Turboem1

Hey guys I am ready to make the jump and put down some good money for cycling shorts/bibs.

Now heres a bunch of questions. I am deciding between bibs and shorts. So far I have come up with...

Bibs
Pro's - No buttcrack to hang out, No tight waistband, Maybe more comfortable
Con's - Hotter in the summer (true?), more expensive, harder to get a good fit, hard/akward to go to bathroom in

Shorts
Pro's - Easy to go to the bathroom in, cheaper, cooler in the summer
Cons - Tight waistband, Buttcrack can hang out, maybe less comfortable then bibs


So I am looking to buy something. My main concern is fitment of bibs. Are they tight when your hunched over and loose other times or vice versa. Because of the straps whenever you bend dont they feel annoying and restrictive?


Regardess of whether I choose shorts or bibs, what comapany would be quality.

I am looking at

Bibs:
Assos F1 Uno
Pearl Izumi Slice Ultrasensor Cycling Bib Short
Pearl Izumi UltraSensor Bib Short
Pearl Izumi Attack Bib Short
Aerotech designs Bib Short

Shorts:
Pearl Izumi Slice Ultrasensor Cycling Short
Pearl Izumi UltraSensor Short
Pearl Izumi Micro sensors
Aerotech Designs Top Shelf Bike Short

You'll notice a LARGE range of prices. I am willing to pay if there is a noticable difference in quality. If for an extra $70 they will be much better Ill spend the money. But for $70 more if they are 3 grams lighter, maybe a barely noticeable difference in quality and a nicer shade of a color I dont care.

I think Pearl Izumi might be the best for me although I heard lately there quality has gone down. Any truth to this?

Thanks

bigskymacadam

i have these made by voler; comfortable and rival the PI's and are a little cheaper in price.

GamecockTaco

cue Botto's Assos ad in 3.....2.....1......

'nother

Correction: *definitely* more comfortable

Not hotter in the summer. Usually more expensive. Harder to get a good fit? I doubt it. They do stretch... Going to the bathroom, urinating at least, is no biggie. The other end is sometimes a hassle, 'cause you pretty much have to take all of your upper stuff off (at least off of your arms, so you can slide the bib straps down) but with a little planning this will not outweigh the Pros of bibs.


I've never had the problems you mention. Once I put them on, it's like second skin. Whereas with regular shorts, I can feel that f-ing waistband digging in almost immediately. It's really no contest: bibs rule.



As for specific brands: definitely some are better made than others (even within a single brand, e.g. some PIs are better than others) but it comes down to how the pad works with your anatomy...unfortunately you will probably end up trying a few different ones. I recommend not buying more than one at a time until you find a brand/style/size you are comfortable with.

merlinman

I'm long torso'd and had a problem with bib fit (a little too close for comfort) but my local nice drycleaner who has a seamstress put in a 3 inch mesh elastic extender on my Assos at back for $6 and now bibs rule.

Dewbert

You really have to try a few things. I thought I'd love bibs but turned out I didn't like the extra bulk on the shoulders and chest. I'm back to shorts all the way. Specifically, PI Attacks.

bvfrompc

To re-word your thread how it should have read:

Which Asso Bib-shorts should I choose?








Actually I have been really happy with the Castelli Kiss bib shorts. I rode for 8 years with just the regular cycling shorts, got the bibshorts when I joined a team last year, I feel like I robbed myself of comfort for those 8 years. My fourth pair should be arriving in the mail, hopefully today.

After riding in my first pair of bib-shorts I came up with a marketing idea for bib shorts manufacturers, They should give away a pair with every bike sold, soon there would be no regular bike shorts available because nobody would buy them. I can't imagine anybody who would go back to regular after bibs.

FWIW, I have 3 pairs of regular PI shorts I could sell you real cheap...Never liked them that much.

teterider

I think bibs are hotter in summer, and you can collect a puddle of sweat around the belly button area since the fabric here is tight. There is also the issue of constantly feeling the straps on your shoulders which is a personal preference thing. I have and use both, and really don't swear by one or the other but I guess I do use the regular shorts more in hot weather.