I didn't respond bc I don't really care either way. I found body glide didn't last, but if it lasts for you, then why should I argue? We both stated our opinion, and the world kept spinning.

Unlike the "nobody needs bibs, bibs are evil, replace thy demon spawn bibs with some proper shorts" nut cases. Apparently they feel some need to argue. I suspect it's more about a lack of a certain something to fill the bibs than about the bibs themselves, but hey, why do I know.

Someone stated that you get what you pay for and measly $90 shorts cause chafing.
Sums up the 41 perfectly!

Any more than the opposite? Shorts have no value whatsoever?. Only bibs can be worn? Same song, different verse.

Wow! Who would have thought a little question on chafing would chafe so many. I happen to like bibs, but I don't care what other people wear. I have used Body Glide and it doesn't seem to do the trick. I have a couple other pair of bibs and they don't chafe me, even without BG. When I first tried on the bibs and bib tights I noticed that the chamois felt very bulky. They are not that comfortable to sit in (not on the bike). I think that is the problem. But I didn't want to throw them away. I guess I wondered if people had other lotions that they have found helpful. These bibs were very cheap. Maybe I have learned my lesson.

ouch

To sum up a couple of popular sentiments in this thread:
$90 bike shorts are unable to be used without causing chafing.
$90 bike shorts with the addition of cream are still unable to be used without chafing.
Expensive bibs by themselves are unable to be used without chafing.
Expensive bibs with the addition of cream are the way to go.
Who knew experienced cyclists were so sensitive sitting on a bicycle?

My experience: over the life of a pair of shorts or bibs, the shorts or bibs change. Fit gets looser, chamois pads thin out, straps stretch.

The chamois thinning out may turn the OP's bibs into wearable items if he can bear with the hundreds of mile it may take to get there.

Both the fit getting looser and the straps stretching are reasons I no longer buy bibs. I find buying quality shorts (the same quality short is usually $10-15 less than the bib) and using clip on suspenders works better over the long haul. Yes, the suspenders stretch but the remedy is very simply - adjust the straps! (That I do not have to undress completely to do #2 is a very nice side benefit, especially at organized rides with Porta-Potties, both for me and those waiting.)

And the best, longest lasting and probably cheapest chamois creme (as long as you don't have to impress anybody) - Bag Balm, that formulation for cow's teats developed in the very early days of mechanical milkers so the cows would willingly step up and produce. The next generation milkers solved the comfort issues, but farmer's families kept the Bag Balm on hand for themselves for all sorts of uses because they knew it worked. $8 a can at any old school pharmacy. That can will last you years. I apply it liberally to myself before long rides or anytime I think I might have issues.

Ben

With my own personal experience I would imagine it's more an issue of fit rather than the bib shorts. Changing shorts that have a different thickness in chamois which may be a factor as how your body then sits on your saddle. In a lot of cases that I've seen or experienced, it's usually that your saddle is too far back and or (sometimes both) seatpost is too high. Not saying this IS the problem, but certainly something I would throw out as something to check if you are getting chafed.

Didn't used to be the case. Now we have carbon seat posts, wide tires, CAD designed frames, etc., etc. and it seems like no one is comfortable. BITD on aluminum seat posts, 19 mm tires inflated to 120+ psi, and frames designed by gosh and by golly hardly anyone complained. Go figure.

Better cycling through accessories baby.
It's cheaper than owning a boat or a plane though so well justified...