Review - Performance Century Bike Shorts

The Century Bike Shorts by Performance Bicycle are an entry-level pair of bike shorts. Aimed at beginning or budget-conscious riders, these shorts are okay to get you started or for shorter rides, a couple hours or so, up to a half-day. If you're looking at bike shorts as an investment out of which you'll get years of use or to use for all-day or multi-day rides, perhaps better spend a little more and get a higher quality pair of shorts that you'll be happier with over the long run.

There's a whole range of bike shorts out there that span the spectrum from a price range of $20 to $200 or more. And with bike shorts, like most other things, you get what you pay for, and that's the case with the Century Bike Short by Performance Bicycle.

These shorts are among the cheapest you'll find on the market, and that's an attractive factor for many riders. And they are probably a good buy given the price. But know what you're getting and maybe consider going a little higher if you're looking for more quality vs. just a price-driven value.

The shorts themselves fit comfortably with an eight-panel nylon/spandex blend fabric and flatlock seams to help thwart chafing. I appreciated the gripper elastic leg openings that prevent the short from riding up, yet don't fit so tightly that they cut into your skin.

The biggest knock I had against these shorts was the whole waistband/drawnstring set-up. If you've got an appropriate elastic waistband, you really aren't going to need a drawstring. It's not like you're ever going to need to cinch the shorts up tight to keep them on your body. If that's actually the case, you've got bigger problems.

What happened in our test is that the waistband tended to lop over on itself at the drawstring point, instead up staying upright and flat against the torso. "Maybe too many Big Macs?" you say. Could be, but I'll point out in return that I'm not the only cyclist who doesn't look like a stickman.

The chamois pad is about what you'd expect for an entry level short, perhaps more bulky than you'd expect when you first put it on but surprisingly comfortable all things considered once you're actually on the bike. It's certainly not a drawback nor disadvantage to the Century short.

One final thing. A common complaint in previous versions of this short was that the sizing ran small. Performance Bicycle has now worked out the inconsistencies in sizing and you'll be safe to order these according to your normal fit, recognizing of course that bike shorts are supposed to be snug.