Nema Crown Jewel Mountain Bike Shorts
By James Sharp

No matter how much you ride, five hours or more is a long time to be sitting on a bike saddle. When I am planning an epic, I take careful thought as to which clothes I am going to take with me, i.e. is it going to be hot, cold, rainy or dry. I especially focused on which shorts I am going to wear. Until recently, there was only one choice in my mind: eight-panel bib shorts. Now, however, the choice is much more difficult. Why? For the last couple of months I have been riding in the Nema Crown Jewels, and now I need to add those baggies to the list of shorts for epics.

The Crown Jewels are Nema's top-of-the-line shorts, as the name might suggest. They feature a "Magna Fab" chamois, a liner made of a wicking fabric, an outer made of a four-ply rip-stop nylon, reinforced diamond gusseted crotch, fixed shock-corded waistband and the Nema gaiter system that attaches the inner liners legs to the legs of the outer shorts. Oh, and two cargo pockets, one on each leg, that have two openings each and a stretchy yoke across the back. Whew! That is a pretty inclusive features list!

One pet peeve of mine is shorts that bind or hang up. That is one reason why I have usually opted for Lycra shorts. The Crown Jewels never hung up on me, not once. Remember that "exposed" feeling that some shorts give you when you are in the cycling position? Allowing the yoke in back to stretch eliminates this annoying problem.

The Crown Jewels cost $80 and are worth it. They are comfortable enough to use for an all day epic, they are well thought out with many features that make riding more enjoyable. Will I use them road riding? No, but primarily because baggies on a road bike is like using bar ends on a riser bar, it just shouldn't be done. Will I use Lycra off-road? Yes, if these shorts are in the wash!

Along with the Crown Jewels, Nema sent out a Williwaw jersey. It is a jersey in the loosest sense of the word; really it is more like a t-shirt made out of a technical fabric called Trans-link. It is a perfect match for the Crown Jewel shorts. I found the Williwaw to be light and airy as well as loose fitting and allowed a great freedom of movement. There are no pockets on the Williwaw, the one thing that I would have changed. I really like having at least one rear pocket for an energy bar or camera, something that I would like access to without having to go into my hydration pack, but would be too bulky for the shorts pockets.

The Williwaw is $30, and while it isn't on Nema's website, I have been assured that it is for sale. If you are still wearing a t-shirt on your rides, it is time to step up to plate and get a shirt/jersey made for cycling. You will be amazed at the difference the right fabric can make, and the Williwaw has the right fabric.

Summary: Don't confuse the Crown Jewels and Williwaw with casual wear, something to just hang out in. These are serious riding clothes for serious rides. They are well made, neither the shorts nor the jersey have shown any wear despite averaging two trips to the washer and dryer per week for the last two months. Nema has a winner on their hands with the Crown Jewels, it is a short with which to judge all other baggies and the Williwaw is one of the most comfortable shirt/jerseys I have ever used. Not so good for cool evenings, but in the heat of the summer it moves moisture very well. I would heartily recommend both.

James Sharp is a contributing editor to GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
NEMA International
16651 Gothard St, Suite E
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
USA
714.841.8384
www.nema-usa.com
info@nema-usa.com