Mountain bike cycling shorts

For cross-country shorts, foam suits you better than gel once your rides last several hours, because it supports the pelvis better over time. Gel is better kept for short rides and beginners. For a marathon, look at the density and quality of the foam rather than its thickness. The ErgoEssential pad of the Aksium shorts combines two foam densities for progressive cushioning on rides of up to 3 hours. For longer rides, the ErgoContact and ErgoEndurance pads use three or four layers with an OrthoLite insert.

The size of Mavic cycling shorts for mountain biking comes from your waist and hip measurements. Men's shorts run from S, for a waist of 76 to 80 cm and hips of 90 to 94 cm, to 2XL, for 97 to 102 cm and 111 to 116 cm. Women's shorts run from XS, for 61 to 64 cm and 89 to 92 cm, to XL, for 82 to 87 cm and 110 to 115 cm. When you try them on, lean forward into a pedalling position: the chamois pad should stay in place without creasing. Shorts that are too big ride up your thighs, and the pad moves and rubs.

The 7 women's cycling shorts from Mavic have a chamois pad shaped for the female body: women's ErgoEssential on the Aksium models, women's ErgoContact on the Cosmic models. For an XCO race in hot weather, the Aksium Bib Short Women has a breathable back panel designed for women. For long rides, the Cosmic Bib Short Women pairs a women's ErgoContact pad, made for up to 7 hours, with an ergonomic bib that holds the shorts in place without uncomfortable pressure. For winter, you can choose between the Aksium Thermo Tight Women, the Aksium Thermo Bib Tight Women and the Cosmic Thermo Bib Tight Women, and the Aksium Knicker Women suits spring and autumn. Women's shorts come in XS to XL.

With XC bib shorts, wear a close-fitting, breathable jersey, gloves, a helmet and MTB shoes with cleats, and add a windproof layer as soon as the temperature drops. A breathable jersey wicks away sweat on the climbs. Gloves protect your palms from blisters and grazes in a crash. With cleated shoes, your foot stays locked to the pedal when you accelerate and over roots. In cool weather, a light windproof jacket goes over the jersey.

After a muddy ride, wash your cycling shorts as soon as you get home: rinse off most of the mud with water, then machine wash them at 30 °C at most. Use a mild detergent, without bleach or fabric softener. Choose a delicate cycle with a gentle spin. Let them dry in the air, out of the sun, away from a radiator and without a tumble dryer, because the elastane in the fabric does not cope well with heat. The care label always comes before this advice.

Mavic cycling shorts are covered by Mavic for 2 years from the date of purchase, from Mavic or an authorised retailer, against defects in material or workmanship. The warranty benefits the original purchaser, and a defective product is repaired or replaced. Normal wear and tear, improper use or maintenance, and damage from a fall or an impact are not covered. To make a claim, take the shorts and the invoice, or another proof of purchase, to your nearest authorised Mavic retailer. The full conditions, including the countries where the warranty applies, are set out in the warranty policy on mavic.com.