Bibs...
04-27-21, 11:44 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Bibs...
Ok, so since i bought my first road bike when i was 13 (Fuji, downtube shifters, steel frame) i have worn bike shorts. I started back riding road last year at the tender age of 47.. debating buying a pair of bibbs. Is there that much difference in comfort? I'm not opposed at all.. just curious. Would like to stay around $100, if that would get me something decent quality-wise. I'm a size 32/32, so guessing medium, although i figure that would vary by manufacturer.
Tell me, do you prefer bibbs or shorts? It's all road riding, btw if that matters
Tell me, do you prefer bibbs or shorts? It's all road riding, btw if that matters
04-27-21, 12:13 PM
#2
Full Member
Bibs stay in place better and are more comfortable. No waistband to cut into you. I would never go back to shorts. Assos are the best.
04-27-21, 01:08 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,430 Times
in
4,662 Posts
You're not going to know what you prefer until you try them - some that try bibs go back to shorts, but it seems that the majority of enthusiasts prefer bibs.
Likes For WhyFi:
04-27-21, 01:14 PM
#4
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,142
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10496 Post(s)
Liked 6,943 Times
in
3,917 Posts
100% bibs- they stay in place. if i were a woman with hips, shorts could work fine since they stay up better.
04-27-21, 01:24 PM
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,154
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5839 Post(s)
Liked 4,458 Times
in
3,074 Posts
I've used shorts for at least ten years. Everyone I know says bibbs are better, even my son.
I bought some last year and they fit nicely.
I can't tell the difference when I'm riding. Only when I get ready to pee do I notice anything different. <grin>
I bought some last year and they fit nicely.
I can't tell the difference when I'm riding. Only when I get ready to pee do I notice anything different. <grin>
04-27-21, 02:15 PM
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 414
Bikes: 2016 Cervelo R3 & 1999 Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 153 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times
in
78 Posts
I think you'll hear a lot of opinions on this topic and most will say bibbs. I tried a pair and don't really care for them. There's something about the panel covering my stomach that doesn't feel right to me. Maybe I just need to lose my gut.
In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
04-27-21, 02:30 PM
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
After 5 years in shorts, I decided to try bibs. I like that there is no shifting at all. Also, The one spot that always seemed to get sore with shorts doesn't with bibs. I'm not going back. I use the cheapest Black Bibs.
04-27-21, 04:43 PM
#9
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,214
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1650 Post(s)
Liked 1,227 Times
in
866 Posts
I think you'll hear a lot of opinions on this topic and most will say bibbs. I tried a pair and don't really care for them. There's something about the panel covering my stomach that doesn't feel right to me. Maybe I just need to lose my gut. In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
04-27-21, 05:22 PM
#10
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,137
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Hybrid
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2990 Post(s)
Liked 5,903 Times
in
3,452 Posts
Good cheap bibs from The Black Bibs. I have two pair that I alternate. Well under $100 each.
Great bibs from Assos. I was gifted a pair and they are great. MSRP was around $250.
Great bibs from Assos. I was gifted a pair and they are great. MSRP was around $250.
Last edited by cb400bill; 04-27-21 at 06:12 PM.
04-27-21, 06:19 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 1,984
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 774 Post(s)
Liked 1,835 Times
in
887 Posts
I'll be honest, I like bibs but bibs do not like me and they wear out in a year rotating four pairs and a couple pairs of shorts. YMMV but I DO NOT care what the Roadie community thinks of me when I am wearing MTB shorts over my bibs. Damn I am not made of $$$ for f'ing Lycra that wears out quickly. My posterior is worn enough that I will eventually go off Lycra completely. It is time to man up and wear materials that hold up to a freaking bike ride. 
Last edited by CAT7RDR; 04-27-21 at 06:27 PM.
04-27-21, 07:13 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1957 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Bibs all day every day. Baggies over them for mtb. I'll be 58 tomorrow and I've owned precisely 1 pr of regular shorts in my life. And I ended up using cycling suspenders w/ them.
04-28-21, 08:08 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Bibs. Much much more comfortable. Tried them once and never looked back.
04-28-21, 08:18 AM
#15
Senior Member
I wear bibs exclusively, but I honestly feel no difference. I am skinny if that matters.
04-28-21, 01:06 PM
#16
Newbie
Thread Starter
Great responses guys. Thanks! I think i'll scope out a decent pair and give them a try.
04-28-21, 03:18 PM
#18
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,482
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4639 Post(s)
Liked 1,471 Times
in
959 Posts
I think you'll hear a lot of opinions on this topic and most will say bibbs. I tried a pair and don't really care for them. There's something about the panel covering my stomach that doesn't feel right to me. Maybe I just need to lose my gut. In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
In any event I'm back to shorts with no problems.
04-29-21, 02:27 AM
#19
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Thailand
Posts: 276
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito CV disk, and rim brake
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times
in
56 Posts
Go with bibs and you’ll never go back to shorts. I made the switch to bibs around six years ago and couldn’t be happier (more comfortable). Getting the right fit is key here. I highly recommend Asso bibs. Although, pricey you get what you pay for.
04-29-21, 06:49 AM
#20
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 32,299
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 324 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11417 Post(s)
Liked 5,880 Times
in
3,134 Posts
Shorts don't cause me any discomfort at all. Not only do I not find non-shorts necessary, I find the shoulder straps to be uncomfortable and the bathroom thing just too much trouble.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
04-29-21, 06:55 AM
#21
he said member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: is everything
Posts: 12,966
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2399 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times
in
1,010 Posts
Bibs, shorts no bueno. I'll go on record for the Black bibs project. Excellent, excellent, quality and comfort.
04-29-21, 02:14 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,449
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1717 Post(s)
Liked 1,267 Times
in
731 Posts
The problem with cycling gear is that fit is very individual. I've had everything from PI to Castelli to Assos and it's Assos that works for me. But, someone else might find that a less expensive brand works better for them. In general I prefer bibs to shorts.
04-30-21, 01:31 PM
#23
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 6,290
Bikes: Scott Addict R1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2706 Post(s)
Liked 2,724 Times
in
1,375 Posts
My go-to supplier for bibs and jerseys is "made in California" Voler.
High quality stuff that fits well and looks decent.
Here's a nice basic set of bibs from Voler, on sale. Try them out at a cheap price:
Voler M's Jet Classic Bib Short
High quality stuff that fits well and looks decent.
Here's a nice basic set of bibs from Voler, on sale. Try them out at a cheap price:
Voler M's Jet Classic Bib Short
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat
Ride, Rest, Repeat
04-30-21, 04:52 PM
#25
Senior Member
