Maap Alt_Road Cargo Bib 2.0 review: A marked improvement over the previous pair

Better pockets, lighter compression, sturdier materials. There’s a lot to like here for adventure riders

Maap alt road bibs
(Image: © Will Jones)

Cyclingnews Verdict

Just the right levels of compression, plus improvements in the pocket department have made the Maap Alt_Road 2.0 bibs a brilliant option for big days in the saddle, especially for those after a firmer chamois pad.

Pros

  • +

    Goldilocks level of compression

  • +

    More durable fabrics

  • +

    Better pockets

Cons

  • -

    Firm chamois may not be to everyone's taste

  • -

    Straps are very thick

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Gravel is, to quote Eminem, going through changes. Yes I know these shorts aren’t technically gravel-specific, but Maap’s Alt_Road range is gravelly in all but name, so please just go with it for a second. A lot of the washing machine cycle of gravel chat has been focussed on the bikes, with wider tyres, the advent of suspension, and the death of The Spirit of Gravel (whatever that means) as a result of the ever more popular gravel racing circuit. 

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Testing scorecard and notes
AttributesNotesRating
Design and aestheticsMuch better than the last pair. Good looking, with neat details. 8/10
Comfort and fitJust the right level of compression, but the leg grippers are a bit tight and the straps over engineered. 8/10
Cargo capacityReally good pockets, with the rear ones very well thought out. 9/10
Thermal managementNot the most breathable, but perfect for about 90% of UK summer riding. 8/10
ValueQuite expensive, but they are a decent set of bibs, fashion tax aside. 8/10
TotalRow 5 - Cell 1 82%
Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.

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