Kevindale

Shorts all the way. I've never understood why bibs were/are de rigueur in cycling. I hate suspenders, and hate having stuff on my shoulders. I assumed that bibs were standard because shorts would slip down during long bouts of cycling, but of course they don't. Now I wear my bibs only when my shorts are too dirty, and I shake my head at the waste of time I spend untangling the straps that I inevitably have both on one side.

For those who find them more comfy, are they like wearing Spanx?

on the path

Once I went to NOT BIBS I never went back. I have 4 pairs that I rotate. Much easier to deal with in every way and they fit great. The reasons posted here in opposition to NOT BIBS just don't hold up for me. Pun intended. My NOT BIBS stay in place, and stay perfectly in place if I perspire in the least amount (keeps 'em in place. True). They rise up quite high, and maybe too high for some. They make it easier to pee. I just said that. NOT BIBS all the way for me.

OTP

bakes1

IMO the bottom line here is that quality bike shorts do not move all over the place and their waist bands cause no unusual amount of discomfort.
This means that a certain % of bib users are wearing them pretty much only for style or Fredness.
Whatever

silversx80

Are you surprised by this? In a sport where grown men will make fun of other grown men don't shave their legs?

2lo8

How do I show off my stylish bibs to other freds, hopefully in a way that doesn't involve stripping. I would very much like to publicly display I am a serious cyclist, but I haven't figure out how to show off bibs without getting arrested for indecent exposure.

rpenmanparker 

I thought you were a guy.

kermie

Oh so they go on the outside of the jersey so everyone can see? damn, I got it wrong. OK, tomorrow I will try that. I do care that others know that I am wearing bibs

gl98115

Some people prefer bibs. Some people prefer shorts. Neither is wrong.

2lo8

I almost forgot to do this today, but I can now confirm this both shows off your stylish bibs, and makes it a lot easier to go potty. There goes the argument for shorts.

StanSeven

I did an experiment the past two days. Yesterday I did a hard 90 minute ride in Pearl Isumi bibs. It had lots of 90-95% effort and several fast sprints all seated. No discomfort and need to adjust anything.

Today I did the same route in PI shorts. I had to stand on the pedals twice and adjust the padding. I could feel the back wanting to slide down as well. I could have adjusted the waist to stop that but it would be uncomfortable then.

I ride in an aggressive position and have a 5" saddle to bar drop. I think that has a lot to do with the discomfort of shorts. When I cooled down at the end pedalling easy and sitting with my hands on top, I didn't feel any stretch or fabric tension.

The difference may be just in riding style.

rpenmanparker 

Oh, that is just so wrong!

RJM

I found this to be true with me too. Bibs stay put and shorts don't.

cthenn

I wear both. I do NOT like bibs in really hot weather. Even though the fabrics today are all very breathable, I still find it akin to a sweatbox if I wear bibs in hot and/or humid weather.

I don't have a gut, and shorts do not "slide around" or feel restrictive around my waist. I find the fit and feel no different between bibs and shorts. The only minor difference I see (for me) is the bibs will stay in place over a long ride a little bit better. So, for me, I can wear either, and feel totally comfortable in each, depending on the conditions and my ride.

So, maybe the people who are on the "100% bibs/shorts suck" bandwagon haven't found good fitting shorts, or can't fit into shorts properly, for whatever reason (too heavy, too skinny, etc.)? I just haven't found shorts to be problematic at all.

rpenmanparker 

Very interesting.

surgeonstone

And.......

surgeonstone

And...your point is?

surgeonstone

I avoided bibs for as long as they have been out.....until last year. Then I splurged on the Castelli Razors and all saddle sore issues, comfort issues have gone. Much preferable. Would never go back.
Maybe we need a double blinded experiment to figure this out.

Corbin

Point is not all things the pros do have logic behind them.

And to you other post. I've tried bibs and shorts and notice no difference except the annoying and seemingly pointless shoulder straps. Than again I'm 5'8" and 130-140 so I guess YMMV.

I guess based on other post I'm just lying for fun and for some reason have a biased against bibs.

rpenmanparker 

That's good news. But would the same model in not-bibs not have had the same positive effect. Was it the straps or the pad design which would be the same on bibs or not-bibs? Maybe that's what you mean by double blind experiment although thst isn't exactly right. Interesting question.

Doctor Morbius

Bibs.



Any questions?

surgeonstone

Looks like a triathelon rider.