Really like my bib shorts.... best thing I can say is that I am unaware of my nether regions during riding... allowing me to concentrate on my aching knees, burning thighs and stiff neck.

That would be my experience.

SP
OC, OR
"Bibs forever"

Alternatively you can just pull the bibs down in the front. They all stretch.

When I first started getting seriously interested in bikes/biking, I'd read how you *need* biking shorts. I got a couple different pairs- and despise them.

Like you, I just wear "shorts."

If bibs are meant to assist relocating "fleshy bits" away from the saddle and moving thighs, then they are really dumb for female riders. If tension in front of the shorts somehow isolates the fleshy bits from the dynamic bits and the saddle, why aren't they advertised as such?


It seems we have gotten to main feature of bibs, and it isn't removing the waist band. Its a junk locator.

Or, roll up one leg...

Bib shorts, full zip jersey, cap under the helmet. That's how I like to roll (literally). My upper butt crack would get cold wearing regular shorts so that's why I started on bibs.

I don't get the hype either, but to each his/her own. I never have an issue with pants slipping and find the back high enough not to expose any crack, especially if my are not empty (usually the case).

I just always thought that the bib shorts were for letting out your inner TV wrestling he-man persona...

There are a lot of body types, so we need a lot of different styles of clothes.

This.

Whatever this is

Not having a seam between your taint and the saddle

I prefer not having a seam between my scranus and saddle.

It takes all kinds.

Oops, my phone ate a couple words. Meant to have typed "especially if my [jersey pockets] are not empty..."

Some shorts want to make me a plumber. I wear others or long jerseys. The aeration is nice on a hot day, but probably not in a pace line.

Some bibs want to make me a eunuch on longer rides. I wear others or go short in those. The security is nice in a triathlon, but not easily remedied once apparent.

Kudos to cycling apparel makers for serving a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Not everyone is built like a bike pro. Wear what works, and remember: On the bike, most cycling apparel works very very well. Off the bike, well, it looks pretty stupid.

I'm nuts about Rivendell MUSA pants, shorts and knickers. Riv can go a long time between batches - I get them anyway I can - often from f/s listings on iBob and RBW.
I don't ride in the long pants, but they're fantastic for kicking around and also good for kayaking.

Speak for yourself. I'm obviously the exception.

I'm relatively old fashion (which, I suppose, is the point around here) in that I'm sorta wearing, today, what I wore back in the '70s as I moved from that Schwinn Varsity to the Moto: t-shirt, shorts, white sneakers with black stripes. NOT cool and not pro peleton but that's what we wore. Except today its all 'technical' fabrics that breath well and wick moisture well. I've learned that cotton does not work for me on the bike. I'm reminded each week after mowing the lawn that cotton retains all moisture and I'm a damp rag at the end.

These days the t-shirts are all end of season clearance items from EMS, REI and Target (C9). The shorts are loose fitting fleece "round ball" type shorts, cut back to 7" legs - mid thigh. The shoes are indoor soccer shoes which work great on quill pedals with toe cages. I often make stops on the way home from a ride at hardware and grocery stores and at fuel stations. My kit is 'normal' enough that I'm pretty forgettable in those places. And the shorts have pockets for money, wallet and car keys. AOK. I'm even more 'normal' than many of the other customers.

At 6' tall but just 155lbs I have no issues with waist bands riding up or down or sideways. Last week I did a 65 mile ride thru high heat index and this week it was a 50 mile trip thru high heat index. Both times I got back to the car dry, comfortable with no irritations anywhere. Now wobbly legs were another issue........

I'm developing shorts with built in "Scranus Tamus" and trademarking the term.

I had one set of bibs... They were a royal pain when trying to answer "nature's call" especially in cold weather with layers of clothing!!!

Back in the days of Sergal wool shorts (and most other brands) I frequently resorted to wearing "braces" (suspenders) to keep my shorts up.

Kucharik 8 panel Lycra shorts fit me perfectly. I have short legs for my height and most brands of shorts are too long in the thighs.

Shorts and Bibs - Kucharik

I also have a long torso so I make sure that I get long jerseys so I don't have to worry about cold butt crack!

verktyg

Chas.

In case you ever wondered...

Good point.
I find bibs annoying, so I tuck the shoulder straps into the waist and turn them into regular shorts. Benefit is that bibs have less "butt crack" risk than some shorts, and bathroom break problem is solved, so for me, my "bibless bibs" are win-win.

We sold these in the shop I worked at. These were the suspenders everyone used: Vintage Cycling Rainbow Stripes Suspenders World Champion Bike Bicycle Shorts | eBay

If it isn't immediately obvious that bib shorts work better for you, they clearly you don't need them. The point is to prevent the fabric from bunching up in or just above the genital region.

These days I'm usually inclined to wear hiking shorts and a t-shirt most of the time. OT but I've noticed that this often rubs people the wrong way if they are all outfitted in the proper kit and a fancy carbon bike.

Wore bibs on a 25 mile ride this morning. There may be something to the fabric being pulled up in the front having some impact on the location of the "fleshy bits."


That may be the benefit that overcomes the negatives. But I'm not sure its effective enough to make it worth it. I can see how with some builds it may be a more dramatic difference than shorts.

I probably own 10 sets of bibs. Not all are created equal but I'd take any over my best shorts.

Like with so many things in cycling, it depends on your riding style. A nice pair of bibs that fits right has a compression-like effect on keeping the core tight and keeping your form compact in more aggressive riding positions. And as a bigger rider, they kinda just hold everything together.

If I were riding more upright ambling through the countryside, I'd be less inclined to reach for the bibs.

That's my experience anyway.

After the first ride with bibs I thought "where have these been all my life!".
Put me in the pro column.

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