Road Cycling - Bibshorts Fit?

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan....

Got a nice new pair of Castelli Progetto Y2 bibs today in the mail and man was I pumped! Except when I tried them on... :( They seem to fit a bit too big.. As this is my first time buying lycra shorts I'm not entirely certain as to how they should fit. I'm 5'9" and 140lbs. so I ordered the mediums. (website says waist 29-31 mine is about a 29)

The crazy thing is I tried a different model of castelli's in a small at a bike shop and they were really tight(like could barely pinch the fabric off my quads tight), but the large felt too roomy. They didn't have any mediums in stock at the shop so I ordered a set online. These however, feel almost like the larges (dunno for sure it was 3 weeks ago when i tried em' on)

Soooooo... I'm just wondering how bibshorts should fit? As I'm still waiting for my roadbike(coming in mid dec.) I can't jump on my bike to see how they feel pedalling, but it doesn't feel like the pad is completely tight to me. They aren't baggy, they just don't feel like they hold everything in place completely snug, however that might change when it's got a seat to hold it in place. Anyways, I won't go on further, give me your opinions if you have any.

Thanks in advance

The big advantage of bib shorts is no waist band. Bent over the bike that band can dig into your gut. As to fit, as long as they are not baggy fit should be fine. Not used to lycra think when you bend over on the bike, you will find a better fit. Some pads contour better than others.. The elite performance bibs are pretty nice.....Larger size pad and seems to disperse heat and moisture pretty good. Favorite bib I have is a Santini short.

Comfortably snug might be a way to describe the fit...if, when you put them on the crotch is snugly fit so the insert will not move around and your shoulders are not being pulled by the bib straps, you should be all right.

Ive heard that you want the straps to be slightly pulling on your shoulders, that way the bibs are held up. Im about the same dimensions as you are, 138lbs or so,5'8, and <30 in waist. I just got a pair of castelli's too, in a small and they fit great. I tried on the mediums and the smalls at an LBS but I couldnt justify getting a medium felt like I was stepping into tight pants, still kinda loose all around. Thing is castelli's sizing for a small is nowhere near my/our measurements. The front of the bibs for me probably go up to my navel at least.

I love mine! You do get what you pay for, but I wish I could pay for more!

I'm 5'11", 185 lbs, waist 34-35" and wear a large. They're not snug, but comfortable enough that, should I loose a few more lbs, they would still not be loose. Goldilocks would love 'em.

Perhaps try on yet a different pair, from a different shop?

Cheers!

I'm not familiar with Castelli, but with some other brands there can be sizing variations between models. Seems odd, but there it is. That's why you just won't know until you try something on, and you should always be prepared to go through the hassle of returning things when you buy clothes online.

I like roadwarrior's "comfortably snug." They should definitely be form-fitting -- there should be no sagging -- and the leg elastic should not allow any movement up or down. The straps shouldn't slide off your shoulders.

RichC

Your responses are much appreciated... I think I'm going to go down to one of the bike shops, there's a guy there who was really good to me so maybe he can have a look at the fit and tell me what the best course of action would be. It sounds from the opinions here that I could possibly go a size smaller. Given TriDevil's dimensions, him and I are nearly the exact same (give or take an inch and a couple of pounds) so I'm thinking if he's fitting the small's well then I probably could too. I've read that the biggest mistake people make when buying cycling shorts is buying them a size too big, and it looks like-despite my best efforts and castelli's sizing chart-I've fallen into the same situation.

Looks like you and I are the same size. I wear bibs and shorts from a few manufacturers and the best fitting are Pearl Izumi and Performance, small size. They fit snug, not tight. The heavier weight material (8 - 8.5 oz) and eight panel models are the best; and, even here in Florida, the heavier weight material is more comfortable. I have a pair of 6 panel Cannelli shorts of 6 oz lycra which gets no use now because the fit is too different from and less comfortable than the others. Performance always has something on sale too - a nice benefit to their best fitting gear. I checked a couple of days ago and saw bibs on sale. 02 DEC 03

I'm 5'8" 135 lb. I have two pairs of Performance bib shorts, both of them are small size. If I ever need another pair, I will go straight back to Performance, I don't even have to try them on. If you doubt about the size, I suggest go one size smaller than you normally wear. Lycra stretches and gives a good support.

I'm 5'8" 135 lb. I have two pairs of Performance bib shorts, both of them are small size. If I ever need another pair, I will go straight back to Performance, I don't even have to try them on. If you doubt about the size, I suggest go one size smaller than you normally wear. Lycra stretches and gives a good support.

I'm the same size as allgoo19 and Tridevil, and size small is definitely for me, both in Castelli and Campagnolo clothing, including jerseys. I have a pair of medium Assos Campionissimo bibs, and they're a little too loose for me. They were the first pair I bought, so I didn't know any differently.

BeardedMonk,

I suggest you learn from what's been posted here, and try to get those bibs exchanged for smalls.

Good luck,
Mike

Thanks all, sorry I've been away for a bit and didn't notice the revival of my thread. I should have mentioned that I ended up just buying a set of small's. Fit me perfectly, couldn't be happier with my decision. Thanks all! :D

BTW, if anyone likes a set of medium's still new with the tags just lemme know, they're collecting dust in the box i got them in. Tags on em' and everything!


Thanks to everyone for your input, I'm a happier bibshort wearer ;)