Sugoi RS Flex Review

[Nanci]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17585

I took my new shorts on their first ride today. I loved them!! I didn't think I was ever going to find shorts with a chamois as comfortable as that of the Trashy Cat Satin Shorts, which are, unfortunately, no longer available anywhere in any size except XS.

These shorts were recommended to me by Susan Otcenas of TE, because she thought I would like the chamois. I am very particular about the chamois, having been riding with one I really, really liked for close to a year, in distances up to 375 miles. It's kind of important to love it at that point!

The styling of the shorts, 10 panels with 8" inseam, is wonderful. I love how the panels are cut, to really fit my leg muscles, and not make my butt look huge! Very comfortable. The inseam seems longer than 8", too- I'm 5'2", and the shorts end only two or three inches above my knees. The waist/back cut seemed perfect- not too low cut, but not going _way_ up the back like some do. I never noticed the waist band- a good thing- it didn't cause any discomfort or rolling.

The fabric is weird, but nice. "Ultra-Aero: An aerodynamic fabric with a dimpled or golf ball-like surface to create less friction, with a high-tenacity fit to keep muscles energized. Fabric is a dimensionally constructed knit with a dimpled or golf ball-like surface to create less friction and superior aerodynamics when moving through the air." It kind of reminds me of the Speedo Fastskin fabric, which is supposed to make you less resistant in the water. Anyway, it's light in weight, but supportive, and doesn't seem to be too fragile. It didn't feel hot today on me.

The chamois is perfect- not too long, not too wide, not too poofy, didn't give diaper butt- nice and dense and compartmentalized over the sit bones, thinner but still padded and going to stay put under the soft parts, and thin and velvet-like everywhere else.

Leg grippers are the clear smooth kind- nice.

Chamois comparison picture:

From left to right-

White very old Primal Wear quilty kind of big chamois. Comfortable, and I have three pairs, but I wanted a more modern, structured, dense, supportive chamois.

Black and gray and light blue Sugoi chamois. Perfect. See all those shiny seams? You can't feel them, but they keep the foam where it is supposed to be and keep it from bunching.

Giant blue Loius Garneau knickers. Pretty much typical of chamois in all knickers. Exemplifies what I don't like, except it is actually smaller than others. See how featureless the whole thing is? Fine for a couple hours, but then it all bunches together. It's just big and poofy.

Solid black. The perfect Trashy Cat Satin Short chamois. Dense foam in several compartments. Maintains density, doesn't shift or bunch. The first time I sat on it, I thought it was going to be too firm, but I love it now.

Pale blue Trashy Cat Sunflower Short chamois. Nice structure, but thin, and wouldn't be enough for long rides.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm with you on these shorts Nanci.

I called and talked to Molly (well at least I think it was Molly - that's the name that stuck in my head...) when I ordered these - had some sizing questions, and I actually ordered a size smaller in these than I had been wearing in PIs after she very nicely held the two shorts up together and told me how they differed from a size standpoint.

After I wore them once and decided they were now my favorite shorts, I even ordered a second pair. Awesome.

--- Denise

[KnottedYet]

Thank you, Nanci! This is just the kind of info I really need. Love the pic. Hmmmm, new shorts....

Molly is who I talked to during the Zoic experience. She is a babe and very helpful over the phone. Someone give that woman a raise!

[Trekhawk]

Yipee glad to hear the shorts worked out for you Nanci.
These are definitely my favourite shorts.:)

[susanm8048]

The solid black chamois ( trashy cat one ) looks a lot like the top of the line Sheebeast one.

I love it! It is really comfortable.

[Selkie]

I have those shorts but I'm paranoid about the fabric being too thin/opaque and potentially see through. I've been wearing them inside, during Spinerval sessions. Those of you who wear them---is the fabric solid?

[Nanci]

I think it's a little opaque, but I wore white with blue flowers panties under them and you couldn't tell, unless you were _really_ staring. Just looking in the mirror- no. That's how the Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts are, too.

Nanci

[RoadRaven]

Thank you Nanci!!!!!

:D

This is exactly what I needed - some pix to compare exactly what all the fem/male specific shorts stuff is about. :)

If female specific means shaped more like those purty grey and black surgois - then I def don't have any.

All mine are wider in shape like the Louis Garneaux and the Trashy Cat ones...

Dont know if I'd like having less width... hmmm... but how do I know til I try??? :confused:

Thanks again Nanci
You're a star
RR

[Selkie]

I think it's a little opaque, but I wore white with blue flowers panties under them and you couldn't tell, unless you were _really_ staring. Just looking in the mirror- no. That's how the Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts are, too.

Nanci

Nanci - Thanks. I get paranoid about too-thin fabric because there's this dirty old man that always tries to catch up with me and rides right on my back tire. I know he's not drafting because when I slow to a crawl, he won't pass. Also, when he passes me in the opposite direction, he LEERs at me. I always feel like whipping the New Jersey State bird at him, then shooting a big snot rocket at him---isn't that terrible? I feel like such a mean wench for disliking him, but guys like that are just so loathsome. He makes my skin crawl.

I like the shorts--the chamois is very nice. By the way, that's a lovely quilt. You have cute feet :-)

[Nanci]

That's creepy about that guy following you! I wouldn't put up with it. The quilt is from The Company Store, but they don't have it any more, but they always have nice quilts. I quilt, too, or used to, when I was working full time, married, with a kid. Now I of course don't have time! I sure love it, though- but machine quilting, not hand. I thought I had my foot out of the picture! I wanted a pretty background, so there I am, standing on my softside waterbed, trying to balance...Like my sandals tan??

[Brina]

Nanci,

Glad you found the perfect short for you. Sorry the process had to be so painful. I now realize that I got pretty lucky - It only took me 4 pairs to find the perfect shorts - some PIs that I like but don't love, some weird thermal fabric ones that I got from REI a few years ago and quickly donated to rummage, Sugoi something or other (not the RX Flex) that I really hate, and the Shebeest triple S that I adore. Love your comparison photos.

[Grog]

If female specific means shaped more like those purty grey and black surgois - then I def don't have any.

My partner has Sugoi shorts and the chammy is just like that, too. (shape might be a little different...

I think male/female is mostly about the cut of the shorts. I ordered a pair of Ibex shorts that are definitely cut for a women, with ample room for a little rounder belly in the front.

Doesn't fit me at all. :( I love the fabric, but I'll have to send them back...

[Nanci]

The Sugois came with a little card that showed a picture of the male and female chamois together. I'll take a picture of it and post it- the size is way different!!

Nanci

[Selkie]

That's creepy about that guy following you! I wouldn't put up with it. The quilt is from The Company Store, but they don't have it any more, but they always have nice quilts. I quilt, too, or used to, when I was working full time, married, with a kid. Now I of course don't have time! I sure love it, though- but machine quilting, not hand. I thought I had my foot out of the picture! I wanted a pretty background, so there I am, standing on my softside waterbed, trying to balance...Like my sandals tan??

Nanci - I've yelled at him before, so he knows I don't like him. Some day, I'll resort to launching a good snot rocket at him. I've got a Teva tan on my feet, so a sandals tan is a normal sight for me.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for the pic, Nanci! That is really helpful, and I'm not even in the market for a pair of shorts right now!! :)

I will definitely refer back to this thread in the future. :cool:

[Lise]

Nanci - I've yelled at him before, so he knows I don't like him. Some day, I'll resort to launching a good snot rocket at him. I've got a Teva tan on my feet, so a sandals tan is a normal sight for me.
I say squirt him with your water bottle. Like you would a dog that won't take "no! go away!" for an answer. Grrrrrrr.....

Nanci--I didn't even notice your foot before. Fun. :D

[Nanci]

It looks so little compared to the chamois, doesn't it

Nanci

[LL_Super_D]

Nanci,

Thanks for the review! I have the 2005 Sugoi RS Flex which I love. I didn't really like the Sugoi Evolution and just replaced it with another RS Flex pair, the 2006 version. It definitely is of a different fabric from my other pair, although everything else seems to be the same. I was wondering about the sheerness. Good to know it's not as sheer as I think.

[kelownagirl]

I ordered some online - aack! It's just too easy isn't it? And those things are so darn expensive! And there are so many more biking things I plan to buy in the next few months (not to mention a road bike hee hee). OK, now I need new gloves, oh yeah, and shoes and clipless pedals. And a sports bra, and a few tops......

This it turing out to be one expensive hobby...

[Nanci]

See, you _can_ buy love! But it can be expensive.

A coworker is talking about buying a bike, for $200, and is asking me to recommend something. I'm like, Trevor, my pedals cost that much!! That's less than two pairs of shorts!

I _did_ have an ok $200 bike once, though. A low-end Diamondback MTB. But all I did was ride around on paved trails. I guess that was the first bike I bought as an adult. I sold it for $50 when I moved to Florida and bought a "real" MTB.

Nanci

[Denise223]

Hmmmm.... my post didn't make it in here...

Hi Nanci!!

Thank you so much for the "chamois comparison" shots... Excellent.

I think that I'll have to purchase a pair of these, too. I thought I could get away with one pair & just keep putting them in the gentle cycle after biking....but, it would be a whole lot more convenient to have some more!!
Right??? ;) !!

They look very comfy, too!! Do you know if the sizing/fit is like the PI brand??

Thanks again!!!

Have a great day!!

Denise

[Grog]

Depressed by the non-fitting Classica Road shorts (Ibex wool), I just bought a pair of RS Flex this morning.

They are FABULOUS, I can't wait to try them on the road.

[kelownagirl]

Depressed by the non-fitting Classica Road shorts (Ibex wool), I just bought a pair of RS Flex this morning.

They are FABULOUS, I can't wait to try them on the road.

Did you buy them in Vancouver? Can I ask what you paid for them?

I found some online at cyclepath.ca on sale for $120 plus $11 for shipping. No tax - not sure why no tax. The only other place online I could find them was ECO in Vancouver and they wanted $140 plus tax and shipping which would have been just a tad under $170... The bike stores here have so few choices...

b

[DeniseGoldberg]

Do you know if the sizing/fit is like the PI brand??


Denise -
When I bought my Sugoi RS Flex shorts, I called TE and asked for a size comparison with the PI Ultrasensor shorts - I was concerned because when I looked at the size to inches for each of the shorts, they looked a little different. And I could easily have fit into two of the Sugoi sizes. Molly grabbed a pair of each of the shorts, held them up against each other, and described the differences to me. I ended up with a size smaller in the Sugoi shorts than I wore in the PI shorts. I wouldn't assume that's the case for everyone though - it's probably worth a phone call to ask.

--- Denise

[Susan Otcenas]

...They change it, that's what.

I've just seen a sneak peek of the 2007 Sugoi catalog, and I can tell you that the RS Flex Short and chamois are changing again. (OK, now don't shoot the messenger... :o )

So, if you really like these, may I suggest you consider another pair sometime before the end of the year. They will be the same through the fall, but after that they'll be gone. We are a little low in stock right now, but will have these coming in throughout the summer and fall.

Susan

[Denise223]

Hi Denise!


I wouldn't assume that's the case for everyone though - it's probably worth a phone call to ask.


Thanks for your input :) . I am going to order a pair and I'll order them through TE. I've only heard such wonderful things about their customer service, returns, etc...., and to me, that really makes such a difference.

Have a peaceful evening.

Denise

[Brina]

See, you _can_ buy love! But it can be expensive.

A coworker is talking about buying a bike, for $200, and is asking me to recommend something. I'm like, Trevor, my pedals cost that much!! That's less than two pairs of shorts! Nanci

I am LMAO over this one. I told my husband and he looked aghast. Then I told him my pedals cost that much now he is catatonic.

[Grog]

Did you buy them in Vancouver? Can I ask what you paid for them?


Negative. Online at IbexWear for $95 US, plus $22 US shipping and about $30 CDN duties. Quite depressed that I have to return my whole order (also had an inertia jersey, too big) and will probably never be refunded for the duties paid (they have a form for refunds but last time I filled it I never heard back).

If you usually wear M-sized gear, let me know by private message, maybe we can arrange something.

[kelownagirl]

Got my Sugoi RX Flex shorts inthe mail today!! Wish I woulda had 'em yesterday when I rode 100 k for the first time... :rolleyes:

Can't wait to try them out. Still waiting another week for my tank top and my sports bra..

b

[KnottedYet]

Grog - unfortunately, I wear L in Ibex. There are some Ibex groupies on TE, someone might help you out.

If you ever want something and want to try it on, come on down to Seattle and one of us here can tell you what bike shops carry Ibex. Could turn it into a shopping trip and bike ride with the Seattle bunch! You could also try calling the bike shops in Bellingham (especially Fairhaven Bicycles and Kushan Cycles) and see if they have Ibex. Less of a trek for you than Seattle.

[Grog]

Grog - unfortunately, I wear L in Ibex. There are some Ibex groupies on TE, someone might help you out.

If you ever want something and want to try it on, come on down to Seattle and one of us here can tell you what bike shops carry Ibex. Could turn it into a shopping trip and bike ride with the Seattle bunch! You could also try calling the bike shops in Bellingham (especially Fairhaven Bicycles and Kushan Cycles) and see if they have Ibex. Less of a trek for you than Seattle.

The Ibex stuff is on its way back to Vermont. Too bad. :(

I'm in for a ride around Seattle in the early fall though! There's a few of us in the PNW isn't there? Seattle could be a good halfway point for most of us.

[Nanci]

The Sugoi RS Flex shorts went on their first long ride yesterday. 140 miles, 10 or more hours on the bike. No complaints. They have officially replaced Trashy Cat as the perfect short. I did not have one single urge to pull at them, or shift them around, or adjust them, or anything for the entire ride. I _really_ paid attention to how they were feeling after 80 miles or so since it was their test ride- they felt like a second skin. In 95F and 98 dropping to 50% humidity, with two periods of rain, I didn't get any heat rash or problems from the elastic, either.

One thing I did differently than usual was to use some Brave Soldier Friction Zone spread on pretty much everything "down there" to protect from salt/sweat. (Not on the perfect chamois, though- I wear Patagonia seamless panties- can't handle going commando). I put it on after each potty break, so every 25-30 miles or so. I never had the "peeing razor blades" sensation at any time, and when the ride was over, a close inspection (so I could compare to times when I _didn't_ use a chamois cream) revealed no visible damage- no rubbed off areas, no inflammed follicles- nothing. Yes, this morning on my recovery ride I felt like I had been on a bike for a long time yesterday, but I wouldn't even go so far as to call the condition painful- more like a little sensitive. So that was good, too. Brave Soldier Friction Zone smells _wonderful_ and doesn't have lanolin, and is what I would call semi-greasy, and is "tingly" but not numbing when put on.

Nanci

[polaris]

I've been searching for a perfect short since spring. I lost a few pounds over the winter due to illness and my medium shorts no longer fit, especially my favourite Sugois & MECs (Mountain Equipment Co-op here in Canada). They'd be fine for a 30k ride, but after that I started having problems with short-shifting.

I only started having a problem with fit as I started riding longer distances this year. What's comfortable for 30-40 km becomes a real problem around 50k and a major issue at 80+.

I tried Pearl Izumis (C$70), Specialized (C$50) and 8-panel MECs ($59), all in a size Small which is supposed to fit 36" +/- hips. The Pearls are too long (would make a great boob tube), plus a big waddy pad, the Specialized are pretty good (red chamois) but the fabric is a bit too stretchy. The MECs in the Small are a bit snug around the upper hip (makes pee breaks difficult) and the Medium, which I bought last year and fit perfectly then, are now a bit too loose around the waist. Too bad they don't have the drawstring waist like the Sugoi as their pad is terrific.

HOWEVER, the Sugois are JUST RIGHT! The pad fits snug to the body and doesn't shift, the fabric has just the right amount of stretch and the body length is just right for this short-waisted woman. I've ridden over 100k wearing these shorts with absolutely no shifting/discomfort. When I wore them for the first time and they passed the 50k test, I knew I had a winner.

The downside is that they are $119 a pair + shipping but NO tax at cyclepath.ca, the best price I've found so far - do I buy another pair and make sure I don't gain any weight over the winter, or take the chance that next year's model will be even better but probably more expensive. I can't believe I paid that much for a pair of shorts - I wouldn't pay that for a pair of pants!

[Nanci]

I love these shorts, too. I wonder what they are going to change. Probably the fabric, which is so nice...Hopefully not the chamois.

[Bikingmomof3]

Thank You for the review Nanci. I just bought more of my absolute favourite shorts by Shebeest, but I will be referring back to this next time I am planning to buy shorts. :)

[Surlygirl]

I also loved the Rs Flex shorts. They are by far the most expensive shorts I've owned and the most comfortable. The only bad thing was I sat down on my porch and when I stood up I noticed they had two small holes and an abraded area around them on the inner thigh. I had only worn them twice so I don't think is was a wear issue. I don't think I snagged them on the porch and and it just seemed strange. Hopefully this was just a freak thing and I think I'll order another pair but wondering also if they are changing the material or the chamois for 07 and if I should wait. Usually I find something I like and then they change it.

Anyone else have these issues or is it just me? Susan do you know what the changes in the 07 will be?

[Susan Otcenas]

Yup. :)

The fabric is unchanged. The chamois IS changing. The 2006 chamois had sporadic delamination problems (the top layer de-laminating from the next layer) so I think this is part of an attempt to fix that.

I was out on an organized century ride yesterday and I saw TONS of people wearing Sugoi shorts, especially the RS Flex. Popular short, for sure! (I had mine on too. :) )

Susan

[Running Mommy]

I just ordered a pair in my XL big butt size.. :D
Funny I was looking at them last week but I had paid a bunch of bills, so the pocket book was lean. This week I made sure to add THEM into the budget!!:p
I have a pair from 04 or 05 and I LOVE them!! They were my shorts of choice for the Ironman.

[Susan Otcenas]

I have a pair from 04 or 05 and I LOVE them!! They were my shorts of choice for the Ironman.

RM, your pair has different fabric than the current 2006 version. But the '06 fabric is quite nice, so I hope you like it!

Susan