Greetings All -

I ride in Louis Garneau CB Carbon 2 shorts, and I like everything about them including their compressive features. They also make them in a bib.

I've never experienced bib shorts, but I've been thinking they might provide enhanced comfort. For example, when I eat and drink a lot on long rides, on long rides, I sometimes feel the waist band of regular shorts cutting into my abdomen a bit. Maybe a bib construction wouldn't feel that way.

So here's the weird question: How does one take a leak when wearing bib shorts?!

Out the bottom of the leg opening is a non-player because of the aforementioned compression. I'm assuming that pulling the waist down wouldn't work either because of the shoulder straps structure. Or am I wrong about that, is there actually enough flexibility to lower the waist area for that function?

As we move into cold weather, lowering the straps off the shoulders isn't a good option as the bib will be under layers, and I certainly wouldn't want to do all that "undressing" for just a quick stop in the trees off the side of the bike trail.

So there it is, poke fun to your heart's content But I'd really like the gouge in order to decide whether to spend the big bucks!

Many thanks!

you pull down, there's enough stretch. Enjoy!

or if you're so endowed, I guess you pull up.

<resisting the temptation to make John Holmes-y jokes>

They are not all the same. Some permit the waist-down maneuver, and some don't. Give them a try first.

BTW, this is why I am not a fan of bibs.

And welcome to BikeForums.

Most bib shorts are low enough and have enough stretch that you just pull them down. NBD.

I have some that come up way past my belly button in the front, and some that are much lower.

But if I'm doing a century or something, I always pick the loose ones that allow for easy access to the plumbing.

No problem for number 1, number 2 its a little hassel. It is worth it.

They are more comfortable as they don't roll down your roll.
No 1. just yank the front down, and go over the top.
No 2 is a pain, make sure your jersey has a full length zipper, and there is a hook to hang it on.

Most of my PI bibs are cut too high in front to just pull down; same with the Palsino bibs that have our organization name/logo (I use them for commuting - they were pretty cheap, but they're not bad comfort-wise and they've held up pretty well for the 18 months or so I've been using them). My Assos bibs are cut low enough in front I can pull them down. Like Diablo Scott, if I'm on a longer ride, I make sure I use the Assos, just in case I need a mid-ride break.

I do have some PI AmFib winter bibs that have a flap to allow you to . . . access the plumbing. It's a nice feature that so far I've only had to use when I forgot to take care of business before getting on the bike. It was nice to not have to take off my base layer, jacket and jersey for a pit stop.

I realize you are asking a specific question. As Biker395 says, he's not a fan of bibs. But look, he's thin as a rail and doesn't seem to have any waistline fat. Riders like him can just do shorts. Besides I don't figure him as a sit down guy eating a bowl of chili for lunch during a weekend ride.

I've worn many brands of bibs and have not found any I couldn't pull down in front and go over. Some, like my favorite Pearl Izumis are harder than others, but still not a problem. If that's too much trouble, there's always the leg hole option.

I've ridden with him and he can eat amazing amounts of almost anything and still climb like a goat. One time we were in this little store in Wrightwood and he got a laugh out of something called a "Big ass burger". He got a burrito, finished it, and went back in and got that "Big ass burger", ate it. and I think he was first up the next climb.

I enjoy some good chili on a cold ride. There's a store in the Santa Monica mts that has tri-tip chili. I get it if we are on the way back and most of the climbing is done. I've never tried bibs, however.

Ok, I have been really happy with just the 2XU, so far. Its the cycling compression shorts. The site says the padding is from Italy and that got me wondering what company is the real manufacturer of just the pad.

So I did some research and came up with this:

Road performance compact man · Elastic Interface

Then I went to the 2XU site and saw their array of chamois:

High Performance 2XU Chamois

So what does everyone think?

Never noticed the waist band on my Pearl's or my Craft shorts cutting/binding on me,,

Once I got my abs toned a bit.

But before when I had the mushroom top they did

Just sayin....

Wearing looser shorts does that for me as well.

Thanks, Big John! And you're right ... that chili at the Canyon Store rocks. Their burgers and toasted cheese sandwiches are among the best too.

Oh Garfield, if you only knew ... I have a reputation for having a cast iron stomach, and yes, I'll eat just about anything. I don't think I'm all that thin, but thanks!

Oh, and here is a pix of that Big Ass burger:

I would go and try on different bibs from different manufactures before deciding. While bibs are very popular among some larger framed people, they are not made for everyone's body. I have a short torso and normal waist to leg height. I have tried on numerous bibs from just about every company and have yet to find one that fits me. The biggest issue with bibs that I have found is the straps are too loose, therefore, defeating the purpose of the bibs.

I wear LG bibs of the compression type and have no problem, despite their high fronts to do a Killroy. I really love Garneau shorts!

Add Braces/suspenders , easier to Pee without disrobing to take the shoulder straps down.

Lowering one shoulder strap works for me

Yes, in the Clyde group, it is assumed that bibs are more comfortable than shorts. You see a lot of talk about which bibs are best, but very little about shorts.

Yes, some of us are over 50 and Clydes. We may become former Clydes, but we'll never be former 50+.

GH

We don't all agree here...but after many years of riding I finally tried bibs about fifteen years ago. I would NEVER go back, so much more comfortable even though a bit more expensive. Also cheap bibs with a thin chamois are not a good value. My .02.

I have four sets of bibs and many shorts. On long rides, over 50 miles, I usually wear shorts to make relieving myself quick and easy. Of the 4 bibs, I find the Boure' the most comfortable, then the Sugoi and Pearl Izumi, and finally the Specialized. In fact the Specialized bibs become uncomfortable by mile 20, so they usually only get worn if everything else is dirty!
As for how bibs feel...think of them as second skins(remember that brand?) They are loose, yet snug, and your junk is held together differently than shorts. Not nearly as constricted. Shorts do roll if you have a gut, but that has never bothered me. Bibs do not roll, however I find that the front collect sweat from the protruding gut, whereas shorts do not. This may be particular to me.
Overall, I like both bibs and shorts. On days in the high 80's or more I will only use the Boure' bibs because they don't pool sweat like the others, or shorts. On cool days bibs are great because they do offer more heat retention on my gut which has the odd tendency to feel cold. As for the pads, the Sugoi pad is very, very good, and the PI pad is well done, too. The Specialized pad gives me problems, and the Boure' bibs have a traditional type chamois, which I like best of all.
This has me thinking, I wonder if the padded chamois adds heat to the nether regions affecting comfort? The traditional chamois in the Boure' bibs never feels hot and sweaty, whereas the other do, especially on hot days. Just wondering if this has something to do with liking the Boure' bibs more than the others.

I wear my bibs like shorts, tucking the straps in the waist. All problems solved.

I don't think I'm hydrating correctly. On metric centuries and shorter, I think I've had to relieve myself only a couple of times in the past ten years. Century rides, maybe once during the nine hours it usually takes me to finish. I wear bibs exclusively, and usually Garneau bibs. As others have mentioned, there is enough waist looseness to just pull them down in the front, especially if I bend over forward a bit.

I'm starting to feel as if there is TMI in this thread. Thank you all for explaining your urination techniques.