Bibs or Shorts?
 

Since I basically tour I thought that this would be the best place to ask this question.
Bibs or shorts? Is there a preference or advantage of one over the other?
Thanks!

Bibs for me i use assos because the padding in great, i dont like baggie shorts but i can see
the advantage of using them over bibs ,
look better off the bike
if you get caught short easier to get off .
the bibs are better for padding and wet rides and look better on the bike.

easier to take a roadside leak with lycra shorts, than bibs...

as liner shorts with the padding are close to what a lycra short is ..
with baggie shorts on the outside , flip a coin.

Bibs for the stout built (beer belly etc) holds things together better with less roll down issues.

:thumb: meant to add that :D:D

Bibs are a real pain when you have to take your jersey, warm vest, and rain jacket off to go to the bathroom!:rolleyes:

Bibs.

Often wear them with the straps down at waist level, like shorts. Use the straps over shoulders when needed. The straps keep the shorts (the shorts part of the bibs) in place, like suspenders.

Regular shorts IME shift around more. The bibs stay in place.

You can wear a shirt or baggy shorts or both over them, if and when you like (when shopping for example). They stay in place very well, so this is easy.

IMO: If you're a dude, bibs. Much more comfortable.

From what I've gathered/been told, they are less convenient for women, so it's a matter of preference.

Of course your clothing will not spontaneously explode if you choose one or the other, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you can afford it, try out a good pair of bibs and figure for yourself if they work.

I wear shorts, or tights+shorts if it's cold. I have some bibs but never wear them, because it's a PITA to pee with bibs. They're harder to don and doff.

Fat dudes prefer bibs because their guts prevent the short from staying up by elastic alone. Basically bibs are just shorts with built-in suspenders for guys who are tired of pulling up their shorts constantly.

not sure what others have posted but bibs all the way. you want the shorts held up against you, not supported by a band around your waist. shorts use a belt more or less, bibs have built in suspenders. if you don't ride for very long shorts are fine but for 2+ hrs in the saddle I only ride in bibs.

Good point about the belt. The extra band of material in shorts, and its tightness, and its roughness, were always a bit of a discomfort.

Bibs are much cleaner-sleeker-cooler in this area, around this part of the body. They don't interfere with circulation. It's like you don't have any restriction or constriction in the waist area. It just feels better that way.

bibs stretch and pretty much all are cut low enough in the front, just pull the fabric down a bit and the roadside relief is a breeze.

moving from standing to sitting most efficiently requires bibs, unless you hike your shorts up nice and snug and cinch down the waist to attempt to get the same effect.

Just wanted to add that although some bib-preferers have pot bellies, there also those of us who do not.

Some of us are even on the thin side.

When I was racing, bibs struck me as far superior. They stay put without thought or effort, and they don't bunch up, dig in, etc.

But I haven't been a bike racer in a very long time, and these days I want bike clothes that work well AND look normal when I'm not on the bike. Bibs are a PITA when not on the bike, and I can't think of any good reason to deck myself out in full Lycra "kit" for touring and recreational riding. I've settled on good quality, somewhat loose fitting wool cycling shorts with natural chamois, covered up by whatever decent hiking shorts REI has on sale, and a casual-ish wool "outdoors" shirt - Ibex being my favorite. This stuff lasts forever, doesn't take on any funky smells, works great on the bike, and allows me to be accepted by fellow non-cycling humans when I stop at the market, tourist attraction, etc.

So short version, I guess: if you never get off your bike when touring, bibs are the #1 choice. For everyone else, there are all sorts of useful options out there.

Cons of bibs:

They can chafe your nipples if you don't wear an undershirt.

When you find the size that fits well around the waist, the suspenders might be too short for you, and pull on your shoulders.

You may have awkwardly-shaped shoulders like me, causing some suspenders to keep sliding off and need re-adjustment.

An extra pair of bib shorts in your pannier is more bulky than a pair of bib-less shorts, plus there is more material to wash and dry.

Shorts are cooler in very hot conditions (even Assos sell a pair of bib-less shorts that they recommend for "hot summer" conditions).

With some brands, shorts can be a little cheaper than bibs, but this is not always the case.

Bathroom stops can be a real pain when wearing bibs.


Cons of shorts:

Overweight people say they don't stay up so well (but I cannot comment on this myself, I'm not overweight so have no problem with shorts).

Don't buy the Assos shorts - they are the only ones in the world that are not comfortable for me - the pad sits in the wrong place, and the lack of elastic on the front is an odd, useless feature (Assos bibs may be awesome, but their men's shorts model sucks, altough my wife tells me that their female shorts are great).

consider adding braces/suspenders to the scheme..
then you can un hook the front if nature calls.

Personal preference all the way. If you can afford it, try both on some longer day rides or short tours, then decide what you want over longer distance. I prefer bibs, but have a couple pairs of shorts as well and have ridden all day comfortably with both.

+1 to what Chris says.

I lean more toward the heavy side, with a belly, and tried bibs and did not like them. For many reasons that Chris mentions, the biggest two being I felt they were too hot and just not as comfortable as cycling shorts for me. For a tour I would think bibs would be all that much more cumbersome.

I don't have any problem with shorts shifting around on me. If you do, perhaps you should give bibs a try.

I prefer bibs for cooler weather, but for sweltering days, they have a little too much fabric in the front and back for maximum cooling.

What brand is there that sells bibs that are cheaper than the shorts? Whenever I look, the bibs are at least 50% more expensive. That's a big part of why I don't use bibs - the difference in comfort is not enough to justify that kind of price difference. But it might be if I had a better-paying job...

shorts.

bibs are a pain if you gotta pee but don't wanna get off the bike.

Bib's are way too expensive, especially if you destroy them in a crash. Comfortable? Sure, but so are a good pair of shorts. If your shorts are baggy, you're wearing the wrong size.

I'm not fat and I don't pull up my shorts constantly. Bibs are just more comfortable.