Troy Lee Ace Shorts

Troy Lee’s Ace short is designed with what it calls “gritty XC” in mind and that’s fairly clear from the snug, tailored fit. Luckily it’s available in two-inch increments from 30in to 38in (you may want to go bigger than you think you are, as they are sized rather snugly), and with the four-way stretch material plus two velcroed waist adjusters it’s possible to get a nice, well-fitting short that isn’t going to ride up or down when in the saddle. The short’s cross-country orientation is also clear from the narrower cut of the leg, making for a short with minimal flappage when descending at speed ¬– though this makes the short less accommodating to kneepads too, if you’re towards the gnarly end of the spectrum.

The shorts are secured by a velcro fly and two waist poppers. Two zipped front pockets and a small rear zipped waistband media pocket offer some storage if needed. The fabric used in the construction of the Ace feels solid with good wear and snag resistance but this adds up to a short that rides hotter than some others, despite the small crotch and inner thigh welded vents. Some additional ventilation is possible from the two zipped and meshed front vents and front pockets, though the snug fit can compromise this when pedalling.

The supplied inner with its mesh sides helps keep things cool with a very comfortable synthetic chamois that provides plenty of comfort for long days on the bike and a soft lycra leg cuff that makes it hardly noticeable in use.