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review

Sweet Protection Crossfire Bib Shorts

7
£129.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Brilliant build quality and decent levels of comfort, though that comes at a price
Weight: 
158g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Crossfire bib shorts from Sweet Protection are very well made and feel unbelievably light; the pad ain't bad either, but I've tested some really good shorts lately for around half the price.

  • Pros: Excellent construction, durable material
  • Cons: Pricey, pad better for shorter rides

You're probably only talking 20-30g less than the opposition, but the Crossfires feel unbelievably light when you hold them up and that continues when you put them on.

> Buy these online here

You know you are wearing them as the slightly compressive feel from the fabric gives your muscles a squeeze, plus the fact that they come up a little smaller than most brands means you notice the bib straps when you are stood up off the bike, but that's it. There is plenty of stretch in the material, so they never feel restrictive.

sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_riding.jpg

The legs are held in place by simple leg grippers that don't use any form of silicone or elastic, but as the material is so taut it doesn't really need it. The good thing is that you don't get any pressure on your thighs on longer rides.

sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_cuff.jpg

The bibs use a mesh fabric for sweat wicking at the rear before they turn to Lycra at the front, which gives them loads of stretch for a comfortable fit. The straps are wide enough that they don't ever dig in either.

sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_straps_back.jpg
sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_straps.jpg

The heart of any shorts is the pad, and the Crossfire's is a pretty good one, although Sweet Protection doesn't really go into a lot of detail of who it's made by or any other info.

sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_back.jpg

I like the minimalistic approach to the shape and padding, with just two saddle shaped areas of denser foam compared to the rest, and a simple channel running down the middle. There is no bunching of any fabric or anything although its thinness works better for shorter, faster rides as when the hours started adding up it didn't quite have the same level of plushness as some I've tried.

sweet_protection_crossfire_bib_shorts_-_pad.jpg

Just like the Crossfire jersey I also tested, the quality of the stitching is absolutely spot on. It is very well put together and feels to be very durable. That goes some way to justify the £129.99 price tag, although the Lusso Lead Out shorts I've also tested recently, which cost £65, and the Caratti Sports at just £40 both offered just as good comfort levels as the Crossfires.

> Buyer's Guide: 24 of the best cycling bib shorts

Overall, I like the Sweet Protection bibs, they are comfortable and very well made, but you can get the same ride qualities for a lot less – though they are currently reduced to £105.99.

Verdict

Brilliant build quality and decent levels of comfort, though that comes at a price

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sweet Protection Crossfire Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Sweet Protection says, "The Crossfire bib is your go to road-racer bottoms, mesh suspenders, medium high waist and race orientated bike pad. Everything made from moisture wicking and quick drying materials with stretch for flexibility and a snug fit without compromising flexibility."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Sweet Protection:

Mesh suspenders

Reflective print

Wide grippers at the bottom legs

Anatomically tailored for bike riding

Medium high waist

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10

In medium they are smaller than most brands so I'd say size up. I couldn't find a size guide on Sweet Protection's website to clarify the sizing.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

A 30 degree wash kept both the shorts and pad clean after some wet and muddy rides.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They feel unbelievably light and the fabric is very comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Great quality.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Pricey.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Other brands like Caratti, dhb and Lusso produce quality shorts for a lot less money, although the build quality of the Crossfires is very good.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? There are cheaper alternatives.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly

Use this box to explain your overall score

Really decent bibs that are comfortable to ride but they are on the pricey side compared to some of the opposition.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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