kwrides

OK, so I had posted a few times asking people to compare the Assos FI.Uno's to the FI.Mille's and didn't get a response from anyone who had actually ridden in both.

I had ridden the Uno's for about a year and really enjoyed them, but was starting to take longer rides more frequently and I wondered if I would get a better ride form the Mille's.

Since no one else had compared the two, I bought the FI.Mille. I have about 10 rides in them now.

What I've found is that there isn't much to say that you can't find by reading the reviews of the two here: https://www.bikesportmichigan.com/shop/home.php?cat=261

A quick overview of my personal experience with each:

The chamois in each short appears quite different. The Uno has a wider section of padding in the rear with very little padding in the front. The Mille's have a longer, more narrow (in width) section that runs 3/4 of the length of the chamois. The Uno's have a thinner Chamois up front, but the density (thickness) in the rear seems to be the same for both bibs.

The Uno's seem to fit a bit more "forgiving". They are a bit looser in the leg and longer in the bib strap. The Mille's are a bit tighter in the leg, but this is a good thing for some as it provides some natural compression and massaging. The Mille bib strap is shorter (or perhaps just stronger and less forgiving), a disadvantage when walking, but a perfect fit when riding.

After about a month and 300-ish miles, I prefer the FI.Uno for one simple reason. The FI.Mille's extra padding in my crotch is a disadvantage. I feel constant pressure in exactly the wrong place and it doesn't seem to go away. I've worn them on the trainer, on 20-30 mile rides, and on 50+ mile rides, and the pressure doesn't go away. The Mille is meant to be a long distance short, and perhaps this will wear in (more compressed) over time or during even longer rides. Another possible contributing factor to this is that I ride a Fizik Arione saddle, not one with Ergonomic cutouts. It's possible that a saddle with cutouts may allow this extra padding to drop a bit lower.

I realize that the FI.Mille is the "better" short, and I'm sure people will post that they disagree with me.

I just bought a new set of FI.Uno's.

Anyone with a similar or contradictory experience?

dietzpa

I actually have the same saddle, but have the same preference towards the FI.13 that you have to the Uno over the Mille.
The Mille has a bit more pressure up front and it is a bit bothersome.
the FI.13 is the best thing to happen to me.
I will footnote with a similar disclosure to yours, I have about 10 rides on my Mille, and 8 months on my FI.13. However, the FI.13 never had this pressure even in the first few rides.

Take it for what it is, I still love them both compared to my other chamois.

Ritterview

Do you think the comfort you describe for these Assos bibs and chamois would better allow toleration of a lightly padded carbon weight weenie saddle? For example, this 99 gm Selle Italia SLR Teknologika?

nox tuboid

I find both Assos bibs to be very comfortable. As for saddles I found the flat surface of the Arione to be intolerable for the exact reasons you describe (PRESSURE). The Aliante on the other hand provides extreme comfort - for me at least. YMMV.

stjohnswell

Hopefully, only within the context of this thread

kwrides

It seems like chamois fit and saddle preference are different with everyone. The one almost constant that I see on these forums is that people who spend high-end money on bibs never go back to low-end bibs/shorts.

I know I am a permanent convert and would rather skimp on other things to save up the money to buy a good pair of Assos. Ex - I bought a nice coffee maker and now I spend 50 cents a day on coffee and 50 cents a day on covering the cost of the maker...I skip my old $4 a day starbucks habit, which equals $3 a day savings. Assos FI.Uno bibs on ebay cost $135 with shipping, so I can cover that in 2 months of savings

kwrides

Interesting to hear you had the same FI.Mille experience.

I need to save up and try the FI.13. I'm just scared that if I do, I'll never go back!

GuitarWizard

I loved my Uno's, but unfortunately the seam of the chamois didn't agree with the Specialized Toupe, and both pairs of Uno's came apart. I got an "upgrade" from Oschner though to some FI.Equipes, but I still like the Uno bibs better.

Damn seat. I'm probably going to replace it this year anyway, as it's starting to annoy me.