Bibs?

[Jenn]

Are they worth buying do you or do you not recommend them?? I can't stand my jersey riding up on my knickers, do they help?

[mimitabby]

I can't stand the idea of having to take my jersey off to go to the bathroom.
Bibs are great for guys...

[Pedal Wench]

I love 'em and hate 'em! They're MUCH more comfortable than shorts, look better (no tightening around the waist) and if my jersey does ride up, it doesn't expose my back or belly. However, when it comes time for a 'nature break', I don't like them. With a sleeveless jersey, I can slip the straps out that way, or with a full zip jersey, I pull it down around my waist. But, it's never as easy as regular shorts. It just depends on the situation.

[Batbike]

I just bought 2 bibs -- different brands/styles -- and have worn each 2 times. I must admit one pair is more comfortable than the other and both are more comfortable than my shorts. WHY? I enjoy not having anything around my waist, my jersey doesn't ride up, and the chamois is good in each. What I don't like is the "bathroom thing" -- it is hard enough being a woman trying to discreetly go to the bathroom when there isn't a facility available ... double that difficulty with bibs! Although still a "bib novice", I am learning to do certain things that work for me when wearing bibs and all that goes with it. Overall, I like them.

[Grog]

I don't need to use the ladies' quarter very often - I can go on a 3-hour ride without a stop, most of the time - so it's less of an issue for me. I have only one pair of PI bibs and I've enjoyed wearing them in the winter because it saved me from having "two waists" and it was also warmer on my lower back.

I haven't worn them that much in the summer, and especially not on super long rides because I don't like the chammy that much (imagine paying $200 for shorts that are not that hot. quite annoying). So I've never been caught in a porta potty with them. I guess I'd make sure I have a decent sports top underneath that I can wear in public so I can always remove my jersey before I slip in the awful little green room.

[Jenn]

I to do not have to use the ladies room very often when riding either. I am really thinking about getting the knicker bibs as I DO NOT like to show my legs, they would probably blind someone since they haven't seen the sun in a few years!
Again, thanks for the input!

[crazybikinchic]

Not to be preaching, but if you can go 3 hours without stopping to pee, you need to be drinking more.

The whole pee break is a big reason why I don't wear my bibs anymore.

[Grog]

Not to be preaching, but if you can go 3 hours without stopping to pee, you need to be drinking more.

Some have bigger bladders than others.

I drink A LOT, don't worry about that.

[mimitabby]

I hate to sound argumentive, but adult human bladders really don't have that great a difference in size. Some of us are more sensitive to fullness than others, but bladders do not vary as much as human size does. and I was thinking about the not drinking enough issue either. It's one thing to go during the day off the bike for hours and hours.

[Velobambina]

I like bibs better, regardless of the inconvenience related to bathroom breaks. My favorite winter tights are those Gore Bibs that TE sells--kept me toasty through some tough weather this year. For bib shorts, I really like Craft's Master Bibs. Terry used to carry them and I was able to snap up a couple when they went on sale.

[Grog]

I hate to sound argumentive, but adult human bladders really don't have that great a difference in size. Some of us are more sensitive to fullness than others, but bladders do not vary as much as human size does. and I was thinking about the not drinking enough issue either. It's one thing to go during the day off the bike for hours and hours.

I guess it's a bladder-endurance issue then. Don't misread me, if there's a bathroom and I happen to feel like going, I'll go. But if I don't have an occasion, I will somehow "need to go" for a few minutes and then forget about it for an hour. I drink about one bottle an hour when on the bike, more in the summer, plus about 2-3 bottles a day (and numerous glasses of water and milk with meals etc.). I don't know exactly what it is. Someone told me that when we exercise there's some hormone that kicks in that prevents us from having to go so much, but I never verified that. My partner on the opposite side just needs to go every hour, but he can use any tree, and that gives me an occasion to catch up with him!

This being said, and back to the bibs topic, I rode in my PI bibs today, those I said I didn't like too much... and they were not bad. Maybe I'm a bit more cushy with my winter weight on? I definitely like not having an elastic on my tummy. But these things are too expensive for little advantage they provide.

[Jenn]

My daughter RUINED my bladder sitting on it for 9 months, if I sneeze or laugh too hard....watch out!!

[RoadRaven]

I like bibs and have decided the inconvenience around peeing is minimal.

The advantage is they fit better and feel better - no elastic round the waist, no sagginess above-the-but

I prefer mens shorts in general because they tend to have a longer leg, plus they are often the only really cheap ones in sales (we wait for sales before purchasing - with five people to buy for it can be a tad expensive)