The Assos Equipe RS Bib Shorts S9 are the latest version of the Assos Equipe short. They are built on entirely new platform that’s been re-engineered from the ground up based on six years of technology development. The most distinctive feature of the new Equipe S9 shorts is the A-Frame bibs. This is a brand new bracing system to stabilize the shorts & secure the insert in place. The A-Frame bibs attach to the outside of the shorts rather than the inside & are attached at two points, just above the insert & at the waist. The result is that the insert stays in place when you are in the saddle, out of the saddle & anywhere in between. No shuffling about to get comfy when you sit back down. You’ll be able to see the A-Frame bibs on the S9 shorts on the backs of pro riders this year. What’s not as immediately obvious is the rest of the construction. The S9 uses just two panels of material to make the short. A primary “butterfly” panel fully wrapping the legs & converging in the rear to form the new ergo Box structure. This design effectively frames the insert in place & provides you with an ultra-comfortable wrap on your legs using Type.441 textile, developed specifically for compressive hold & silky comfort. The insert in the Equipe S9 shorts is an evolution from the one used in the Equipe Evo. Assos have reduced the overall footprint to shed weight, employed super Air micro Shock foam with 3D waffle, incorporated krater Cooler system to increase airflow up front, & have taken additional measures to anchor the insert at the rear. The result? A lighter, better ventilated, more comfortable & more stable insert. Key Features A-Lock Engineering:S9 racing Fit system comprising new textiles & technologies working in harmony to stabilize the shorts & secure the insert in place. Butterfly Pattern: The primary textile panel fully wrapping the lower back & legs, coming together in the rear. Fewer seams leads to a more uniform hold, less weight, & greater comfort. Type.441:A patented 40-guage warp knit, developed specifically for compressive hold & silky comfort. 200g/m 2, UPF 50+, moisture wicking (idro Fil fast Dry), ice Color, odor Control, & extremely durable. roll Bar:A patented bracing design that mimics a race car’s anti-sway bar by using the bib straps to stabilize the insert & lock it in place as your weight transfers from left to right while cornering. ergo Box:A square pattern construction that effectively frames the insert in the back, boxing it in for added stability. Carbon Xbib:A single section of elastic material—folded over on itself—forming a supportive A-frame that delivers limited vertical stretch in the rear. Above the “X” junction, a more flexible material is employed, incorporating an antibacterial carbon weave, to wick moisture & lay flat in the front. zero Waist:A raw-cut, tape-reinforced edge for the smoothest transition possible between the body & fabric panel. More comfort with less pressure. Ultralight Leg Grippers:A light silicon treatment woven into the leg bands, which reduces fabric bulk & secures the shorts in place without any excessive pressure. 30% Seam Reduction: Flatter seams throughout, with fewer overall, translates to more comfort & lower overall weight (180g). mod. Dep S9 Basalt: Antibacterial microfiber booster top sheet in 3D basalt colorway. Pays homage to the lava stone that gives us strength, stability, & courage. super Air micro Shock foam:A lightweight open cell foam with a shock absorbing composition that returns to its original position, filling the gap every time pedaling position is changed in the saddle through the shift of weight. 3D waffle:A patented, three-layer perforated foam that increases breathability & eliminates excess weight. Surface Reduction Design: Insert footprint reduced from previous Equipe Evo pattern to shed extra grams. golden Gate:A patented technology that interrupts the stitching along both of the insert’s side panels, allowing a more three-dimensional freedom of movement in this sensitive, rotational area. Horizontal Stabilizer:a patented central stitch that secures the rear of the insert to the outer textile, eliminating shifting while pedaling out of the saddle. krater Cooler: System of small holes in the front of the insert that increases airflow so that your sensitive areas are kept cooler.