Club Ride Apparel Pipeline Shorts - Review
Idaho-based Club Ride Apparel have been making a name for themselves by producing clothing that's packed with technical features, but with the sort of style that means you don’t look out of place when you’re wearing it off the bike, whether in the office after riding to work or going for a burrito after a lunchtime ride.
The Pipeline shorts are constructed from a PowerWeave fabric. It’s lightweight, breathable, very stretchy and is finished with a DWR water-resistance treatment, which is a bonus for riding through inclement weather. The fabric also features UPF 30 sun protection, not so much use here in the UK, but a nice benefit if you ride somewhere predominantly sunny. The shorts have easy-to-use waist adjustment buckles - flip them open, tension to desired amount, and flip closed. To ensure the shorts are comfortable whether worn with or without a padded short liner, the crotch gusset is seamless. The leg openings are reinforced and works well with knee pads, with enough bagginess to not get caught up in the top of the pads. There are also two side vented regular hand pockets, two around the back, and two vented zipped pockets on the side.
The Pipeline shorts are available in six sizes (XS to XXL) and Molten or Raven colors. MSRP: $79.95 USD.
Good fit backed up with easy to use waist adjusters
Two zipped pockets are useful, they're vented too
The waistband is lined with belt loops if you need them
Secure metal popper button keeps the shorts done up
Pinkbike's Take:
 | As much as I don't like to admit it, I'm pretty fussy about my riding shorts. I like them baggy, but not too baggy. A good length, comfortably over the knee and compatible with knee pads, is a must. They need to fit well, with plenty of waist adjustment. Pockets are useful, bordering on essential. And I prefer a lightweight material so they feel light, but I also want them to stand up well to plenty of use and the odd crash. Not a lot to ask, but the the Club Ride Apparel Pipeline shorts really do deliver on all fronts. I've been testing them through the British summer, which means that they've been ridden in all sorts of weather, from hot and dry to wet and cold rides. Through it all the Pipeline shorts have shone. They're really comfortable with an excellent fit, with a good range of adjustment. The fabric is light and feels airy, making them ideal for day-long rides, and while they probably wouldn't be a first choice for more extreme riding with a higher risk of crashing, they have certainly stood up to some rough usage, and a few crashes. The cut is more trail / enduro, rather than cross-country or downhill, with just the right level of bagginess - I'd give them a 7 on the bagginess scale. The addition of the DWR treatment, while it's not going to keep you dry in a downpour, does keep puddle splashes and light misty rain at bay. The styling is low-key compared to some of Club Ride's other shorts, even though the red colour is quite loud, but a more conservative black is available. They look pretty good I reckon, but looks are entirely subjective, so I'll leave you to make up your own mind on that front. - David Arthur |
www.clubrideapparel.com
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But.. what I will comment and certainly take 100% of the responsiblity is that the "old" buckles sucked! Yep, I said it, they sucked.. and to be honest with you, I cant recall how they got through testing without being noticed. But bottom line.. they did, but now they are fixed. All Club Ride shorts with the buckle system that are leaving the HQ have new buckles with a positive action that stay shut. So my bad, and yes, I am truly apologetic that this slipped through product development.
So, for the color - Red is not for everyone, so we have black as well, and green.. but black in this and many other styles. And really, no one looks at me weird when I wear them in my office.. or at least they wait till Im not looking.
79 bucks for a pair of shorts with DWR, Stretch fabric, gusset, side zippers, storage pockets, reflective - too much? Consisider the cross functionality of these shorts and all of our clothing. The development process starts with the question: Does it work on the bike, then Does it work off the bike. So for 79 you get a short that you can put on for your lifes Ride and your bike ride. We build clothing this way, its our belief and our core philosophy.
But, sure you can find another pair cheaper somewhere. You could also find a pair more expensive., - Basically what I am saying, is that we feel their cool shorts and at a reasonable price with BETTER BUCKLES. The fit is good, the crotch is snug-ish up against your goodies so IT DOESNT CATCH on the saddle when your movin around.. I can wear them when I mow the lawn, grab some coffee or when I ride 40 miles in the Idaho wilderness. Try them at your LBS for yourself. Anyway, thats our 2 cents worth.. Hope it helps we are listening and Thanks for the review David!!
Sincerely, Mike
Club Ride Founder
Oh screw it, $10 above my "limit", just ordered -- www.backcountry.com/club-ride-apparel-pipeline-short-mens
tenn-outdoors.co.uk/collections/mountain-mens-shorts/products/mens-breeze-mtb-off-road-3-4-length-shorts