Bib shorts or cycling shorts without straps?
A common question: cycling shorts with straps or without? For anyone who rides seriously year-round, the answer is almost always women's cycling shorts with straps, also known as “bib shorts.” The straps keep the shorts and chamois in place, even when climbing, sprinting or spending long hours in the saddle. No uncomfortable waistband around your middle, no sagging shorts, and no chamois that shifts once you find your rhythm after two hours.
Cycling shorts without straps have their place for recreational riding, spin classes or when convenience comes first. Make a conscious choice based on how and how long you ride.
The chamois in your cycling shorts: how to choose well
The chamois is the most important part of a pair of women's cycling shorts. A poor or badly positioned chamois leads to saddle soreness, irritation and chafing in the wrong places. Women's cycling shorts with a chamois have a pad that's tailored to the female anatomy: wider, positioned differently, and with extra attention to comfort in the saddle area.
At Acelera, we offer three levels of padding. The Essential chamois is comfortable for rides of up to about three hours. The Intermediate chamois is designed for rides of four to six hours and has a higher density at the pressure points. The Professional chamois is suited to the longest and most intense rides. When choosing a chamois for women's cycling shorts, pick the level that matches the length of your average ride.
Recycled fabrics that move with every pedal stroke
The fabrics Acelera uses for its cycling shorts stretch in four directions. That means the shorts move with every motion without pulling or cutting in. More and more models in our range are made from recycled fibers, because we believe performance and sustainable production go hand in hand.
Flatlock seams prevent chafing against the skin, silicone leg grippers keep the shorts in place, and everything is machine washable on a gentle cycle. Women's cycling shorts with a chamois from the Acelera range: designed for the serious female cyclist who also cares about how her clothing is made.
Leg warmers to complement your shorts
With cycling shorts, you can ride comfortably deep into fall if you also have cycling leg warmers in your wardrobe. Cycling leg warmers connect to the leg openings of your shorts and protect your knees and thighs at temperatures between 10 and 15°C. For the really cold days, switch to women's cycling tights. But for the in-between seasons, women's cycling leg warmers are the most flexible solution you can have. Also check out our arm and leg warmer set for a complete layering solution you can always take with you.