Details
The state-of-art eXo™ skeletal pad delivers maximum performance for those who ride long and fast. >Pad and shorts' outer fabric are laminated as a single layer - providing increased precision with minimal movement between the fabrics and your saddle. >Near-seamless interface between pad and shorts' body. >External and internal differential-density mouldings provide additional padding at pressure points without increased bulk. >3D anatomical shaping and seamless construction hug your body for a performance fit. >Polyester-knit face fabric against your skin disperses heat and moisture. >Anti-bacterial finish maintains hygiene. >Dries rapidly after washing.
Reviews
NZ Mountain Biker - Dec 10
Ground Effect's New Zealand made clobber includes the Ringleaders, which are touted as roadie attire, but work equally well under baggies (though Ground Effect also make a baggy specific separate liner with the same chamois, but made from a tighter mesh fabric and without the bib straps). The people's bib short - a classic 10-panel construction bib short that fits well, offers great comfort and has a chamois that despite, or because of, a distinct lack of bulk, is plenty comfortable over the long haul. A mesh back and shoulder straps help the Ringleaders to breathe and the simple exterior does away with colour matched seams or panels in favour of stealth black - apart from the reflective logo on the right leg. On top of the excellent fit and comfort, the price makes them an extremely attractive option and they take our pick for 'bang for buck' bib shorts.
Ride On - Oct 10
Have you heard? Bib knicks are the next level of comfort above ordinary short-style knicks. There's no waistband to press your belly and never a need to hitch them up at the back. Ground Effect use the quality Softail chamois in all their knicks, which is an excellent performer though larger than most. The four-way stretch fabric is arranged in 10 panels for a structured fit and the back section is mesh to be as cool as possible. Despite the Ground Effect assertion that well-made knicks should sit just right, I found the legs gradually rode up and I would prefer they used gripper tape inside the leg cuffs. Bear in mind that bib knicks require you to take off your over-lapping layers for a toilet break.
Verdict: Quality knicks at an excellent price
23/25
By Simon Vincett, Editor
Cycling Plus (UK) - Apr 10
If you like your shorts less shiny then these are worth a look. These have narrower braces than most, and the comparatively high cut at the front wasn't always convenient, but the 10-panel construction ensures a good fit. Sadly, though, these had purely elastic grippers which offered less grip than those with stickier silicone material and they had a tendency to ride up slightly when riding. That's a shame because the brushed feel and subtle looks of these proved popular, as did the multilayered foam chamois.
Verdict: Decent quality shorts but the grippers could have been better. 7/10
Customer Feedback - Dec 08
Bib Mania
Have just received my new bibs, and OMG they would without a doubt be the most comfortable bib shorts I have ever tried on. I've been racing and riding for longer than I care to admit in mixed company, and must have worn nearly every brand available on the market. They're not flashy, but the quality and cut is sublime. I'm happily spreading word amongst the roadie fraternity.
Thanks heaps, Richard
Ground Effect customer and early adopter
UnderGround - Dec 08
Craggy cyclists of yesteryear wore tightly knitted woollen shorts that were cut and shaped not to snag on the bike seat. Black didn't show the inevitable grease and grime from fixing chains and changing tyres. Folklore has it that Tour de France originals placed a hunk of steak between their saddle and posterior. This provided comfort during the day and tenderised the evening meal. Truth or myth, this morphed into a thin leather 'chamois' pad that was the precursor to today's sophisticated multi-level synthetic pads with anti-bacterial contact fabrics. Synthetic fibres developed in the post war era ushered new technology into cycling. Durable, quick-drying nylon replaced wool and the now ubiquitous lycra provided knitted fabrics with amazing 4-way stretch and recovery. Shorts gained greater performance through their body hugging stretch fit.
Ground Effect's range of stretch shorts has evolved through an accelerated list of options - from the cotton lycra Black Mambas in 1994 through various incarnations of the benchmark Sputniks, culminating in the premium Supersonics and Mojos of 2006 with their 10-panel design, Softail pad and ShockWave Lycra fabric.
Bibs have long been the favoured high performance option for elite competitive riders. Over the years we have been peppered with requests for a Ground Effect version. Finally, we responded with the Ringleaders. Grafted onto the proven Supersonics is a 5-panel bib with a lycra mesh back panel for cooling. The fit is even more precise and the absence of waist elastic enhances comfort around your midriff. The high quality, high stretch ShockWave Lycra along with s-shaped leg seams and contoured panel design means we don't have to resort to the discomfort of gripper elastic to stop the legs inching up your thighs.
Shift into the big ring and take the lead.
Frase,
Ground Effect Product Designer.
ShockWave™ Lycra
The core fabric of our summer shorts… 4-way stretch nylon with a non-shiny finish. It's soft against your skin, yet is incredibly tough and dries quickly. Blended with 16% lycra to deliver body-hugging performance and durability. Knitted right here in New Zealand.
> Composition: 84% nylon; 16% lycra
Sizing
This chart is a guide only – if you fall in-between sizes, the right size for you will depend on your body shape and how loose or tight you like to wear your clothes. It's no hassle to swap it, if your first choice is not the best fit.
| Unisex | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
S |
M |
L |
XL |
|
|
Height |
163 -
172 cm |
169 - 178 cm |
175 - 185 cm |
183 - 191 cm |
|
Chest |
91 -
97 cm |
98 - 104 cm |
105 - 111 cm |
112 - 118 cm |
|
Waist |
73 - 79 cm |
80 - 86 cm |
87 - 93 cm |
94 - 100 cm |
|
Hips |
87 - 95 cm |
96 - 103 cm |
104 - 111 cm |
112 - 120 cm |
Unisex vs Women's Sizes
Most Ground Effect designs are unisex. The jackets, tights
and baggy tops generally fit both men and women equally well.
Fitted garments like cycle shorts and some tops are more gender
specific so there is generally a women's version in the Outskirts
range.
Race-ready bib shorts for conjuring tricks under the big top and marshalling the peloton. 12-panel cut with Bandolier™ cuffs and s-shaped seams ensures an exact fit, while no elastic at your waist means no pressure around the pancetta.
> eXo™ skeletal pad - 3D anatomical shaping, multi-level foam, rapid drying, seamless synthetic 'chamois' pad with anti-bacterial finish.
> 'Contour fit' with s-shaped seams.
> 12-panel construction.
> Full flat seaming for enhanced comfort.
> Lycra mesh diamond-shaped back panel and wide shoulder straps for maximum comfort and cooling.
> No-elastic waist means zero pressure around your midriff.
> Made by us in New Zealand.
> The state-of-art eXo skeletal pad delivers maximum performance for those who ride long and fast. The pad and nylon-lycra outer fabric are laminated as a single layer and sewn in as a separate panel - offering a near-seamless interface between the pad and body of the shorts and increased precision with direct contact between the pad and your saddle.
> Combined with variable density foams, 3D anatomical shaping, 4-way stretch and seamless construction, the eXo pad packs one helluva punch.
> There are two main differences between the women's-specific and men's-unisex versions of the eXo pad. While the moulded part of the pad remains the same, the pad is shorter at the front in the women's version. The position of the pad in the short is also gender specific, with differently shaped panels in the short's gusset supporting the pad.
Should I wear underwear with these shorts?
> Hell no. You want to have as smooth an interface as possible between your bum and the saddle. The seams on your underwear will inevitably be in the wrong place - causing rubbing and saddle sores. Also underwear is generally cotton - nice for everyday use but damp skin below is more susceptible to chaffing.
Washing Instructions?
> Ground Effect shorts enjoy a warm machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach. The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and may cause skin irritation. Bleach strips dye and can also cause irritation.
> With shorts in particular, cold-water detergents and those with bleach can cause 'nappy-rash' so if you're experiencing issues in that department try a warm wash and a change of cleaning brew. As a rule of thumb, product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Plant based soaps like Ecover or specific sport wash formula are recommended.
> Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
> The shorts and pad dry super-fast, so drying on the line or hanging over the bedpost does the trick. Or use a dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle.
> UV rays accelerate the decay of lycra. Our fabric is knitted so the lycra component lies on the inside of the fabric - shielding it from the sun when you're out riding. Consequently you should avoid drying these shorts inside-out. It's not a bad idea to do so occasionally as the sun does help keep the pad hygienic - although it is treated with an anti-bacterial finish anyway. But drying in this manner is a trade-off with the damage done to the lycra.
> It's common practice to not wear underwear with your riding shorts so you need to wash your shorts daily.