bhayes505

I've been using Performance Ultra's for the past couple of years. While I do think the bibs are constructed well and have held up nicely, they just rub me the wrong way. They have some heavy stitching in the chamois that is causing me some issues. I asked a good friend of mine which bibs he liked and he really likes the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. In-R-Cool Bib Shorts but at $174.00 they're a little rich for my blood.

I'm looking for some suggestions for a good all around bib that wont' break the bank. Thanks in advance!

bianchi10

Louis garneau equipe bibs

bhayes505

Thanks for the tip...Colorado Cyclist has a black pair for $99.99. Is that decent price in your opinion?

bikerjp

I like to PROs as well but wait for sales. I got them for around $120. Still a bit pricey but worth it.

bhayes505

I've been waiting but can't find any on sale and I'm afraid w/ spring coming there won't be any sales. I don't know how much longer my rear end can wait...LOL!

uncrx2003

De Soto 400 or Giordana FormaRed

bikerjp

If you can wait until May or June Performance usually has a sale on PI stuff.

snidely

Look on eBay. I got a pair of in-r-cool PRO bibs there for around $75. My other pair came from CS for $122 on clearance (very recently). I am really happy with these bibs.

bianchi10

I have them and like them. Great material. They are my 2nd favorite followed by my Louis garneau mondo pros. $99 is a good deal

Check eBay. Just saw red/blk large for $64+$5ship new also have them available in small

TrojanHorse

Keep an eye on chainlove, they have Giordano, Craft and a few others (both excellent brands). Castelli are also good, Sugoi, nothing wrong with Pearl either.

Once you buy a set at full price you'll probably start to see them on sale all over. I don't know why it works that way, just does.

petrolhead

Endura FS260 pro work well for me. Comfy, last well.

gilaasepeda

accu 3gr

bhayes505

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone...Much appreciated!

robbyville

I have a couple of suggestions for you;

I spent most of last summer buying and trying bibs from different companies and different price points so here you go FWIW!

PI in general, soft and comfortable bib (no nipple burn )

PI Attack bibs (cheaper of the bunch, I've gotten them from $60), very comfortable if just getting into longer rides but the chamois is a little bulky and the materials definitely don't compress as well as the higher end ones. That being said these are very comfortable and still one of my favorites for long rides.

PI Elite N R Cool, padding is a little thin for my taste but some really prefer that (I use them for 5-40mile rides), great soft bib portion as all PI's have. I purchased a couple of pairs off of Ebay (different merchants) and both were much shorter than what I wanted. They were listed as 9 or 9.75 inches can't remember which but when seated and pedalling they come up the thigh at least an inch and a half higher than all my other shorts. I've gotten these from $75 and up.

Bellwether Forma Bibs - These are actually one of my favorites, price in the mid $50's. The material and compression on the thigh is great, I didn't know that this was a desired feature until I tried these shorts. The padding is extremely comfortable, not too bulky and not too thin I use these on many of my longer rides 60+miles. The fit is extremely good as is the construction. There is one notable problem for me though which caused me grief on a century, and that is the bibs themselves are not nearly as soft as the PI's and they would start to bother my "chest areas" (you know what I mean). I still love these bibs though, and for the price can't be beaten.

Castelli, Free Aero Bib, by far my favorite bib (and most expensive), but I found them at stellar prices from www.classiccycling.com at around $140 vs. $220 cheaper than ebay as well. They are phenomenal and there is nothing so far that I've gotten from Castelli that I would not recommend, but I'd stick to the progretto 2 chamois vs. the kiss chamois. It's very comfortable, not too bulky and not too thin. I don't think I'd go back to PI's higher end shorts when these can be had at good prices. The cut below the belly is a little weird to get used to (especially for me when I still have a bit of a paunch), but absolutely well worth every dollar.

I've heard great things about Giordana and have bought a cold weather jacket that I like very much. Will probably try a pair of their bibs this summer.

Hope this helps in some way enjoy!

bhayes505

Thanks so much for the info robbyville!

RedVVing19

In the same boat, been riding Performance Ultra and looking to upgrade.

What Ive been told to try:
Voler (looks as if some of their pads are the same as Performance)
Pearl Izumi P.R.O. In-R-Cool
Louis Garneau Neo Power Bib Short
Castelli

gb2319

My favorite bibs are my SmartWool Flagstaff bibs. There isn't anything I don't like about them, and merino is better than any synthetic fabric at pretty much everything. And unlike some other wool bike shorts/bibs (Icebreaker, Ibex, etc) these are plenty thin enough to wear on hot days. Even the chamois is covered with a very thin layer of merino wool, and let me tell you, the antimicrobial properties of it are really nice there lol. The biggest downside would be that they do not provide any compression if you prefer that style.

I've got some Voler Elite FS bibs on the way though, and they were only about 55.00 (on sale plus Voler gives you another 15% off if you like them on Facebook), so I'll report back on those.

flatlander_48

Sugoi RS Bib Short

Normally retails for $160, but seen on Amazon for $80 to $90...

Hank244

I'll second the nomination for the Sugoi RS Bib Short.

JonnyUtah75

I've tried the Sugoi RS and wasn't all that impressed. I think my Hammer Bergamo bibs are much more comfortable. Just IMO.

flatlander_48

Yes, YMMV...

bhayes505

I wanted to come back and update this thread. I ended up buying two pair of bibs last night at Performance. I had a 10% off card and a lot of rewards points I decided to use. 1st pair I bought was the Pearl Izumi P.R.O.'s. I heard so many good things I figured I might as well give them a try. The 2nd pair I bought were the new Performance Ultra's. When I was at the store checking them out I noticed they had a new type of chamois in them and had they same type material/look as the Pear Izumi's. So I said what the heck, if I don't like them I can bring them back. I wore the Ultra's on a 55 mile ride this morning and have to say I was impressed. The chamois and material were so much better than the old Ultra's. I haven't tried the the Pearl Izumi's yet but I'm sure I'll like them.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions! Much appreciated!

aztimm

+1. I like LG Equipe, usually shorts, but have 1 set of bibs too. I prefer the red/black though.

jaltone

Are the Pearl Izumi Elite bibs within your pocket's reach? They're good enough for me. Very comfortable. No rubbing nor chafing. I used Google shopping to get good deals, but I also only buy from the bigger, reputable online stores.

NMBuff

Has anyone here tried Assos? Heard good things about them and I'm looking for a good bib to use on a century.