Bibs vs shorts
#1
Thread Starter
old newbie

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 1,141
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Bibs vs shorts
I have some Canaris cycling shorts that I bought at Academy. The chamois/pad slips forward when I ride. I do ride in a more upright position.
Would bibs keep the chamois in place better? My old butt bones want some padding. The Canaris slips enough that the padding isn’t where I need it.
Would bibs keep the chamois in place better? My old butt bones want some padding. The Canaris slips enough that the padding isn’t where I need it.
#2
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?




Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23,771
Likes: 17,226
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
I have some Canaris cycling shorts that I bought at Academy. The chamois/pad slips forward when I ride. I do ride in a more upright position.
Would bibs keep the chamois in place better? My old butt bones want some padding. The Canaris slips enough that the padding isn’t where I need it.
Would bibs keep the chamois in place better? My old butt bones want some padding. The Canaris slips enough that the padding isn’t where I need it.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#3
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,345
Likes: 14,839
Canari is a relatively cheap brand. Better shorts will perform better. Buying them in the proper size (they should be tight) will help, too.
But, to your question: yes, bibs do stay in position better than shorts for many riders.
But, to your question: yes, bibs do stay in position better than shorts for many riders.
__________________
#4
Guest
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 3,279
I don’t see how the chamois slips forward unless the shorts themselves are sliding down in the back. If that’s the case then yes, bib shorts might stay in place better. But it sounds to me like you just need better fitting shorts.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 780
From: Shanghai, China
Bikes: Waltly Custom Ti // Seaboard CX01 // Dahon Boardwalk
If the shorts are slipping it sounds like they're too big for you, but yes, bibs do a better job holding everything where it should be. I switched to bibs last year and I'd never want to go back to shorts.
#6
Thread Starter
old newbie

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 1,141
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
The shorts are sliding down in back. The chamois/pad is sewn in. I don’t mind buying better shorts but if bibs are better I will get them. I am 64 and fat. I ride sorta upright on my 2012ish Specialized Roubaix. I rest my hands against the horns and don’t use the drops.
#7
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?




Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23,771
Likes: 17,226
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
The shorts are sliding down in back. The chamois/pad is sewn in. I don’t mind buying better shorts but if bibs are better I will get them. I am 64 and fat. I ride sorta upright on my 2012ish Specialized Roubaix. I rest my hands against the horns and don’t use the drops.
If you're riding with your hands on the brake hoods, that's pretty much where most road cyclists will be most of the time. Also the ramps, right behind them, or the bar tops when climbing in the saddle. The drops are generally used a lot less. If you can reach them, you may be able to practice enough to ride comfortably in them.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#8
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 11,781
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
If you live in a hot area, one word of caution about bibs. They are considerably hotter, at least for me, when the temps go way up. I use bibs in the winter for extra warmth and regular cycling shorts during the hotter months. But like the others have said, bibs don’t shift. I use medium quality shorts and don’t have any issue with shifting shorts. If you are changing positions on your saddle for comfort, raise your behind and then sit down rather than scooting on the saddle which can lead to bunching or shifting of the chamois. Bibs do make great spanx for overweight male guts.
I am sure someone will disagree about the heat aspect, but that is my experience.
I am sure someone will disagree about the heat aspect, but that is my experience.
__________________
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
#9
Thread Starter
old newbie

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 1,141
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
If you live in a hot area, one word of caution about bibs. They are considerably hotter, at least for me, when the temps go way up. I use bibs in the winter for extra warmth and regular cycling shorts during the hotter months. But like the others have said, bibs don’t shift. I use medium quality shorts and don’t have any issue with shifting shorts. If you are changing positions on your saddle for comfort, raise your behind and then sit down rather than scooting on the saddle which can lead to bunching or shifting of the chamois. Bibs do make great spanx for overweight male guts.
I am sure someone will disagree about the heat aspect, but that is my experience.
I am sure someone will disagree about the heat aspect, but that is my experience.
I may look into some better shorts.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 286
From: Sacramento
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1 / Cervelo zht
I find bib more comfortable. Don't have to be as tight to keep them up. I ride with shorts 99% of the time though. Bathroom connivence > less tight bibs. ha-ha
#11
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 11,781
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
Did see a couple of port0potties but bibs would be more of a pain for them.
__________________
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
#14
Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 160
Likes: 31
From: Lompoc, CA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix SL4 Comp, Trek 930, Nishiki International
Bibs vs. shorts is one of those debates that keeps going on and on. I don’t like bibs, but many, many road cyclists do. Give them a try. But whether you go with bibs or shorts they need to be snug. Also, no underpants. That will cause lots of issues. And there are many differing chamois pads in cycling attire. You’ll go through some trial and error before you find what you prefer.
Happy cycling!
Happy cycling!
#15
Canari has always been something of the entry-level clothing. If a person gets the urge to start cycling for fitness walks into a bike shop, buys a lower-end bike and then asks about cycling clothes, they’ll likely be sold something by Canari. If they stop riding after a couple weeks and hang up the bike in the garage until they give it to Goodwill, or sell it at a garage sale, they won’t care much about the clothes. But if they stick with riding, it won’t be long until they buy some better clothes.
My first cycling clothing was from Canari, and it got me by for the first few months. But I found that more expensive shorts were expensive because they were better. I eventually moved up to wearing Assos Sportsline and then Prosline shorts, both regular and bibs. I rode a lot in subtropical weather, very hot and humid, with an occasional torrential rain shower. I liked the fit of the bib shorts better, but they are a little hotter, so I usually worse sleeveless mesh jerseys which were much cooler.
Nowadays I wear regular Pearl Izumi shorts, which are common and relatively inexpensive here in Japan. A decent pair is about 12,000 yen, or about $90. They are comfortable, stay put, and last a long time.
My first cycling clothing was from Canari, and it got me by for the first few months. But I found that more expensive shorts were expensive because they were better. I eventually moved up to wearing Assos Sportsline and then Prosline shorts, both regular and bibs. I rode a lot in subtropical weather, very hot and humid, with an occasional torrential rain shower. I liked the fit of the bib shorts better, but they are a little hotter, so I usually worse sleeveless mesh jerseys which were much cooler.
Nowadays I wear regular Pearl Izumi shorts, which are common and relatively inexpensive here in Japan. A decent pair is about 12,000 yen, or about $90. They are comfortable, stay put, and last a long time.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,227
Likes: 11,270
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
I used to ride with several pro women riders, and they all wore bib sorts. They lost no time to the men during “nature” breaks.
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 726
Likes: 512
From: Redmond, WA & Bangkok, Thailand
Bikes: 1999 Giant ATX MTB, 2002 Lemond Zurich, 2018 Fuji Transonic 2.3, 2019 Specialized Tarmac Disc Expert
I just became the owner of a pair of bib shorts from a friend who ordered the wrong size and it was too much of a hassle and expense to send them back. Thus I got them for a very good price. Will be trying them out for the first time in the coming days.
I do like cycling in gel shorts. I know that there was recently a thread about gel vs chamois shorts. For me, gel shorts work whether riding in the cooler climate of the PNW or the hot and humid climate of Thailand and SE Asia. YMMV
I do like cycling in gel shorts. I know that there was recently a thread about gel vs chamois shorts. For me, gel shorts work whether riding in the cooler climate of the PNW or the hot and humid climate of Thailand and SE Asia. YMMV
#19
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 154
Likes: 123
From: Sebring, Florida
Bikes: Emonda, Speed Concept, A1985 Bianchi and a Stache, Madone all Trek except the Bianchi.
I hate bibs for two reasons; the bathroom breaks and the straps over my shoulders. I’ve never had a problem with regular shorts not staying up, but the bibs are a pain in the neck to put on, take off, pull down in front for a quick pee, etc. I don’t notice anything fits better when I wear the bibs, but it takes longer to pee!




