Hot
- Amazingly comfortable chamois – Century tested
- Compression fabric reduces muscle fatigue
- Slimming panels create a lean silhouette
- Stay cool and dry with moisture wicking fabric and mesh bib
- Wide, seamless leg bands stay in place with silicon grippers
- Tall option provides 1.5” longer inseam
- Wide range of sizing to fit every body type
Not
- Pricey
- No reflective details
Machines for Freedom – regular or tall
Price: $235 MSRP
Color: Black
Sizes: XS-3XL
Tall Version: 1.5” longer inseam
How Obtained: Company sample
Availability: Online
RBR Advertiser: No
Century Tested. Incredible Comfort.
Recently I reviewed Machines for Freedom’s (MFF) new Essential shorts and really liked the fit, comfort and quality. The one thing I would have preferred was a longer inseam. When I found out they offered their Endurance bibs in a tall version, I decided to test MFF’s tried and true flagship product. The Endurance bibs are available in regular and tall versions, with the tall having a 1.5” longer inseam.
My first ride in these bibs was 46 miles. Normally I wouldn’t head out in a new pair of bibs for such a long ride. But after slipping them on, I was amazed at how comfortable they were. Off I went and never thought twice about what I was wearing. Everything stayed in place, no shifting of the chamois, no adjusting or tugging on the leg band, just got on my bike and rode.
Then this past weekend I had a century ride. Same thing…great comfort not only from the chamois and moisture wicking compression fabric, but also how great it looked on me. The shorts part is made of panels that not only make them fit perfectly but also give you a slimming look. The high sides and back keep you covered while the mesh bib straps and panels enhance air flow so you stay cool.
The chamois is the same for both the Essential shorts and Endurance bibs. It is next to skin soft and uses a thermo-molded design to eliminate any extra bulk. It fits all sit bone widths and a high density ‘pelvic track’ insert shaped for a women’s anatomy. According to the company’s web site, polymide-carbon threading is used to make the fabric ultra-fast drying, bacteriostatic, and heat reducing.
The option for a tall version of the Endurance bib provided me with a 1.5” longer inseam so it hit me just below mid-thigh. A wide leg band with silicon grippers kept everything in place and I never found myself tugging at the hem to pull it down.
Bottom Line
You can tell the Endurance bibs by Machines for Freedom are designed by women for women. The fit, comfort and performance are spot on. Even after a 100-mile ride I felt great. These may be pricey but they are worth every penny. If they’d add reflective elements to the leg, they’d be a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women's cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri's full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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