Alias530

I've always used Fox or Capo shorts but people kept recommending Assos bibs so I bit the bullet and got a pair.

Really comfortable but after 4 rides/washes (and always using the mesh wash bag it came with), there is MAJOR pilling on the thigh. I have pairs I've worn for years that don't look 1/10th as bad in the same spot.

The retailer is already giving me store credit, but should I give Assos another chance or switch to something else?

Xherion

Did you happen to get a new saddle bag recently? For the longest time I was getting pilling on all my shorts on the inner thigh and realized it was because my saddle bag's velcro was rubbing my shorts.

Alias530

Nope, same bag and saddle too

Jamminatrix

Do you ride without chamois cream?

Before I used chamois cream I had issues with pilling depending on which seat/short I used. Didn't think much of it. When I started using chamois cream, I found any pilling went away because the cream would inevitably leach through the shorts and onto my seat, reducing friction of seat/shorts.

TrojanHorse

I've had a pair of assos FI-Mille bibs for 6 months or so and wear them weekly and wash the same as the rest of my bibs - no bibs are piling, that's for sure. Mine are certainly among the best constructed bibs I have.

Which model bibs do you have? I would look for an external cause too, that looks odd for any brand bib.

dtrain

What did your asso do to those Assos after just 4 rides?!

Silvercivic27

I have about 10 pairs of assos shorts and none of them are doing that. I guess the bottom line is that if you're not happy with them you should try something else. Fool me once...

bruce19

After over 30 yrs. of cycling I bit the bullet and bought some Assos bibs two years ago. I wash them by hand and line dry them indoors. Have never seen that problem. I did once buy an Assos LS jersey that had a zipper issue and it was replaced with no questions asked. I recently rode with a pair of PI bibs that I used to like and realized the difference was like night and day. Totally an Assos guy now.

Sy Reene

Try another brand. Heck, bib material is basically just some mix of nylon and polyester in the shell anyway. Anyone should be able to get this right.

Alias530

I use assos chamois cream

djb

Ive got to ask, did you put these in the dryer? (too hot dryer theory)
Ive never seen this in any of my shorts over the years, handwashed, machine washed, air dried, dryer dried. I suspect its an odd defect. My assos shorts seem very well made and I expect them to last a long, long time, its up to you but might be worth sticking with a new replacement pair.

Alias530

Nope, always hang dried. Same wash habits as my other cycling clothes (machine wash cold, hang dry) except I use the wash bag it came with.

djb

weird.
Do you happen to have a Brooks Cambium saddle, the new rubberish one? They have a textured fabric surface that I have always wondered if it would be hard on bike short material.

The shape of the pilling or whatever doesnt look like what can happen if a bit of velcro sticks to something (this is way bigger) so who knows. I presume you can keep this pair so they may last a long time still. For me the main thing would be just to eliminate that there isnt anything external that did this (seat, weird washing machine weirdness, whatever) that could do the same thing to whatever pair you get next, no matter the brand.

ljp3

I have a few pairs of Assos and never had this or any issue with them. If you thought they were incredibly comfortable and significantly better (aside from the obvious) than Capo or Fox then you could try again. If not go with what you know.

Alias530

Regular Specialized saddle
They ARE significantly more comfortable than Fox or Capo to me. I wish all my shorts had that chamois in it!

Stucky

Counterfeits? (Retailer might not even be aware...then again- if he's offering store credit- implying that he's taking the hit, instead of Assos...maybe he is aware....)

Beavis: "I need TP for my Assos!"

Fly2High

Is the wear on the inside or outside? (hard to tell from the photo).

Maybe, if you are cold, you should stop rubbing your legs together LOL. Just kidding. That is terrible. Glad the seller is standing behind them.

where did you buy them from? If they are this way with all their products, might be a good vendor to keep in mind.

Frank

dtrain

Ha! Is the Assos chamois cream for the Ass-o or the Assos?

Alias530

Outside of bibs. Competitive Cyclist is who I bought it from but I guess their warranty stuff on clothes is handled through Backcountry.

BillyD

Likely just a defective pair.

GravelMN

Are you certain they are the genuine article and not a knock off?

Nachoman

With that kind of wear, right at the thigh, your saddlebag's velcro strap is highly suspect.
Maybe your saddlebag shifted position just a fraction of an inch. I would double check that.

dtrain

Okay - putting the jokes aside and getting back to your question, OP. It sounds like you find the Assos chamois more comfortable, and you've purchased from a place that will stand behind the product. I'd try another pair from them and hope that the first set was just a defective one. It's worth double-checking your saddle bag placement as others have suggested.

bruce19

It was Competitive Cyclist that sent me a new Assos jersey when I had a defective one. There was no talk of a store credit, just a new jersey.

Jed19

OP, I have quite some experience with Assos gear. While I have never seen piling as bad as that, their non-premium stuff can sometimes be hit or miss. I have always bought their top of the line bib shorts, but I made the mistake of buying one Fi Mille S5 bib shorts just for trial, and I was disappointed in it. The chamois was separating from the lycra in less than three months. I have two old Fi 13 s2 bib shorts that are still decent after about ten years or so. All my Assos bib shorts are now Fi 13 S5s, and they have held up beautifully.

So, stay away from their non-premium stuff, as in my experience, it is almost a hit or miss, albeit I only had one such experience.

And there are Assos counterfeits out there. That is why one should always buy from a recognized vendor, and also register your Assos gear on Assos website as soon as you purchase it.