Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Cycling bibs

Anyone have good luck with a particular brand? I bought two pairs, one a mavic, the other were Specialized brand. I have worn each pair 3 times each and I noticed last night that both pairs had fraying near the padding on the backside. The Specialized just started fraying and the mavic have a hole work through. Both are in near identically areas.

What could cause this? Seat? Riding position? The bike store said they would allow me to return them since I got them less then 2 weeks ago.

Hard to say, but specialized stuff is usually pretty well made. Where did you buy them? If local, go ask the dudes that sold them to you.

I've never had issues like that with shorts, including inexpensive performance brand shorts. I certainly wouldn't ignore the fact that you have the same problem on two different shorts.

I have both Giordana and Louis Garneau and both seem good but the Giordana seem to have better padding. The model names i am not sure as neither have it on the label and i threw away the tags.

I've had some big-name shorts over the years, but until last year the only bibs I'd ever had were Cannondale (which were fine) and Bellwether (which were also fine, but not quite the equal of the C'dales). But then, at the recommendation of a couple of folks here, I bought a pair of Falconi Deluxe bibs from Love2Pedal.com and I've been super happy with them. Their quality is on par with the fancier shorts I've owned, but at a much more reasonable price than big-name bibs.

2 years ago I bought a pair of Specialized Roubaix Bibs at $160. I then went onto to complain for weeks (to my wife) how I couldnt feel a difference from cheaper alternatives (Nashbar) and that I felt ripped off. Two years later, I still have the same bibs and I love them. Ive come to appreciate just how well they fit and that the chamois is "just enough" without being like a diaper. They are washed weekly but worn at least twice a week. They still look great after approx 100+ washes.

I must admit - Id buy them again ;)

I really like both pairs, it just seems that both ripped in the exact same area. The mavic was about $50 cheaper then the specialized, but both fit great. The specialized are better for warmer days, kind of like the summer BDUs versus the winter BDUs that I used to wear.

I like Aereo Tech brand.

If you're wearing a hole in the same spot in both pairs of bibs something is rubbing and chafing them.

Check your seat, seat bag or any sharp or rough area on your bike. Do you notice any irritation on your skin in a corresponding spot?

Years ago I was trying out a newly designed seat bag for a product manager for a large bike manufacture. The velcro stap on the seat bag was all wrong. Within a 20 mile commute it had worn a hole through my tights, my shorts and my leg. Needless to say, the bag was redesigned.

My personal preference is for either Pearl Izumi or Craft bibs.

Semper Fi

Indeed if the holes are in the same spot, something is causing it outside of the shorts. I'm not sure where your referring to by using the term "backside" though. I have however, had a hole develop in one ride simply by having the shorts keep hitting the velcro strap on my seatbag every pedal stroke. That rapidly frays away the lycra. That's a pretty good shop for letting you return them too btw. And for the record, My Pearl Izumi's are still going strong after nearly 10 years of riding in them.

I've had good luck on durability with all of my bib shorts and tights.

For fit (6'6" and averaged 235 - 240 with a 42" middle for a while) I've done well with the following:

Performance Ultra II
Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor
Assos FI.Mille
Hincapie Velocity
Craft Winter knicks
Pearl Izumi AmFib winter tights

The most comfortable ones I have are the Sugoi RS Bib.

I got a pair of those $30 Ridley Bio Racer bibs off nashbar and they're really quite nice. The material is a little thin, the chamois isn't top notch, and I had to restitch one section to keep the stitching from pulling out but overall they're REALLY nice for $30.

The legs are just right for us clydes. :)

Almost all of my gear is Sugoi. My RS Bib Knickers had been in a couple of crashes, and finally after a high speed crash that produced several broken bones, and some twisted metal, did they produce a hole, or a partially split seam. And even at that, they are still quite wearable. I just throw a pair of gym shorts over them to cover the damage, and use them for shorter rides now.

That pair was replaced by yet another pair of Sugoi RS Bib Knickers, though a couple models newer.

Backside means butt. It isn't in the taint area. The holes/fraying are on the right and left of the sit bone pad. Nothing is bothering me when I ride. The saddle bag does not make contact with my backside/butt when I ride.

I have been looking at getting a couple more pairs of bibs. I will have to look at nashbar

Question on fit: my legs/thighs/waist have slimmed down a lot faster than my belly (currently 5' 11" and 235 lbs, with a 38" waist). Does anybody else with similar build have any suggestions on bib shorts? Any specific feedback on fit of the Pearl Izumi Ultrasensors or the Falconi Deluxe (wow that price is AMAZING for two bibs!)?

On a side note I've been riding my Brooks B17 for less than two weeks and I don't feel like I need any chamois at all (current rides up to 32 miles). Anybody else have similar experience with a Brooks? I can literally throw on a pair of athletic shorts (with a quick dip of ButtonHole, if you want to know the dirty little details) - and just hop on my bike and ride.

How are you washing the bibs - If your bibs came with a wash bag - make sure to use it.. Gentle or hand wash cycle - cold water and hang dry.. Sometimes you can beat up cycling shorts by just washing with other clothing..

I've tried many types my favorite are Assos Milles for longer rides and have a bunch of others for short rides. One I have been using a lot lately are hincapie bibs which do offer 3xl sizing..

I think many including myself, find the same thing with Brooks saddles.

Wearing a thin chamois is still a good idea for longer rides due to the moisture management capability, IMO.

As far as I know, the Falconi bibs are well liked and the price is fabulous. I have a PI Utrasensor shorts (not bibs) several years old now, and they have been good, although a little bit too large for me now.

So i took the bike with me to find the cause of the problem. It seems as my muscular legs were making contact with the velcro straps on the regular size saddle pack. We switched to a mini pack and no more contact. I can still fit my 2tubes, tools, 2tire levers in the mini.

They also adjusted the chain free of charge.

Finding the right LBS before u buy a bike was the best advice that i got.

How are you washing the bibs - If your bibs came with a wash bag - make sure to use it.. Gentle or hand wash cycle - cold water and hang dry.. Sometimes you can beat up cycling shorts by just washing with other clothing...

I wash my bibs in cold water, low spin, light detergent, and only with my other bibs and jerseys. All my gear is air dryed

I'm a big fan (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/530258) of Love2Pedal's Falconi Deluxe bibs. For the price, I haven't found a better bib short. That's probably why I own 6-7 pairs... plus another 6 pairs that I've shrunk out of.

I also own two pairs of Assos uber-expensive FI.Mille bib shorts. Found a great deal on the first pair right after getting a bonus at work and decided I've given them a try. Before I ordered, I couldn't really imagine wanting to spend that same money for a second pair, not matter how good they were... but one thing lead to another and I ended up with a second pair (one to wear, one to wash). They've nice. Very, very nice! I wouldn't hesitate to use my Falconi bibs for a 100-mile ride... but given the choice, I'd prefer the Mille. The Mille has a better chamois, which is especially noticeable on longer rides. The Mille also fits better, especially once you're on the bike. After a 4-5 hour ride in the Mille's, I'll get home and realize I haven't thought about them once. I'll have noticed that my gloves are starting to wear out, my sunglasses tend to slide down my nose, my favorite jersey can't be unzipped one-handed, but the Mille's are just so good I rarely think about them....

I agree with what is said above. I know 200.00 for a pair of cycling shorts seems crazy but they are extremely comfortable. sometimes deals can be found.. I have 2 pairs of Milles and Bib Knickers with same chamois. I also have 2 pairs of Assos that are 10+ years old with the real chamois and they are still going strong. If you take care of them they will last. Using the wash bag helps. Assos does have a 3xl size for clydes which they call TIR..

In my closet or have been retired and preferred in this order:

1. Campagnolo Sports Wear Techmotion bibs- Paid $90 (around half price), Extremely nice, lowish cut in the front, plenty of stretch, plenty of room in the thighs realative to waist, nice multi thichness pad, have already purchased a second 3/4 length pair for winter and may order another short pair

2. Netti bibs- $30 (again on sale), Cheap, developed a small hole on one seam within 3 rides (still needs to be darned), surprising comfortable, higher in front, work well for training but wouldn't pick them for a century, might pick up another pair if they're still on clearance

3. Sugoi bibs- $can't remember (think it was around $90), bit tight in the thighs, I cut the seams to make room, otherwise they're fine, nicer pad than the Nietti's, not as nice as the Campy, cut mid height in front, wouldn't buy them again if I can find Campy for the same price

4. Pearl Izumi $120- too stretchy/loose in waist compared to tight thighs, cut the thigh seams to make room, just didn't seem that impressive, but, wore o.k., and would be a decent choice for those that are larger around their waist than they are in their thighs

5. Old Black bottoms w/real chamois, they still work, they pale in comparison, but, if I'm putting on my Rivat Izarans, old Avocet jersey and taking the old Merckx for a ride, they sorta look period correct without going full on wool. (What can I say? I'm a Fred.)

I agree with what is said above. I know 200.00 for a pair of cycling shorts seems crazy but they are extremely comfortable. sometimes deals can be found.. I have 2 pairs of Milles and Bib Knickers with same chamois. I also have 2 pairs of Assos that are 10+ years old with the real chamois and they are still going strong. If you take care of them they will last. Using the wash bag helps. Assos does have a 3xl size for clydes which they call TIR..

The FI.Mille sizes run big, too. In the Falconi's, I normally wear a 'Large'. With the Mille, I had to go down to a 'Medium'!

I bought my Assos bibs through BikeTiresDirect.com (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/). They're having a 15% off sale at the moment, though it looks like they're clearing out inventory from last year so sizes are limited. Join their free 'VIP Club' and you get 10% back in store credit on every purchase. I buy Assos during their '2X VIP' sales. The bibs still cost $260, but you get $52 in store credit for a net price of $208.

these are great for Clydes. they are right in the length but big in the belly. buy them the size you *wish* you were! they fit great: http://www.rei.com/product/768326/canari-ultra-pro-bib-bike-shorts-mens-special-buy

they were on sale for $30 until recently, sadly the price doubled a few weeks ago. sad!

I've had good luck with Voler and Performance bibs. When/if I lose another 20 pounds, I may be able to fit in PIs again...

Assos

Just a quick quiz for you clydes - assos has a size called TIR - do you know what this refers to?

Transport International Route = French for "freight train" :-)

Transport International Route = French for "freight train" :-)

Used on semi-trucks and it equates to WIDE LOAD.. Hey you talking about me.

I have about 7000km split equally between Enduro and Santini bibs, both very good. Enduro has slightly more padding but can I recommend both. Both these manufacturers recommend not drying the bibs in direct sunlight.

boure.com, good shorts and clothing

I have had good luck with Nashbar bibs. I have 2 pairs that have seen many miles over the last 5 years. The fabric is now a bit stretched out so the compression is gone. I have the falconis which are okay. Last year I discovered the descente bibs, which are the most comfortable bibs that I have ever tried.

Do you guys get them mainly from nashbar.com ? What other sites should i be looking at when wanting new apparel?

Chain reaction cycles (ireland), Pro bike kit, .........

If some are interested in older team issue clothing - this is a great site. She is in Ireland and does have clyde friendly sizes.. Usually takes 7-9 days for delivery to USA..

http://www.supercycleclothing.com/bib-shorts-261-c.asp