I am seriously considering purchasing Assos F1 S5 Mille bibs. I currently own their S5 UNO...which I like very much. My bottom gets a bit "uncomfortable" though after centuries. That may be normal?? Anyways, I heard that the Mille has slightly upgraded padding and better coverage overall. My only concern is sizing.
I am 5'8" and weigh 140 lbs. I generally wear M (Rapha, Castelli and Assos). I was going to order M, but then read several posts and threads saying that the thigh area (grippers) is somewhat wider than usual!?!? I am not blessed with sprinter's hams and quads. Then I have read other threads saying go a size larger with Assos!?! Again, my S5 UNOs on medium fit great. Should I go small or med? Thanks for any feedback.
5 / 5
Great quality, know your fitPostedFebruary 22, 2010
Quality 5 / 5
Value 4 / 5
Performance 5 / 5
Appearance 5 / 5
Fit / Size 3 / 5
Doglover
"Having pairs of all three Assos bibnicks - the Uno S5 the FI 13 S5 and the Mille, I must say that they are all without doubt very high quality. The fit is the key. If you want good compression and racing fit then the Uno and the FI are very similar, almost identical. The Mille on the other hand are, as the advertising tells us, a slightly looser fit. I find that they are perfect in every way except for the slightly more generous leg grip which, sadly for me, is a little too loose. It is only a small thing but enough to leave a little crinkling around the grip. I thought that I might try getting them tailored to just bring them in a bit as I have done with other brands occasionally but am not really happy with the idea of doing so to Assos. It's a shame because the slightly higher cut on the sides and generous shoulder straps all please me more than the cut on the Unos and the FI 13's. Que faire? as the French would say, well, I might have to return these just because of that one disadvantage. As a guideline, I'm 75kg, do weights, have very low body fat yet there is still that little issue around the leg grips. A medium would be too small so I can't see much choice. Don't let this put you off, just ensure that you have a thick enough lower thigh for these. If they had fit me in that regard I honestly think these would be my first choice in Assos bibnicks."
I would hate crinkling around the thighs. I like good compression.
I recently purchased a pair of the Mille bib shorts and they are amazing. At 5'8 140, a small sounds right (definitely not a medium). I have a medium and it fits me perfect at 6 feet and 160, with what i would guess are probably larger quads that average.
An informative thread.
Became enlightened many years ago with Assos jerseys and slowly have accepted forking over 150+ for bibs.
Giving in to the next level 200+
My latest pair(Gore) use the exact insert as the Assos.
25 years of cycling and I still haven't found an insert that "disappears" as rave reviews
always say.
I've never had an unusual fit problem as others with even generic models.
The higher up the food chain does buy you a nicer sewn piece and higher tech fabrics.
I would send a pair right back if that insert feels the same as these Gores I'm using now.
I am like u in that it took me awhile to justify spending over $100 for bibs. But the more long distance riding I do, I really do appreciate higher quality bibs. I also agree that the insert/padding/chamois is the most important factor. But, I also appreciate good quality stitching and fabric. Fabric piling is a pet peeve to me
On Assos' site, the fitting chart says I should be in a medium....172.7 cm. of course, that is only based on height. Aarrgghh, I wished there was an authorized assos store in my area. Still leaning towards S based on everyone's opinions here.
I'm 5'9" 160# and wear a Med in the Mille. I don't have huge legs either and the gripper could be a little tighter. Get the small.
I love how they feel on, but the pad feels like I'm wearing a diaper and I actually start to have problems after 50 miles or so.
I like my Capo, Exte Ondo, and Sugoi pads better. In that order.
Also, I don't know how old your Uno S5's are, but supposedly the newer version is supposed to have a slightly thicker pad.
I'm 5'9" 160# and wear a Med in the Mille. I don't have huge legs either and the gripper could be a little tighter. Get the small.
I love how they feel on, but the pad feels like I'm wearing a diaper and I actually start to have problems after 50 miles or so.
I like my Capo, Exte Ondo, and Sugoi pads better. In that order.
Also, I don't know how old your Uno S5's are, but supposedly the newer version is supposed to have a slightly thicker pad.
Mine are 2012s. Maybe the 2013s have slightly thicker padding and better coverage? I am not sure. If so, I definitely wouldn't mind getting a second pair of Unos...if the fit was better.
Go for the small. I actually own all 3 versions of the bibs and my height and weight are almost exactly the same as you. The only thing I notice between the FI.13 and the FI.Mille is that it is harder to take a leak with the FI.Mille. The front panel is much less stretchy than the FI.13. Doesn't the FI.Mille come in a long and short leg versions? I bought the shorter one and it is a tad shorter than most of my other bibs so the tan line doesn't fall in the same place. If I was to buy another pair of the FI.Mille I don't know if I'd go short or long leg version. I wouldn't want the leg to be overly long either.
I feel stupid....not knowing that there are a few LBSs in my area that do carry Assos products. I don't hit those LBS much, so didn't even realize that they carried Assos products. Will see if I can stop by and try the Mille tomorrow. Will post a feedback regarding fit for those who may still be searching for that "right" bib.
Thanks again everyone for your feedbacks. Looks like I'll be getting a small in the Mille or a M in the "new" Uno.
So I located a relatively local bike shop that sells Assos. They had the Mille in S (regular) and a M (long). Man, you guys were definitely right! The S fitted me much better...snug but comfortable. Not sure if it was b/c the M was the "long" version, but the thigh area was definitely too wide for me....even in the hunched over position, there were still "gaps" (that crinkling look). I am so glad I started this thread first before blinding ordering a M.
The bad news....they only had one pair of the Mille in size S, and it was defective. I almost purchased them, but after carefully examining the bibs, I noticed three distinct areas of fabric piling! I told the manager there, and he just said that they would never sell anything used, and that it was probably just a manufacturing defect!?!?! Ummm, yeah.
I did really like the pad's thickness and the way the chamois formed nicely in areas that required padding.
Thanks again for all of your input. Greatly appreciate. Now to find a pair.
If you're satisfied with your decision, and you're OK with ordering via the web, then I can recommend Belattisport. Excellent prices, and good service.
I would think small. Avoid the so called "classic" cut and go with the shorter ones. the "classic" cut shorts are longer but have the same size cuff as the shorter model (apparently they assume that legs do not taper as you move down closer to the knee).
There is a big difference in 153 vs 140 pounds.
That is almost 10 percent. Imagine a 10 percent difference in pants size: 30 to 33 inches. I know, i know, waist size probably doesn't scale linearly, it is probably a 1/2 power scaling, so the 30 inch waist size would go to 31.5 for a fixed height.
Muscle to fat ratio plays a "big" role also in what size some one of a given weight would find comfortable.
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