Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bibs: Is there any other way to go?

I got 3 pr. of unpadded workout shorts from Aerotech. They are great!

I do get the 'rope around my waist' effect though and I'm wondering if it's because I bought a smaller size? or ... all shorts do this.

Question? Do all biking shorts with a chamois do this?

I would think so, I've read the praises of the bibs here and I believe the posters. No reason not to. But $65 for a set of bibs I hope I'll grow out of? Is it worth it? I'm kinda thinking it is, hat the rope.

The chamois in bike shorts has a purpose you'll understand when you get 50 or so miles into a ride.;)

Bibs allow you to breathe better and avoid that compressed feeling. Try them and you'll understand that your butt is worth the extra money! Never skimp where riding comfort is concerned. Been there, done that and got the sore butt to prove it!:eek:

Yeah...this discussion is all over BF. But, a vast majority are bibs-only (myself included) for a very good reason: they just feel better than shorts.

(Way back in the day, I switched just to avoid the suntan at the top of my bottom I would get because my shirt rode up on me :) )

Bibs are the only way to go, i hate when my shorts curl up under the belly, yeah yeah i know, lose the gut and don't worry about that, but i got some time before i don't have to worry about that.

Bibs also keep your "arse" from "crackin" a smile at all the nice folks behind ya....

Try these... on sale for $49.99


http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19867&subcategory_ID=1120

This is a great topic for me as well. Until I read this thread I would never in a million years consider a bib. I also don't think I could ever wear bike shorts or bibs without camoflage..ie regular shorts and shirts over them.

So what would your advice be for me?

Bibs and if you feel too modest to wear them in public, wear a pair of exercise or basket ball baggies over them!;) :D


www.aerotechdesigns.com

Anyone know how the Aerotech sizes run? Since they are a U.S. company I'm guessing that their stuff is not "Euro-cut" which usually means you have to go at least a size larger if you are using U.S. sizing as a reference.

US Sizing....they also have a very helpful customer service dept and actually respond to questions!:p

Try these... on sale for $49.99


http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19867&subcategory_ID=1120

Personally, I value letting my boys breathe too much to ever swathe them in gel. And I don't like it anyway. To me, gel padding is one of those ideas that sounds good but just does not pan out for me. Gel seats suck, gel gloves suck and so does gel bar tape, just not quite as bad.

The Aerotech top shelf bib shorts are pretty nice and of course, gel free.

i couldn't stomach the difference in price between shorts and bibs so i buy aerotech shorts, and a $4 set of suspenders. I put on an "underarmor" shirt, the cycleing shorts with the suspenders holding them up to keep my belly from rolling them down in the front, then a t-shirt or loose jersey over the suspenders. works great and i save lots of money buying shorts instead of bibs.

The chamois in bike shorts has a purpose you'll understand when you get 50 or so miles into a ride.;)

Bibs allow you to breathe better and avoid that compressed feeling. Try them and you'll understand that your butt is worth the extra money! Never skimp where riding comfort is concerned. Been there, done that and got the sore butt to prove it!:eek:

Bibs are also great for those of us shrinking Clydes with loose skin. I often wear a compression shirt under my jersey to help keep things tucked in up top as well.

When you say chamois, are you talking about the pad vs. unpadded shorts?

When you say chamois, are you talking about the pad vs. unpadded shorts?
Yes, padded shorts are the way to go. The chamois protects the tender bits, provides wicking, and increases your comfort levels dramatically! I was of the same opinion as a few others for a long time with "What, me? Wear Padded shorts?" until I tried it.

I wear skintight spandex now and don't feel the least bit bashful about it. The benefits are enormous for the following reasons


Your butt will thank you
Less Wind resistance
Lycra has a high amount of abrasion resistance, for if you crash. It reduces road rash
It wicks moisture better
The chamois helps prevent saddle sores


It's not about style, it's about function.

I'm in about my third season of bibs. Every once in awhile I think I might go back, but I don't think about it for very long.

Another nicety is Chamois Buttr or equivalent. I have a hard time making myself ride without it too, even if it's only for 20-25 miles.

Mike

...I would never in a million years consider a bib. I also don't think I could ever wear bike shorts or bibs ...

I was there once.

http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/2007/02/just-say-no-to-fat-men-wearing-biking.html

Yep, I have an order in for my first bib....the apocalypse is upon us.

i couldn't stomach the difference in price between shorts and bibs so i buy aerotech shorts, and a $4 set of suspenders. I put on an "underarmor" shirt, the cycleing shorts with the suspenders holding them up to keep my belly from rolling them down in the front, then a t-shirt or loose jersey over the suspenders. works great and i save lots of money buying shorts instead of bibs.

I'm reviving this thread because I have a question. I have a set of Verge shorts I received as a gift. They are very nice, but they aren't bib shorts, and as anyone can tell from looking at me I have an enormous gut. I like the idea of attaching suspenders to the shorts to keep them up, but won't the metal clips on the suspenders tear Lycra? Anyone here have experience doing as "HandsomeRyan" has done?

I'm reviving this thread because I have a question. I have a set of Verge shorts I received as a gift. They are very nice, but they aren't bib shorts, and as anyone can tell from looking at me I have an enormous gut. I like the idea of attaching suspenders to the shorts to keep them up, but won't the metal clips on the suspenders tear Lycra? Anyone here have experience doing as "HandsomeRyan" has done?

Look for suspenders that have plastic grippers on them instead of the metal alligator-tooth style clips. Or ones that have the snap-over-fabric fasteners that actually hold a bit of the fabric over a plastic snap that fits into a slotted fastener.

Agreed, plastic grippers are the way for this. Metal will eat Lycra ;)

or if your desperate, moleskin over any of type to increase grip?

maybe thats just me...

Look for suspenders that have plastic grippers on them instead of the metal alligator-tooth style clips. Or ones that have the snap-over-fabric fasteners that actually hold a bit of the fabric over a plastic snap that fits into a slotted fastener.

Test results:

I received a pair of bike shorts as a gift. They are road shorts, but not bibs. And, like many guys with guts, they don't stay up well. While lamenting my lot, I stumbled across the following post on Bike Forums:

"I couldn't stomach the difference in price between shorts and bibs so i buy Aerotech shorts, and a $4 set of suspenders. I put on an "Underarmor" shirt, the cycling shorts with the suspenders holding them up to keep my belly from rolling them down in the front, then a t-shirt or loose jersey over the suspenders. It works great and I save lots of money buying shorts instead of bibs."

I must be spending too much time with Neil "Fixit" Fein, because I decided to put bike short suspenders to a practical test. (Neil F. probably would use zip ties and velcro to solve the problem, but I digress.) I wore my Verge road shorts, held up by inexpensive suspenders with plastic grippers, on my ride on the Skippack Trail Sunday. Because it was 45 degrees, I wore tights and a jacket in addition to my jersey, compression shirt, and shorts.

The first problem was getting the suspender length right. Too much slack and they don't hold the shorts up; too little and the suspenders pop off. Since I ran errands and drove to the trailhead before the ride I came 'unfastened' while in the car. Fortunately the Graterford trailhead was almost entirely empty, and I was shielded by my car door as I reattached the suspenders and 'adjusted' everything back into place.

During the ride I came unfastened on one side twice; once going over a large rise - no jokes, please! - and when I fell after failing to clear a bollard. Other than the fact the shorts didn't roll down in front, I found no significant improvement in fit. So its too soon to reach a verdict, and I'll have to try this again, perhaps in warmer weather when I am lighter and I'm not wearing tights over the shorts.