Adidas has recently added some cycling apparel to its ever-growing line-up of cycling specific shoes, but it seems like Adidas has misunderstood the word ‘bib’ with its shorts release.
Let’s be honest, cycling's technical jargon is one of the biggest hurdles when you're starting out, hence why we thought there was the need to create a glossary of terms to help you out.
You’ve got some terms that are completely counterintuitive - clipless pedals which you actually clip into, being a clear winner in that category.
Adidas, though, has now thrown more confusion into the mix; which could be particularly troublesome as its audience largely consists of beginner cyclists...
It seems as though Adidas’ marketing team were unaware that there’s already a term for shorts without straps, hence naming its option “strapless bib shorts”, which Cycling Weekly spotted was quietly launched.
In cycling you’ve got two types of shorts: bib shorts and waist shorts. Bib shorts are held up by braces, or straps, which aim to evenly distribute pressure over the tops of your shoulders. Then you’ve got waist shorts, which instead use an elastic band around the waist to hold the shorts in place.
Strapless bib shorts are therefore a contradiction of terms. Waist shorts are strapless shorts, bib shorts have to have some kind of strap system going on.
Waist shorts like Adidas’ new offering have some benefits over going for bibs. They can be more effective at keeping you cool as less material is used, and toilet stops are a lot easier.
That said, the thicker material around your waist can soak up sweat and, depending on the model, you may find it restricts your breathing a little and can dig into your stomach uncomfortably.
Aside from the naming error, Adidas £85 waist shorts are an environmentally conscious option, made with a yarn which contains 50% Parley Ocean Plastic to help end plastic waste. The dual-density endurance pad is claimed to cover you for over six hours in the saddle.
The “unaggressive leg grippers” seem to be a lot baggier than usual though… what are your thoughts on the look of these?
Adidas aims to meet the demands of a new generation of cyclists with “a desire for adventure, improved health, and the ability to move in and out of their cities in a sustainable and flexible way."
The most recent release was its Indoor Shoe for three-bolt cleats (Look Kéo, Shimano SPD-SL, and so on), which sits in a range which increasingly caters for a wide range of cyclists, alongside the laced Road Shoe, the Gravel Shoe and the Velosamba, designed for road, off-road and city riding respectively.
www.adidas.co.uk
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20 comments
I'm holding out for the Adidas Emperor variation, The "Shortless" Shorts.
You can rely on Germans in marketing to screw up their choice of English words.
Beamer - ceiling (mounted) projector
Messie - hoarder
Body bag - messenger bag
Handy - (pronounced Hendy) mobile/cell phone
Public viewing - open air screening
Neck holder - halter neck top
Oldtimer - vintage car
There are more......
Can these be found on Ali Express?
Our factory needs 24 hours to obtain the patterns, make test pieces, write the customer reviews and get 23 hours of rider testing done before we release the first 100,000 pairs.
<insert hànzì logo here>
I don't see the issue. I'm a big fan of their fingerless full-finger gloves and their knee-length ankle socks.
How about those crotchless padded shorts?
Actually the "bib" does not refer to the straps but the raised fabric above the waist around the midriff.
The straps just support that raised material in place.
Beat me to it, and I've often wondered why companies don't make a high waisted version of their shorts without straps (although these ones seem pretty close to normal short waist height, I'm thinking something more just under the rib cage); without wishing to be indelicate, on long winter rides when one might have three or four layers over the straps of one's shorts, they would certainly make pub/cafe comfort stops more, well, comfortable.
Cycling shorts with a long-johns type opening. Get onto kick starter tout suite.
In winter? I fear the wind around the Gorbals could be seriously unmanning...
Re "unagressive leg grippers", I have classic Ernie Wise legs and find most grippers too tight for comfort.
Hmm, not the only company who sells "bibless shorts" for men. it seems if selling for road use, womens shorts are fine to be sold as cycling shorts but mens need to be stated specifcally as bibless. Changes if for MTB though as they can all be sold as cycling shorts.
'Bibless shorts' is slightly different to 'strapless bibshorts', though. And I'd say fair enough - the 'bib' is the strappy bit, so 'bibless' means they don't have the strappy bit.
Or 'padded cycling shorts' to avoid any confusion
Unbib shorts?
'waist shorts' !!
Are they not just 'shorts'
Yes, although the weather's pretty cold here at the moment so I'm wearing my ankle-length shorts...
It's 3°C here so this afternoon I will wear my shoulder to ankle shorts.
S2A Shorts a new label for 2022.
Yes, the shorts called longs.
but in the summer I can wear my knee length bib tights.