The world's most expensive bib short: Assos' new S7

The world's most expensive bib short: Assos' new S7

US$519/£309 Campionissimo bib features front pouch for genitals

The forthcoming S7 range from Assos

Ben Delaney/Future Publishing

Ben Delaney

Published: September 9, 2013 at 6:02 pm
The forthcoming S7 range from Assos Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Assos Emergency vest is meant for visibility, not weather protection. The top photo is of the vest in normal light; the lower photo was shot with a flash Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Sturmprinz jacket now comes in hi-vis for safety Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short Courtesy
The Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short features straps moved further to the outside of the body Courtesy
The Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short is quite likely the most expensive stock bib short in the world at US$519/£309 Courtesy
All the shorts in the S7 range get redesigned straps Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The compression leg openings offer a svelte look Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short features less restrictive material on the front Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
In addition to the 'KuKu Penthouse,' the Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short has improved breathability on the front Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The rear of the chamois is incorporated into the body seams of the Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short, which reduces a bit of weight, the company says Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
The Assos S7 Campionissimo bib short features a cut-out in the chamois that is filled with a soft-material pouch that Assos has dubbed the 'KuKu Penthouse' Courtesy

Swiss clothing company Assos today announced a new, four-model range of bib shorts dubbed S7, including the top-of-the-line Campionissimo that will retail for US$519/£309.

Assos claims the S7 was six years in the making, with research for an Olympic time-trial suit playing a role in the creation of the new clothing.

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The assos s7 campionissimo bib short features less restrictive material on the front: the assos s7 campionissimo bib short features less restrictive material on the front Ben Delaney/Future Publishing

The Assos S7 Campionissimo sets a new high mark for bib shorts - in cost, if nothing else

Assos also claims to have four pending patents for the S7 line, including the 'KuKu Penthouse,' a soft pouch for the male genitals on the front of the short that is inserted into a cutout in the chamois.

The assos s7 campionissimo bib short features a cut-out in the chamois that is filled with a soft-material pouch that assos has dubbed the 'kuku clubhouse': the assos s7 campionissimo bib short features a cut-out in the chamois that is filled with a soft-material pouch that assos has dubbed the 'kuku clubhouse' Courtesy

Assos cut out a portion of the purple chamois and inserted a soft pouch that the company dubbed the 'KuKu Penthouse'

Another novel design on the shorts is the absence of stitching on the sides of the chamois, allowing it to move freely of the body material.

While the 'KuKu Penthouse' is only on the top two shorts, the whole range gets a new strap configuration, with mesh straps being anchored closer to the hips instead of the front of the of the short.

Other targets for the new shorts compared to past models were reduced weight, increased ventilation and fewer seams.

In addition to the 'kuku clubhouse,' the assos s7 campionissimo bib short has improved breathability on the front: in addition to the 'kuku clubhouse,' the assos s7 campionissimo bib short has improved breathability on the front Ben Delaney/Future Publishing

The front of the Campionissimo is more breathable than the body fabric

The four models in the line are the Neopro (US$199/£129), the Équipe (US$260/£165), the Cento (US$369/£219) and the Campionissimo (US$519/£309).

The Neopro is a three-panel short in a regular fit, the Équipe is a five-panel compression short with a race (read: slimmer) fit, and the Cento gets a 10mm-thick chamois while the rest have a 8mm pad. All the shorts have an elastic chamois with memory foam. The top three models feature an IceColor treatment, which is similar to the better known Coldblack cooling treatment that reduces the surface temperature of dark fabrics.

The Campionissimo weighs a claimed 162g, the lightest of the four.

The forthcoming s7 range from assos: the forthcoming s7 range from assos Ben Delaney/Future Publishing

Assos is positioning its four shorts as everyday (Neopro), training/racing (Équipe), long distance (Uno) and ultimate luxury (Campionissimo)

Assos also has a few new pieces of other clothing, including country jerseys, a hi-vis version of the Sturmprinz jacket (US$589), and a highly compact and packable but highly reflective Emergency vest (US$89) for when you get caught out as the light fades.

The new S7 shorts will be available in December.

The assos emergency vest is meant for visibility, not weather protection. the top photo is of the vest in normal light; the lower photo was shot with a flash: the assos emergency vest is meant for visibility, not weather protection. the top photo is of the vest in normal light; the lower photo was shot with a flash Ben Delaney/Future Publishing

The US$89 Emergency vest offers substantial reflectivity in a highly packable piece

Ben Delaney

Contributor

Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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