I'll ask it here because we 50+ people are kinder than some others.

I've never worn bibs, only shorts. I see bibs advertised in Nashbar, Performance, etc. and they always picture little white undershirts under the bibs. Do those come with the bibs when you buy them? If not, where do you get them? I don't remember ever seeing little white undershirts advertised in the catalogs.

Inquiring minds want to know.

No, that's a base layer you wear under your jersey. I always wear a base layer even in the hottest weather, just crack open the zipper and let the air flow. I only wear bibs, no stress around the gut. Get a full zipper jersey though makes life easier for the emergency pit stop!

Oh, the base layer goes under the bib straps. NEVER EVER wear the straps on the outside of your jersey! That's a Fred moment I've seen!

Do you mean this? It's not an undershirt, it's the straps that hold the bibs up. There's no elastic around the waist.



Same thing here, only the straps are the same color as the bibs.


Once you try bibs you'll NEVER go back to shorts.

I was putting on my HR strap in the infield at Hellyer and then put on my jersey. As I was going to saddle up and roll onto the track, my wife says, "Ahem, you may want to put your straps over your shoulders". They were hanging down along my thighs. However, I can say I have NEVER put the straps over my jersey.

I only wear a base layer when it is cold / cooler.

YMMV. I really don't care for bibs. Again, YMMV.

^^

I have one pair of bibs and generally like them. I do need a base layer underneath, though, or the straps kind of dig into my shoulders. Also not so convenient when making a pit stop.

As snaproll says, YMMV.

Suspenders.

I have two base layers- The winter wicking one and a summer Aertex version that keeps a sweaty- clingy jersey that will eventually wick away moisture- away from my skin. The summer version has never kept me overwarm- but I do find that without it I do feel the cool summer morning air just a bit too cool on the downhills.

I wear a base layer when its below 75F ... armwarmers below 68F
That said there have been only 2 days (2 days during our recent Jesusita wildfire) when I haven't worn a base layer since last Oct. Prolly only been 6 rides when I haven't worn armwarmers since then.
Right now - 2 pm , 63F at SB airport, 57F here in Goleta and heavy Marine layer; been that way since forever... sun comes out about 4:30p and the wind blows at a steady 15...
although it don;t look like we're getting any sun today

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Do you promise never to wear bibstraps over your jersey?

Bought my fist bibs a few weeks back - bib knickers. This is a great cool weather pant - keeps the lower back warm. I'll stick with my shorts in the hot weather. My get some bib tights for the extra cold weather though = although my current tights do pretty well and I have stretched them out enough so they will accomidate a fleece layer underneath when it's sub-freezing.

This is going too well, time for CONTROVERSY.
I wear my bibs, then my base layer. I hate the slippery base layer letting the straps slide, and besides, I wear the bibs with no base in the summer, so it isn't like I need a base to lessen the strap pressure.

I mentioned this in Road and was told to: Buff up, HTFU, get a life, kill myself, never post again, sell my bike (which was likely crap anyway) and that my favorite band sucked.

So, my question bibs or base first? (now that we've solved the "do they come with a base layer?" question.

And, just as a public service announcement:
Never NEVER wear your bibs over your jersey, no matter what they show in a catalog. It's just, well, wrong.

Bibs first, then base (I don't consider the poly "tank top" suspenders to be a true base layer).

Base, then bib/bib straps over base. If you wore it the other way around, you might be inviting a draft coming up/down your front side.

Well now I'm intrigued...maybe I'll go home and just wear my bibs with the straps over the jersey just to see how Fred I look.

Since buying my first bib shorts two plus years ago I have not even attempted to get into regular bike shorts again. Bibs eliminate so many problems and are so comfortable all day.

Now for that base layer. I only wear the base layer in temperatures under 60 degrees as a high.

No offense...I'm 56...ride a bike almost every day, and I wouldn't want to be caught dead in those (you guys crack me up)

Got my first bibs about a month ago. Buddy swears by them, but he is a bit round. I thought what the heck and got a cheap pair from perfromance. I havent worn my shorts since, and commute in the bibs everyday.

Comfy, heaven help me if I have to use the head in a hurry, I may not like them so much then. lol

Don't you guys get Nashbar or Performance catalogs? Here are some of the typical bib pictures:








But hey, I just found a section called "Base Layers" on Performance's redesigned website. Now I know where to buy those little undershirt thingies if I ever decide to wear bibs.

Like these - only fifty bucks! What a bargain!



My shorts never slip down and I'm already suitably dorky. Do I really need bibs? (This thread wasn't started because I was contemplating same; I was just curious.)

You do not need them. People happily and successfully complete bicycle tours of many months without bibs. In earlier eras the tour de france was won without bibs.

I only wear a base layer during the winter. When I do wear a base layer with bibs, the base layer goes under the straps. The jersey always goes over the straps. Always.

I find it interesting how many people say they will never wear shorts again after wearing bibs. I have a few pairs of each and wear them all. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I almost always choose the bibs for anything over 50 miles where their main advantage really comes into play. My shorts will sometimes start to slip down, causing friction in my crotch while pedaling. This only happens to me on long rides. Bibs prevent this from happening at all. Shorts are a little cooler on very hot days. Shorts are much more convenient if I need to sit on the porcelain during a ride.

Unless you are time traveling to race the Tour (and win), you, my bikeforums friend, do indeed need bibs.

Thanks for setting me straightening me out on another thing I've happily been doing wrong my entire life. Actually, I have a couple of pair. They're ok.

[QUOTE=Hermes;9021829]I was putting on my HR strap in the infield at Hellyer and then put on my jersey. As I was going to saddle up and roll onto the track, my wife says, "Ahem, you may want to put your straps over your shoulders". They were hanging down along my thighs.

gads I hate that.

Well now I'm intrigued...maybe I'll go home and just wear my bibs with the straps over the jersey just to see how Fred I look. [/QUOTE]

omg a new fashion statement! almost as good as one glove ala Michael Jackson?