Review: Capo SC-12 Bib Short

Despite the relatively crowded marketplace for high-end cycling apparel, eight-year-old Capo has quickly become a favorite of the race set. The company designs all of its products in Emeryville, California, but manufactures it all in Italy, where everything in cycling goes to get cooler. Emeryville isn't far from Wired's offices in San Francisco, and it's rare that I go for a ride without seeing several people in Capo gear.

I've been riding the company's race-oriented SC-12 bibs for several weeks, and they've become a favorite. I've always felt that $200 was too much to pay for bibs – I'm still on the fence – but these have me questioning that. The fit and fabrics are just so much better than anything I've ridden in before.

The lower four inches of leg band is made from a fabric called Power Lycra that blends seamlessly into your skin and keeps your legs clean of seam impressions. I know that for durability's sake, the upper portions of the shorts have to be made of thicker stuff to withstand the friction of hours in the saddle, but in my dreams there are bibs made entirely of this material.

The Anatomic-DP Carbon chamois, which is proprietary to Capo, is cushioned enough for long training rides, but not so bulky that I wouldn't race it. And the articulated cut and sturdy-yet-thin Lycra of the upper legs holds the chamois perfectly in place.

Capo goes with silicone grippers to keep the leg openings in place, but it's a much more minimal strip than some companies use. Too much silicone can tug and get sweaty, but I forgot about it in these shorts. Still, if you don't have a fresh leg shave, pulling them on will be painful.

The bibs are cut really short in front. This is great for mid-ride rest stops, but the trade-off is less support for your midsection when you're hunched over. If you've got any sort of spare tire, it's only going to look bigger in these.

WIRED Low-cut front for quick nature breaks. Euro-style materials feel as minimalist as body paint. Tiny Italian flag on the left leg makes me want to watch Breaking Away again. Zero chafing from seams.

TIRED Strap fabric is a bit itchy. Sizes are a lie. Unless you're a very small Italian racer, buy a size up. Or two.