The Galibier Classique bib short is a high quality garment which retails at a very attractive price. I thought they represented great value for money at £75.00 but there has been a price reduction for 2018 and they are now £49.22 a pair, which makes them an absolute steal.

Galibier? Who?

Galibier are a small firm based in Northern Ireland. Brainchild of ex racer, Myles McCorry, Galibier quietly produce a range of decent cycling kit for the discerning rider.

In my mind, I have always associated Galibier with keeping warm and dry in the autumn/winter but they do other stuff too. The summer shirts are stylish with a retro feel and I’ll look forward to testing one when it gets a little warmer.

The Technical Bits

The shorts are made from durable, fine stitched Carvico Lycra and are all hand finished. Apparently each pair take about three hours to put together so we aren’t talking about garments rushed together from some mass produced sweat shop. They are very much a compression fit and sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle to get them on. Once on however, they are absolutely fine.

The bibs have 3 different mesh fabrics supporting a single stretch brace which holds the shorts firmly and locks the pad in place.

Galibier Classique Bib Shorts - Endurance Pad

All the seams have flatlock stitching to prevent chafing. The new, leg gripper is a stretch to fit affair so it adapts to suit your anatomy without becoming baggy.

The shorts also have a race radio/card pocket. The endurance chamois pad, stretches bi elastically, with the body as it moves during the pedal revolution. It will last for seasons without compressing, supporting the pressure points of the pelvis. A central penile tract groove promotes smooth blood flow.

Test Period

These shorts have been put through the grinder having been worn a lot of the time since August, – until I had to upgrade to a pair of roubaix bibs. They have been on long, hot, road rides of five hours plus, all day gravel rides in dust or mud and grit, plus day to day attritional riding in wet and dry conditions. They have even shrugged off the effects of a (badger inspired) crash and the subsequent slide along a gritty trail.

The Pros

The Classique is pretty much invisible. Put them on and they ‘disappear’. I have worn many pairs of (much more expensive) shorts which have niggled and irritated me throughout a ride. A poorly finished seam here, a little bit of bunched material there and before you know it, your ride becomes purgatory. I have experienced none of that with the Classique. As far as a pair of shorts can…they just let me get on and enjoy the ride.

The Teo Sport chamois is superb. The padding is in all of the right places and your tender bits are protected without it feeling as if you are wearing/sitting on a mattress! Even on the hottest days, the pad remained comfortable without any of the damp or clammy sensation you can sometimes get. Suffice to say, I can ride all day without getting sore, and this is without chamois cream.

I like the leg length with the gripper sitting just above the knee.

The Cons

The bib is a little higher at the front than I feel is ideal but this is a minor point really.

The leg gripper is good and the legs do not ride up but I can’t help but feel a little inadequate in the thigh department! I am no (track) sprinter but my thighs aren’t exactly small, yet the gripper was not quite as snug a fit as I would have liked. Put it this way, if I tuck a gel up my leg, it will inevitably work its way out after an hour or so.

Summary

A great value pair of shorts. Comfortable, robust and invisible, even on extended rides. If you are in the market for a new pair of bibs, give these a try. You could even buy two pairs for the price of some brand’s “entry level’ garments, and still have change.

There is a ladies version of the Classique available at the same price.

Galibier also have a pair of ‘Endurance’ bibs for even longer days in the saddle. I haven’t seen any of these yet. If you are in any doubt about needing the Classique, or the Endurance shorts, I have always found Galibier happy to answer any questions.

The buying experience

This is vitally important for any business that retails solely online.

The website – it is easy to navigate and payment is as straightforward as you would expect. I have slight problems with pages occasionally shooting around but it may be something going on at this end.

Delivery – is as rapid as any out there. Something I really like though, and silly as it may seem, it really endears me to Galibier, is the little extra you get with your purchase. Forget the tiny packet of Haribo from ‘you know who’, Galibier give you an item of clothing. I have received socks and buffs with my purchases and it really feels as though you have a value added extra. A nice touch!

For more information on the Galibier range, visit https://galibier.cc/