Bibs

[TsPoet]

There is a discussion on Bikejournal about bib shorts. I wanted to ask what women think of them. I know SadieKate likes them:).
Specifically -
do women with large chests like them? The sizes listed are for waists - what about the chest?
do you wear the bibs over or under your shirt? Seems like over would be easier for bathroom breaks, but might look funny especially if they have to go around the boobage area.
There aren't many women-specific brands, do the men's have the right torso length? Then, of course, the boobage question comes out again.

Other women's issues with bibs vs. shorts?
what brand(s)/types do you recommend?

[SadieKate]

Well, I'm not huge boobage but it's definitely a jersey fit factor for me. The straps on the mens are too long for the vertically challenged and not placed in the right location to deal with boobage.

Over the base layer and under the jersey. During the summer, if it is excruciatingly hot, I've been known to take off my jersey and then the love handles are camouflaged.

[SadieKate]

TsPoet - you need the Assos lady bibs for your time trials. ;)

[Bron]

I have one pair of unisex (i.e. men´s) bib shorts from Nalini. The straps are made of a stretchy mesh material, so they fit quite well over my (flatish) chest and under the jersey. I don´t find them any better/worse than normal shorts, but it does make pit stops rather interesting.

Is it just me or do the Assos ones with the strap running between the boobs look rather dodgy? Maybe it´s the picture they use of them on the website!

Bron

[SadieKate]

Uh . . . yeah!

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4720&highlight=assos+tights

[TsPoet]

TsPoet - you need the Assos lady bibs for your time trials. ;)

I found a site that has those bibs on sale right now - no photo available. I'm soooo glad you sent a link to your previous posts! :eek: I can't imagine anyone wearing those, either over or under a jersey. Without a jersey might help me win any TT or race I do - running from the cops for indecent exposure.

TS

[Bron]

Thanks, that gave me a good giggle.

Bron:D

[SadieKate]

The bib shorts actually look like a one piece tri suit and have good coverage. The bib tights are the indecent ones.

[CorsairMac]

I found a site that has those bibs on sale right now - no photo available. I'm soooo glad you sent a link to your previous posts! :eek: I can't imagine anyone wearing those, either over or under a jersey. Without a jersey might help me win any TT or race I do - running from the cops for indecent exposure.

TS

It's OK my friend - MassBikeBabes husband has very graciously volunteered the use of his hands to help keep us decent and to allow us the use of our hands to shift and brake. :p ;) :D

[Trek420]

and they say chivalry is dead :D :p te guys are just great ;-)

[RoadRaven]

I have two pairs of ProRace bib shorts - I don't wear them on warm days as they make me too hot, but on cold days I like them because they keep my lower back and my flanks warm.

I don't find them a problem with my breasts, either as a C cup (last year), or now as a B.

I would recommend them.

I wear crop tops when riding, so my look is more of a tease I guess with a bit of midriff showing :p but with a jersey over the top, not a prob!

[maillotpois]

The new Assos knicker bib pic is a little less pornagraphic... http://www.assos.com/products/winter_detail.aspx?color=black&id=91

[maillotpois]

Oh man - that other one !!

(http://www.assos.com/products/winter_detail.aspx?color=black&id=90) - I just sent the link to DH. Wow. I wonder - does she ultimately wear a bra with that? Or does she just ride cupping her breasts?

[Nokomis]

I wonder - does she ultimately wear a bra with that?
:confused: :eek:

So - are bibs only for situations that you will never have to stop & pee?

[snapdragen]

Snap's Hints for Peeing Whilst Wearing Bibs

1. Remove all extraneous items (jacket, camelbak)

2. Once in potty, unzip jersey, pull arms out and wear jersey like a necklace.

3. Pull down bibs

4. If you don't know what to do now, I'm not telling you.:rolleyes:

5. Pull up bibs.

6. Put arms back in jersey, zip up.

[GreenLady]

That Assos model is still frighteningly thin. I know there are plenty of thin bikers out there, but this lady looks like she's never set her butt on a bike.

[Grog]

I find the second picture (the "more modest"... barely...) even worse. You can see the girl from an angle that makes it clear that she has no thighs... hence can't go very far on a bike.

I think it would be useful to write to the company to complain about this.

[slinkedog]

I find the second picture (the "more modest"... barely...) even worse. You can see the girl from an angle that makes it clear that she has no thighs... hence can't go very far on a bike.



... and really pokey-outy hipbones. I feel sorry for her SO... OUCH!! :p

[Grog]

Okay, I did it.

They only have a mailing address, so I wrote an actual letter on real paper (with an envelope, stamps, everyting).

I wrote in French because they are in Switzerland, so I quickly and carelessly translate to English for your enjoyment. Their address is below.

I think the poses where the women are all twisted (not so much the bib ones) make me more angry than the rachitism. Why do men get to stand in neutral positions and women have to stand all weird? *sigh*

Anyway, here it is.


Vancouver, May 20, 2006.

Dear Sir. or Madam,

I hereby want to express my indignation regarding the photographies featuring women's clothing available on your web site assos.com.

Obviously, the models demonstrating your shorts have not been adequately fed to meet the nutritional needs of cyclists their size. Allow me, by the way, to seriously doubt their capacity to go anywhere beyond 20 km on a bike. The pictures of "bib shorts" for ladies (LadyAirblockLL and LadyKnicker RX) are especially troubling because they show the absence of quadriceps in those ladies. I also could mention the ridicoulous, contorted poses imposed to many of your models, only women of course. Totally humiliating.

It is true that most cyclist wish to have a thin body. However, muscular tonus is also required to practice this sport. You certainly would serve your brand better in the eyes and wallets of women cyclists if you presented your products on actual cyclists. This also would allow you to support women's cycling, which is badly in need of sponsors.

Sincerely,

Brigitte Gemme


Their address is:
Assos SA
6854 San Pietro di Stabio
Switzerland

[Starfish]

Along these lines, you may want to checkout the bike names at covebike.com

[Grog]

Along these lines, you may want to checkout the bike names at covebike.com

I know, this shop is awful.

There's a girl I ride with (on the road) who was a downhill champ and who was born pretty much next to the store. I always wanted to ask her how she felt about all that hyper-macho culture...

[Starfish]

You know, I was just reading and posting to another thread (about bike magazines). My comment was that I used to really enjoy Bicycling Magazine, but enjoy it less and less, and might drop my subscription and just pick up the buyers guide once a year. I find it to be very male-centric in its content and advertising.

I've been puzzing over this shift in my enjoyment...wonder if anyone else has experienced this? You know, I'm a heterosexual woman raised with all brothers in my family, I like, generally respect and enjoy men. I don't think I'm prudish, I like sex and enjoy joking, etc. Even like sexy pictures and innuendos, if that's what I'm specifically looking for (as opposed to looking for, say, bike clothes). And, lately, I just feel more and more discouraged about the biking culture, about companies' offerings, etc.

The thing about bikecove.com, and some other company/publication offerings is that I want to be able to send my young nieces to publications and so forth in an effort to introduce them to a sport that empowers and supports them. I have no interest in trying to shield them from the existence of healthy sex, etc. But does a company really have to name its bikes The Handjob, The Playmate, The Hummer? (And, I do support free speech and free enterprise, so I guess there's a market, or they wouldn't exist.)

I'm just feeling sad about it lately. Am I overreacting? Anyone else feel this way?

[Aggie_Ama]

I have been considering bibs myself. I hate having a waistband! I noticed Pearl Izumi has some that look like the give the chest room. I am a C/D cup, so I am also curious how the straps will come into play. DH swears by bibs, of course it is easier for men to take care of business at the potty.