Which Reigns Supreme on the Road? Assos or Q36.5 Bib Shorts

[chrismercurio]

Hey fellow cyclists! 👋🚴

I've been on a quest to find the ultimate bib shorts and I'm torn between two top contenders: Assos and Q36.5. Each brand has its legion of loyal fans, and I'm curious to know what makes each of them special. So, I'm turning to you, the knowledgeable cycling community, for some insights!

• Comfort and Fit: How do they compare in terms of overall comfort during long rides? Does one brand have an edge over the other in terms of fit and feel?
• Durability and Quality: We all know cycling gear is an investment. Which brand's bib shorts have proven to be more durable and maintain quality over time?
• Performance and Technology: Both brands boast of cutting-edge tech in their gear. Have you noticed any significant performance benefits with either Assos or Q36.5 bib shorts?
• Value for Money: High-end gear comes with a price tag. In your experience, which brand offers better value for money considering their performance, comfort, and durability?
• Personal Experiences and Stories: There's nothing like hearing from fellow riders. Do you have any personal anecdotes, good or bad, about your experiences with either brand?

I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. Your insights will not only help me make a decision but could also guide others in the community who might be facing the same dilemma.

Ride on! 🚵*♂️💨

[callmeishmael]

In classic internet style, I'll put in a vote for... Castelli.

Their fit and pad (Kiss 2, I think) works extremely well for me, they're not cheap but less expensive than some, and they last well. There are no seam issues (which I'm quite sensitive to) and they get ridden a lot on the trainer too, which tends to accelerate wear and exacerbate any sensitivity.

So, with apologies for answering a different question that which was asked, that's my recommendation :-)

[chrismercurio]

I’ve had 2x of their shorts in the past. Long lasting and comfy.

[AngryScientist]

For my ass: There is no better bibshort than Giordana Forma Red Carbon.

I'm not too familiar with Q36.5's product lineup, but you have to bear in mind that you can't just talk about Assos as if it's a single product, they have various bibs in their product line, from reasonably priced to top end. I have tried the lower and middle end Assos stuff, and while I felt they worked well, were definitely not any better for me than the Giordana kit.

[deluz]

I like and use Q36.5 and La Passione.
La Passione is a good value at half the price, Q36.5 is higher tech materials.
I have not decided which one I like better yet.

[BrazAd]

It’s hard to beat the $40 bibs from theblackbibs - dot - com

I’ve ridden them over 50 centuries in the past 4 years without any issues. I have $200 bibs from other companies and prefer these.

Good luck!

Gary


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nmrt]

I have both.
Between the top-of-the-line Assos GTO bibs and the top-of-the-line Q Unique bibs, while the fabric and the pads feel different between the two, there is no clear winner. Both are great.

[chrismercurio]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

For my ass: There is no better bibshort than Giordana Forma Red Carbon.

I'm not too familiar with Q36.5's product lineup, but you have to bear in mind that you can't just talk about Assos as if it's a single product, they have various bibs in their product line, from reasonably priced to top end. I have tried the lower and middle end Assos stuff, and while I felt they worked well, were definitely not any better for me than the Giordana kit.

Thanks for sharing your experience with Giordana Forma Red Carbon. It's a great reminder that the best bib shorts are often a personal choice, depending on individual fit and comfort.

You make a valid point about Assos. Their range includes various models from entry-level to high-end, each offering different features and benefits. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has tried their top-tier bibs and how they compare to the Giordana or Q36.5 options.

Regarding Q36.5, any insights into their bib shorts, especially in direct comparison with other brands, would be highly valuable to this discussion.

It's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all in cycling gear, and personal experience plays a huge role in determining the best fit.

[chrismercurio]

Originally Posted by deluz

I like and use Q36.5 and La Passione.
La Passione is a good value at half the price, Q36.5 is higher tech materials.
I have not decided which one I like better yet.

That's a cool perspective! It sounds like you've found a sweet spot with both Q36.5 for its high-tech materials and La Passione for its great value. It's interesting that they both appeal to you, yet in different ways.

[chrismercurio]

Originally Posted by BrazAd

It’s hard to beat the $40 bibs from theblackbibs - dot - com

I’ve ridden them over 50 centuries in the past 4 years without any issues. I have $200 bibs from other companies and prefer these.

Good luck!

Gary


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Gary, that's an awesome tip about theblackbibs.com! It's impressive how their $40 bibs have held up for you, especially over so many centuries. It's always great to hear about high-quality gear that doesn't break the bank. I'll keep them in mind. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Strain]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

For my ass: There is no better bibshort than Giordana Forma Red Carbon.

I'm not too familiar with Q36.5's product lineup, but you have to bear in mind that you can't just talk about Assos as if it's a single product, they have various bibs in their product line, from reasonably priced to top end. I have tried the lower and middle end Assos stuff, and while I felt they worked well, were definitely not any better for me than the Giordana kit.

And here I thought I'm special...
All jokes aside, Giordana FR-C fits my behind better than any other bib, be it Assos, Castelli, Sportful etc, etc...
Was expecting great things (not really) from Assos based on other people's experience, but my experience did not match the expectations. They were not any "better" than any other bibs I had tried, bar Giordana.
So yeah, nobody can really tell you what bib is better for your ass!

[s4life]

Been using Assos for years until I switched to Giordana FRCs. Those would be my recommendation, they are so cheap for the quality you get...

[aaronffs]

does this read like ai to anyone else


i like assos and rapha bibs tho

[Kirk007]

My favorite is the lower end Q36.5. I've been less of a fan of the fit of their higher end ones but I haven't tried the latest and greatest. In general I think it's hard to beat Q36.5 for technical material/execution. I've also had nothing but good experience with Assos, at all levels. And with the higher end Castelli. I don't think you can go wrong and as to which is best - I'm not sure anyone can answer that but you, which may require some investment, but my experience with all three is that durability is outstanding. I just usually shop sales if I need new ones and best price at the moment wins.

[bheight1]

La Passione