Rockrider Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts ST900 review

A budget offering from Decathlon’s mountain bike brand Rockrider, the ST900 shorts demonstrate once again that you don’t need to break the bank to buy decent baggy shorts.

Rockrider Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts ST900 specifications and details

A low-key and lightweight black baggy women's mountain bike short, the ST900 is also available in a bright pink and deep blue.

The polyester/elastane mix is incredibly stretchy and soft against the skin, and is treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR). The short is designed for summer riding, and there are many tiny laser-cut holes on the inner thighs for ventilation.

You won’t find any adjustability in the fit of the waist, although the wide elastic band means that the shorts can stretch to fit your hip shape. The shorts are secured by a zipper fly and metal sliding clasp.

There are two water-repellent, zipped pockets in a fluorescent pink: a small one in the lower back much like in running apparel, and a larger phone pocket on the outside of the lower right thigh, highlighted with a strip of reflective fabric.

A single loop on the waistband is added for the storage of gloves.

Rockrider Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts ST900 performance

Compared to the online fit guide, which suggested that I needed a size XL, the shorts size up big around the waistband as I found the size L fits me well.

The elastic waistband is simple but effective, with no slippage of the shorts. There are also no buckles or tabs to dig in or cause discomfort, so if you usually ride with a bag with hip straps that could be a win for you.

Length wise, the Rockrider ST900 shorts could do with being a little longer for use with knee pads, even on my average sized 5ft4 frame, to avoid any gap between the pads and short hem. For use without knee pads the length isn’t a problem at all.

The larger phone pocket was problematic when riding, slapping against the back of the lower thigh when pedalling. A position higher up the thigh would be better, where the fabric flaps less.

I couldn’t trust the glove loop, as I thought it would be easy for small gloves to slip out unnoticed; I’d much rather an open top pocket to stuff them in securely.

Rockrider Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts ST900 bottom line

For the price, these Rockrider shorts represent incredible value. The sizing may be a little strange and the legs a little short for knee pads, but for budget baggies they’re hard to beat.