Review

Team Tested: The Specialized BIB MTB with SWAT System

22.05.2014
by

With more and more bike factories offering a wider range of frame designs, unfortunately a really important thing is often neglected. What has happened to the humble bottlecage? Who of us wants to take a backpack for water or tools on a short after work ride? The new Specialized MTB-SWAT-BIB-Short offers, thanks to five practical pockets, storage for a bottle, cellphone, minitool and other essential stuff, and keeps it secure close to your body.

Immer alles mit dabei! Bei Bedarf findet in der SWAT Hose, neben der Trinkflasche und dem Handy auch noch ein Schlauch und Pumpe Platz.
Keep everything with you! If it is necessary,the SWAT pant offers room for a water bottle, a phone and also a tube and a pump.
Auch während der Fahrt lässt sich mit etwas Geschick die Flasche greifen, um einen Schluck zu trinken.
Even while riding you can grab a bottle and take a sip.

Three back pockets feature enough storage for the bigger things like a bottle or a tube, while the front pockets are better for shallow things like a map or money for your after ride beer. You can access every one of the pockets easily so you can drink even during riding.

Die Seitentaschen sind vor allem für kleine Gegenstände wie Autoschlüssel und Geldscheine geeignet.
The side pockets are particularly suitable for small items such as car keys and notes.

<p The pad worked really well for us. Right, it is not as thick and comfortable as other very high priced models, but even on rides of about three hours we didn’t need a thicker one. The shorts fit very well.

While the seams are not taped and the stitching is exposed, they still provide good wearing comfort, nothing rubs, and with nothing chafing. The elastic lower leg band contributes to the positive overall impression. Even after repeated washing the shorts are still in very good condition, wear can not be determined.

Unter einem weiten Trikot fällt die Flasche kaum auf.
Especially on hot summer days, leaving the backpack behind is a real advantage – heat build-up? No way!!

Bottom Line

Specialized has managed to significantly improve a simple product like a bib short. This allows you to take important things on rides or races without the need of a backpack. For a price of €59.90 the quality is really good and the function perfect.

For more Information check out: www.specialized.com.

Words: Vinzenz Bader Pictures: Christoph Bayer

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