The Kalf Flux bib shorts are comfortable and have some well thought out details to make them good for longer summer rides.
Reasons to buy
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Lots of reflective elements
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Comfortable bibs
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Quality Elastic Interface seatpad
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Wide range of sizes
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Well priced
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Reasons to avoid
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Lots of seams in the lower legs
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The Kalf Flux bib shorts are a quality offering at a good price from Evans Cycles's in-house clothing brand
Kalf cycle clothing is sold exclusively by Evans Cycles. We rated its Flux Chevron shorts when we tested then last year and the Kalf Flux Print design is a subtle update on that model. It’s no bad thing that Kalf hasn’t changed much as, at their price, the Flux bibshorts provide a quality ride.
There’s a cross-bridge at the back of the straps. Most bibshorts will have the rear of the bib straps sewn to a lightweight mesh fabric centre section, helping to keep them correctly positioned over your shoulders.
But the Kalf Flux shorts’ X-section is welded to the straps. This means that there’s no additional fabric over your back so you’re likely to stay just that bit cooler than with a mesh section. Welding the straps into the bridge means that there are no uncomfortable seams here either.
The straps themselves are wide, hemless and stretch lengthways but not across their width, so they are comfortable and not prone to bunching. The cross-piece means that they stay in place well on the shoulders.
Kalf uses a welded X-piece to hold its straps in place at the back, rather than the more usual sewn-in mesh insert
The fit of the Kalf Flux shorts themselves is good. It’s more geared to UK sizes than some Italian brands like Castelli too, so it should work for UK riders, without needing to size up.
There are quite a few seams in the legs, particularly around the grippers, but these are confined to the outside face and are flatlocked so they don’t rub and shouldn’t cause you irritation.
The wide leg grippers are fused seamlessly to the inside of the shorts, with a hidden chevron silicone gripper pattern. They protrude just a bit from the bottom of the leg, exposing a dark blue band.
Kalf also majors on reflectives. There’s a large reflective grey K logo in the centre back and another large K on the left leg, while the right leg has smaller reflective branding.
The Kalf Flux bibshorts have a bespoke, curved Elastic Interface seatpad in them, which comes in a half fuscia, half grey colour. It’s comfortable and shaped and padded well for longer rides, although not as dense or as thin as some other brands’ pads.
Kalf Flux bibshorts are sold in six sizes from XS through to XXL, so you’re unlikely not to be able to find a pair to fit you.
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