Blaireau

This is a little disconcerting
Just yesterday, I got a pair of bibs on the assumption that it would hold the familly jewels in place better than regular bike shorts....
So far this has not been listed as one of the "benefits" of wearing a bib.... I guess I'll find out when I ride again (Wed. 42 miles if all goes well).

RC2

Yeah it's the fatties that wear bibs. Which is why 100.2% of pros wear bibs. Have you ever seen someone who rides a bike for a living wearing shorts? Somewhat telling.

dcvelo

I'd agree that my jersey covers my butt, the elastic waistband is not huge deal, and personal modesty is not one of my hangups so I don't care much what people see or don't see.

But, having siad all that, bibs are noticably more comfortable and I will always by bibs from here on out.

Skipper

Evidently your opinion is different from that of the tons of ppl who vouch for Brooks saddles.

I ride Brooks B17 saddles and I wear bib shorts. I don't think of myself as being either right or wrong. Just comfortable.

Brycycle

i think the next step from shorts to bibs, is finding the right bibs for yourself. just got a set of Santini's with the Fluid Twist Gel chamois and have never been more comfortable.

CardiacKid

Well if the pros wear them, they must be perfect for me. What was I thinking?

ElJamoquio

Different anatomical part.

Anyway, here was my thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/297929-bibs-vs-shorts-poll.html

Right now the votes there are 61 votes for 'tried bibs and won't go back' and 3 votes for 'tried bibs and didn't like them'.

roadwarrior

I think it was about 1988 when I was given my first pair. I would not wear a pair of bike shorts if they were free.

There is a reason why every professional cyclist in the world wears bibs. I stand in the store and talk to people about bibs and you'd think it was a plot of some kind. It's hilarious.

slowandsteady

I love my bibs...but as a woman, I find the restroom issue not as easily solved as you mention.

Psimet2001 

Honestly I probably would not be wearing them if I was a woman. Partly for the reason you note, but also because I think the straps would be a hassle, and chafing point.

Then again I am not a woman so I guess I'll never know if that is really the case.

slowandsteady

And what would the straps be chafing?

StalkerZERO

I went shopping for bibs the other day at paragon sports in manhattan. And as much as I wanted too I didn't like em. They made me feel too warm and uncomfortable.
I tried a Giordana and a PI and I found myself sweating in them and I hadn't even tried a shirt over it yet in the fitting room. Maybe its because I'm still a fatty!! My body is in a weird state at the moment because of the weightloss. I have to buy medium sized bike shirts but with bibs and shorts I have to wear XL. Damn this stubborn loose skin.!! Or is it the last 10 lbs.

Either way I ended up getting a PI microsensor shorts in XL. Very comfortable and fits well enough.

TickDoc

got my first pair last week. The Chamois is the Shiznit on the bike, but feels like I'm wearing a loded diaper when I walk around.

I bought a pair of Pearl Izumis. My first impressions were that they make you feel hot down there, and loaded like I said, but they are great once you get nestled in.

They are, how should I say....empowering?

I feel at ease on the bike with them, now I need to just buy some more.

So now what do I do with my old shorts?

Psimet2001 

I don't know. I'm not a woman, but if I was I am sure the straps would bother me.

slowandsteady

No more than bra straps do.

azwhelan

You failed to mention that 32 people have never tried bibs, probably because they don't want or need to. If you like bibs wear them but I've never seen the need to even pay the extra money to try them. People make it sound like wearing shorts is miserable, I've never experienced any of the problems discussed here with shorts and if it aint broke I'm not going to fix it.

krazyderek

pull up your gob damn shorts boys, they aren't meant to be worn like jeans, i've never had any problems with any of my shorts. Bibs to make sense for full leg winter tight's though.

ratebeer

No.

• Also when it's insanely hot
• You have to take off your helmet, watch and jersey to take a dump.
• And if your shoulders or nips chafe

On the plus side

• the scrotal massage is interesting if unusual
• they normally aren't less comfortable
• they can provide a little added warmth for cold rides
• they seem to fit a little better
• high end bibs tend to be more comfortable
• they reportedly work wonders for people with hemmorhoids
• they're apparently spectacular for those prone to rashes

waterrockets 

no

ElJamoquio

...or don't think that bibs could be more comfortable.

I included that 'never tried' for a reason. I think the results speak for themselves. To each their own; I've always included a caveat of 'if you have these issues...'. It's not a conspiracy trying to get people to try bibs. The vast majority of people who try them, like them. If you don't want to try them, more power to you.

ratebeer

There's also what I think would be a large category: Tried bibs, they were ok and use both shorts and bibs

There was no real wow factor with the bibs for me and I use individual shorts, bibs depending on the workout, duration, fit, temperature and what's dirty, really dirty or clean.

If I'm riding an hour, 10 miles or 5000 meters for time, a skin suit is usually a better option than bibs or shorts.

KinjaBoy

I like my PI shorts and will wear them at my spin classes, and shorter rides (< 2hrs) until they fall apart. I really like my PI bibs and will wear them on my longer rides until they fall apart. I will continue to scrape and save my money to purchase both.

ratebeer

I guess one thing I might add... I'm really not into fashion wow factors.

Some much better wows in my opinion are ones that show measurable increases in speed

* Aerobic training methods
* interval training
* resistance training
* stretching
* aerodynamic improvements

I guess hard work and using your head are not all that exciting?

Shorts? Pfft! And hey, check out my new cool watch! Socks match handlebars too!

DMF 

Even more reason for bibs. With shorts you need to cinch them around the waist to hold them up. So there's a couple layers of fabric plus elastic or belt. Now bend over and pump your legs - that thick band doesn't conform to what your abdomen is trying to do.

Bibs hold your pants up without the thick band at the waist - more comfortable and easier to breathe.

And black spandex is very slimming.

StalkerZERO

I have a feeling my PI microsensor shorts won't be good for long distance cyling myself. What would you all recommend for long distance cycling? Or would I have to start a seperate thread for this question in the Long Distance section?