So...I bought an ISM Adamo saddle off a friend (who didn't care for it) for $20 and sure enough?...I didn't care for it either....but saddles being what they are?...often times one riders poison is another riders perfection and when I mentioned I wish I had my $20 back?...a fellow member here PM'ed me inquiring if I'd be willing to actually sell it to him for that....and I told him...

"No...you'd hafta include an extra $10 for me to ship it too you but yes...$30 and it's all yours!"

and the deal went down...but meanwhile back in the LBS?...I bought what was my first pair of Bibs ever....Specialized BG Comp Bibs...their low if not lowest line with me not wanting to blow too much cash on'em just in case I didn't like bibs but?...constantly re-adjusting my even cheaper riding shorts was getting old quick...and of course I never tried them on...after all?...they looked about right and made of expandable lycra so of course they'll fit...right?....well?...maybe a little right...yet felt oh so wrong when I got home and actually put them on...which is when I noticed that my eye was dead on as far as the shorts themselves were concerned and fit great?...the shoulder straps were a struggle...and then felt a bit tight on my shoulders...but they're not...I can slip my thumbs in between and lift them a good 6"s above my shoulders with near zero effort...which is when it occurred to me that they actually are a suitable fit but?...I'm just not used to anything on my shoulders hence not used to "The Feel" of wearing such a garment.....and as I voiced this here?...the same member who purchased the ISM Adamo saddle from me?....PM'ed me again....telling me he has a pair of Castelli Bibs he bought new several years ago but only wore them a few times...citing that the shoulder straps on his Castelli Bibs felt a bit long for him and if I wanted them?...just pay the shipping and he'll send/give them to me...I responded with an "I'll do better than that" and told him to just send me the bibs and I'll destroy his check when it gets here and consider us as square...he agreed....and this is a shameless copy/paste of what I just PM'ed him when he asked how they fit....

"They fit like they were custom tailored for me...strange...I put them on and at first thought..."ut-oh..this isn't going to be good"....as the shorts part of them fit just a snug as my specialized bibs but then when I went to slip my arms and shoulders through the straps?...I smiled...way easier going on with far less (hey! I'm here!) tension over my shoulders...I just wore them around the house for about a 1/2 hour then peeled the Castelli bibs off and slipped into the Specialized bibs trying to figure out...

"why such a big difference in "feel" between the two?"

and "the reason why" was readily apparent...it was..."The Cut"....where the shoulder straps on the Specialized bibs are joined in the center of the back right at the base of the neckline?....the shoulder straps on the Castelli bibs enjoyed a deep plunging back line to a generously separated base attachment into the shorts themselves...which resulted in a far more relaxed fit/feel."

Now as far as I'm concerned?...I now have two pairs of bibs that fit and will function just fine for me where I'm at...but one fits and feels much better...the Castelli's...and from what I can tell?...it's all about...."The Cut"...



I might also mention that not only does the chamois in the castellis have this red velvety feel?...(as opposed to the specialized that feels like real smooth tight cell foam)...just picking them up?....the castelli's feel noticeably lighter....not that "that" means a hill of beans to my short slow riding skills thus far but?...noteworthy for others I suppose...



Bruce....Thanks Man!...I love these one hand washes the other kind of deals!....I got a pair of great fitting bibs for $20 and you got an ISM Adamo saddle for $30....a saddle I hope and pray fits and feels as good too you as these bibs do for me...Thanks again man! Have a great weekend and Ride Safe! Bill.