Road Cycling - Short/bib advice

I am in need of a new pair of shorts/bibs. I have been looking at a number of options, but keep seeing mixed reviews on everythin (that I can afford). I am looking to keep the cost below $100. I read reviews of Castelli, Geordana (I have a pair of the silver line and find them a bit to restricting in the crotch), Nalini etc. Of course the Asos get high marks from every one.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am looking for something that will be durable since I ride daily and will end up wearing the garment several times a week.

By the way, has anyone had any experience with CW-X?? I looked at their stuff and it looks good, but I don't know anyone whou has used their cycling shorts.

Thanks...Bill

I ride 30-40 miles almost every day and have 5 pairs of bibs (2 black, 2 gray, 1 blue) from www.velowear.com that have worn well for the past 11 months. Great value for the price.
I also have 3 of their jerseys.

the only bib shorts that i've ever had durability problems with were volers. comfortable and good fit, but the fabric wears and pills after a while. pretty much any brand-name bib short in the $60-$100 price range will be of good quality. pick the pair that feels most comfortable. my favourites are castellis with the red pad and louis garneaus with the ergo-g pad.

http://www.bicyclinghub.com/shorts1.html
wear wise these have been good. all of them have a little bit of the seam coming apart but it could be they are too tight on me. they don't have a huge amount of padding and it is nice and simple no wacky materials.

I have several pairs of Biemme, SMS and Asics.... (all Bianchi of course) More Biemme than the others,
and have no problems at all with any of them, very comfy, easy to clean and fit fantastic...

I've got 5 pair of bibs that I've purchased here and there. 2 of them are "Trek" brand and the other 3 I really don't know.... Bought every pair on sale, I don't think I paid more than $50 for any of them. They all seem to be wearing fine. They last me about 3 - 4 years...

I've bought a number of my bibs from a website called:
www.bikejerseys.com

They have Santini bibs on sale right now for $59.00 each.. These bibs run one size small. They are light- comfortable and have been solid on the durability side.. Make sure to email the guy who runs the website your siz specs and he will size you correctly.. Here is a link:

http://www.bikejerseys.com/sanbib204xl.html

Etxe-Ondo, one of the lesser known shorts/bibs but very good quality and
wear. They aren't as technologically fancy as Assos, Castelli (just a simple pad)
but they do work.
Doug at bicycling Hub (see link above) has some great prices and
his customer service is superbe.

Marty

I would highly recommend these. Oh course I only seem to wear Pearl Izumi stuff so I might not be the best person to ask but they are very comfy/durable.

Microsensor® 3D Bib Short

http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/image/product/0121-1.jpg

Another vote here for Pearl Izumi.

If your shorts are tight in the crotch try this: While on the bike, riding, grab a handful of lycra from your crotch area carefully. Pull hard and hold for about 10 seconds then release.

I can just picture in my head a gorgeous blonde driving by while I'm doing that...

I've bought a number of my bibs from a website called:
www.bikejerseys.com

They have Santini bibs on sale right now for $59.00 each.. These bibs run one size small. They are light- comfortable and have been solid on the durability side.. Make sure to email the guy who runs the website your siz specs and he will size you correctly.. Here is a link:

http://www.bikejerseys.com/sanbib204xl.html

The even BETTER deal at this same site, IMO: bib knickers for just $29. Granted, in most places the knickers won't be needed again until fall (unless you ride REALLY early in the morning on the West Coast) - but still, that's a heckuva deal.

One thing you must remember when wearing bibs.. It is a bit more complected to take a pee...
I figured out a way to get my arms out from my sleeves and slide the shoulder strap off each side. If you are not sure how to do it, ask your wife/GF to show you how women take a bra off with their shirt on.. :)

I wear the Pearlizumi Microsensor. Cost a little bit more but they last a long time.

Stay away from the Castelli Progetto Y2. They fall apart real quick. They feel like silk and are very comfortable but for that kind of money they fall way short in the durability department.

I am in need of a new pair of shorts/bibs. I have been looking at a number of options, but keep seeing mixed reviews on everythin (that I can afford). I am looking to keep the cost below $100. I read reviews of Castelli, Geordana (I have a pair of the silver line and find them a bit to restricting in the crotch), Nalini etc. Of course the Asos get high marks from every one.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am looking for something that will be durable since I ride daily and will end up wearing the garment several times a week.

By the way, has anyone had any experience with CW-X?? I looked at their stuff and it looks good, but I don't know anyone whou has used their cycling shorts.

Thanks...Bill

I picked up a set of Belwether bibs yesterday for $75. They fit great and were comfortable for the several hours I rode yesterday. Much, much more comfortable than shorts.

my problem with the pi bibs is the chamois. it's just too big. it's like wearing a diaper. maybe i'm old school, but i like a smaller chamois, like the red castelli or the garneau ergo-g. ymmv, of course, but keep in mid that chamois preferences, like saddles, are a very personal thing.

I've had a pair of Pearl Izumi FieldSensor bib shorts for the past 15 years. I alternate between them and a pair of Geordana bib shorts that I've had for 17 years. I'd estimate that I've got over 30,000 miles on them each. The Pearls still look and fit great; the Geordanas are getting a little nappy in the seat.

If you take care of them; they last a long time.

my problem with the pi bibs is the chamois. it's just too big. it's like wearing a diaper. maybe i'm old school, but i like a smaller chamois, like the red castelli or the garneau ergo-g. ymmv, of course, but keep in mid that chamois preferences, like saddles, are a very personal thing.

I guess you need a chamois that fits your - ahem - chamois anatomical area. I happen to have a large seating area and appreciate the large chamois'. The Bellwether has a large one and it is very, very comfortable for me. Plus, you can't beat the price.

I have the PI Quest bibs.... I've had them since Xmas... they are ok.. but I agree the pad is kind big... and I thinkit is part of the reason I have a saddle sore that won;t quite go away...

I was looking at the cannondale bibs at Supergo.. but haven;t heard anything about them

jeff

----- SNIP ------

I was looking at the cannondale bibs at Supergo.. but haven;t heard anything about them

jeff


Sierra Trading post has cannondale bibs on sale for $29.00 !

Sierra Trading post has cannondale bibs on sale for $29.00 !

I checked them out.. too bad they only have Small, or Jumbo... my butt is medium sized :-)

jeff

To append to this thread, can anyone really tell me if the Asos are worth the money? If they are then I'll try them as I haven't found a pair of shorts that I can really call comfortable yet. Tried Performance Century Gel, Voler Peleton and Team shorts, and 2 "Trek" brand shorts. I'm planning on doing a lot of long rides this year and really want my bum and "bits" to be comfortable with no rubbing. I did a metric century a week ago and the Performance shorts rubbed a fair bit.

Listen Man the Assos are the creme de la creme. The Ferrari of shorts....I tried all kinds and the only thing that suited me was those super expensive, super beautiful Assos. I use the FI. Mille, the Pearl Izumi coulnt even hold a candle near them. All I use now is Assos, there expensive but well worth it. The FI.13 seem to have slightly less padding if ypu need less. I even bought the gloves anre they are out of this world.

Bitemail: Best place to buy them?

I can just picture in my head a gorgeous blonde driving by while I'm doing that...
I can just picture in my head a gorgeous blonde driving by and doing that for you ... :D

assos: never pay that much for something you're going to put skidmarks in.

I wear the Pearlizumi Microsensor. Cost a little bit more but they last a long time.

Stay away from the Castelli Progetto Y2. They fall apart real quick. They feel like silk and are very comfortable but for that kind of money they fall way short in the durability department.


I picked up a pair of Pearlizumi's when I was in Boston. I had to buy black shorts, but what I really wanted was something more colourful, like amber. Kind of pricey, though ($120 US!!!), felt like I'd been robbed. Worth it though, if they survive the season.

Lex

To append to this thread, can anyone really tell me if the Asos are worth the money? If they are then I'll try them as I haven't found a pair of shorts that I can really call comfortable yet. Tried Performance Century Gel, Voler Peleton and Team shorts, and 2 "Trek" brand shorts. I'm planning on doing a lot of long rides this year and really want my bum and "bits" to be comfortable with no rubbing. I did a metric century a week ago and the Performance shorts rubbed a fair bit.

My first pair of Assos will be here tomorrow, I'll let ya know. :D

Been very happy with my Cannodale and Aussie shorts and bibs...

Bitemail: Best place to buy them?

I do most of my purchases with excelsports.com mainly cause I dont like paying for stuff that not in stock but they dont have the biggest selection. Check out chicagoland or something like that...or rather do a search on Assos.

My first pair of Assos will be here tomorrow, I'll let ya know. :D

Please do. Seriously. I know things like shorts and saddles, etc., can be very subjective but seeing as how peeps on this board actually ride I tend to take the advice I read here as being of higher value than website marketing!

First impressions, Assos M FI.13 S2.
Out of the box, well the packaging is first rate :rolleyes: , could have saved me 5 bucks, but these shorts are not about saving money. The material is certainly a step up from anything else I've ever worn on my bumm with a very soft, crushed silklike feel to it. The S2 has the stretchable pad (memory foam) with an internal cutout to reduce pressure on the weiner nerve :eek: . It works. They fit about one size smaller than I expected, a large is supposed to fit 5'8 to 6'0, I'd subtract 3 inches off of that unless your body fat is <14%. Fortunately I'm 5' 8.5" so they just fit. On the bike the first thing you notice is they are slightly slicker on the seat than any other bib/short I've worn and it works to your advantage as minor seat shifts are more easily accomplished. I had to work today so my ride is a local route I've worked out that provides some climbing (nothing over 7%, mostly 3%) over a sustained 6 mile grade that is done several times (up and down and up and down), a relatively flat lake loop, 12 miles and then an up and down the grade again. Total miles 38, approx 2600 ft climbing, I averaged 18.1 mph which is aggressive for me, but not a real hard ride. The shorts performed excellently and I noticed absolutely no discomfort 'down there' for the entire ride and after. In fact my bumm and two bits feels like I didn't ride today at all, just carrying some wear from Sun/Mon rides. Very impressive performance in my opinion, far exceeding any bib/short I've worn ( I have not worn Castelli). Now the question is, how long will they last? I'm sold on the comfort factor, but will they last long enough to make them worth the serious coin? I'll keep you posted.

So you are saying 5'9" and 200+ pounds, go with the XL or will the large just fit?

I am 5'10, 200 pounds and I wear the large. I just ordered 2 more cuase I cant wear anything else. I have really become spoiled.

Anyone here tried Descente? How do they stack up?

I am 5'10, 200 pounds and I wear the large. I just ordered 2 more cuase I cant wear anything else. I have really become spoiled.
That's what I'm afraid of.... :o
I think 5'9, 200 is just borderline. I'm 175ish and think if I were you I'd go large (they may stretch a bit). Maybe I just have a long torso, lord knows I got short enough legs. :D


Anyone here tried Descente? How do they stack up?
I used to love their stuff, no idea how they would stack up today.

I just can't see spending $200 on a pair of shorts.

I have several pairs of Nalini pro-style bibs that were only $49 from Sierra Outpost - fit great, look great. I also have a couple pairs of Voler bib shorts I probably paid ~$45 each for.

I just got two pair of Biemme bib knickers for $29 each from bikejerseys.com that are the best-fitting, best-looking knickers I've ever had.

The real issue is - how will they wear? That won't be known for quite some time - months or thousands of miles, probably. I figure I've hedged my bet(s) though by having several pairs of both bib shorts and knickers, so I can "rotate" them, which should make them last at least as long (or longer) than spending the same aggregate $$ and have just one expensive pair to show for it that have to be washed 5 or 6 times a week - which HAS to shorten their life considerably.

With the Assos dont forget to use the little bag you got to wash your bib. Never tug at seams as they say...if you treat it good I expect it should last long. Better than my Trek china made shorts that started falling apart not long after I bought them.

Anyone here tried Descente? How do they stack up?
I haven't worn the Descente bibs (I'm partial to Etxe-Ondo) but I've seen em in
the LBS and they appear very well made.
Descente was THE manufacturer back in the 80's/90's but then left the
scene for a while (import problems if I recall), but they continued to produce
bibs/jerseys etc.
Their jerseys are very nice, and all of their stuff is a good deal since
the price isn't stratospheric (yet).

Marty

Would those GIORDANA PINARELLO BIB SHORTS (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.65070/catImage.False/dept_id.L2~181/qx/product.htm) be a good deal at $45.00??

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/eccStoreFront/stp/product_images/65070/F_65070_1.jpg

Assos are worth the money but at those prices, I only wear mine at the races or on long randonnees. Santini, Pearl-Izumi and Castelli seem fine for most purposes. Can't beat the fit and fabric of Assos but never tell a non- cyclist how much you paid for them..............

Sorebutt, that's a great deal on those bibs. I have two pair like those (just not red) and like them very much. Different Giordana bibs come with different inserts, I like the coolmax insert better than the branded Giordana insert. If you are familiar or have preferernces I'd call and see which ones these have.

They are one of the lower end products (from the description). I have a pair of silver line that are less than a year old (and not used a lot) and the writing is wearing off already!! They do fit snugly (don't pull them up too far or you will be VERY sorry!!). The insert in the Silverline is essentially the same as the one in my Nike Team USPS shorts (has perforated center section with no center channel).

Two other things... 1 - the web site says they are out of them, 2 - Do you ride a Pinarello?? I got a pair of Parantini bibs (Colnago bibs off of World Cycling) and I love them. The only problem is the big yellow panels that say Colnago!! I ride a LeMond!! I got them for the bright panels since I train in the wee hours of the morning.

After doing more research (and reading all the helpful responses here) I think I am going to either go with the Performance 16 panel shorts or another pair of Parantini. BTW - Performance in store price on the 16 panel bibs is $54.00!! Kinda hard to justify spending more unless it is something outstanding like Asos (which unfortunately is out of my price range since I just got the new bike and abunch of accessories for it).

Later...Bill

Anyone know how the Castellis fit? Are they in line with the Pearls and Assos sizewise? The Pearl large fits me ok.

Also, what about Sugoi? I wear a large in their shorts, so I ordered a large in their bibs. The bibs were way too small. The shorts part of the bib was about 3/4" less on each leg than the shorts and the straps barely (and I mean barely) got over my shoulders. The lbs didn't think they were mismarked and so is sending an XL, which I am expecting to be too large. Does anyone have experience with the Sugoi bibs running small.

Thanks.

I have a couple pairs of Santini Gel Bibs that I love. I can ride all day with them and my Brooks saddle. Not as much with some other "bargain" brands. In my opinion it is definately worth the few extra dollars to buy a top of the line pair.

Etxe-Ondo power bibs at Bicycling Hub. $79 for a pair. there are other
Etxe bibs available too.
Campy bibs $69.
I have no experience with the campy clothing, but the Etxe is really good,
wears like iron, is a nice heavy lycra (doesn't stretch out), and the pad is
a throwback to REAL chamois (at least it feels that way) although its synthetic.
check them out at : http://www.bicyclinghub.com/

Marty

Anyone here tried Descente? How do they stack up?

I used to us there stuff in the 80's and early 90's I really liked there jerseys and also there shorts very well made , but nobody sells there stuff around here anymore, so I don't know what there clothes are like anymore.

I have bought 3 pairs of Giordana bibs this year. They are the first bibs I have ever worn. I got my 1st pair from procyclegear on a closeout. 2003 pink Once (I have a Giant Composite bike). I was freaking out because I didn't try them on anywhere and took a chance on the size xxl Euro size 6. I am 5'11" 200 pounds, tall upper body, short legs and they fit perfectly. Since that purchase I bought 2 pairs on Ebay (different auctions) of 2002 pink Once bibs (same size). They have the coolmax insert. Since I live in Canada the Euro stuff is really expensive. Very happy with these bis and the very low prices I got them for.

I can just picture in my head a gorgeous blonde driving by while I'm doing that...

Worse, two red-necks in a pick-up truck and gun rack who think the "****** in tight shorts" is making advances on them! I do ride in some areas where this can be a problem!

There is NOTHING in on the level with Assos, its the Bugatti of bib shorts.