Bibs - not just for babies?

[tongue_tied]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself first and foremost. I ride a Blue RD-1 and it's a dream. :) I'm a bigger girl working to get fit and healthy, and since I started riding seriously just a few months ago, I've lost about 15 lbs.

My question is, how many of you guys wear bibs when you ride? I hear that it's more comfortable - does everyone find that true? Especially if you have a bit of a stomach?

[papaver]

yep, I do wear them, and i don't exactly have a flat stomach... :D I love them.

[fidlfreek]

I llllloooove my Pearl Izumi bibs. They are SO much more comfortable, and I don't exactly have much of a tummy. I just discussed this w/ friends this morning. Apparently they both also wear MEN's bibs, since women's are hard to find. Interesting....:) They say the chamois is actually quite similar for both sexes.

[ASammy1]

I love my bibs! Yes, much more comfortable than regular shorts. The only downfall is having to get completely undressed to go to the bathroom.

[tongue_tied]

Soooo, where do you guys usually get your bibs from? Order online? Sizing?

[Andrea]

I wear bibs, and if I have to pee in the woods, I'll usually just roll up/pull open a leg hole. Doesn't work as well with a toilet.

[Pedal Wench]

I wear bibs, and if I have to pee in the woods, I'll usually just roll up/pull open a leg hole. Doesn't work as well with a toilet.

OMG. With a chamois, elastic, spandex and bike shoes, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[Tuckervill]

I was watching The Soup on E network last night. They were making fun of some British or Aussie reality show, where these wild women were to be turned into Princesses or something. The girls decided they need to stop the bus and pee on the side of the road, and one of them was KNEELING, and peeing out the front, like a guy. But on her knees??

Karen

[Ana]

They are way more comfortable than having that elastic band cutting into your abdomen :p

The downside is that they're expensive and sometimes they don't work out because of fit or chamois issues.

I have 3 pair: 1 I bought from a fellow TE'er (Exte Ondo), 1 I got from eBay for $15 (Giordana) and 1 I purchased directly from Velowear that was a sample (teams tried on for size) for $20 plus free shipping. The one I bought from a fellow TE'er are by far the nicest ones and the ones I wear the most. They vary in the fit and the amount of padding so I switch between them sometimes when my sit bones are sore.

I will probably buy a pair from a shop one of these days but not quite yet. It's hard enough finding a short you love that works with your saddle, spending $100-$150 on shorts is daunting :p I splurged on all the bib shorts I currently have because they were so inexpensive/no more expensive than regular shorts that I thought it as worth a try and got hooked! :D

I've been sort of looking at the Shebeest Pedal Pushers (non-bib) and Ibex's El Fito Wool Knicker (also non-bib) but have yet to try them on :)

I've heard mixed things about the Pearl Izumi Bibs but I'm going to try to find a good bib short made in the U.S.

[lph]

I seem to be the odd one out, but I don't find bibs to make that much of a difference. On long rides I pick bibs because it reduces the chances of a stomach cramp after eating+drinking on-bike a little, but to be honest I find the bathroom issue to be a big hassle. Maybe it's my love of coffee, and yes I was bad at doing those squeezy exercises after giving birth, but when I have to pee, I have to pee FAST. And then I really hate struggling with the shoulder straps, especially because the climate here usually means I'm wearing at least one snug sweaty long-sleeved layer on top.

Most of my regular shorts are quite comfy, the bibs are slightly better, but not an enormous difference to my mind.

[SheFly]

Outside of the peeing issue (Andrea - you have more chutzpah than I!), I love my bibs as well. I actually wear them because I have a pretty long torso, and usually ended up with a sunburnt strip across my lower back from my jerseys riding up! Now, no bare back! Woohoo!

SheFly

[papaver]

and there's always this...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/package.gif

:D

[Andrea]

I never thought that the leg hole thing was that big of a deal! I started doing it when I started trail running (I'll admit, it is much easier to execute wearing running shorts than cycling shorts). :D

[ridebikeme]

I too, love my bib shorts! Although I have several pair, the most comfortable is the Giordana Tenax. It is a unisex short, however I have several women customers wearing them and my sales have reflected just that. :D

[TxDoc]

I do like bibs, they look much better than shorts even if you have a flat stomach. I buy mostly on www.tscyclingusa.com - and you can find Assos bibs on Glory's website.

[ASammy1]

+1 on the Exte Ondo-my favorite!

[TxDoc]

Forgot one of the online stores where I buy nice bibs:
http://www.procyclegear.com they have closeouts very often so you can save a lot! :D

[malkin]

I thought papaver's post was a joke, but it's for real!

http://www.pmateusa.com/

[papaver]

I thought papaver's post was a joke, but it's for real!

http://www.pmateusa.com/
:D:D:D A couple of years back a very popular magazine gave it away for free. A lot of women have tried it out, me included. It was hilarious. :D

It was handy, but still... no thanks. :D

[Andrea]

The "photo" page @ that link is hilarious! I think I'm gonna place an order :D

[HandleBars]

They're great and comfortable. When it comes to riding, it's whatever makes you comfortable right?

[Selkie]

The Easter Bunny surprised me with Assos bibs that I wanted him to return, which he refused to do. I was secretly glad about that! :p Wear them for long rides, wash them in their little laundry bag that came w/them & with very gentle soap. I love them and am hoping to receive additional pairs on future special occasions. So comfy, well made, etc. But they are a special, luxury item.

Also love the EO Sbaren bibs. The other EO bibs are ok, but the Sbarens are made w/much more supportive fabric. I also have the PI bibs which are fine.

I wish Gore made women's bibs. I got a couple pair of the regular Gore shorts during TE's shorts sale earlier this year and they are wonderful for indoor trainer sessions, under winter tights, etc.

[sundial]

Ok, I have one gripe about my bibs--straps! I have to work those bra straps and bib straps. :rolleyes: Got this one particular bra I wear to blend in with the bib straps. Then I have my HR strap. :p