JollyEwok

I'm hoping to buy my first bike this week and I've been told great things about bib shorts. I'm currently 5'10" and 285 lbs. The sizing charts show that a XXL should fit my waist and chest, but my height should be 6'3"+. Is this going to cause problems? Has anyone else run into this? Would I be better off just looking at regular biking shorts? (I tried searching, but it seems to be sick.)


Thanks for the help.

volosong

That's going to be a really close call. Keep in mind that a XXL from manufacturer "X" is a different size than from manufacturer "Y". The things are pretty stretchy too. I'm right at 220 lbs and am 6 feet, 2 and 3/4 inches tall, depending on the time of day. I wear XXL from European manufacturers, (Capo and Castelli), and an XL from North American manufacturers, (Louis Garneau and Hincapie).

Best I can suggest is for you to try it on before you purchase. Most shops will have a rest room or someplace else where you can try it on. If they don't allow it, shop elsewhere.

Since I purchased my first bib, I haven't worn shorts even once. Except for the call of nature, bibs are much more comfortable, (for me).

TrojanHorse

Most people have the opposite problem - if they're taller than the size chart, the straps aren't long enough. In my somewhat limited experience with bibs they tend to be pretty stretchy so you should be OK.

I would suggest going to an REI or a performance and trying some on. Some brands even fit differently within the same brand (Pearl Izumi, I'm looking at you) and as noted, European sizes tend to be smaller.

Shorts have an annoying tendency to roll under your gut, if you have one, but there's nothing inherently wrong with shorts.

Jason300

I am 6' 280 ish lbs. Bibs are far superior to shorts IMHO and will only buy bibs in the future. I personally have had a lot of luck with XXL Louis Garneau bibs and shorts.

I bought these bibs from Performance in a XXL and they fit great and were on sale at the time https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...32_-1___000000. Looks like they are available in a XXXL too.

BigUgly

Definitely try them on in the shops. When I lost some weight my waist size shrunk and a sizing chart told me that Large would be the right fit (6'2" 220 lbs, waist 34). So I bought them. They were expensive and were my second pair, the first pair where XL performance cheaper bibs. I bought Endura bibs which are European. Everything fit great however, since I still have a somewhat sizeable stomach, it pulls the chamois forward a little too far for me which means part of me arse that hits the seat is not in the chamois and becomes uncomfortable on longer rides. It has motivated me though to lose more weight to shrink my gut instead of buying a bigger size since they were so expensive!

MattFoley

Also, even if the straps feel short when you're standing, bibs are designed to fit you well while sitting down, so take that into account.

bassjones

www.aerotechdesigns.com - their size chart is extremely accurate. Best bibs I've worn, including from before I was an UberClyde. I absolutely love them. They're the only place I can currently get my size from, but I'll still be using them when I'm down to my goal weight. The stuff is just that nice.

iTrek

At 5'8" and 265 wearing an XL from Performance or Pearl Izumi the straps are slightly long and so I'm thinking at 5'10" 285 an XXL would be right on.

CommuteCommando

I feel it is better to go a little tight around the middle than too long in the drawers.

matthewk459

10000% agree with the bib x fits different than bib y. I have Sugoi in XL that fit fine, Assos in TIR (XXL) that also fit awesome and I have some Casteli XXXL which I am going to need to loose at least another 30lbs before I can even pretend to get into. I am 6'3 @250lb.

I think you'll find the Sugoi RS in XXL might be the ticket for you.

soloexceptional

I definitely agree on the aerotech designs and the size chart. i got my first set of Bibs last week and man do they ever fit and feel so good. I definitely notice a difference in my thighs while riding. My thighs seem to get less fatigued when i wear them and i will never ride without them again..

brianogilvie 

Bouré does custom sizing for a reasonable upcharge. I really like their Elite bib shorts.

RichardGlover

Buy bibs that fit you around the thighs & the waist. If they're too long in the torso, use safety pins to shorten them for a couple of rides (so you can play trial-and-error on the length), then take them to a tailor to have the straps shortened by that amount.

I don't really recommend taking them to the tailor straightaway - it's highly unlikely they'll get the sizing right unless they happen to make cycling clothing on the side.

brwarrior

I love my bibs! And so does anyone who has the pleasure riding behind me. I've got 2 different Peal Izumi in 2XL (Select and Elite), a pair of 3XL from the LBS (Champ Sys) which are too long, and a pair of the Aerotech. The Aerotechs were the cheapest and probably my least favorite right behind the PI Selects. The Eletes are my favorites and the CS are under them. I'm 5'11, 247# (all bought when I was over 260). I'm one of those who have a taller upper body and shorter legs (30" inseam).

All of my jerseys are 4XL except the Aerotech that's 2XL. Well, there's also the first jersey I bought that's PI 2XL that one day I WILL be able to fit in and not look like I'm breaking some law of physics.

mrkm

Nice, I was just wondering about this stuff earlier...

I'm looking at the Aerotech's since they're the only place I'm aware of to carry my size, but was wondering about the midsection area. At 350lbs, I've a bit of a gut and was just wondering how that works with bibs. Do they fit alright/surpress the gut or what? Quite frankly, I can't imagine how I would fill one out and unfortunately, no place near me carries them in that size.

brwarrior

Being primarily lycra, they stretch pretty well. My only issue has been the jerseys. Thankfully, most vendors will have sizing charts. Aerotechs line for big men tend to run "true size." If looking at other vendors, get club cut, which will still be smaller than normal. Race cut is for bean poles. I think bibs (and shorts) tend to run "normal" sizes as opposed to jerseys. Aerotech's sized will fit up to a 56" waist.
[TABLE="class: sizechart, width: 100%, align: left"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 9"]Aero Tech Designs Bib short Size Chart[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: men"]
[TD="class: style29, width: 15%"]Size[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]Small[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]Medium[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]Large[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]X-Large[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]XX-Large[/TD]
[TD="width: 10%"]3XL[/TD]
[TD="width: 11%"]4XL[/TD]
[TD="width: 14%"]5XL[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Waist (inches)[/TD]
[TD]28-30[/TD]
[TD]32-34[/TD]
[TD]36-38[/TD]
[TD]38-40[/TD]
[TD]42-44[/TD]
[TD]46-48[/TD]
[TD]50-52[/TD]
[TD]54-56[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Inseam (inches)[/TD]
[TD]8 3/4[/TD]
[TD]9 1/4[/TD]
[TD]9 3/4[/TD]
[TD]10 1/4[/TD]
[TD]10 1/2[/TD]
[TD]10 3/4[/TD]
[TD]10 3/4[/TD]
[TD]10 3/4[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

slikor

I'm all about my Voler kit. I started with Estrella shorts, but now mostly use my basic (can't recall the name) bibs from them. I like the bibs, no pesky waistband that likes to roll off the 'extra muscle-padding' in my middle and be annoying. I'm 6' and 275 and the XXL fits fine. I love their SQ Pro material for the jerseys, btw, totally great stuff.

BiggestMac

What about for tall clydes? Like those over 6'6". We are all somewhat Clydesdales by nature.

bbeasley

Welcome to BF! Looks like you got lots of good advice. Don't forget to post pictures of your new bike when you get it.

Ursa Minor

Im 5'10" and when i was 280 i was comfortable in 4x bib shorts (falconi i think from aerotech) now im 220 and 3x are what i ride in
and I just use the 4x for wearing around the house lol they are very comfortable

Charlie

JakiChan

It's so hard to say. And you may be on a border. The way I've lost weight I've ended up need different size tops and bottoms. All the fat that mains is my lower gut and thighs. So I'm 2XL from almost everyone but we got some team kit from Primal and their XL bib fits (barely).

Medic Zero

+1 on Aerotech bibs! Comfortable, fit well, and extremely durable. Reasonably priced too. I see the prices for some bib shorts and I'm frankly shocked. I can't imagine what could make them worth that much. Especially considering I've got a pair of Aerotech bibs that are at about 5K miles.

6'2" 280 here.

donalson

I'll bring this one back to life...

I love my bibs... but i've run into the same issue on several brands of shorts/bibs (falconi bibs and blackbottoms shorts)... the chamois stitching sits right under my sit bones... i've got a bit rear end so i'm sure that doesn't help.. but does anyone have any idea of what brand might have the chamois sit higher up or something?

i'm 6'3-4ish and 320lbs... falconis are 4xl and the blackbottoms 3xl