Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Bib shorts can be super expensive, but what are the trade-offs with cheaper alternatives from eBay and AliExpress?
As road bike saddles have become lighter, the amount of padding included on them has generally decreased, meaning a well-padded and comfortable pair of bib shorts is essential for the avid cyclist.
However, some of the top brands such as Rapha or Castelli will charge you big bucks for a pair of their bib shorts. They will undoubtedly be great quality, but you can also find MUCH cheaper ones on the likes of AliExpress, Ebay, and Amazon. I have used a wide range of different bib shorts over the years, at a variety of different price points, and in this video, I will take you through each option.
At the budget end of the scale, I have the cheapest pair I could from AliExpress that cost me £8 or around $10.
In the middle, I have a pair of Didoo bib shorts for around £20, or $25, that you can pick up from eBay or Amazon.
At the premium end, a pair from a premium Italian brand called Santini, that cost around £70, or $90.
I will compare, the fit, the construction, the quality of the materials/fabric chosen, the padding, the general longevity of each, and finally let you know my personal recommendation.
Got any questions or comments, stick them below 👇 and I'll try to get back to as many of you as I can!
Timestamps:
00:24 – Intro
02:46 – Materials Comparison
04:10 – Padding Comparison
05:28 – Stitching Comparison
06:59 – Verdict
08:13 – Didoo Bib Shorts
10:26 – Conclusion
Product links (Please note, I have no affiliation to any of the sellers linked below):
Santini Core 2 Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/ybvyf499
Didoo Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/y9zr2ewa
AliExpress Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/ybe9rpfb
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Music:
Birocratic (birocratic.lnk.to/allYL) - Fresh Healthy Perspectives
Lakey Inspired (soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired) - In My Dreams, The Process
About Trace Velo:
I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fibre, I’m interested!
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
All products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.
In addition, I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
Bib shorts can be super expensive, but what are the trade-offs with cheaper alternatives from eBay and AliExpress?
As road bike saddles have become lighter, the amount of padding included on them has generally decreased, meaning a well-padded and comfortable pair of bib shorts is essential for the avid cyclist.
However, some of the top brands such as Rapha or Castelli will charge you big bucks for a pair of their bib shorts. They will undoubtedly be great quality, but you can also find MUCH cheaper ones on the likes of AliExpress, Ebay, and Amazon. I have used a wide range of different bib shorts over the years, at a variety of different price points, and in this video, I will take you through each option.
At the budget end of the scale, I have the cheapest pair I could from AliExpress that cost me £8 or around $10.
In the middle, I have a pair of Didoo bib shorts for around £20, or $25, that you can pick up from eBay or Amazon.
At the premium end, a pair from a premium Italian brand called Santini, that cost around £70, or $90.
I will compare, the fit, the construction, the quality of the materials/fabric chosen, the padding, the general longevity of each, and finally let you know my personal recommendation.
Got any questions or comments, stick them below 👇 and I'll try to get back to as many of you as I can!
Timestamps:
00:24 – Intro
02:46 – Materials Comparison
04:10 – Padding Comparison
05:28 – Stitching Comparison
06:59 – Verdict
08:13 – Didoo Bib Shorts
10:26 – Conclusion
Product links (Please note, I have no affiliation to any of the sellers linked below):
Santini Core 2 Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/ybvyf499
Didoo Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/y9zr2ewa
AliExpress Bib Shorts: tinyurl.com/ybe9rpfb
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Music:
Birocratic (birocratic.lnk.to/allYL) - Fresh Healthy Perspectives
Lakey Inspired (soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired) - In My Dreams, The Process
About Trace Velo:
I love cycling, and I love getting pro cycling kit for less. If it’s cheap, from China, and made of carbon fibre, I’m interested!
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
All products demonstrated in this video have been purchased by me, and I have no affiliation to any of the sellers or vendors shown.
In addition, I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
