Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts review
Finding that go to pair of black bib shorts that fit like a glove are the ultimate golden ticket in terms of cycling apparel. We test the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts to see if their also classic by nature
A good looking race cut pair of shorts that tick a lot of form and function boxes, with just the central channel bib design letting them down for me. They do sit at the upper end of the price bracket when compared to similar women's specific bib shorts, but offer great comfort in the leg department and a much respected Elastic Interface chamois.
Reasons to buy
+
Comfortable
+
Elastic Interface Chamois
+
Wide silicone backed leg gripper
+
Factor 50 sun protection
+
Lightweight
+
Reasons to avoid
-
Central bib design
-
Upper end of price bracket compared to similar shorts on the market
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The 'classic' word immediately adds an air of rich historic importance to an item, be it classic cars, classic films or indeed just mention "The Classics' to any bike rider and they'll immediately know you're talking about the best bike races on the seasons calendar.
In terms of cycling shorts, the word classic immediately translates into 'a pair I'll end up wearing all season', giving us high hopes for the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts.
Construction and fit
The main fabric of the shorts are made from a Italian Nylon/ Elastane mix, with a double lycra content, which not only makes the shorts super stretchy, but also maintains the total blackout of the fabric, even when fully stretched when on, there wasn't even a hint of my lilly white never seen the sun backside showing through.
I say never seeing the sun, but UV rays are another matter all together, with average pairs of shorts providing questionable protection, desipte what our lollypop like tan lines might allude too.
The Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts also benefit from Schoeller Coldblack® treatment, which acts a sun reflector, giving the shorts an sun protection factor of 50, as well as, helping to reduce the heat build up from the sun. It's a technology that's been a round a while now, and one that always delivers with the likes of the dhb Aeron Speed bib shorts also applying the same technology.
Pulling the bib shorts on and they were immediately comfortable around the legs. A 7cm wide raw finish leg cuffs fit on the right side of compressing, and are backed with thousands of tiny silicone dots to keep the legs in place, which also worked very well when having to pair the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts with legs and knee warmers. The legs reminded me a lot of the Santini Wave shorts, which also used a super wide leg band and also gave a great race cut fit.
Mesh upper keeps the overall bib short weight to just 166g for a size medium.
Up top is a central bib design upper, made from a lightweight Polyester/ Elastane mix mesh, which accounts for the overall low bib short weight of just 166g, and was really comfortable over the shoulders, but it's just not my bag.
I honestly think cycling clothing manufacturers over complicate the bib aspect, as there's just no need to do anything other than the standard over arm design, like every pair of male specific bib shorts use. For me the central fabric compresses my base layer too much, making an already prone to sweat pooling area soggy and damp, and if nothing else looks quite frankly ugly as soon as you pull your jersey zip down even a touch.
Arguably though, the most important bit of any shorts is the seat pad, with the much respected Elastic Interface chamois making an appearance in the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts. It's a go to chamois manufacturer for the high end brands, where you likely to see it under the likes of Rapha, Assos, GORE etc.
It's a multiple density and lightweight pad that was developed with the Morvelo Basso race team, understandably giving the shorts a race ready finish. When on it was comfortable, if a little wide when out the saddle. It might be something a smaller pair of shorts might have negated, but I really liked the fit of the rest of the short, so I'd be reluctant to size down.
The Ride
From the off the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts were super comfortable. I really liked the wide leg gripper and was impressed with how well it teamed with the leg warmers staying put throughout the ride.
Despite my reservations about the bib shorts upper, I didn't give it a second thought while riding, the sure sign of a good fit. However, that funky central design got me at the cafe stop when I zipped my jersey open a touch, it's just not asphetically pleasing and did create a damp patch between my breasts, which no body really wants if I'm honest.
Value.
At £120 the shorts are at the upper end of the scale in terms of pricing against bib short peers with have similar features. They also ticked a lot of comfort boxes, especially in the leg department.
The black and white design is certainly a classic and a colour way that will give the shorts a lot of wear in terms of colour coordination. But are the Morvelo Classic White Nth Series bib shorts a 'classic' beyond their colour scheme?
I do really like many aspects of them, and the fact that they are so lightweight and have the Coldblack® treatment, but that central bib design was a no no for me.
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