This is totally strange. I use a pair of bibs that is the same manufacturer and model of regular cycling shorts. They are pretty nice--maybe not top of the line but definitely on the upper end scale.

When I wear the bibs I have some severe pain in or near the sit bone on one side. I thought it was a saddle issue so I replace the saddle. The pain persisted. I started wearing my regular bib shorts and the pain stopped.

The cut of the shorts is the same. The padding and design is the same in both shorts except the pair of shorts I'm having problems with are bibs......

The only thing I can think of is the tire around my waist has gotten so large the bibs are pushed to their max and are pulling up towards my shoulders more than normal. I was enjoying wearing the bibs as they seemed to hold the tire in and not make is so visible.....Seems like I'm always considering lipsuction this time of year.

I'm wearing shorts now and its doubtful I'll go back full time to bibs. In general shorts easy on-easy off, cooler (or they seem that way to me), they don't creep, roll or bother me, and it makes the quick bathroom break a breeze. I think the heavier tire you carry though, the more bibs might present the better overall solution as shorts will start creeping at some point.

I have found that the pad location does differ between bibs and shorts of some models - the Assos Uno being one of them. I hate their shorts as the pad doesn't align to my sit bones properly and the overall cut is crummy, while the bibs are Ok. Not great mind you but, Ok.

Everyone has their favorites, I prefer Sugoi RS or RSE. Outstanding shorts with adequate and perfectly located sit bone pads. I'm going to try Gore next but, right now I'm happy with Sugoi.

Hope to see you this coming weekend in Brevard. The climb up Ceasars Head is a good substitute for liposuction - and a lot safer.

My favorites are tri-bibs and I think it's because there is less padding. Sounds strange, I know, but less padding seems to be more comfortable for me. No bunching. Between regular shorts and bibs I've found that I like the shorts better too. For all the reasons stated.

No problems with bibs here. I ride in shorts or bibs, but much prefer bibs on the long rides as everything stays in place better. The only issue I have is that I need a new pair of bibs for the century rides coming up and I can't decide whether to stick with my tried and true Performance Ultra II or to try something else.

Only bibs I wear are Boure. They use a wide, soft stretchy material
that works even if you have a gut.

I have thermal bibs that are all I use right now.

In the summer, I wear them for long rides.

I like bibs over shorts , but have found differences in quality and location of pads in many different bibs.
Some top of the line bibs have the seam in a position that really chafs my arse, while some mid range cost bibs are just fine.

I think Bibs are like saddles - you just need to find the ones that work for you. In my case, I have found a specific pad that works, and that pad is used by both Pactimo and Voler. Many manufacturers use third party pads. Voler calls the one I like the "Trilogy" pad. It is fairly thick, fairly dense, and is smooth and wide at that potential chaffe area of the inner thigh.

I like the Pearl Izumi Elite bibs, and the Performance Ultra bibs are not bad either. I have not had any issues with either, and am planning to buy another pair of PI Elite bibs this spring.

Did they change to a thicker pad on those recently?

Problem with that is just like with saddles, it gets expensive to try many different models and you never know if the perfect one is the one you haven't tried yet.

I hope not.

Maybe you need better quality bibs. I have 3 pairs of De Marchi bibs and 3 pairs of Etxe Ondo bibs that are VERY comfortable.

I have a pair of Performance Ultra Shorts with a grey pad. They are my favorites. Last year they changed to a green pad. I hated them and returned them after the first ride. I noticed in the latest catalog they're advertising the Ultra's as "new". Hopefully they swapped out that green pad, because otherwise, the Ultra's are a pretty good value. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh yea, regarding bibs in general. The only issue I have is that they make stealth urination in the great outdoors a bit more difficult.

Nope they're still using the green pad. However, like AZTallRider says they are just like saddles. I find the Performance Ultra II bibs the most comfortable I've ever used, bar none.

In terms of the OP, it makes we wonder if there is a defect in the second pair of shorts. Can they be returned?

In terms of use while attempting to relieve oneself.... never came up short and had a problem.

Has anyone tried PI PRO bib shorts? They get good reviews and I may order a pair.

I've only tried three different brands of bibs: Bellwether, Cannondale and Falconi, and none have caused me any issues. I'm an enthusiastic shorts-to-bibs convert. As far as relieving oneself is concerned, there are some brands/models that are scooped a little lower in front, which makes it easier, though I don't know if that's intentional, or an accident of sizing. Try a few different ones on and see.

I don't like padded shorts or bibs except for one pair of Cannondale bibs I have. The pad in the Cannondale bibs is good foam that is dense and does not compress completely. Most foam is carp and causes more trouble than it is worth.

I like the pad on the cannondale bibs I have, but they're a bit too revealing to wear without something over them. No one needs to see my junk as see through as they are.

I have to say I have quite wearing shorts and have switched entirely to bibs. My favorite are Pearl Izumi Pro I have one pair. They are well made but very expensive. So I bought Performance Ultra II bibs and they are great good compression, comfortable, wick really well etc. I also bought a couple of thermal full leg Performance bibs that I wore this winter and they nice and warm.

When I wear shorts I am constantly pulling them up. With bibs they are like shorts with suspenders.

Well there's your problem right there. You've been riding with a fish in your shorts!

Regarding the original problem---sounds like the seat pad might not have been in the perfect position. Maybe where you bought them from will let you return them. There are some places that have liberal return policies where you can return anything for any reason even in used condition.

After several years of using bibs I prefer Louis Garneau and Falconi. The Garneau were about $100 and the Falconi were only $36 but they are as comfy as the Garneau and are holding up well. I found the Garneau on sale at nashbar during one of their mega sales and found the Falconi online at a place that sold them with a 30 day return policy--I was leery of $36 bibs but they worked out great. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the website though.

Just curious, how many bike clothing brands actually have their own factories and how many just do the design and farm out the manufacturering? Do any brands actually have their own factories?

Falconi are sold by love2pedal.com

The only issue I have with bibs is that the tend to get a little "tight" in the crotch if I walk around too much. On the bike, more comfortable than shorts around the middle.