Assos T.equipe_s7 Bib Short

Assos have long been masters of the Cycling short. Many of the industry's innovations have come from Assos' factory and have been imitated but to our minds, never bettered.

Assos retain a look and brand image that no other cycling apparel company seem to be able to match. With their shiny models, clean lines and clear attention to both aesthetic details and technical performance they have carved a name for themselves as something of an aspirational product and an industry benchmark. Assos are our best selling clothing brand by some significant margin, and to a man (and woman), we at 700 all own a pair of Assos shorts.

Forever developing and striving to better the garments they produce, Assos have delivered many of the advances in cycling apparel over the years. 6 years ago they developed the s5 insert for their shorts range which was the first to incorporate a waffle texture in the pad to reduce bulk and increase breathability.

For 2014 Assos have released a completely new range of shorts that once again increase rider comfort through careful textile choice and innovative approaches which come from a fundamental understanding of what it is that riders want. This is born out in a range that has something for all types of rider, from weekend warrior to seasoned Elite Racers. 

The range centres on the development of the insert which Assos term _s7 and like so much of Assos' range also focuses on reducing the bulk while retaining high levels of performance. The s7 pad is a 3-Layer construction and comes in 4 guises depending on the use and / or rider type. The T.equipe is a mid level short and shares many of the developments used to construct the top models. A completely new short, the T.equipe has a higher level of compression to help support muscles and is designed for a slimmer body shape for those riding frequently or racing.

All s7 shorts share common features such as a new bib construction method, rather than the traditional bib, all s7 shorts feature a Y-frame carrier construction on both the front and rear which helps keep the short in wrinkle free, ergonomic form at all times. This is coupled with a minimal pattern design descended from the Aerosuits as used by the Swiss Olympic Team in 2012, basically the system reduces the number of seams used in the garment for increased comfort and better aerodynamics which is further enhanced by Assos' new SuperFlat leg grippers. Ultimately this leads to a more stable and comfortable short. Another feature found on the T.equipe model upwards is the bibStabiliser present at shoulder height each side of the bibs at the front which allows the wearer to optimise the fit position - they also serve - Assos claim - as a handy sunglass holder, though why you would be walking around in sunglasses and just your bibs is a question best left alone!

Lycra has always been a compression fabric but we are all now aware of the benefits of supported musculature. As such the s7 range of shorts feature AEMT (Asymmetric Elastic Module Tech) and muscleStabilizer textiles. The former is directionally cut and stabilizes and supports muscle elongation and the higher Spandex percentage of the latter lends better vibration control to keep muscles fresh. The T.equipe is the first short in the range to use Assos' iceColour - a reflective fabric treatment developed to reflect sunlight in order to avoid heat build up; the idea being to keep muscles at a cooler, more stable, optimal operational level.

The _s7 insert is the heart of the beast. Constructed from Memory Foam which, like mattresses returns to shape when pressure is released, means every time pedaling position is changed in the saddle through shift of weight, the foam "fills the gap" resulting in greater comfort in the saddle. The biggest development that features across the range of shorts is what Assos term their goldenGate. We're not sure who comes up with the names but the concept is sound! Historically, shorts are sewn or glued between the legs. Assos s7 shorts are no longer fastened all the way round in this fashion, instead there are no seams in this sensitive area allowing more 3-dimensional movement with less friction. All these features combine to yield an extremely comfortable short. The T.equipe pad is similar shape to the T.neoPro but has a more 'cupped' front area to better support the genitals, whilst the addition of side panels offers additional comfort on the top of the thigh.

The Assos T.equipe is pitched at the mid level and is most suited to riders who are riding frequently and / or racing. They are a slimmer, race fit and are suited to lean body shapes. With that said, we would not rule these shorts out for riders who are slim and active who wish to ride long distance and who may find the more generous cut of the T.cento a little big.