Anyone tried Pearl Izumi Drop Tail Bibs or Cycling Suit?

[Catrin]

Hmm...I'm not sure what year mine are. I just ordered them from Nashbar because they were having a PI sample sale. Are there any distinguishing features between the two years?

PS. I feel like these were probably designed by a man

There are, but I don't know if you could tell from a photo or not, it would depend. The 2010 "model" has a small area in the back that you pull down - and it is small.

The 2011 version has much larger area you pull down, it actually wraps around the side - there isn't really much that is attached. I have found it quite easy to use, but then again, I fought with the 2010 version last year so much but was able to use it. I still have the 2010 bibs, just use them on shorter rides.

I do not know if it would show in a photo, but the leg grippers for the 2011 "model" has a design on the outside - kind of like a vine with the PI logo inside. Different fabric is used, the 2011 uses the IN-R-Cool fabric while the 2010 does not.

I hope this helps... Also note that the sizes are cut a little smaller - in the 2010 bibs I fit the small size perfectly, for the 2011 I need the medium - but I still fit my small 2010 bibs fine without anything being too tight. In PI regular shorts I do take a medium, so they seem to have normalized the sizes between medium and small. I can wear the 2011 smalls, but they are a bit tight.

[amb]

I wore my drop tails for the first time this morning - 42 miles. They were super comfy and I like them WAY better than my PI Attack shorts but I just didn't even try to "drop" them. We stopped at 7 Eleven and I had a full zip jersey so I just took it off rather than pee all over my shorts in error. I think I will just wear full zip jerseys when I wear them. The hole just seems entirely too small and high to get it where it needs to be without ripping them. Overall though, good chamois (I prefer the orange elite to the blue select), good fit (size small in these fit better than my Medium in the Attack short) and nice light leg grippers. Of the 4 prs of shorts I now have, these will be in the top 2, which is what I was hoping as I don't like the other 2 really.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I got sick of a cold back so I went ahead and ordered a cycling full bib tight the other week. So yesterday I tried cycling in them (and of course trying the drop tail).

First off- I didn't get a cold back. No, in cycling position it doesn't open up. So all good.

The technique for using the drop tail- what I have figured out so far. It looks like I have the 2011 design as the opening does go around my sides a bit.

1) bend over trying to touch your chest to your knees as you pull the elastic flap down.

2) Sit down on the toilet. This should trap the fabric forward.

3) Pull the chamios forward between you legs so it is well out of the way.

4) wipe while sitting down, as the fabric WILL snap back up if you stand up.

5) Don't forget to tuck the top fabric flap striaght under the elastic band so there's no gap.

[Ered_Lithui]

I decided to wait a few months before reviewing mine so I'd have enough rides to draw some conclusions. I have the 2011 model, size S. Contrary to what others have been saying, I actually found these to fit a bit large. I have two other pairs of PI shorts, both of which fit tighter.

Overall, I really like the bib. It's comfortable, the drop tail stays in place, and making pit stops is easy (just be sure to hold the shorts forward so that they don't touch the toilet). The only two things I dislike: (1) The plasticky leg grippers are a bit uncomfortable off the bike (I don't notice them when riding, though). (2) The straps don't stay centered across my chest -- sometimes I wind up with them off to the side and the buckle somewhere over one breast. It doesn't usually affect comfort and is easily adjusted, but it's another one of those factors that makes the bib seem looser than its stated size.

[bluebug32]

Has anyone tried the Drop Tail tights or cycling suit? Curious how warm they are and how long they are?

[Kiwi Stoker]

Depends on what type you get. I got the normal cycling suit (without the windstopper material). It's OK down to 7 degrees C but if there's a wind it still cuts through. I should of probably gotten the more expensive ones but these were on special so couldn't turn them down.