Performance Bike Ultra II bib OK?
 

Newbie hear, been lurking a while, thanks for the all the great info.

I'm getting back into road cycling after 15 or so years off. I've been doing a bit of recreational mtn biking during those years, so I have some gear, but I needed some new shorts.

It looks like bibs are highly recommended on this site, so while I was in Performance Bikes today with my 15% off coupon, I bought a bunch of stuff including a Performance Ultra II bib (their top of the line bib). The bib was about $65 after discount (pretty reasonale I thought), but I want to make sure this is an OK choice before I use them. I don't need the best thing out there, but I like to buy quality that will last a long time. Any recommendations or opinions? Is the Performance house brand OK?

a lot of people like the Performance bibs, so I would think you would too.....I like the new Hammer Bergamo bibs....so much so that I just got my second pair....others here go for the really top end bibs like Assos...it comes down to what you're willing to spend.

Just recently in another thread, some were saying they preferred the Performance Elite over the Ultra. I need to head over to Performance Bike and check them out since it is only like 10 miles away. Let me know how you like the Ultras as I am in the market for cheap, but good bibs. I got a pair of Nashbar bibs and they suck something special.

When I started cycling, I bought a pair of PI Slice Ultrasensor shorts at Performance. The store manager told me to watch for a sale on the Perfomance Ultra's, which he said were comparable. I bought the Ultra bibs and shorts last month (buy-one-get-one-half-price - bibs were $65, shorts $27.50... and then another 20% off the whole deal on a weekend-only sale)... and I agree with him, the Ultra's are very good quality (and easily worth more than I paid). I have never worn the Elite's, but the pad seems cheaper. By way of comparision, I have a pair of their cheap mtn bike shorts for commuting, and I really notice the step down in comfort.

I started a post a week ago about how over-rated the Assos F1 Uno bibs are. I'd go for the Performance first.

I've got some Ultra bibs, and they are good - comfortable and fit well. I read some comments about the seams not holding up, but no problems on mine (so far). The chamois is thin, so you'll probably only find them comfy for long rides if you're happy with your saddle already.

Thanks for all the feedback, it sounds like they are a decent choice. I really didn't want to go look for something else and also wanted to try them out tonight, so cool. I've never really thought about getting a bib instead of shorts, so it will be something new for me.

I happen to like Performance shorts. Anything at or above Century, non-gel.

I have some Ultra II's which I haven't actually ridden in because I didn't like the fit.* I also have some Elite IIs which I've been riding and they are great. I think I would like the UltraII chamois better because it's more similar to my favorite bibs, a Sugoi (can't remember the model though). It's a soft, chamois like material as opposed to something shinier in the Elites (bad description I know).


*explanation: ordered large size in both E and U on a buy one/ 50% off the second pair sale (plus 20% off.... very cheap). It seems the E's fit better than the U's. I'm going to try the U's again, mabe even ride in them BECAUSE....

OP: go ahead and try them. Even try them more than once. Performance has a satisfaction guarantee. I personally would really think hard about actually using shorts and returning them.

I haven't tried the Elite shorts yet, but to me the Chamois seems better. I always wash my shorts before using them for the first time, and washed the Elite in the same load as the Ultra (actually they were the Fuji shorts which Performace doesn't seem to have which were identical to the Elite). The Chamois on the Elite appeared to hold less water (coming out of the machine) than the Ultra.

The Ultra's themselves are decent, and the fabric is nice. In the same price range i'd also check out the following:

-Giordana Silverline from one of the UK Sellers (Wiggle, RibbleCycles, etc.), the US pricing is significantly higher than the Ultras. These seem to use a nice lightweight Lycra and are also comfortable. They're sized small, FYI.

-Anything from Voler with the Ion pad. I'm a fan of the Ion pad and think the Volers are great. Up until this year, these were the Hammer bibs everyone on the forum was referring to. Voler puts their stuff on sale every now and then and the bibs with the Ion pad are pretty decent.

I haven't tried Assos, but i've been reasonably happy with all of the above. The Voler/Performance stuff is made in the USA, while the Girodana is made in Italy. For the price i've been quite satisfied with any of these.

The Century ones fit well enough but are crap construction. I exchanged my first pair b/c the chamois seam was coming out after just a few wears and hand-washings. The pair I exchanged them for is doing the exact same thing, though it took a few more wearings.

I have been living with a single pair of shorts for a while, so I think I'll drop by Performance tonight and get a pair of Elite or Ultra to try out on tomorrow's ride. I'll report back...

For the same price range I'd go Voler.

I've got two pair of the Century, going on 2 years old. They get worn at least once a week, along with others. I've never had a problem with them, and always wash them on the gentle cycle, and hang to dry. At close to 100 washings, I'd give them an A+ for durability.

No bleach, or bleach substitutes, no softeners, no dryers.

A quick question - do you ever "wring" them out when washing? They should only be squeezed, or spun dry. To speed up the drying, roll them up in a towel, and stand on it a few times, then hang.

Elite

I prefer the thinner more resiliant pad, besides the accented triangle/gusset/whatever on the Ultra is yag; that's right Mike. The Fuji branded Elite is the same, at least that I've seen.

Last year's Capo Forma, less than 1/3 retail (SportsBasement) are better, IMO - should'a bought three.

Much Performance brand is good and good value, if on sale. I haven't liked the jerseys so much.

I have a pair of Ultras that I have worn at least 3 times a week for 2 years, washing after each ride. they have held up very well, the seems are showing wear now. I bought 2 pair of the ultra II a couple months back and am very satisfied with them. great muscle support, for me a great fit, and I like the top part better than the old Ultras.

That's good to hear. I picked up the Elite II bib tonight. $50 after the (everyday) sale and the 15% off from the website. I might have bought the Ultra had they had a large in stock. The stitching around the chamois and the compression-style short material are pretty impressive compared to the Elite. They resemble the construction of the PI Microsensor bib, which they had in the store too.

I'm hoping I like the Elite. The fit is great. I'm a little concerned that the chamois is stitched almost exactly like the Century one; however, the pad is very different and doesn't look like it will want to pull at the stitching nearly as much.

No, I never wrung mine out. The first pair, I noticed that the stitching had come out while it was soaking in the Woolite water, just sitting there (the clothing version of JRA). The second pair came undone while being machine washed gentle cycle. It's not a big deal, not noticeable, doesn't really affect the usability at the moment. I just know it'll come apart eventually (unless I intervene) and am a little annoyed that simple things can't be done correctly.

EDIT: I should also say that the Performance store here in Austin is great, staffed with solid folks. They actually ride bikes, and they try their best to help customers. I have returned stuff that I tried for a few weeks and they accepted the return without question. Tonight I had a half-hour conversation about racing/doping with a guy I've gotten to know over the past year. Maybe not an LBS, but far from a typical big box experience.

I just got back from Performance Bike. The Ultras have horrible chamois whereas the Elite has a nice chamois.

I have both the Ultra and the Elite's and like the fit better on the Ultra's and the chamois on the Elite's but I love my saddle so either works fine. I also have the Voler Hammer bibs and several pairs of Bellweather bibs. My favorites in this order

Bellweather
Hammer Voler
Ultra
Elites

The elites have some longevity problems that I am not have with the Ultras. The elites I have are only a 6 panel bib and the Ultra are 8 so that is probably the fit issue.

nashbar had some demarchi bibs for $36 bucks the other day. I ordered a pair... hope they are nice.

40 miles with the new bibs this morning. Great fit, very comfortable. I like the pad, but don't have just tons to compare it to. Not really much to say about them, which is probably a positive review. First impression: good value for $50.