dagray

Well I have Aerotech designs shorts and Bib Shorts and I much prefer the Bib Shorts.

My reasons are that the shorts tend to get the top rolled over and they get pushed down due to my fat belly (hey I call it as I see it, and I am shrinking... at least my legs and buttocks are).

The bib shorts also stay in place better at the crotch for me so the pad doesn't ride forward or backward causing an uncomfortable situation.

I like all of the Aerotech products I have tried so far (bib shorts, regular riding shorts, and mountain bike shorts), but prefer the bib shorts for now.

Dave

SammyJ 

Well said!

gjhsu

Agreed. When I started riding last summer and finally realized I needed some padding for the nether regions, I got some shorts which have been great. But on a whim, I decided to try a pair of bib shorts (because they were on sale!) a couple weeks ago, and LOVE them. As you say, they just seem to stay lined up better, and don't get caught up on the saddle as easily when transitioning from standing up to sitting down.

dr_lha

The biggest problem with bibs is the fit. I have short legs and a long torso, which makes finding bibs that don't cut off the blood flow from my gonads hard.

dagray

Look at Aerotech designs as they make a tall bib. I use the regular bib in a 4x (will be buying 3x or smaller soon) as I have a 34 inch inseam in jeans, but take a long shirt (I also am long in the torso with gorilla arms... but I am the first member in my family to walk upright).

JReade

I know that most jerseys have a longer tail to help keep your skin from showing, but with some variations in jersey sizing (not to mention the grippers around the waist), they can ride up a bit in the back especially if you're 6'5" and ride in the drops. Bibs can bridge that gap.

dr_lha

They biggest problem with your suggestion is that I can't go to my bike shop and try them on, which is a big issue when buying something that price. I know Aerotech have a reasonable return policy though (not Zappos, but then again, who is).

dagray

True, but the Aerotech do run true to your jean size (or very close) for the waist. They also run true to American shirt sizing from what I have seen from others who are using their jerseys.

At my size I can't go to a local bike store and try on shorts, bibs, jerseys because they all seem to be made for teenage boys who wear a 25 inch waist. I am 6'3" and around 375 pounds fully dressed in Jeans, T-shirt with my pockets full.

dr_lha

Yeah, I appreciate that. I'm lucky that I fit in XL shorts, despite being a Clyde. The same cannot be said for jerseys sadly!

FBinNY 

We're all different, and so all that matters is what works for you. Some have a decent natural waist which holds shorts up very nicely. Others don't and find the gut wants to roll the tops down, and find bibs a nice solution. But height and sometimes summer heat can make bibs less than ideal also.

For those who have trouble with waistbands, and don't find bibs to work, there's always the old time solution -- suspenders. These were common BITD of wool shorts and jerseys and were sometimes the only way to hold the shorts up in the rain.

jaxgtr

I only use Bibs as well. I've been using the Performance Ultra's for about 2 yrs now and really like them. I found they fit about the same as the Aerotech, but I like the chamois in the Performance bibs better.

79pmooney

Easy solution. (Also addressed fabric stretch over time and those of us with short torsos.) Shorts and suspenders. Good old clip-ons work just as well today as they did when I raced almost 40 years ago.

I always use suspenders. Doesn't take long for them to stretch out the waist band. Nearly as comfortable as bibs at their best, and much better than bibs after the inevitable stretch. Also radically better when certain body functions have to be performed and there is no good place to put clothes (or it is cold). They also allows changing one's mind on shorts vs tights after dressing.

One of the fathers of US bike racing wore suspenders. John Allis. And long after he retired from racing, he could have whipped most of our butts.

Ben

bassjones

I think you'll find aero tech bibs run VERY true to American sizing. Right in line with my size from Casual Male. I'm 6'5" with a 32" inseam and am ALL torso, and their tall bibs work great. The only product they sell I don't like is their tri-shorts (no drawstring, which can be a problem in the water...)

vesteroid

I just wish their pads were worth a darn. I tried them and they dont hold a candle to castelli in my opinion, but again they are a 1/3 the cost.

RomansFiveEight

I bought bibtights as my first set of "kit". (Tights 'cuz it's winter. I'll get bibshorts closer to summer). Definitely comfortable. And I don't know if it's the shape of my body or what; but I always have the issue of shirts coming untucked, pants (even with belts) riding down in the rear, etc. So I'm sure the shoulder-straps are going to come in handy keeping stuff where it's supposed to be!

gjhsu

Those are the ones I got. Very comfy.

Mithrandir

Tried bibs for the first time last year. I was sold instantly. I'll never go back to shorts. I have no idea why I hesitated as long as I did, but shorts just don't come anywhere close to the comfort of bibs.

Only issue is that peeing in the wild is a bit harder now...

Willbird

I will never go back to shorts :-). I took a shot at the size L Aerotech Top Shelf with a measured 41" waist and they fit, I am still shrinking so I hated to buy them too big :-). I am wearing size 34-36 Jeans...."relaxed fit" however.

Bill

TerraCottaGamer

Yeah this is my issue. I am shrinking so investing in shorts is a tough decision knowing that what I buy now will be too big rather soon. I did however buy two pair of some aerotech mtb shorts that will arrive sometime in the next couple of days. I don't remember off the top of my head which ones I ordered right now. I bought mtb because I ride an mtb and I just can't break rule #18 .

Willbird

I had firmly decided NOT to buy clothes til spring:-) but I had so much fun breaking in my studded rear tire on dry pavement in November that I just kept riding in dec and January , and broke my firm resolution :-). Wavering around now about a pair of Pearl Izumi amfib.....but with leg warmers I really do not get "cold" waist to mid foot even at say 15F......toes are the first thing to get cold.

my first shorts were bontrager XXL and they served me from 280lb to sub 200lb, and 1800mi at least....longest ride in them was 75mi on a hybrid :-). That was $60 well spent :-). I need to pass them on to a worthy acolyte who can find out how many miles they will truly go :-)

LGHT

I'm pretty much sold as well. My only problem with bibs is all of them seem to need an inch or so cut off on the straps since I have long legs and a short torso. The bottoms fit perfectly, but they all seem a little long on the straps. It's not an issue as the wife can cut and sew them in a few minutes for a perfect fit.

I picked up 3 pair of Pearl Izumi In-R-Cool for around $50 a pair and love the extra thick straps and extra material on the lower back and belly area. Plus the wife loves when I wear em to bed so it's a win win!!

bassjones

I'll take them! I'll be in them soon enough and hopefully I'll wear them out ��

Willbird

I started into them maybe sized 46-48 jeans ??

Yea you can have them if you want them, they are clean in the drawer, drop me a PM with your address :-). They came from Summit City Cycles in Fort Wayne, IN. The writing is worn off the tag but I think they are the "solstice" ones.

They are good enough for a 75 mile ride though :-).
Bill

bassjones

I live in Fort Wayne. I can probably just meet you somewhere...