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Review score
9/10
Assos Mille GT C2 bib shorts are all about comfort and premium quality. It was hard to spot any downsides besides the price and minor pad positioning issues. Definitely, the bib shorts I recommend for endurance cyclists and those looking for the most comfort per dollar spent.
product and testing details:
- Price when purchased: $180 | €140 | £125
- Fabric: 80% Polyamide (Nylon), 20% Elastane (Spandex)
- Chamois: GT C2 Pad
- Size: S
- Cyclist: Chest 91cm | 35.84in, Waist 74cm | 29.13in, Hips 91cm | 35.84in
Positives
- Fabric quality
- Comfortable chamois
- Great fit
- High-quality straps
- Durable quality
Negatives
- Price
- Chamois’ positioning
Assos recently released an upgraded version of their iconic and most affordable Mille GT bib shorts. I was a big fan of the previous version and decided to put the new Assos Mille GT C2 bib shorts to the test. Now that I have used them for about 10-15 rides, it is time to share my in-depth review!
Assos Mille GT C2 vs. Assos Mille GT Bib Shorts: What's the Difference?
Let’s start with a quick overview of the changes and upgrades that Assos introduced in their new Mille GT C2 bib shorts:
Weight
Despite Assos’s claims that the new version is lighter, on my scales, the C2 shorts were slightly heavier (6.53oz / 185.3g vs. 6.14oz / 174.1g). Since I am not a racer, these differences in weight are negligible for me, but it might be important for you.
Manufacturing Country
 The older version was manufactured in Bulgaria, while the new GT C2 bib shorts are manufactured in Tunisia.
Straps
Assos changed the old Y-shaped straps design to the new X-frame one. The fabric and aesthetics also changed. To me, the new straps look and feel more premium.
Chamois
Assos added an extra 3 mm / 0.11in of thickness to the new chamois (the foam used to be 8mm / 0.31in and now is 11mm / 0.43in). Also, Mille GT C2 doesn’t have the perforation holes at the front of the pad that the older version used to have.
Grippers
The gripper width was slightly extended, and the small rubber pieces inside the straps were removed.
Refined Waist Fit
The waistline was extended (sits taller); for me, it is a big plus as the new shorts fit better.
Fabric
The construction of materials used changed slightly. The older version was made of 74% Polyamide(Nylon), 18% Elastane(Spandex), 8% Polyester while the newer C2 bib shorts are made of 80% Polyamide(Nylon), 20% Elastane(Spandex).
And now... in-depth Assos Mille GT C2 Review!
Fit
As with the previous version, I ordered size S without checking a sizing guide. It turned out to be the right size. The overall fit is perfect, and these bib shorts feel very premium and comfortable to wear. I don’t have any complaints when it comes to fit. These bis shorts are SUPER comfy, form-fitting, and don’t cause any irritation.
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As with the previous model, Assos Mille GT C2 bib shorts scored a 10/10 for the fit.Â
Fabric
As I mentioned above, the fabric’s composition changed slightly compared to the older version of these shorts. However, I did not notice significant differences in comfort or material (except for the straps). The fabric is very pleasant to touch and feels premium. In my opinion, none of the $100 price range bib shorts come close to the Mille GT C2 in terms of fabric quality and comfort.
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Additionally, Assos claims that the updated Mille GT C2 shorts have fewer seams throughout the shorts. I have to say that I did not really notice this. Probably the improvements are very insignificant.Â
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As before, I have only positive emotions about the fabric, and this is why scoring it a 10/10.Â
Straps
The straps is one of the areas where Assos made some noticeable changes. Assos changed the straps’ design from a Y to an X-shape, which was historically used on their more premium shorts. The new straps also feel stretchier and more comfortable than the previous ones. I also like their color and find them aesthetically pleasing (improvements to the older ones, in my opinion).
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As before, I have only positive emotions about the straps and think Assos did an excellent job. This is why scoring it a 10/10.Â
Pad/Chamois
As I mentioned above, Assos introduced some minor changes to the new Mille GT C2 model. First, they increased the thickness of the pad by 3 mm / 0.11 in. I guess the intention here is to make these bib shorts a go-to option for endurance cycling.
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Assos also removed the perforation holes at the front of the pad. I am not entirely sure why they did it. However, I did not notice any differences in ventilation.
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The last change I noticed is the color. It used to be black and now bluish.
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Besides this, Assos kept all the other technologies used in the older bib shorts version (for example, goldenGate stitching pattern and 3D Waffle foam).
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Overall, I found the chamois very comfortable, especially on longer rides (as intended). However, sometimes I feel like that pad is slightly misplaced, which worries me slightly. I have to wiggle around to find the perfect positioning.
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Therefore, I am scoring this pad/chamois an 8/10.
Grippers
I found the grippers on both versions of the shorts to be very comfortable and effective in keeping the shorts from sliding around. Assos did adjust the grippers slightly in the upgraded Mille GT C2 version by extending its width and removing the small rubber pieces on the inside.
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Honestly, I don’t think this change made any noticeable difference in comfort or function. I still find the grippers on both versions to be great, and I have nothing to complain about.
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This is why scoring the grippers 10/10.
Additional Observations
1. I noticed that the manufacturing country changed from Bulgaria to Tunisia. It looks like Assos is doing some business transformations.
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2. The new Assos Mille GT C2 Bib Shorts did increase in price slightly (about a $20 increase, if I am not mistaken).
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3. I really like that Assos changed the waistline and extended it slightly. I find the fit to be much more comfortable this way.
Positives
In summary, these are the things I liked about Assos Mille GT C2 bib shorts:
Fabric
The fabric is very pleasant to touch and feels premium.
Chamois
The chamois is very comfortable and became even slightly thicker for extra comfort on longer rides.
Fit
The fit is just excellent! I love the premium fabric, straps, grippers, and chamois, which together created this fantastic form-fitting experience.
Straps
The straps are wide, and the Y-shaped design perfectly distributes the pressure.
Durability
These bib shorts feel and look durable, and the minimal seams build should increase the life expectancy. At the moment of this review, I washed them more than 10 times, and they still look like new. As far as I am aware, Assos gives 2 years guarantee, which definitely sounds promising.
Negatives
There are several things I did not like:
Price
Assos did increase the price of these bib shorts. I guess it is justifiable as they made some subtle improvements. However, now this model (which is the most affordable) is even more expensive. I think it will be a downside for many cyclists out there. If I am not mistaken, the older version was around $160, and the new one is $180. Do let me know in the comments if I made a mistake, as I can’t find the old price online.
Chamois
I find the positioning of the chamois to be slightly off. Nothing serious, and generally, I can find the perfect spot, but I found this a bit annoying. Of course, chamois and fit are always individual, so you might not experience this problem.
Final Verdict
Overall, I am really happy with Assos Mille GT C2 bib shorts and would recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality and comfortable pair of bib shorts. They are made to last and will be your best friend on longer rides when comfort is everything.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Are Assos bib shorts worth it?
Yes, they are definitely worth the price if you are a regular cyclist, and comfort is your primary consideration. That said, you can always own a few pairs of cycling bib shorts and only use Assos bibs occasionally. This way, you will increase their life expectancy and will be able to enjoy these shorts for longer.
2. Why Assos is so expensive?
Assos is a relatively more expensive brand because they use premium quality fabric to manufacture their products. Many bits and pieces go into apparel manufacturing, and in many cases, Assos uses better quality components than other popular brands. This drives the price up, but the quality improves as well.
