Details

Reviews

Ride On - Feb 10

I was immediately taken with the slim-fit look of the newly re-designed Supertanker shorts for men. The new fabric is superior too: a quick-drying and durable nylon rather than the heavy cotton of the original version. The construction is rider- friendly, with no central seam between your legs, and a high- cut elasticated rear waistband section that fits snugly when you're bent forward in the riding position. While this feature inevitably marks these shorts as bike riding apparel, a casual shirt over the top should have you effortlessly blending into the barbeque crowd. The branding is blessedly low-key and the shorts are available in black as well as liquorice grey.

Supertanker shorts come without a chamois inner so that you can wear them purely as shorts. But for longer rides, or in hot weather, or anytime you prefer to have a chamois to sit on, Ground Effect offer the Underdogs as liner knicks. Rather than using standard lycra, Underdogs are made from mesh fabric that better withstands the friction of being worn under a pair of shorts. The knicks are well made and include a quality chamois insert. I must say though, despite Ground Effect's claim that well-made knicks shouldn't ride up, I would have preferred grip elastic in the leg cuffs.
Both of these products are an absolute bargain for the comfort and quality you get.

Function: 4.5/5
Materials and components: 5/5
Construction: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5

by Simon Vincett

What Mountain Bike - Feb 10

"Well constructed, tough trail short that is casual enough to wear to the pub"

These liner-less bike shorts from Ground Effect are designed for the kind of riding you'll find in New Zealand- which is thankfully pretty similar to ours in the UK, so they're perfect for British trail riders. The longer legs are great for keeping you warm, while the stretch waist means these casual fitting shorts work on trail and in the pub.

We found the crotch a little low, which is cool if you drop your saddle bossing the downhills but if climbing's your game you might struggle to slide back on to the saddle. They come without a liner so you can use them with three-quarter length bibs, full winter tights or with a chamois in the summer, offering good versatility.

The fabric's tough too and they saw us through a number of stacks, heaps of mud and a clothes-wrecking washing machine without any major problems- plus they come with a secret tube repair patch, which is a neat touch.

By Owen Coutts
BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars

UnderGround - Dec 09

The original Supertankers were brutally big and tough. They could be worn all day and still do the job for short rides. Key features included a stretch lumbar panel and the seamless 'Strictly Ballroom' gusset. Over time the jeans-weight cotton gave way to grunty Hi-Impact Plus nylon - even harder wearing with a cotton feel, and quick drying thrown in as a bonus.

The latest model rides better and they are staunchly good looking about town. Adopting our proven 'Easy-Rider' waist system from the Double Happys let us slim down the bum for a more flattering look without compromising performance. Longer, slimmer legs made the speed tabs at the cuff redundant. Open hand pockets and belt loops complete the makeover.

Supertankers are the de facto summer uniform at Ground Effect. After a day's work and when the mood suits, it's easy to slip a pair of Underdogs on underneath and take the long way home.

Frase,
Ground Effect Product Designer.

UnderGround - Dec 09

Coville Connection front man Graeme Brown conducted the 2004 prize giving in a pair of stubbies - direct from the L & P TV ad. The Style Police were in attendance and promptly sorted him with a pair of Supertankers. Five years down the track Graeme has traded up to the latest model and penned this note to us.

"Received the new 'tankers last week. Initial field testing results hot off the press...
- The Waipapa Pioneer pub vote last Friday night: Graeme's legs 2/10; Supertankers 8/10.
- Waitangi coffee shop staff this morning: legs 6/10; Supertankers 10/10 - obviously touting for more business and should be excluded based on conflict of interest. Curiously they didn't rate the smattering of mud from the preceding ride through the forest.
- Graeme - very impressed - too flash to ride in really. Much more stylish than the old model."

Graeme Brown
Colville Connection

NZ Mountain Biker - Dec 07

The Supertankers made by Ground Effect are no Johnny-come-lately, in fact they've been around for 11 years. But having spent the winter riding in a pair we felt that a review was in order. They're made from a fabric Ground Effect call 'Hi-Impact Plus', with a stretch Lycra panel at the rear below the waist band and a minimalist pad sewn into the crotch. There is a zipped fly but the waist band does not open, instead the rear half of the waistband is elasticised and two side tabs cinch up the waist. They've also got a couple of tabs at the cuffs if you wish to cinch them up 'romper' style too. Two front zipped pockets and one open rear pocket complete the features.
After four months of use the Supertankers have proven that despite being basic they do a number of things very well. Number one is putting them on. We all supposedly put our pants on the same way but slipping into the Supertankers is too easy - pull on (left or right leg first, it doesn't matter), grab the two waist tabs and pull to adjust. No fly, no dome, no draw-cord, no velcro, no buckles, no clasps or clips, no hassle. Number two is how they sit at the waist. Without a dome or buckle above the fly the front is very flat and as they adjust at the side the result is an extremely comfortable fit and a waist band that doesn't want to fold over. Number three is the cut. yes They're below the knee style, but they're no parachute pants and fit well where they need to, allowing plenty of room in the legs for freedom of movement without being flappy and feeling like you're swimming in them. (Sorry Ground Effect I don't buy your 'big enough for two' claims). Number four is the fly. If you ride for more than two hours chances are you'll heed the call of nature at some stage. Having a large easy access fly makes the job easier - enough said.
The Supertankers don't have a chamois liner (you'll need a separate one for longer rides), they don't have fancy graphics, super fast drying fabric, or extra frills (unless you want to call those strange cuff tabs 'frills') but they do prove 'basic' when done well does a damn fine job.

UnderGround - Aug 04

On a recent two-week break in Vietnam we visited Hoi An, a town famous for its tailors. By reputation they can make anything - from a three-piece suit to a possum G-string. Twelve checked shirts with double cuffs later I was convinced that I had found a shop that really knew its stuff. OK I said, handing over my Supertankers - make a pair of these. No problem, they assured me - come back in 24 hours. Upon my return the shopkeeper looked downcast. This had never happened before he pleased, but to make the Supertankers was impossible. The problem was the three dimensional crotch, which apparently required a piece of software from NASA and a computerised cutting machine. To avoid embarrassment I had a pair made anyway - with a 'normal' crotch, but you know they're just not the same... on the bike - or even walking up the steps for that matter.

Greg Offer, Lyttleton

Laurence plays the Mount Alpha male. Above Lake Wanaka.
Photo: Caleb Smith