BodyPaint, my favorite bibshorts
The BodyPaint 2.0 bibshorts are partially the result of feedback from our professional cycling teams, and up close there’s no denying this is a high-end performance piece. They’re a warm weather garment with a very low cut front and a nice airy mesh in back between the straps.
The shorts on the Body Paint Bibshorts are formed from a single piece of seamless fabric for a naturally supportive fit. The short feels like it is hugging you perfectly in any position, thanks to this anatomic fit and the as well as a highly compressive fabric.
The main body of the shorts is cut from a single piece of Lycra.
This smooth fit, combined with the aero dimples employed in the material, make this is the most aerodynamic bib short on the market. We have engineered the dimples into the fabric to induce flow separation and reduce aerodynamic drag. Think of it as the clothing equivalent for the Zipp rim dimples.
Smooth fit combined with aero dimples.
Perhaps nothing in these bib shorts has benefited as much from our association with professional cycling teams as the Progetto X2 Air Seat Pad. The Cervélo TestTeam and Garmin-Barracuda teams spend three years testing this short; that’s a lot of saddle time to be thinking about how comfort could be improved.
The chamois is seamless where it counts.
The Progetto X2 Air seatpad is different from most multi-density crotch savers I’ve seen. Instead of a bunch of raised ridges settling against your skin, the skin-side surface of the seatpad is one smooth perforated foam layer to help ventilate and keep the nether regions cooler by allowing air to flow directly onto the surface fabric. The multi-density cushion layer of the seatpad is on the other side of the foam – and created by carving away sections of a single block of uncompressed foam to create the different sections of cushion.
Perforated viscous comfort inserts have been added under the
highly sensitive ischial and perineal pressure areas.
The cushion layer also features 3 gel inserts – two for the sit bones and 1 right behind your junk. They’re called a ‘viscous comfort zone’ and are so thin, I could not tell they were even there, which says a lot about how well they integrate with the pad, so you’ll be supremely protected whether you are out on a two-hour weekday ride or training over cobbles for Roubaix.
Bibs, a single strip of fabric that is very soft and stretchy.
The shoulder straps have a real ‘skinsuit’ feel. The bibs is made from the special Giro2 material, a single strip of fabric that is very soft and stretchy. We have eliminated the Lycra trim and seams that typically edges bib straps and more often than not cuts into your shoulders to cause discomfort.
The shoulder straps are satin-like in their feel.
The new mesh on the back will help keep your torso cool by allowing air to circulate. Likewise, the updated Giro3 integrated leg grippers have been intelligently fashioned so that the grip material has been knit directly into the short. The generous 5 cm wide band gently compresses to secure the leg hem in place. It also lies completely flat, keeping your leg as aero as if it were in a skin suit.
These nicely integrated leg grippers are impressive.
RELATED ARTICLES:
BodyPaint 2.0 Bibshort, product page
BodyPaint Bibshort in test by Pezcycling.com
BodyPaint, Garmin-Cervélo’s favorite bibshort
BodyPant Bibs, the best short I have ever worn
Hushovd blaze to victory, Progetto X2 to cushion his bum
Photos: Jered Gruber