As part of this reviewing gig we’re sometimes asked to check out products we wouldn’t normally choose. This can be a bit of a drag to be honest, but every so often we’re pleasantly surprised to discover a quality product we would have otherwise overlooked. This was the case with the Netti Equaliser Shorts.
Had I tried these shorts on in a store, I wouldn’t have chosen to spend my own precious cash on them. When I first slipped them on, something about the cut and fit of the shorts seemed odd, restrictive almost. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but that impression would have been enough for me to return them to the rack.
I was soon to discover that the reason these shorts initially felt a little odd is that they aren’t designed for swanning around the bike shop checking your calves out in the full-length mirror. Unsurprisingly, I guess, they’re designed for riding in, and once on the bike they fit and perform a treat, providing comfort, support and freedom of movement. The marketing blurb includes quite a list of features, but to be honest all you really need to know is that they have a comfy built-in chamois, a fast-drying nylon outer, some pockets and some vents. Beyond that I suggest you try them out; just make sure you’re on a bike when you do.
LEIF ROY
VIDEO | How Santa Cruz Designs Full Suspension Bikes
Janet Kan November 21, 2022
Kiran MacKinnon is a human dyno. When Santa Cruz Bicycles needs to test, experiment and validate suspension then Kiran is the one of the main people we call on to do that work. Not only is he an extremely talented bike rider and incredibly knowledgeable about suspension, but he can actually interpret and translate what he’s feeling in a way that he can communicate to the rest of the engineering team. This enables them to cross-reference the data they’ve collected with real life, on-trail experience to build better bikes and provide the right setup for our riders. We’re constantly refining our VPP™ suspension as well as the damping tunes shocks we spec on our bikes in order to make sure our bikes ride really, really good.
