copperfind

Okay curious if anyone has found more comfort in bibs... All my friends more built like cyclists swear by them. Being 6 ft tall and around 270 not sure how they would work... Size them for my waist around 40" or size them for my upper body, chest around 54"... bib sizing charts those numbers dont line up.

srestrepo

I'm 5'10, 255 pounds, 56 in chest and wear a size 38 pants. bibs worked out awesome for me.

they're pearl izumi's, i forgot what model specifically but i didn't get any of that irritating super tight waist band trying to saw me in half at my waist.

copperfind

Well that sounds like a good comparison... I was looking at PI what size did you go with?

XXLHardrock

I have one pair of bib tights and think they are fantastic. I removed the chamois and wear padded shorts underneath instead.

Check out Aerotech Designs, they'll have something to suit you.

mkadam68

Yes.

Bibs.

Yes.

(6'3", 270+)

copperfind

So you guys are all pretty close size wise, for bibs buying them to match waist or closer to chest size... my waist is like really just under 40, Izumi XL is for up to like 40.5 XXL waist 41-43... I guess waist does not matter as much because they are bibs but my concern is the bib top (straps) being big enough to go comfy over the shoulders even the xxl says for like a 48" chest????

sdmc530

this is the issue I had with them as well. Were a bit snug up top....couldn't wear them.

brawlo

Given that most bibs are essentially shorts with suspenders attached, I wouldn't have thought that the chest measurement would matter that much. What I would have thought would affect you more was the length of the bib being too long for you as you'd have to get a larger size for your hips/waist than what would normally be needed for your height. I'm lucky (not really that great in cycling terms) that I'm tall and so I just have to source the largest size of everything and hope it's not "Euro big"=too small.

If bibs are too long or short in the suspender part anybody should be able to stitch in an extra piece of material or stitch them short. My daughter is in bibs that are way too long for her because it's club kit and they didn't have any to suit and the suspenders are just temporarily stitched up to shorten them

XXLHardrock

Good stuff.

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bibshorts.html

Staypuft1652

I am considering bibs finally. Other than shoes, never used any cycle specific clothing, but from what I learn, these will solve a specific problem.

Jarrett2

If Clydes aren't wearing bib shorts, they should be.

ptempel

I'm at the lower end of the scale at 230 lbs. But still a clyde and still wear bibs. I currently have a Performance 2016 Elite bib that I got for around $60. Was a good deal. For the next bib, I might try Pearl Izumi. I like most of PI's other clothing. But never owned their shorts or bibs. The local REI (to me) in East Hanover, NJ sells their stuff. So it should be a good place try on and see how they feel. I got my knee covers from there and like them a lot. It may be a bit old school, but I used to wear suspenders on the shorts a long time ago. So you can "bibify" your existing shorts if you want to...

ill.clyde

Love my PI bibs ... 6'3", 295 ... I think the ones I wear are an XL

indyfabz

Once you go bib you never go back--unless your are an oddball.

deaninkl

I'm the oddball...but... being a clyde.. my elasticated cycle shorts sometime role at the waist I find it annoying and thought that a bib would be great and it was...is... just one disadvantage.. peeing.. I tend to do long slow rides, and being 58 have a prostrate issue that can be aggravated by cycling.. so I need to stop often for peeing.. then the bib is a pain in the arse so to speak..

so I use it them only for short rides and its way better than normal shorts, but if you are a pee'er stick with shorts..

indyfabz

In addition to long day rides, I take a couple of one to two week loaded tours every year. Some days I am out on the road for 7-10 hrs. Get bibs with low fronts. You simply pull them down and bend your knees a bit. Wear full zip jerseys and No. 2 is a breeze. During my two-week tour back in June I had to squat in the woods twice. No problem.

Podagrower

This time 2 years ago I had no bibs, this time last year I had 3 pairs of bibs, now I have 6 pairs. I have not bought another pair of shorts since I started wearing bibs, and the shorts I do have are mostly relegated to trainer duty.

DMC707

Pull em down in front and flop it out -- easy.

DMC707

All bibs, all the time for quite a few years now

faulker479

I am 5' 11' 250 and wear PI large bibs(i think they are the Attacks). I started out with XL, but the straps and other things loosen up. The large seemed tight in the straps standing up at first, but that changes when you are on the bike. Plus tighter(not cutting off circulation tight) is better since your junk and the chamois will stay in place.

You could always try an XL. If it ends up being a little too big, you can just allocate it to shorter rides.

copperfind

Okay, bibs arrived today... PI Quest... I took them for a ride tonight, just a quick hit 12 miles before dinner. Unless something changes I will probably never go back to shorts... this was the most comfort I have felt since getting back into riding.

I think this had to do with multiple factors...


1) Riding in good shorts... I had ridden quite seriously back in the late 80s while in the military (four years in Japan saw much of the country on a bike... Centurion Facet of course) and learned back then that decent Pearl Izumi or Sugoi shorts were all that kept me comfy on long rides... Prior to this since being back on the bike, I had only been wearing cheaper EMS or crap from Dicks... Going back to a well-made pair probably helped.

2) The first impression of bibs, even though it was a short ride before I got on the bike every thing felt nice and snug and where it was supposed to be... When I got off the bike, everything was still nice and snug and felt exactly the same as before I left, this was a short ride at 12 miles but it was a pretty good stomp and I broke a couple PR's.

never really realized how much shorts did move around... about half way through the ride I became conscious of the fact that I did not have to adjust at all. This, of course, may have something to do with being 20+ pounds lighter than when I bought the shorts but I still think bibs will fit longer with weight loss than shorts also.

I WILL BE BUYING MORE BIBS

DMC707

"Just a quick 12 miles before dinner" he says !

Sometimes that's my Sunday ride --

copperfind

Well even though I am 51 and a Clyde my brain still thinks I am this kid (guy on left) Circa 1987


Back then I was still a Clyde at around 215 but I would ride about 25-30 miles almost every day and could pump out a 19-20mph average with hills... this pic was from a flat criterium on base I think we averaged 24+ mph... sadly them days are gone.

Yes the 2nd place guy is looking at me thinking... How the hell did you get up her... and no it wasnt a three rider race.

Sceadu498

I recently tried a pair of Performance bibs. The issue of having to go has always stopped me from trying. Always thought I would have to take the jersey off to go but was surprised I could pull it down enough to go. Don't have issues of them rolling up on me anymore either. Will try out a pair of Pearl Izumi's now that I will stay with them.

shopboyjr

I started with shorts then i was reading post on bibs on this forum then i bought my first bibs. One year later i have four pairs and one winter bibs. I'm 5'10 230 was 268 a year ago. last time I had shorts on was at the gym in April.