as my older ones were cambodian made if i recall correctly whereas the new ones as US made.

dr_lha

My "USA made" ones fit the same as all my other XL bibs, so as I said before, this isn't a universal issue.

MagicHour

I think I'm gonna redact my earlier statement regarding the fit of the 2016 Ultra: I was about to mail these back today but figured I'd pop em on and give them one more try. Now they are tighter(due to compression fabric) and ~1" shorter than the 2015 Ultra SLs but not sure if it's enough to warrant sizing up(YMMV). Fit is in ballpark to my other bibs. I'm lanky with long femurs-slightly short trumps saggy ass any day. Sorry guys.

That being said - these seem very well appointed, understated gray leg band design, made in USA, and Chamois is really nice, all reasons why I kept them.

TimothyH

I got the 2015 Ultra SL's on closeout this past January. They seemed long, could definitely go 1" shorter and still fit nicely so what you say about the 16's being shorter is probably right.

Jadesfire 

I just rode two hours yesterday in my Performance Ultra bibs, purchased last month. For a female perspective, as I didn't see that mentioned above, these fit great. True to size and comfortable chamois. There was some discomfort starting at ~1.5hrs, but nothing more than normal sit bone discomfort as a newish rider.