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review

Alé Women's Graphics PRR Arcobaleno Bib Shorts

8
£95.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Snug fitting shorts ideal for competitive cyclists, with unique features that result in (mostly) outstanding comfort
Weight: 
146g
Contact: 

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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Alé's PRR Arcobaleno Bib Shorts for women, with their 'ergonomic racing fit', are snug, comfortable and sufficiently minimal for racing. Everything stays in place well thanks to Alé's Free system bib – 'for the right support without constriction' and its LG Stability system – a 60mm wide leg gripper that 'distributes the pressure on the leg and keeps the garment in place during the ride'. The only fly in the ointment is the pad, which I found comfortable some days, but causing irritation on others.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Alé, a brand of larger company APG, based in Verona, sponsors a women's team – Alé-Cipollini – and describes its Graphics PRR range as a 'selection of items featuring original designs arising from the most famous, professional and amateur Ale teams, with some graphic completely new'. APG has, in the past, made the Tour de France's yellow jerseys, and Motorola and Discovery kit.

The shorts are pictured here with the matching PRR Acrobaleno jersey, which I also tested. I probably don't need to point out the rather striking colours... There are others available, if the blue and fluorescent orange is too much for you – though all still quite garish, or you could try the Alé PRR Bermuda bib shorts – identically constructed but in slightly more subtle colours.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Bibshorts Womens - front.jpg

The shorts are made of a 'high density performance material', which Alé claims provides 'light muscular compression when riding'. This certainly seemed to be the case; they were comfortably firm without being too tight.

When I first pulled them on I was expecting there to be excessive compression around the base of the leg given this snug fit, but that LG Stability system I mentioned earlier – a wide, stretchy band woven with silicone – is a revelation. It didn't feel too tight but kept the shorts firmly in place without being abrasive or harsh on the skin.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Bibshorts Womens - cuff 2.jpg

The 'Free system' bib section uses a curved section of open weave fabric at the rear, which forces the bibs to drift outwards as they stretch over the shoulders. The straps do not curl up and there are no signs of perforation or fraying.

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Bibshorts Womens - back full.jpg

The claim that the shorts have been designed following research into the shape of a female racer certainly seems to stand up: everything felt just right. Mostly...

> Read our guide to the best cycling bib shorts

The soft anti-bacterial insert is a waffle-like fabric, with additional support from a centrally positioned strip of generous padding. It offered ample protection and didn't deteriorate at all during the test period, but I did experience occasional abrasion from the edge of the insert. It didn't occur on every ride – just occasionally when the exposed chamois edge sat in line with the edge of my saddle. And on one ride it occurred on one side but not the other...

Ale PRR Arcobaleno Bibshorts Womens - pad.jpg

Despite that, overall, I really like these shorts: the colouring is a serious statement and visibility plus – it's pretty rare in a market swamped by darker clothing – and they're made from scratch in Italy. On rides when the pad and saddle sat right, they were exceptionally comfortable – I'd still buy them!

Verdict

Snug fitting shorts ideal for competitive cyclists, with unique features that result in (mostly) outstanding comfort

road.cc test report

Make and model: Alé PRR Arcobaleno Bibshorts (Womens)

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Women-specific garment boasting an 'ergonomic racing fit'.

Distributor Paligap says: "One of Ale's most well-known bibshorts's that is used by many professionals and amateurs all over the world. Carbon fabrics and ergonomic fitting work together to achieve the "Pure Performance" bibshort which is an inimitable blend of style and performance - specifically engineered for the female body in the bike position."

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

Features:

* Ergonomic fitting

* 'Free system bib' for the right support without constriction

* Embossed fabric in the crotch area for maximum abrasion resistance

* Long reflective piping in the back part of the legs for clear visibility

* 'LG Stability system' at the bottom of the hem to keep the bibshort in place

The "LG STABILITY SYSTEM™, a 60mm strip leg gripper distributes the pressure on the leg and keeps the garment in place during the ride. The fitting has been specifically studied to follow the anatomy of a racing woman's body."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

All seams are extremely tidy and secure. The bib element of the shorts has been designed with a curved panel at the rear to force the bib straps to sit wide at the front. The anti-bacterial insert encloses a centrally positioned supportive pad.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The shorts were very comfortable when riding, allowing for full freedom of movement when in and out of the saddle.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

So far so good. The insert isn't losing support and, to date, the seams are like new. The elastic bib and leg cuffs have lost none of their stretch, in four weeks of testing.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

A very snug fit. I would highly recommend you check the size chart on the website – a medium might not be what you think a medium is.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
5/10

A medium was JUST big enough for me, and normally a medium is generous. From experience, this is typical of Italian kit.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

146g, what more can I say?

Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

Overall, comfort is very good, except occasionally when I found the edge of the insert sitting in line with the edge of my saddle and causing some abrasion. Washing seemed to soften it up, and it didn't happen every ride (on one ride, it happened on one side but not the other). It's not unique to these shorts, but it was a real shame when it did, as otherwise they felt great.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Under £100 isn't bad for shorts that match up to the best on the market with regards to innovative features and (mostly) comfort.

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

Washed well on a 30 degree cycle (nothing about softener mentioned) and still look as bright as ever.

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

I certainly felt like a racer when I headed out in these; the ideal fit for a fast training ride with the local group.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The snug fit, reminiscent of my racing days.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The fact that the insert could sometimes irritate (but sometimes not).

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, but check the sizing chart – and maybe their saddle shape...

Use this box to explain your score

These are extremely good shorts that, other than those occasional pad/saddle issues, are exceptionally comfortable in every other way. It might just be a personal shape/saddle issue, but I can't give them full marks even though, on days when I had no problems, they felt pretty much perfect.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 17  Weight: 64kg

I usually ride: Road  My best bike is: Carbon road

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding

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