Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bib shorts fit: thighs vs belly?

Hi All, looking for some opinion (or facts even) here. I have 2 pairs of bib shorts, same brand/style. One pair (the smaller) seems tighter in the thighs (I can see the seams stretch and the fabric feels to be at the elastic limit) but they fit great everywhere else, especially providing a bit of a girdle effect on the belly. The other pair (the larger) fit better in the thighs, but don't provide the girdle effect in the belly I like.

I can pedal in the drops much better in the smaller pair, but not in the larger without my thighs hitting my belly.

What's the downside of having shorts too tight in the thighs?

Anyone know of bibs that tend to be roomier in the legs but with a snug belly fit?

Thanks in advance.

I use the Falconi Deluxe bibs from Love2Pedal...I have a big gut and fat thighs but they fit great in both places and suck my stomach in quite nicely.

Too tight bibs will eventually rip out in the seams or wear out (the fabric becomes see-through) prematurely.

Riding in the drops is for when you're really going gang-busters & need the added leverage or when you need the extra aero benefit. If neither applies, stay on the hoods more.

I've resorted to using a stich cutter (seam ripper) to unstich the lap joint to the gripper elastic in the hems of my shorts in order to make room for my thighs. The down side of not doing so for me, has been the on set of premature cramps. Without cut seams at 0:45-0:55 minutes into a training ride I would start to cramp. I could stretch or move the elastic, or stop and rub my legs for just a few seconds and that would solve them for approximately another 0:10-0:20. This was different than cramps of old, which would be much slower unset, much easier to manage and much more difficult to get rid of. Prior to cutting the elastic, everyone was telling me that it was just me and that I wasn't in condition. But, the only thing that had changed from a few months earlier was the purchase of some new shorts.

I started cutting the inside seam of some of my hems and voila! No more cramps after 2:00-3:00 rides.

Not sure about their ability to provide girdle like support but, Pearl Izumi run a little looser all around than some. I find their XXL almost too loose. Sugoi definately seem tight on the thighs for an XXL. Ive purchased a couple pairs of Campagnolo in XXXL and they seem to provide just the right combination of thigh to waist sizing for me. Although, their chamois' have a spot that seems to hinge back and forth and can pose a chafing issue if "things aren't positioned just right".

Don't know your size but I'm 6'4 1/2", currently weigh 115kg/253lb, have a 50" chest, 41" waist and 29" thighs.
Hope this helps.

You might try other brands. What are you using now? If you can, try areotec. Great bibs.

What are you using now?

The bibs i'm talking about are Pearl Izumi Quest, size XL and XXL. I'm 5'11", 265lb, 42" waist, 52" chest, 26" thigh.

I just moved from shorts to bibs last year and love them. More suggestions on bib brands are welcome. Prefer a thinner, denser pad.

Aero Tech Designs products are great. I have a pair of their "pro bike shorts", as well as their "padded cargo mtb shorts" which I use for the canal path. Very comfy shorts. I am wearing XL at 5'8 and 235 with 38" waist, so you would likely want to look at XXL, IMO. They do make a "Top Shelf Bib Shorts" that might fit what you need.

I have some PBS bibs - not sure the style - that have a different material on the bottom of the thighs to keep them from riding up.

At first, they were great. Now they're too small because my thighs are bigger. I'm having trouble pulling the bibs up high enough to get the chamois in place.

Gonna have to look for a different brand/style for my next pair.