Like many of you, I have a few different Bib shorts that I rotate during the week and bib style cycling shorts are all I ride having abandoned non-strapped cycling shorts a while back.

I have two pair of Pearl Izumi bibs...one P.R.O. model and one Elite model, latter being a level below in quality...or at least how they are marketed. Both are the same size with one notable exception. The P.R.O. bibs have the shortest and strongest straps of all my bibs.

What I am trying to determine is...is this good or bad? Reason for the question is...I am trying to determine if PI actually makes their straps stronger if not shorter on their P.R.O. model bib to offer more support to the back and shoulders when riding on the hoods and drops which may reduce fatigue on a long ride? The overall upper part of the P.R.O. bib is more like a harness than other bibs I own which seems to support the core more...but does feel more confining which I am not a fan of compared to other bibs.

Your experience?

Thanks

Nobody makes bibs that have long-enough straps for me. I am thin and have a long torso and short legs, and bibs give me the dreaded wedgie to varying degrees. I have to have the straps lengthened by around 4 inches, depending on the model. I do not believe that having tighter straps will do anything for you but pull the shorts uncomfortably up into your crotch. I believe that as long as the straps hold the shorts up properly, they are tight enough. In your case, if you don't like the fit, I recommend that you get the straps lengthened. Many cleaners have someone who does alterations, and you can buy lycra cloth cheaply.

Thanks for your response soma. The ironic thing is, I am not even long torso'ed...my height is in my legs. In my case its weird that one out of two PI bibs have short strap length. Must of been an irregular is all I can determine because my other bib straps seem to be long enough.
I will consider what you suggest and have the straps lengthened on the one pair I guess.
Thanks again.

I like the shorter straps because they make the bibs tighter in the crotch. The only problem is that sometimes the straps can sometimes start to tear.

I like the shorter straps because they help me hit the high notes when I'm singing.

Don't need no short-strapped men

Wanted to bump this thread. What I did was hack an old pair of bibs to salvage the straps and added about 5" of strap length total to my Peal Izumi P.R.O. bib shorts which now are very comfortable. I had a lady friend with a fancy sewing machine help me out.

I hate to hack old bibs for straps to length my other newer bibs. Any suggestion on where to get some strap material? Can't seem to find any straps by themselves on line.

Straps are not simple to make from virgin elastic material because the have beaded sides.

I would like to lengthen the straps on some of my other bibs for greater comfort.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks

Try a Hancock or Jo Anne's fabric store. They have all kinds of stuff and are widely represented.

I used an old Nike dry fit compression shirt I stopped wearing. It was black, elastic, breathable, and pretty much the perfect material to cannibalize into a bib extension. I had a local dry cleaner put a 2 inch patch on the back, under where the straps met. I figured that would provide the highest degree of durability since the seems were the widest here. It worked out well and I'm happy with the fit now. Quite honestly, you could probably use material from cheap athletic shirts from Walmart or Target. As long as the fabric is synthetic and has some elasticity, you should be OK.

Thanks Bathwater....good suggestions. I appreciate your response.