What's the supposed benefit vs normal padded shorts?
They stay in place, they don't dig in around your waist, you don't get a sunburnt strip on the road bike, they are way more comfortable.
As above.
Don't work their way down your arse, leaving a big gap between them and your jersey. No tight elestic cutting into your waist when bent over all roadie like. Both less important on an MTB.
All the above really. They just work better, though the different is less on an MTB.
Nothing more need be said. Granted, I don’t mtb much, but on the road I can’t imagine wearing anything but bibs.
If you need a poo, what could be better than stripping virtually naked in an unheated loo block in January?
Worth it for me despite this for the benefits listed above.
They hold the pad in place better, there is no constriction around the waist, no gap between shorts & jersey, more comfortable.
If you need a poo, what could be better than stripping virtually naked in an unheated loo block in January?
I normally put my Jersey back on if its going to be a long one
Do you have some sort of internal tape measure?
Ah you know of its going to be a long time...
Do you have some sort of internal tape measure?
That's what the tapeworm is for.
Thank you Martin. I was hoping somebody would close that one off. Much obliged.
Fair enough. Mostly just a comfort thing then.
I've never had an issue with normal ones under my baggies and I'm not a roadie.
My gf just ordered some to try as she's doing a bit more road at the moment, but after trying them she's sticking to normal shorts.
Thank you Martin. I was hoping somebody would crimp that one off. Much obliged.
ftfy
For the ladies it's a bit more of an issue, they do some that unclip to aide a non naked toilet stop.
Mostly just a comfort thing then.
I’ve never had an issue with normal ones under my baggies and I’m not a roadie.
There is not an issue and better 🙂 you will never know what you are missing till you try them!
You lost me at under baggies.
The only reason I'd be wearing baggies over my lycra is if It was wet and I wanted waterproofs
I always thought they were some kind of initiation rite into the dark side and shaving of leg hair etc? I have a pair which I only ever get out if it's really really really cold, like less than 2c & snowing etc, rare on the SE coast. Didn't wear them this Winter I don't think. They aid digestion too, as they keep your stomach & lower back excessively warm.
I always thought they were some kind of initiation rite into the dark side and shaving of leg hair etc? I have a pair which I only ever get out if it’s really really really cold, like less than 2c & snowing etc, rare on the SE coast. Didn’t wear them this Winter I don’t think. They aid digestion too, as they keep your stomach & lower back excessively warm.
I think you bought the wrong product. See that big race through baking hot France in the middle of summer? They’re all wearing bibs....
Yep low front mesh back for most of the year
Depends on your arse shape tbh. I have a large one so non-bib lycras sometime slip down, which means the pad slides forwards so it's not on my sit bones any more and I lose support for my ball sack. This mostly happens if I walk around, it tends to settle down when I'm riding. Less of an issue with baggies if they have clipped in liners, since they have a waist drawcord or belt.
I actually don't like bibs that much because the straps can get sweaty, but it's worth it for pad security.
I’ve never found bibs comfortable maybe it’s a short leg long torso thing. But then I never have encountered the problems people mention for non bibs
Maybe I have a weird body shape but i’ve never got on with bibs- I find the shoulder straps too restrictng. The Rapha core shorts are comfortable and don’t have any of the issues above. “Only” £70 as well.
Not sure tbh. I used to get gut ache on long rides, turns out the cause was energy drink mix not waist shorts. If you need the strapping to hold a pad in place, fair enough, I suppose there's 2 options - get a comfier saddle so you don't need the pad, or bibs.
You can always wear the bib part over your shirt - it makes going to the woods much faster.....
Always wear them just find them comfy with less faff. Not a fan of bags so have specialized SWAT ones. I'll wear base layer and then bib straps over the top so a avoiding the need for total nakedness.
Some of the female specific ones have different strap designs to help with anatomical comfort related issues.
Yeah, I pretty much always wear a base layer of some sort, so straps over that. The RaceFace Stash bib-liners are very vented too.
if you get bib shorts that fit correctly, that means length & a pad that suits you anatomically it feels like you aren't wearing any but obviously in a good way as they support you in the right places. I've found a few thst do this and a lot that don't. price is no guarantee of comfort. I've had expensive ASSOS bibs that were flaunted as "the most comfortable you can buy" that I hated & some I paid £15 for that were my go to pair for long rides.
I'm also shocked at the amount of riders we get in the shop who do loads of road miles in the saddle who wear boxers or briefs under their shorts. no wonder it's uncomfortable!
I’ve never found bibs comfortable maybe it’s a short leg long torso thing. But then I never have encountered the problems people mention for non bibs
Same here. Also, I don't do long road rides, so don't really have the roadie need.
much prefer bib shorts over just shorts, just easier around the waist. The way I size may mean that they are otherwise too tight just where I don't want it..
@scotroutes - base layer under bibs ? what are you thinking of man?! 😉
base layer under bibs ?
this is entirely normal
They're great in the winter for MTB as they add that little bit of extra warmth - especially if your jersey is flapping around.
I've got some cheap 3/4 length ones from planet-x last winter - well worth it.
First commute of the year in my bib shorts instead of bib tights this morning (plus knee warmers obvs) as its finally warmed up enough. No knee warmers on the way home as its predicted to be 15 degrees....love proper comfortable kit me.
@scotroutes – base layer under bibs ? what are you thinking of man?! 😉
My nipples hurt just thinking about the bibs under the baselayer.....
are you rob C olivers opposite/nemisis Scotroutes 😀
People where bibs under their baselayers? That's just weird, it's like there's a hint in the name "baselayer"
As above regarding holding holding them up. Also the back straps are good for stuffing in a small jacket/phone in a sandwich bag if you don't do a proper jersey with pockets.
I’m also shocked at the amount of riders we get in the shop who do loads of road miles in the saddle who wear boxers or briefs under their shorts. no wonder it’s uncomfortable
It is actually possible to cycle a long distance without wearing specific clothing & without any discomfort either.
Its possible to run a marathon in a deep sea diving suit....but why would you unless for charity!
The only reason I’d be wearing baggies over my lycra is if It was wet and I wanted waterproofs
I do off road all the time, adds a layer of protection and the baggies being made of tougher material protect expensive bib shorts.
Can't ride with just baggies even lined ones, there just not tight enough to keep everything under control and out of danger 😟
It is actually possible to cycle a long distance without wearing specific clothing & without any discomfort either.
Exactly. I don't ride road, just MTB, I wear baggies & normal style boxxers underneath, cannot stand anything with a pad & have no comfort issues at all.
I've tried loads of different liners, bibs, pads, etc & none have been as comfortable as without.
baselayer, then bibs then jersey over that. the baselayer needs to be next to the skin to do it's job.
but you don't want the bibs on show so if the base layer is your only layer then over the top (but why would you, just wear a LS or SS jersey because they have pockets for carrying bananas).
I’m also shocked at the amount of riders we get in the shop who do loads of road miles in the saddle who wear boxers or briefs under their shorts.
Why. Boxers work fine for me up to around three hundred miles. Sweaty, gnutchy, padded lycra next to my gnads..yuck.. No thanks.
Bibs over base every time!
It is actually possible to cycle a long distance without wearing specific clothing & without any discomfort either.
Why. Boxers work fine for me up to around three hundred miles. Sweaty, gnutchy, padded lycra next to my gnads..yuck.. No thanks.
Different folks... I ride a fair bit in London in normal clothes but if I'm putting any real time in the saddle I'll wear undershorts. I can pretty much guarantee saddle sores otherwise. Bibs stay in place better and IME work better with baggies over the top as you dont hvae two waist bands interfering with each other.
I'm tall so long body - some brands are comfortable, some arent. Depends on how much stretch there is in the bib. My go-to shorts are the ZipVit.
It is actually possible to cycle a long distance without wearing specific clothing & without any discomfort either.
You mean like riding 200 miles in jeans and some trainers? I would find a lot of discomfort doing that even if you wouldn't.
