Gore Bike Wear Xenon Sonic Bib Shorts £140

Brand new for 2009, the Xenon Sonic bib shorts are Gore Bike Wear’s latest top-end short and are unashamedly designed for those seeking the ultimate in performance.

And they’re literally packed with technology and features, with every area of the shorts witness to some interesting developments. The shorts employ no less than five different fabrics to allow Gore to provide a high performance product.

On the outside of the legs is compression fabric, something we’re finding increasingly popular these days, which noticeably benefits the fit of the shorts. But the real benefit, claims Gore, is of increased blood circulation during riding from the pressure the fabric exerts on the shorts. Hard to say how much this actually benefited performance, but we certainly felt fast in them and appreciated the close fit.

There’s also mesh panels which ensure you don’t overheat on hot days and the inside of the legs and the bit you sit on is made from a tough abrasion resistant material so they can withstand the harshest of punishment. Gore makes a thing of ensuring its products provide the wearer with high visibility to other road users, and here we find an impressive number of reflective stripes which offer 360 degrees of visibility.

Fit is an important area for shorts, particularly when they cost £140. And fortunately the Xenon Sonics don’t disappoint. A four-panel cut provides a tight fit with the flat lock seams carefully placed so you don’t notice them at all when riding. The bib straps echo this too, being wide and mesh-lined with plenty of stretch in them so they distribute the load evenly and comfortably. A large mesh panel on the back of the shorts ensures sweat can easily escape to the next layer to cope with.

Developed exclusively for Gore by leading chamois developer Cytech, the pad is extremely thin – one of the thinnest we’ve come across – but the use of differing densities of foam and gel foam at the sit bones ensure it provides maximum levels of comfort. It’s meticulously shaped, with a relieved central channel to remove excess pressure from the perineal area. For short and long rides alike the pad proofed comfortable, with the first outing on the second day of the Tour of Wessex, a grueling 6-hours in the saddle, proving a tough challenge that the shorts didn’t fail to impress.

To look after the shorts, a washing bag is provide (like Assos) to protect the shorts from the barrage of the washing machine fast spin.

Black or black/white colours are available and sizes from S to XXL.