Bib Gripper Question
 

I have a question. Recently, I noticed that the silicone grippers on my bibs are causing my legs to get what seems like a minor rash localized in the area of the grippers. This has not happened before, but I purchased a couple of pairs with the infused silicone grips (same size and brand) and it does not cause a breakout, so I know I'm not allergic (I think. It might be some different kind of silicone ). I really like the bibs without the infused grippers and was wondering if anybody knows a way to remedy this so I don't have to fold them up during my ride.

Thanks in advance.

Of course you don't really know that it is silicone rubber that you are talking about. Or that the rubbers in the two different shorts is the same. It could be any one of many rubbers.

One way to perform a quick and dirty test for skin allergy to rubber products (like the adhesive on bandages) is to apply oxymetazoline nasal spray (Afrin) to the skin where the questionable product will touch. Say on one leg but not the other. If the oxymetazoline protects the one leg from the rash, but the other one develops the problem, you likely have an allergy to that rubber product.

Oxymetazoline is chemically very similar to epinepherine (aka adrenaline) that is used in so-called epi-pen injectors to reverse anaphylaxis caused by systemic allergic responses. Epi is also used by allergists when performing skin prick testing to neutralize the allergic responses to the test substances on and just under the skin. The oxymetazoline functions somewhat similarly to protect the skin against allergens. We use it when we are going to wear a trans-dermal medication patch for a long period such as for sea sickness aboard ship. At one time Mrs. rpen used it to prevent itching and rash at the site of her hormone supplement patches.

If the oxymetazoline doesn't work, the cause is likely something other than allergy like the leg opening being too tight or abrasion.

You mention that you like the bibs without the infused grippers, but then you say you purchased a couple of pairs with the gripper of the same size and brand (assuming these are two different models?). So are we talking 3 different bibs here? And one set of bibs with grippers causes irritation, but not the other bibs with grippers? I'm a little fuzzy on what factors we're dealing with here.

I will mentioned that leg hair could be a factor. Grippers can pull on leg hair and make things pretty uncomfortable. I've also noticed that grippers work better with shaved legs. I had some insulated bib knickers that would NOT stay below the knee if I had hairy legs.

EDIT: I'll also add that manufacturers have different "cuts" or fit profiles within their brand. If you bought the same brand, but one set of bibs had a "fitted" profile and the other had a "semi-fitted" profile, the fitted profile will definitely be tighter around the thighs.

Why not roll up the legs and see if that helps?

According the his post he apparently has done that, but doesn't want to wear them that way. I know I wouldn't.

My Hincapie team shorts from two seasons ago had a gripper-less leg. It just had a nice snug cuff, always stayed put, and didn't roll. It might be worth looking on their site to see if they still have that style available.

I have some Garneau shorts that also have no gripper, just a doubled layer of the main short fabric. Very comfortable.

What are "infused" grippers. Are we talking about "fused", i.e. melt adhered onto the fabric.

If you want to get into semantics, which seems to be a popular pastime here, I assume he means the small rubber bits that are printed onto the fabric on the inside of the lower leg. But you knew that was exactly what we were talking about, so why did you need to clarify it? Ignore the infused/fused language and just stick with grippers if that makes you feel more comfortable.

If by semantics you mean calling something what it is instead of what it isn't, yep guilty as charged. I actually thought I was fairly polite about it, considering I didn't tell the OP that he was wrong, just asked for an explanation of what he meant and left him to figure it out for himself. That's me, Mr. Polite.

1) I don't have time to be polite on the internet. I'm going to piss people off either way.

2) The most polite thing to do is not mention it. You're being impolite by drawing attention to a word nobody was worried about and inferring that the nice person asking a simple question is wrong.

How do you wash your bibs? Is it possible that your soap/detergent is interacting with that part of the bibs differently than the rest of your bibs?

GH

Allergies to silicon aren't common, but that's not to say you don't have an issue with it. It might be more of a pulling and tugging on the skin, hair follicles, etc. I didn't read if you shaved, but that might eliminate the pulling if that's the problem. Or since the silicone won't allow the area underneath to breath, that might also create some issues.

I have a few pair of bibs that have the silicone leg band and I do like how it holds so well in place and doesn't allow for creep up the thigh. They do, however, sometimes grip too well, and I have to relieve the pressure (due to my massive quads, hahahaha) so my legs can breath a bit. Maybe repositioning the silicone bands during the ride would help some. Otherwise, turn your bibs inside-out and try riding like that a few times. I'm sure no one will notice or say anything.:lol:

FWIW, this is one more reason to shave your legs.

Yeah. The kind I have are the Specialized SL Pro. They advertise silicone grippers. The kind I replaced them with are the Specialized Experts and have the silicon "infused" grippers (embedded within the fabric) Both are great, but I prefer the chamois in the Pro. I haven't shaved in a while (had to wait for my legs to heal from my mountain bike wipeout) so I'll try that. If not, I guess it is what it is and will have to move on with it.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely try them out and explore my options....

Well it turns out I'm wrong here and Specialized actually chooses to describe their product with the word infused. Mea culpa! But in general, being a person who always wants to know when I have made an error so that I can correct it (just as in this case actually), it is beyond my understanding that such a feeling isn't universal. To me it is impolite not to tell someone when (you think) they have made a mistake or left their fly down. YMMV