Assos GTC C2 line delivers refined gravel performance

At this point, most brands have slapped some pockets on their bib shorts and said they’re for gravel. But Assos is doing something different with the new GTC C2 line. It is redesigned, from chamois to straps (which are detachable on the women’s) for the needs of off-road riding.

How much can you actually change a set of bib shorts? Quite a lot, it turns out. Far from the hype of the gravel world, the GTC C2 is a refreshingly practical take on gravel gear.

Mille GTC C2 bibs: Goods just for gravel

The most distinct part of the GTC C2 bibs are the part you can’t see. Assos spent the better part of two years designing a chamois specifically for mixed-surface riding. What does that mean? A layer of micro foam is added for extra shock absorption and a different shape at the front of the chamois. That means the insert is thicker than most, but don’t let its static height throw you off. The top micro foam compresses when riding so you get the benefits of vibration damping without adding too much material. It feels different when you try the bibs on but on the bike, it quickly feels natural.

“It took quite a while to find the balance of height and stability,” says Luca Zanasca, Sr. product development manager at Assos. That there are other benefits to the insert, adds Zanasca. “The micro foam layer also dries faster, which is important when you are riding multiple days with one kit and trying to get it to dry out after a quick pre-dinner wash.”

Like other Assos bibs, the insert is only sewn in at the front and rear of the shorts, so it moves freely with your body. When you move around on the saddle, as you do so often when changing riding surfaces and gradients, the insert stays in position with your body.

BisiClick: Adventure ready for all riders

Since one of the appeals of gravel riding is the ability to explore far from the creature comforts of paved roads and other amenities, Assos added its bisiClick magnetic closure system to the UMA GTC C2 women’s shorts. The quick-release system attaches low on the shorts, providing convenience for nature brakes without compromising the stability and comfort of Asssos’s X-Strap design.

“BisiClick is much easier to reach than some brands where the clasp is higher up,” Elisabetta Borghin, lead for the UMA line says, explaining the distinctive design. “It gives the support of two clasps instead of a single clasp.”

Since the bisiClick system rules out rear cargo pockets on the UMA GTC C2 bibs, Assos adds a second stealthy side pocket to the UMC GTC C2 jersey.

Real-world storage solutions

Cargo pockets are a hard feature to pull off well. This is especially true on bib shorts, where thigh or back pockets are either too difficult to access or too shallow to secure anything of importance. Assos has a novel and simple pair of solutions.

For the thigh pockets, adding an extra flap of fabric, kind of like an envelope over the top makes the pockets easy to access and more secure. If this sounds confusing, it’s actually impressively intuitive in use. In fact, the first time I dropped my phone in there, I forgot about the feature until I tried to get it out. It’s easy to get things out, but they’re definitely not going to bounce out on their own.

For the two back cargo pockets, Assos has a similarly ingenious solution. When reaching up under a jersey, bib cargo pockets can be tricky to locate and access. Assos adds “puller” tabs to the two back pockets so you can easily find, and get into (or return items to) the pockets. This lets Assos make the back pockets deep enough to actually hold useful things, too. In fact, I fit a full tall can of a refreshing beverage in one back pocket and it was so secure, even over an hour of riding bouncy singletrack, that I half forgot it was there.

Mille GTC Löwenkralle Jacket C2

The final item in the new Assos gravel collection is the Löwenkralle jacket. The wind-blocking and water-repellant jacket stows away into a small bar bag. This means it’s not taking up space in your pockets of course. But there are more advantages.

“Storing a jacket in a pocket lets it absorb sweat and over time damages the fabric. The bar bag system lets you leave the jacket on the bike,” explains Zanasca. It doesn’t smell, it doesn’t absorb sweat when you’re not using it, so it is always ready and won’t wear as fast.”

Importantly, it makes it a no-brainer when considering whether or not to add the Löwenkralle to your kit on a ride. There’s really no point in leaving it at home and, as I discovered a few times while testing the Assos kit, frequently an unexpected occasion to wear it. Evening temperatures on Vancouver Island drop fast, even in the summer and, whether it was riding that went longer than expected or making my way home after post-ride hangouts, I pulled on the Löwenkralle way more than I expected to when it arrived. It is also much warmer and more cozy than it looks and, if you’re comfortable riding with no hands, easy enough to unfold that you don’t have to stop to pull it on.

Is Assos your next adventure partner?

The Swiss brand built its reputation for high-performance road gear, but its focus on quality design clearly carries over to less paved surfaces. The principle is the same: being comfortable lets you perform to your best, whether that’s racing faster or riding further.

I’ve pedalled the new GTC line on some of my favourite lower Vancouver Island routes and, whether its the endless rail-grade miles of the Galloping Goose or chunky FSRs and sneaky cross country trails, the GTC G2 bibs are comfortable and securely hold any cargo in place. The taller chamois might feel foreign off the bike but the benefits of a bit of added padding are quickly apparent after a couple of hours of steady gravel vibrations. And being comfortable lets you keep putting power on the pedals and enjoy the scenery instead of shifting around trying to find a new comfortable position on the saddle.

2023 Assos GTC C2 line:

Mille GTC Löwenkralle Jacket C2: $485

UMA and Mille GTC Bib Shorts C2: $340

MILLE and UMA GTC Jersey C2: $180