Scott RC ProTec bib shorts review

The Scott RC ProTec bib shorts are great to wear whether your on the bike or on the tarmac

Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Scott RC ProTec bib shorts are not only very good bib shorts but could also keep you safe from road rash if you're unlucky enough to fall off. However, I would have liked a little more comfort and longer rides and a greater choice of colours.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Protection from road rash

  • +

    Good fit

  • +

    Slim pad

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Could be more comfortable on longer rides

  • -

    Only one choice of colour

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Falling off a bike hurts, and although there are plenty of ways to deal with road rash, surely the best thing is to not have to deal with it at all. Step forward the Scott RC ProTec bib shorts, which feature a special fabric in the side panels designed to prevent road rash.

The fabric, which is also used in the matching RC ProTec jersey, has been developed in conjunction with Schoeller, and is a blend of carbon yarns and ceramic printing, meaning that it has a great resistance to abrasion than the standard lycra found in most cycling shorts.

>>> Buyer's guide to cycling shorts

Now, I’ll admit that I’m not quite committed enough to go throwing myself to the tarmac as part of the testing process in these shorts, but Scott have helpfully produced in a video to show just how strong the ProTec fabric is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff5PcDYwjBU

What I can be certain about is that, anti-road rash properties aside, the Scott RC ProTec bib shorts are a very good pair of cycling shorts.

>>> Buyer's guide to women's cycling shorts

The first thing to say is that the fit is excellent. I was expecting the ProTec fabric to limit the amount of stretch in the shorts but this wasn’t the case, and they felt the same as wearing a normal pair of shorts. The silicon gripper doesn’t feel particular tacky, but such was the good fit they never rode up.

scott rc protec shorts

The fabric down the side panels should help to keep your skin safe

The bibs are also nice and comfortable. The straps are wide meaning that they don’t dig into your shoulders over the course of long rides, and the bibs are also a light stretchy mesh for good ventilation. As an added bonus you even get a small pocket for your race radio (although it’s just as good for holding an iPod if you’re using these shorts on the turbo trainer).

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For shorter rides, the pad on the Scott RC ProTec bib shorts is also nice and comfy, with a slim design meaning that it doesn’t get in the way when riding in a low, aggressive position. However despite having plenty of padding, I personally didn’t get on with during longer days in the saddle.

scott rc protec shorts chamois pad

The pad could be comfier on longer rides

The only other small issue is that the shorts only come in one colour (black and yellow as shown) meaning that although they look great with the matching jersey, pairing them with other pieces of kit may be a bit more difficult.

For more details visit the Scott website.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.