The best prevention against saddle soreness (Polaris Raptor Cycle Bib)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Polaris Raptor Cycle Bib
Date:	09/01/09 (338 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps you covered up at all times, comfortable, good leg grippers

Disadvantages: Only available in limited colours

Normal cycling shorts are adequate, however, I find that they do have a tendency of falling down revealing the proverbial builders bum, which whilst my other half doesn't mind looking at I feel that it may cause offence to innocent passers by. In addition to this the exposed piece of skin gets cold very quickly, especially during the winter months. The only answer to this is a cycling bib, which is effectively a pair of shorts with a high waistband and shoulder straps. I admit it, a bib is effectively a leotard.

Whilst a bib and short set may look like a leotard and is considered to be feminine I have to admit that this is the best item of cycling clothing I have ever bought.

There are loads of different bib sets available from many different manufacturers and buying the ideal set is a mind field. As with all items of clothing different manufacturers offer different cuts and a medium from one manufacturer is a large from another, all adding to the fun of buying the ideal set.

After a lot of research and reading on various forums I narrowed down my search to Assos and Polaris since these seemed to be popular and represented good value for money.

After finding a few pairs on Ebay the decision was made to purchase a bib made Polaris, and the particular model was the Raptor.

****Polaris Raptor Bib****

This bib set is designed in Nylex that, as claimed by Polaris, has "superior stretch and rebound qualities". It's basically really tight fitting lycra and whilst not the most flattering material (even when stretched over my muscular physique. Lol) it serves as a second skin to minimise wind drag and increase cycling speeds.

The whole bib is made from 8 anatomically cut panels. Fewer panels are best since a lower number of panels will result in fewer seams, which results in less stitching, which results in less chaffing, which results in more comfort. Whilst 8 panels may seem a lot the short section contains 6 panels that currently is the fewest number in any cycle shorts.

The bib has flat stitching all round to further reduce the chance of chaffing.

The shorts have gripper elastic at the bottom of the legs to ensure they do not roll up and chaff. This is a common feature of cycling shorts but I have found the leg grippers of other shorts to be the weak point and after a few washes they tend not to do their job properly. Even after a season of wearing this bib the leg grippers work as well now as they always have done.

The shorts contain a coolmax body contour insert. This is a padded section around the more sensitive parts to help combat saddle soreness. I have been told by my other half it is like having a thick sanitary towel in your shorts but as long as it serves its purpose I don't mind. All shorts have this pad but the one in these shorts is thicker, and hence more comfortable, than that used in many other shorts I have worn. The coolmax material is meant to be cleaner and more hygienic than other pads, although I can't really comment on this.

The top section contains mesh allowing for maximum wind flow and ventilation. This is a very nice feature since it does help in cooling you down. Previous bib sets I have owned have not had this mesh and I found I did get quite sticky. I was, and still am amazed that a tiny section of mesh can make such a large difference.

This bib weighs in at 180g for the medium size, which I consider to be very lightweight, and there are times I can't even tell I'm wearing it. However, this bib is considered to be fairly heavy compared to rival products but unless you are a seriously competitive racer I don't think you will notice.

This bib is only available in blue/black or red/black therefore the choice is quite limited. The pattern is not the prettiest but then when it comes to cycle clothing I go for comfortableness, functionality and practicality over style. Why be sore and stylish when you can be comfortable and practical?

There is a matching jersey to accompany this bib set for those that like to match up all their kit.

This bib is available in sizes small to XX large.

****Care & maintenance****

The label states that this bib can be machine washed at 40 degrees on a medium setting or hand washed at 40 degrees.

It also states that this should be subjected to a cold rinse and a short spin or drip-dried.

I washed my first pair of Raptors at 40 degrees on a medium setting and they ended up coming out disfigured and severely out of shape. I would recommend hand washing all cycle clothing before allowing to drip-dry. This should help to prolong the life.

****Negatives****

My biggest gripe with this bib set is the narrowness of the shoulder straps that do tend to dig in to the shoulders after a few hours of riding. Whilst it is bearable I can tell that something is rubbing and chaffing during the ride, which is not good.

A further negative is the lack of colour schemes. Whilst I have said that I go for comfort, functionality and practicality over style having 2 colour schemes is very limited. Even if Polaris decided not to introduce any other colours they should give the option of having the bib set in black only.

****Price and availability****

The Polaris Raptor bib shorts can be purchased from many online and offline retailers. At the time of writing they can be bought for £49.95 (excluding P&P) from Greville Enterprises, £32.00 (excluding P&P) from Chain Reaction Cycles and £49.99 (plus free delivery from Bodywise Cycles Limited).

I purchased 3 pairs from Ebay for £15.00 each, which were an absolute bargain. My bib shorts are genuine and come from a reputable cycling shop in the North of England. This retailer had 8 pairs of Raptor bib shorts up for auction with a £1 start. The problem was the items had been incorrectly listed as Polaris Raptours and were in the wrong category. As a result I had no need to get in to any bidding wars and ended up buying the bib shorts at the initial bid.

****Opinion****

Bib shorts are so much better than shorts. They cannot fall down resulting in your lower back and backside always covered meaning there is no chance of wind chill or creating offence to general members of the public.

The Polaris Raptor bib is highly recommended. They are tight (as they should be), comfortable and contain the coolmax padded insert to help prevent saddle soreness. The pad is the thickest I have come across in all the pairs of shorts I have owned and can confirm that it does its job very well.

The leg grippers work as well now as they ever have done and there is no 'roll up' and chaffing.

I would have liked to see this bib available in black only but it is only available in blue/black or red/black. This is not that much of an issue for me though.

Providing you look after the bib, and this means hand washing and drip-dried, it will last you a long time.

Summary: A padded leotard for cyclists