I am new to this and have read numerous comments that bibs are far superior to shorts but nobody ever says why. So why?

Thanks,

Brazos

No elastic waistband takes the pressure off your waistline and is generally less restricting, especially if you are..... well built.

Try them once, and you'll never ask again. I was the biggest skeptic (seemed like wrestling gear for a bicycle), now I wouldn't wear anything else.

If you've read countless threads about it, what more do you exect us to say now?

they're more comfortable

Eh, shorts are comfortable enough. Bibs aren't necessary unless you find shorts uncomfortable.

no difference, if you leave your drawstrings loose on your shorts or tights

With a bib, your shorts won't slide down as your weight changes. Also, your back is covered, so if your shirt slides up, you won't get a painful sunburn on your low back.

Also you can look like Gorgeous George if you ever decided to do weight lifting or wraslin (LOL)

because the pros wear them, and they're all fat like us... or it could be because they're just more comfortable and everything stays in place better.

Just remember when you go to bibs (and you will) don't let this happen to you.

I find that the waist on bicycling shorts rarely matches my actual waist. If the waist is too high, it's constantly trying to roll down while I'm riding. If it's too low, I'm constantly pulling the shorts up. With bibs, I don't have to worry about this; they stay put. Lack of a waistband adds more comfort than I would have expected. I have to admit that I too was skeptical about the benefits of bib shorts, but now that I've worn them I won't use anything else...

I agree with all of the reasons given so far, but here's one that will become more important when you start going on group rides: no matter how fat or skinny you are, nobody wants to spend a few hours with your sweaty asscrack staring them in the face in a pace line. Bibs completely eliminate the possibility of that happening.

Ask a farmer. eot

Eliminates Dunlops Syndrome.

cos it gives you yet another tan line that you can proudly display to all to indicate the many miles under the sun you have been putting in...

With bibs you can rip off your jersey and challenge anyone who's faster than you to wresting match.

I guess I will get around to trying them but right now it is way too hot in TX (106 today). I just wear my shorts and no shirt. If I wear a shirt I am drenched and way too hot. Once it cools off I may give bibs a try though my shorts seem fine to me.

Brazos

They keep spaghetti sauce off my underarmour base layer.

Even in hot temps, I wear a base layer, jersey & bibs. You'll be more comfortable and cooler wearing that than shorts and no shirt IMO... and probably get a bit less sun damage in the process. The materials are designed for this.

Unless said bibs are...ahem...significantly passed their useful life and getting a bit...ehhh...translucent.

I'll just throw it out there now and warn that if you do a search on Assos F1 Uno's bibs, they get ridiculously rave reviews here. It does seem to be BF's bib of choice, sort of like the CAAD9 bike.

I don't experience that at all. They're good, but certainly not worth the 2x premium that they charge for them.

On the weekends I ride early and during the week I ride later after work so sun has not been a problem. In the middle of the day I would have to wear a shirt to keep from getting burnt. I gave up on the shirt though because it is just too hot. I don't care what I look like w/o a shirt anymore. W/o a shirt the wind keeps you cool. At least I am cool until I finish my ride and then the sweat pours off me. My only hesitation is wrecking w/o a shirt. I would rather my first layer of skin to be my shirt. In October when it starts to cool off around here I will put the shirt back on. I will be glad when it is cool enough to do so. 100+ days suck and I am a born and raised Texan.

Brazos

+1 I was the same way...i will never go back!

*searching for bids* like FLvector