For bibs I really like Craft. I've got several pair and they're the best pad of any shorts I've had. The one problem is that it looks like the Craft stuff has gotten hard to find.

Rapha does a Classic guarantee which includes their Classic bib shorts. If u don't like it or it doesn't fit... Return it no questions asked.

Endura does the same, good reviews on Fs260 pro sl bib, very comfortable.

Assos at pretty much top.

I believe the above 3 provides guarantee against manufacturing defects, rapha does free repair too if u race and crash.

I can't agree with this. I used to think this way until 2 summers ago. I live in Florida and wore LG and Bontrager jerseys. I thought they were fine, until I bought a nice Castelli and a Gore jerseys. They are so much nicer in the heat. I recently got a Suigi jersey and it's nice as well.
I used to wear Performance ultra shorts and they were good. I bought some Assos and PI Elites and they were better.
To me, the moral of the story is there is nothing wrong with Performance, LG, Giro and etc. if you can afford Assos,
Rapha, Gore and etc it's just nicer. I can run in Cotton tshirts and gym shorts but my Under Armour is simply nicer and makes for a better experience.

Rapha Classsic bibs have served me well. They're very comfortable. I also own Red and White (Race) bibs and Performance Ultra bibs, which are fine, too, although I think the Rapha bibs are more comfortable on the farther ends of long rides. .

My experience with castelli has been great if you follow the size charts, and not the size letter you're used to ordering. I am a small in most jerseys, but a M in castelli. I'm an M in all my specialized bibs, and am also in castelli.
I just got a new set of nano flex pro omloop with their upgraded seat pad, wow. Definately +1 to spending extra for the better chamois.

edit: I maybe should add that I'm pretty small. 6' 153lbs, it does seem castelli seems to fit smaller people better.

Same. And recently I've noticed that other brands are as expensive as what I pay for discounted Assos. So, no-brainer for me. I bought my last several bibs for $130.

I wear Rapha jerseys too. The thing is - the OP, does he even live in FL? And B, my main point was simply that if you can only go big on one thing to start with, it should be the bib.

I see a lot of love for $200+ bib shorts. What makes them so much better than $30 Baleaf bib shorts? I bought 5 pair for $150 and they feel great. What am I missing?

Assos. Top quality and discreet branding.

For a inexpensive bib had had good success with altura brand buy from Merlin in England buy the more expensive ones about 60 bucks.or so much better than any pearls I own at double the price .the pearl stuff is good just not a good value at 150 bucks and not too good of quality

I treated myself to a Castelli Sfida jersey and have worn it probably 25 times this winter. I really like it and the quality seems excellent. Size chart seems correct to me, but the sizing on that jersey is smaller rather than larger.

I have mixed feeling about Pearl Izumi. I have never found a pair of cycling shorts that fit, even in size XL. They make a ton of different lines/items and some of them that I've seen in the local stores seem overpriced for what you get.

Chamois. Comfort.
Nissan Versa is a Baleaf. It will get you to where you want to go.
Assos is a Lexus LS. It too will get you you where you want to go.
the longer the drive the more you notice the subtle differences, like seat comfort, Temperature controls and less road noise. The same goes for bike clothes.

So if I'm perfectly comfortable doing a century in 90 to 100 degree weather in Baleaf bib shorts, I won't notice any improvement from $200 bib shorts?

I don't think the Baleafs come with temperature control, nor are they as well known for controlling road noise. So, you should supposedly notice an improvement with the pricier bibs.

What's "temperature control"? And what do bib shorts have to do with road noise?

how about these?

Przewalski $26.99 bib shorts

Spotti $17.99 cycling jersey

I don't know.. just reiterating what I'm reading here. ;)

You never know until you try.

I'm not falling for that again, after the $12 socks you guys tricked me into buying.

I can describe in detail the differences between a Nissan Versa and a Lexus LS. Can't someone who has a pair of these $200 bib shorts just compare their features with some cheap ones?

For $199 and up, bibs come with fairies that ever so slightly lift you off the saddle to reduce pressure. Or maybe you get the best materials available and excellent quality control. For me, it's just not worth it. I'll stick with PI bibs that i get on sale for 60 some dollars.

I came across the below webpage example. I've always considered the chamois the make-or-break part of a bib and brand. Interesting to note that there are OEM chamois makers that supply the various brands out there. Obviously to spec, or they'd all look the same. However, the technology is often common:
Brands

You said yourself, the padding fell apart after 1000 miles.

Cheaper materials, cheaper production, less attention to detail/quality. Yes, they are cheap and if you only ride 1000 miles a year you don't need buy many, or you buy 5-10 and just toss them when they fall apart, vs. buying 1 or 2 quality bibs and having them for many seasons without any noticeable degrade in wear.

Fairies die once you fart.:p

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I have a Performance Ultra, Pi's, Castelli, Garneau, even a Nike bike short and maybe one or two other brands.

They are all comfortable and some are 4 years old.

I'm shallow and self conscious... I buy what ever doesn't make me look like a billboard. yes this is a tongue-in-cheek commentary. :)

I’ve been using nashbar bibs and shorts for the past year as well as some cheap shoes until I read this thread and so I went to my LBS and dropped some major $$ on several sets of Pearl Izumi Elite bibs, jerseys, warmers as well as a pair of Fizik shoes and a new helmet and I am completely blown away by the difference on my first ride. I didn’t think I would notice much of anything but it really was a night and day difference.

Craft kits are great quality and comfortable. They don’t seem to get a lot of attention so the sales are a real bargain. If you don’t mind wearing a team kit, last years Bora craft kit can be found for well under $100 (jersey and shorts) and is an absolute steal. BTW, Their mesh base layer is amazing.