Bib questions...
 

First, do you wear something under your bibs? Not on the bottom, on the top. A t-shirt or sleeveless under the bib part to prevent chafing.

And I've read a few folks really like the Falconi shorts from Love2Pedal.com. How are the chamois is these? I have a pair of Nashbar bibs that I like a lot better than the cheap Cannondale shorts I have. Not just the bib versus short thing, but the chamois in the Nashbar is a lot nicer.

I've been looking at the Sugoi bibs. Their RS Pro chamois looks very nice, but they are a bit more than the Falconi. I'm willing to pay a little more for comfort and quality. I have a bunch of Sugoi running clothes and find them to be great quality--but cut very small.

Can I get opinions on your favorites, if you wear a t-shirt under your bibs, and how you feel about the Falconi deluxe quality.

I'm still new to the bib game, too, but I'll chime in with what I've experienced, so far.

No, nothing under the straps. I haven't tried it, but I would think that a shirt under the straps would bunch at the straps.

I think that the chamois is going to be a very personal call. I like something in the middle or the road, in terms of both density and thickness. Some of the thicker, more dense pads, like in the Performance Ultra II, don't quite do it for me. Maybe it's the lack of flexibility or the unyielding density, but they can get to be uncomfy on a long ride... but other people think they're fantastic. Cheap, thin chamois work better for me than these, truth be told. My far and away favorite, so far - I just picked up a pair Giordana Silverlines at $60 (Bonktown/DepartmentOfGoods/RealCyclist), on sale from the normal $120. After a few hours in them, I immediately bought a second pair. The chamois is just thick enough and just dense enough to ease pressure points while still being pliable. Yesterday, more than an hour after my ride, I found that I was still wearing them, which is a testament - I've always been eager to get out of my other bibs/shorts much more quickly.

Have not tried any L2P or Sugoi, but they were both on the list... I may not revisit that list for a while, now that I have the Giordanas, to be honest.

I wear Champion C9 Training Tee's under the straps. No problems

I just got 2 bibs from love2pedal yesterday and tried one out today. Good quality, good fit and the price is right.

I'll check out the Giordanas. Thanks for the info. I'm a Sugoi Brand Champion (a program I got involved with when I was a dedicated runner,) so I kind of have a bit of brand loyalty there. But cycling shorts are a lot more expensive than running shorts!!!

Then a jersey on top? Do you use ss or sleeveless under?

The price is what's calling my name!!! I love a bargain, and I know Mr. Beans is a Falconi rider. Pus, love2pedal has some awesome looking, relaxed fit jerseys for fabulous prices as well.

I'm expecting a few Visa gift cards (around $85-$100) from a sales competition we just had at work. I told my beautiful bride of almost 13 years that she can put them away for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Nationals (she shows our dogs in agility, obedience, and conformation. Plus, we just had a litter in the fall and I spent some of the money getting my bike.) She told me to use them for cycling shorts. Great woman I have there! :love::love::love:

In cold weather I'll put a base layer (or two) under bib straps. It better not bunch up after getting put into place - that would mean the bibs are moving around. Warm enough for no base layer? Then there's nothing under the straps.

Chafing? Body glide/vaseline. Body glide if you're fru-fru, vaseline if you're frugal.

I've worn a base layer under bib straps already, but I don't always.

I am new to Bibs this year. I picked up a pair of Pearl Izumi Pro In R Cool Bibs. So far and only being on the trainer for and hour and a half at a time they have been very comfortable. Much nice in comparison then my Izumi shorts. As for wearing anything under the straps I don't. It would make it easier to go the bathroom if one did though.

I wear a compression shirt under my bib straps and jersey, both for comfort and to keep loose skin in place.

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Bag Balm is GREAT for chafing. I find it lasts longer than vaseline and Aquaphor.

But, Bodyglide is easy to apply.

I'm a big fan of the Falconi Deluxe bibs. Before I found the Falconi bibs, I was a big fan of Pearl Izumi. The Falconi chamois isn't nearly as thick as the chamois in the Pearl Izumi shorts I used to wear but, honestly, I can't tell any difference between them. This was a surprise, because one of the reasons I bought the PIs was that I hated cheap store-brand shorts which generally had a paper-thing chamois. The chamois in the Falconi Deluxe bibs isn't terribly thick, but it seems to work for me...

In the summer, I don't wear anything under the bibs and it doesn't seem to be a problem. In the winter, I'll use a long- or short-sleeved base layer as the weather requires. My favorite is Craft's Gore Windstopper short-sleeved T-shirt. I buy them in the middle of summer, when they're cheap! The short-sleeved model seems a bit more versatile than the long-sleeved model; you can combine with arm warmers if you need a bit more warmth.

This time of year (20-30degree training days) I wear a base layer top under my bib straps, then layer accordingly over the straps. Seems less bulky to me when dealing with several layers. When the weather warms up to high 40's or above I lose the layer's and ride with nothing under the bibs and just a jersey, with arm warmers when necessary, and I have not had any issues ever with chaffing from the straps. I have tried several different brands and find the Pearl Izumis fit me well, our kits are Jakroo and these bibs have a fine fit also.

I wear my pearl attacks pretty tight dont think I want anything under them.

Same here. I wore it for the first time yesterday and all I can say is "why did I wait so long to try bibs"? They fit is so much better than regular shorts.

I also would like to tell what a great experience I had making a purchase from love2pedal. You can bet I'll be doing business with them again.

I read that on one of Mr Beans threads and thought I'd give them a try based on their customer service.

Looks like sans under shirt with bibs is the most popular way people wear them.

Now, what's the best way to, um, well, you know, pee when you wear bibs?

Only one data point here. I've got Pearl Izumi bibs and they have been very comfortable and have taken 2400 miles of wear with no signs of giving out. As far as bathroom breaks with bibs.... just no easy way to do it.

Some pros manage the 'down the leg' when in motion.

Personally, I 'pull down and lift out.'

Just bought 2 sets of these and would agree completely. I have some Hincapies that I like but they have a chamois that is, if anything, too thick. Falconi Deluxe hits the chamois factor just right for me.... not thick but still effective. I dig the colored seams too! :D

i do not wear anything under my bibs. i layer on top as needed per the weather man!

Ditto on nothing under the straps. If I were riding in cold weather I might consider it, but not in "just a jersey" weather.

As far as brands go, all I have to base any first-hand knowledge on are Bellwethers, and they've been great. I want to try the Falconi Deluxes from L2P, but between lack of funds and continuing shrinking of my body, I can't quite bring myself to pull the trigger on any cycling clothing purchases right now.