I tried on the Castelli Tre bib shorts on the weekend. Indeed they were slimming. No artificial muffin top creation. Seemed awfully low in the front, enough that my jerseys would end up showing navel at rest.

I can see the advantages but the shoulder straps would not be for everyone I'm sure. Especially women.

Pro's
>junk is snug and right where you tucked them
>no/less rub on the naughty parts
>good/quality bibs are cut low in front so peeing is as simple as shorts

all good quality bibs are cut so much better than the entry level ones that you must try it before you knock it

Con's
>a bit more $$ for good ones (but could well be worth it)
>you will want to wear them all day, even to work you'll love 'em so much
>hot is hot. Do you ride mid-day when it is humid and 85? It's hot. (again, then better bibs have little material from the waist up)

Well I have been riding MTB for 18 years without any kind of padding. I just got my 1st rode bike 3 days ago and lets just say I am in the market for some padding. Since I have never tried shorts I guess I could dive right into bibs. These are the ones available at my LBS. I guess I can go try some on.

Any good online links for bibs?

If the Freds don't like bibs, why would anyone even care?

To each his own.

MEC also carries the descente strata endurance -- a better bib than the castelli and my current fave. good luck finding a size in the store, i got mine online.

bibs aren't a cure for idiocy

I have descente shorts right now and wanted to try the descente strata endurance. No stock. I'll poke around and try them out as well, thanks pdedes.

Yowsir!

Yeah, like I said, chicks with next to nothing up top would likely have no issue no matter how the straps are configured or located. That would be extremely uncomfortable for me.

I think the recurring theme is that you'll never know how comfortable (or not) they are for you unless you try them. I would recommend that you don't go with some cheapie bibs, if you can at all help it. My first pair of bibs were Performance branded bibs. While the Bib portion of it worked great for me, the chamois part didn't give me the right support. Granted I kind of knew it since I owned a pair of the Shorts version of the same (hence I own both the shorts and bib version). Bibs are more comfortable for me. When I decided to spend a little extra on the higher end Bibs, I found them extremely comfortable! My advice is go find out for yourself!

Cycling does not cure being moron either

well said. especially morons who deliberately remove the function (and form) of a 3pocket jersey by wearing bib tights over said jersey.

This.
And try on at least three or four different brands and possibly a range of prices. I've tried Assos, Castelli, Pearl Izumi, Craft, and Gore - they all have different fits and designs. Even sizes are different by brand. What may be a med/large would be a l/xl in another brand. Take the time and visit more than one shop if need be. It is best to try them on in person and not buy your first pair from a catalogue or online.

It's often worth saving your $80 and waiting a few more weeks until your following paycheck can get you the $160 bibs. Bumping up the price point gets you extra bells and whistles like better back ventilation/wicking material, better panel construction, and better chamois. People spend at least that much on their saddles - consider spending it on what is actually going to be sitting next to your skin.

As far as the cons listed for bibs. I have only had those issues with one pair of really cheap Performance bibs that I used to wear about 20 years ago.
I don't skimp on gear anymore (stopped buying just to get something/anything) and don't have any of the problems with bibs people have listed. I wear Assos brand - incredibly comfortable.

That is my song too. I have tried them and the extreme discomfort after 3 or 4 hours on the shoulders made me want to scream. I don't care what anyone says, those straps do nothing to aid cooling to say the least. Not for me thanks. I have no problem with good shorts.

Extreme discomfort on your shoulders? Sounds like you either were wearing bibs that were too small for you or just really poorly made ones. There's no reason that the shoulder straps on bibs should dig into your shoulders unless you're trying to squeeze too much flesh into them. Nor is there any reason that a two inch wide strap made of wicking nylon material should make you overheat. A decent pair of bibs will have a lower cut in the front (some can come up fairly high over the lower abdomen) and a "racer back" design preferably with a mesh fabric.

Seriously, go to a brick & mortar bike shop and do the Goldilocks Test until you find ones that fit you. Some brands (European ones usually) run smaller so ignore the fact that you may have to go to a large or xtra-large.

Don't order them online blindly in an attempt to "try them out and see what the hype is about" until you know which brands work for you.

Is this thread still going?

Amazing.

The reason people like bibs: they keep the chammy in place better, they are more comfortable. If you do not find this to be the case, it's likely you're doing it wrong. But, for everyone's sake, if you LOVE bike shorts and are offended by the vast majority of people preferring bibs, KEEP POSTING. I'm nearly converted back to shorts by tales of your uncomfortable shoulder straps.

Same here. I had two pair of pretty decent shorts (LG) and then tried some Sugoi bibs. Actually I ordered three different varieties from Performance, liked the Sugoi and returned the rest (I used UNDERWEAR when trying them, don't worry). I liked the bibs so much, I resented when I had to use the shorts (I wash after every ride, therefore need at least 2-3 pair to keep a decent rotation going while I assemble a load of cycling clothes to wash).

So, having read such good reviews of Performance Ultra II and Elite bibs I bought a pair of each when performance had a weekend discount AND a buy one get one for 1/2 price. I intended to decide which I liked best and return the other and get a second pair of the one I liked best. Even though they're quite different, I ended up liking both - they are different for sure, but both work for me. I'd have to say that both are equal or better in appearance and general quality to the Sugoi even though they cost quite a bit less. Although the Sugoi are just fine, if all three are clean and ready to go, I pick the Ultra II and Elite in that order (or reverse the order if it's especially hot because the Elite are a little cooler/lighter weight).

I strongly recommend to anyone to give bibs a try, if nothing else for curiousity. And, the best way to try if you don't have a lot to try on locally is order 2-3 different pair from Performance and return the unwanted ones. The Performance brand (at least the Ultra II and Elite) are excellent and a good price.

i just heard that they reduce waist pressure and keep them from rolling and folding and w/e