I’m thinking that the Spesh SWAT bibs could solve the problem of my bike’s lack of bottle cage mounts and my dislike of rucksacks. Anyone used them? From the press release, it looks as though you can carry a water bottle in the back pocket without it flapping around too much or falling out. I guess I want to know if a bottle can really stay up there without being annoying, and whether the bibs are actually comfortable.

It doesn’t look as though you can buy them on their own, but they come as a set with some decent-looking ‘trail’ shorts which I probably would use.

http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Riding-Shorts,64/Specialized/Mountain-Bib-Liner-with-SWAT,14516

Any thoughts?

I have some, as I hate wearing a backpack, so thought it had to worth a try instead. They are pretty good, and yes you can fit a bottle in them.

I didn’t realise you can only buy them with the shorts here, I bought them alone in Canada, might be worth investigating if you don’t need the shorts as they are very expensive over here!

Also worth noting it looks like Raceface are doing some this year too.

How is it different to wearing a jersey with pockets?

I’ve never worn a super tight lycra jersey, so I wouldn’t know. I imagine a non lycra jersey with rear pockets would bounce all over the place when loaded up though.

I wouldn’t wear something like that to ride in anyway, this lot just hides under my normal riding jerseys. I only carry tools and spares though. As my bike has a bottle cage.

I like the out baggy short part as its nice and thin for the summer. But don’t find the bib shorts comfy
I prefer a bib short to fit tighter round my leg than the swat ones do

How is it different to wearing a jersey with pockets?

I was hoping that the bibs would hold a bottle more securely. I’ve got some tight-ish lycra tops for the road bike but none of them will accept a bottle securely. Even if it was secure, it would still bounce around a fair bit.

I know Camelbak do some kind of waist-mounted water bottle carrier. Might be worth checking out if you don’t need a full rucksack style hydration pack.

http://www.camelbak.com/en/Canada/Military-Tactical/Packs/Hi-Viz-Flashflo.aspx

http://www.camelbak.com/en/Canada/Military-Tactical/Packs/Hi-Viz-Venture.aspx

EDIT: You can get them in other colours e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-venture-twin-bottle-belt-2013/ but Wiggle are currently out of stock.