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review

Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short

8
£80.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Simple design that delivers everything you need for the money
Pad shape works well with short saddles or when you're in the drops
Lightweight fabric feels airy
A lot of seams going on
Weight: 
163g

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 Specialized RBX Comp bib shorts offer plenty of comfort for all kinds of riding, whether that's on roads or out on the byways and gravel tracks, thanks to a decent pad and a slightly compressive fabric. They're light, airy and well shaped, though the lack of flatlocked seams is a slight disappointment.

The foam sections of the Body Geometry 3D Contour pad are quite short, mimicking the short-nosed saddles that are becoming popular, and this reduces bunching at the front when crouched over in the drops. The chamois itself continues forward as far as most others – there's just no foam there.

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It's a win-win, too, because if you ride in a more upright position, you don't need any padding right out to the front anyway.

2020 Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short - chamois.jpg

The single-density padding falls towards the firmer end of average, but I found it supportive enough for a few hours on the gravel bike, or longer still on rough back roads.

The 'Action polyamide/elasthane' fabric feels soft with no scratchiness against the skin, and it's quite lightweight, which gives the RBXs an airy sort of feel to them – they were ideal during the test, where the temperatures typically sat in the mid-20s.

2020 Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short - back.jpg

Specialized has gone for multiple panels on these shorts, so as to shape them for a rider's tuck on the bike.

This makes them very comfortable as you don't feel the lower back panels being pulled tight when you bend into the drops, and you don't get any bunching of loose material at the front.

2020 Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short - cuffs.jpg

On the downside, it does mean a lot of seams. While not a major concern as they too are quite soft, on longer rides – around the four-hour mark – I did notice the ones on my thighs. They cause no real discomfort, but I started to feel the ridge of the overlocked (rather than flatlocked) seams.

Comfort is good elsewhere. The leg grippers offer just enough compression to keep them in place without creating a pressure point.

2020 Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short - detail.jpg

It's the same with the bib straps too; they keep the shorts secure without causing any irritation.

2020 Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short - straps back.jpg

At £80 the RBX Comps are up against shorts from the likes of dhb with its Aeron which, at £75, is a good all-rounder that's a staple of many a road rider. There are other options too, such as the Cycology Men's Logo bib shorts at £70.

> 32 of the best cycling bib shorts — get comfy on longer rides

The quality of the RBX Comps is good throughout and, looking at the competition, I'd say they are sensibly priced.

Conclusion

The Specialized RBX Comps are a comfortable pair of shorts you can wear day in, day out on a range of terrains. The pad is good, they're well shaped and – sometimes noticeable if not uncomfortable seams aside – they're a solid, no-nonsense performer.

Verdict

Simple design that delivers everything you need for the money

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Specialized RBX Comp Bib Short

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Specialized says, "Bib shorts with anatomic shape, made of Action polyamide/elasthane for good muscle compression and Body Geometry padding."

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

Elasticized mesh braces, for great fit and comfort.

Body Geometry 3D Contour Padding, Single density foam

Reflective S-logo.

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

Following Specialized's sizing guide gave no issues with sizing.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

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

Specialized recommends a cool hand-wash, but I've had no issues with a 30 deg machine wash either.

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

They are a simple pair of shorts but do the basics very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Shaped cut for riding works great on the bike.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The seams can become noticeable on long rides.

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

dhb and Cyclogy offer similarly-specced shorts at just a few quid cheaper, as mentioned in the review. Many others such as Lusso do too, and when it comes to spec, comfort and fit the Specializeds are on par.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Specialized shorts are quite subtle. They don't really scream technology and detail like some brands do, but they deliver everything you need out of a pair of bibshorts – they're very good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 41  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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