Assos v. Desoto

[Digger51]

I am looking to purchase a pair of bib shorts specifically for rides of 75 miles and longer. I have norrowed it down to the Desoto 400 mile bib and the Assos Mille bib. I am looking for input from riders who have actual experience with either of these items. Thanks in advance for your comments.

[ddimick]

I love the De Soto 400-mile bibs and they are my first preference for century+ rides. Very comfortable and the pockets actually come in very handy. I have not used the Assos Mille bibs.

[Cpk]

Like anything people have their personal preferences, mine is for the Desoto's. I have 6 pairs, it 's all I wear as far as bibs. They have a higher level of compression then most others and some like it some don't

[Fireform]

I've used them both extensively and they're both great choices. In my specific case, the Assos fits my frame better overall, but the Desoto pad is the best I've ever used on really long rides. The Desoto pockets are handy.

Both are very durable. I had a seam start to unravel on one of my Desotos, and they restitched it and got it back to me very quickly. Desoto is a small US family owned company, which may matter to you. On a per dollar basis, you can find the Desotos for about half what you would pay for Assos.

[DaveG]

I am looking to purchase a pair of bib shorts specifically for rides of 75 miles and longer. I have norrowed it down to the Desoto 400 mile bib and the Assos Mille bib. I am looking for input from riders who have actual experience with either of these items. Thanks in advance for your comments.

I have the 400's and they are my favorites for a century. Like one other poster I did have issues with the threading on the pad coming undone. Once that happens its starts unraveling quickly. DeSoto repaired at no cost but the next season I had the same issue. A couple of comments of the bibs. The chamois is about the widest chamois I have ever used. I like that but some folks may not. There is a lot of compression in the thighs. If you are between sizes I would go bigger. The shorts material itself has a much different feel than most lycra shorts I've owned.

[limba]

Both are very high quality and have devoted fans.

but I don't think anyone can tell you which bib YOU would prefer. You're going to have to buy/try both (at some point) and figure it out for yourself.

[Digger51]

Both are very high quality and have devoted fans.

but I don't think anyone can tell you which bib YOU would prefer. You're going to have to buy/try both (at some point) and figure it out for yourself.

Of course I am th only one that can decide which I prefer, but I can get some really informed opinions to help me in selecting which one to try first. So far Desoto is the clear "favorite" amongst this group. The Desotos are also 1/2 the price os Assos. I did not know Desoto was American made and that is good to know.

[mo_amyot]

Can't go wrong regardless of which one you choose imo.

[Digger51]

Can't go wrong regardless of which one you choose imo.

[High Gear]

Desoto was a tri clothing maker, I don't know about now though. ASSOS has been around for a loooong time and have made team clothing for pro teams, going back probably into the 80's. I consider ASSOS to be a top tier brand. I never had a problem with ny of their clothing over the years. As far as shorts go, the chamois is a personal thing and you my be more comfortable in one over the other. For me, the thinner the pad, the better.

[jnbrown]

I have not used either but I tried on Assos one time and the legs were way too long and baggy on me.
I have shorter legs, not skinny but not huge either.
I recently bought a pair of Castelli Presto bibs and I am really liking them, the pad is very comfortable and doesn't get in the way. The legs are a bit short even for me.
I can tell you to beware of Gore. I bought a pair of Gore Power Bibshorts and pad is abrasive and caused major abrasions. I was told they could not be returned because it was not considered a defect.

[Fireform]

Assos Mille come in regular and long leg versions. The long legs are 4 cm longer than the regular. Long leg are more popular but you can find the regulars if you look around.

[siclmn]

The DeSoto was a car made by Chrysler when I was a kid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto_(automobile)
There is no way that I will wear cycling bibs named after an old car.
So it's Assos for me.

[hamsey]

I prefer the short leg Mille. DeSoto I found to be more slippery. Comfy chamois in the Assos.

[Digger51]

I would love to roll up to my next ride with a pair of Assos on my back (and bottom), but economic value has a huge influence on my decsion. I found a pair of Desoto 400 mile bibs at a shop near by for $137. I could not pass that deal up. I will be riding a century Saturday in my Desoto 400 mile bibs. The Assos will have to wait.

On a side note: I took a spin last night and wore my Xbionic bibs. I have not worn these in about 4 months. I forgot how comfortable these bibs are. The chamois is a little thin, so they are not good for a century, but for a shoter ride these are excellent bibs.

[Jay Strongbow]

The Assos Mille are great quality but I think "our long distance bib short" is their polite way of saying "our casual rider bigger that average cyclist bib short". Which is great for some not so great for others. (actually I don't just think that, a former Assos employee I know agreed)


They just feel loose. And I don't mean it's a sizing thing it's that the lycra has a ton of stretch and they are cut to have room in certain areas where a race short wouldn't be roomy.

They could be great for you but if you're a slim guy who likes to do hammer rides the are less than optimal IMO. Very very well made and for what they are they are tops though.

Haven't tried the DeSoto.

[Fireform]

I can see that-I'm a large in most race bibs but a medium in the assos mille. Whatever, they fit perfectly and wear indefinitely.

[Digger51]

I rode the century with the Desoto 400. I will give these bibs an A-. They performed better than any other bib I have except for my Capo Dorato bibs. For some reason the Capo Dorato just work for me. I did not have any pain...I experienced some discomfort off and on between 50 miles and 100 miles, but nothing that standing up for a few seconds did not fix. At times I actually felt like I was floating on the chamois/seat.

Only 2 criticisms and one is really a neutral and not a negative. I am not sure how to use the pockets on the legs. I have plenty of room in my jersey for everything I needed. The only negative is really a functional issue. The stitching on the leg at the gripper is so tight I could not pull the leg up for "taking care of business". However the front is low enough and elastic enough that it worked that way.

The Chamois is thick, but I never had the "diaper" feel and it stayed in place without sagging. Overall I am pleased with these bibs and I will use them with confidence on the Cool Breeze Century coming up on August 18th in Ventura CA.

[shoegazer]

The Assos Mille are great quality but I think "our long distance bib short" is their polite way of saying "our casual rider bigger that average cyclist bib short". Which is great for some not so great for others. (actually I don't just think that, a former Assos employee I know agreed)


They just feel loose. And I don't mean it's a sizing thing it's that the lycra has a ton of stretch and they are cut to have room in certain areas where a race short wouldn't be roomy.

They could be great for you but if you're a slim guy who likes to do hammer rides the are less than optimal IMO. Very very well made and for what they are they are tops though.

Haven't tried the DeSoto.

Great info - this is consistent with my experience. I have a few regular legged Mille and are my preferred shorts for my long rides but they are a wee "baggier" than what I prefer. I also I have to size up because of my height which is a consideration. The new, redesigned Rapha pro team short has been great for my last 200k rides - I'll look for a pair of Desoto to give a go.

[Erion929]

I am not sure how to use the pockets on the legs. .

I use them for ID, credit card or cash, and my key fob. Sometimes I put my iPod in there on long rides. Nothing will come out by accident.

**

[Fireform]

My last ditch energy gel goes in one of them.

[MShaw]

The DeSoto was a car made by Chrysler when I was a kid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto_(automobile)
There is no way that I will wear cycling bibs named after an old car.
So it's Assos for me.

Also named for Emilio DeSoto. Nice guy. I've ridden with him.

M