[Closed] Bib shorts, what am I missing??

they don't rely on a tight waist-band to stay up, so they can be very comfy.

and you get to pretend to be a wrestler/circus strongman.

the pad varies greatly according to the price (generally). The bib part means the waist is much more comfortable than a waist band and doesn't dig in.

You should probably try a good chamois cream as well if you aren't already. The Assos stuff was a revelation when I started using it.

I'm a recent convert to bibs under baggies and doubt i'll ever go back. As mentioned above it's better around the waist as there's no pressure there and they don't move around on you so i've been more comfortable and not had any chaffing since i started using them

They fit better and they're the right tool for the job, it's that simple really.

Get some with a good pad and you'll be sorted, my default suggestion in the "great pad but not much money" category is from Decathlon, either the 520's (not the 500's, they have a pad that is not as good) or the 700's, both have the same pad, the latter has better quality Lycra.

Thanks for the replies. Iv'e been looking at the Planet X Pro Line ones as they're on offer at the moment and you can't usually go far wrong with their stuff.

Get some with a good pad and you'll be sorted, my default suggestion in the "great pad but not much money" category is from Decathlon, either the 520's (not the 500's, they have a pad that is not as good) or the 700's, both have the same pad, the latter has better quality Lycra.

That's standard advice to all of Decathlon stuff - don't get the cheapest option, always go at least one range up. And try it on in the shop, as the sizing's weird.

PX pro-line are OK as well, I've got [url= https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXRLBS/on-one-raceline-bib-shorts ]these[/url] which are lovely quality shorts but are a tad short in the body for 6'4" me. I don't think the pad is as good as the Decathlon ones either.

Bibs might be great, but they're solving a problem you don't have.

after a few hours things can get a little sore

You want chammy cream for this, not bibs.

If you'd said "after a few hours, the waist band starts to cut in a bit" you'd definitely want the bibs.

By all means get both, but definitely get some cream - can't go wrong with assos.

And if you're out for a very long day (101 miles off road counts, I reckon!), you can take some spare in a little pot. Especially if you're likely to be stopping for a poo at some point and wiping the cream away.

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Agree with nedrapier. The only caveat to that is that most expensive shorts are bibs, and will thus have a better pad. There's no inherent reason bibs will have better pads.

If you're looking at <£50ish that's a moot point though.

So "decent bib shorts" means two things. One, look at bib shorts, two, get some good ones.

As above bib shorts are generally more comfortable when in a riding position. But good shorts will also work if you have an aversion to bibs.

Getting good ones will mean a good chamois which will provide a better fit and more protection. There are a few different ways a saddle can be uncomfortable. Chafing and rubbing will be helped by good shorts and also chamois crème as well as the right saddle. Feeling like you've been kicked in the arse all day will to a limited way be helped by shorts but is probably down to saddle choice.

My recommendation is the DHB aeron race or DHB aeron Pro on wiggle - Own several pairs and the pro level ones are my go to shorts when I'm spending longer than 5h in the saddle. In general within a given range (e.g. Rapha, Assos, Howies, DHB) you get what you pay for. However, you may not find that a pair of shorts from Rapha costing £190 are much better than the top end Decathlon ones.

howies bib 3/4's were £34 delivered on sportpursuit earlier in the week.

I now buy sachets of Chamois Crème (Merlin cycles) to use on long rides. Rode the Sandstone way on Monday then back to Newcastle from Hexham. 140 miles, 3500m of climbing mostly off road, about 13 hours in the saddle.

New shorts are better than old shorts. For long rides like this I normally use my newest stuff as the padding does deteriorate over time.

howies bib 3/4's were £34 delivered on sportpursuit earlier in the week.

yeah, I know! I had some in my basket, this reminded me to go back and complete. Sold out now. 🙁

good tub of chamois cream will make everything better, I wouldn't necessarily go and buy a pair of bib shorts.

My recommendation is the DHB aeron race or DHB aeron Pro on wiggle

If you don't mind wearing team shorts, then there are loads of good bargains about and I have found that the quality of the shorts & padding are very good.
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=&LH_PrefLoc=3&_sop=15&Style=Bib%2520Shorts&_dcat=177853&_osacat=177853&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R1.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xteam+bib.TRS0&_nkw=team+bib+shorts&_sacat=177853 ]http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=&LH_PrefLoc=3&_sop=15&Style=Bib%2520Shorts&_dcat=177853&_osacat=177853&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R1.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xteam+bib.TRS0&_nkw=team+bib+shorts&_sacat=177853[/url]

They fit better and they're the right tool for the job, it's that simple really.

I've worn bibs for well over 30 years and never thought I should swap back to non-bibs. Especially good on chilly mornings/evenings as they keep your kidney area nice and toasty 🙂

I just finished SDW x4 (55 hours) and wore the same pair of mavic sprint bib shorts with a good jollop of udder cream applied before I drove to Winchester. Never took them off, never got a sore, never been sponsored by Mavic, though that may change!

* Your mileage may vary. 😀

Definitely the cream option! I have just come back from our annual week in Europe when I cycled seven days in a row as opposed to my normal twice a week without any pain mainly due to chamois cream!

I can recommend wiggle's DHBs, did 100k today & I didn't notice I was wearing them which is what u want

DHB ASV Pro Bibs arrived in the post today, took them out for a quick 25 and very impressed, as good as my Castellis.

I should try a decent pair of bib shorts instead. Are they generally a step up in terms of performance?

In 2006 or so I decided to train for and do a 24 hour solo. I bought two pairs of Assos shorts, one bib and one normal, cost me the best part of £200 for both. I was horrified at the expenditure.

9 years later they are in perfect condition apart from being slightly faded. And in that time I've never had a sore arse of any kind. Best £200 I ever spent on bike stuff!

Sugoi do a bib baggy system with great shammy and boa waist band and height adjustable baggy - up for simon cowell- down fo dat gang sta luk

Can recommend the howies. I have a pair, have ridden some long rides, up to 113 miles, with no issues. Am waiting for my sportpursuit extra pair to arrive now. I also have the cheaper DHB offerings - they are fine, but have felt sore over 60 miles though. Chammy cream would probably fix that admittedly.

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/in-praise-of-bib-shorts ]In praise of bib shorts[/url] 🙂

Another vote for DHB from wiggle, I've got 3 pairs of the aeron ones always managed to get some in the sale, tried the non-bib version not as comfortable. Only problem I find is when I need to pee, far too much going on or ive put 2 layers over the straps, always forget!

Well, the only pair of padded pants I have are Sugoi - I tried on a bunch of pairs in the shop (pants on), sat leant forward on the wooden fitting room bench. Easily the most comfy of the lot.

So I may have missed out on the Howies the other day, but now Sugoi are on SpoPu, I've gone in high on their top end RSE - £50.

Looking forward to a comfy midriff. Fingers crossed their idea of what shape an arse should be is that same as it was in 2007.

As for liners vs bibs, i bought a load of endura liners and a couple of pairs of humvees. They're ok, but i still prefer bibs as they stay put better, although then the baggies slip down a few inches. Best of both worlds would be bibs and some braces for the baggies!

Bib shorts stop that inch or 2 of your lower back being exposed to the elements on a cold winter's day on a road bike!
I can recommend Vaseline as an effective and cheap alternative to chamois cream.

I used to think DHB bibs were excellent until I bought some Assos ones. No way I'd use anything else now, road or MTB. I'm particularly prone to saddle sores (I think I fidget too much on the saddle) & have completely eliminated them since getting the Assos bibs. Factory outlet for end-of-line-(relative)-cheapness

http://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/men/shorts/t-fi-uno-s5-black.html

Also, Bristol butt'r is an excellent chamois cream.

Just man up and go the whole hog with a skin suit 😉

Skin suits are fully awesome, same amount of moar betterness than bibs that bibs are to normal shorts. Nothing better to make you look fully factory too 😉

I ordered two pairs of the howies 3/4 bib shorts from sports pursuit so i have a small/medium size to send back unless someone wants them?, if you err on the side of small then they'd be perfect, but if you err on the larger side of medium i figure they'd be rather tight around the leg & thigh area.

£34 posted if anyone wants them

I've used a wide range from cheapo to assos. Personally the Howard ones (even at full retail) are the best comfort to price ratio.

It's something you really need to try on though, fit is key, casteli nice as they are just don't fit me very well. Whereas gore, Howies and assos all do.

I can't tell much difference to be honest. Obviously if you go from baggies to bibs, there's a big aero advantage, especially when riding on the road. But in terms of comfort, I find normal baggies with a pad just as good. Or at least 98% as good. And they're less hassle when you need to get your chap out. And definitely less hassle when the turtle's head pops out.

Normally I do put on bibs for the biggest rides, but often ride up to 100 miles and beyond in baggies. Never had any problems.

[quote=thisisnotaspoon]As for liners vs bibs, i bought a load of endura liners and a couple of pairs of humvees. They're ok, but i still prefer bibs as they stay put better, although then the baggies slip down a few inches. Best of both worlds would be bibs and some braces for the baggies!

For me, it is good quality lycra shorts with waterproof Gore baggies, both held up with the same set of braces.

Makes going for a pee easy.

The best braces are the ones with plastic ends they use for skiing / getting thru airport security.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CTM-Elastic-Plastic-Clip-End-Compliant/dp/B004NEOI3E