Are bibs necessary?
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Bikes: Specialized Allez
I find that bibs hold your "cash and prizes" up out of the way a little better than shorts.
I also find that bibs, relative to shorts, lower the probability of showing off your butt crack to anyone.
I like bibs too, cause they hold in my beer gut.
I also find that bibs, relative to shorts, lower the probability of showing off your butt crack to anyone.
I like bibs too, cause they hold in my beer gut.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, IN
Bikes: Colnago Dream CX, Gary Fisher XCal, Diamondback Haanjo
for me, yes. I just made the mistake yesterday of doing a 60 mile ride in shorts that I rarely wear because all my bibs were dirty. The back falls down so much that the entire (gigantic, in this case) chamois gets pulled to the front, offering no protection to my sit bones. I stopped and hiked them up a few times, but it became futile very quickly.
Never had this problem with bibs.
Never had this problem with bibs.
#7
Warning:Mild Peril
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
I prefer the shorts. Bibs always make me feel like I'm wearing old man suspenders.
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Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
#14
well hello there

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,489
Likes: 388
From: Point Loma, CA
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
The difference between bibs and shorts for any ride under 20 miles is irrelevant, in my opinion.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: NYC (Forest Hills)
Bikes: Gaulzetti Cazzo, Gaulzetti Corsa, Gaulzetti Ti, Gaulzetti SS prototype, Motobecane Fantom CXX, Ridley XFire
I just feel that my belly is too damn pasty for the world to see when I completely unzip my jersey.
I like to be considerate, lol
I like to be considerate, lol
#16
#18
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 2
From: Antioch, IL
Bikes: 2013 Synapse 4
#19
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Obviously they are not necessary or everyone would always wear them. Many people prefer them. Ymmv.
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 63
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Bikes: Time ADH01, Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
I use both. I find Bibs are too warm in the heat - even the vented ones.
#23
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07


Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,398
Likes: 20
From: SE Florida, USA aka the Treasure Coast
True in my experience. I'm a late convert. Been riding since the 70s ut only tried bibs ~ 5 years ago.
Agreed.
and agreed
and agreed
Originally Posted by Caymen
I also find that bibs, relative to shorts, lower the probability of showing off your butt crack to anyone.
and agreed
Originally Posted by Caymen
I like bibs too, cause they hold in my beer gut
and agreed
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“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
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“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
#25
Live to ride ride to live
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
I prefer shorts. I have a pair of cheap Performance bibs and never wear them. The shoulder straps are uncomfortble to me and they are harder to deal with when I need to make a pit stop. I also find them hotter. My shorts do not move around. No crack is showing and the waist band doesn't bother me.






