I wear only bib shorts now (during spring/summer/fall). Most of my regular non-bib bike shorts have gone into retirement.
One additional sad thing about winter is the scarcity of reasonably priced bib tights and bib knickers for women.
I wear only bib shorts now (during spring/summer/fall). Most of my regular non-bib bike shorts have gone into retirement.
One additional sad thing about winter is the scarcity of reasonably priced bib tights and bib knickers for women.
^^^ ditto everything VB wrote.
The only non-bibs I haven't chucked are EO's tights/knickers. The only women's bib knickers I've been able to find are by Assos and they were very expensive. (I wish Soooooo much that EO would make bibknickers!)
My team kit is made by Velowear and the chamois is thin, very good for racing, but is not the most durable. I also like the Giordana Tenax bibshort (sold on TE), which is thinnner than most other American brands.
For tights, I have the Gore womens bibtights and the men's Assos. The latter is too warm for anything except the coldest temps, and their sizing is based on height, rather than overall size. If you don't get a heart attack over the price at, they make a chamois-less version that makes them essentially unisex. You just wear them over your favorite shorts.
OOoooo..oooo oooo!!!!
Ground effect has bibs!!! OOOOoo...
+1 I tried the Voler bibs and I love them. I am now in the process of switching all my bike shorts over to bib style because they are just so much more comfortable than regular shorts. Even with the bathroom hassles, the benefit outweighs the burden.
Bib tights for women are scarce, but I ended up ordering the men's version from Voler. Fortunately it hasn't been cold enough to try them yet, but they are well constructed w/zippers at the bottom. The chamois is discreet and seems to be up to the job.
I am fairly long waisted, and I've never had a problem with the straps cutting into my shoulders. The straps on the Voler bibs are made of really comfortable, stretchy material.
Colleen
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I would love ASSOS bibs, but as Bluetree said, they are sooooo expensive.
I use mens bibs, they seem to work for me, and I don't have any issues. They fit ok... shoulder straps not a problem.
Brand? Just whatever is cheap/on sale.
We have buy most of our clothing (bibs, shorts, jerseys, gloves) and bike necessities (like tyres, tubes, cleats etc) online on sale from Torpedo7 and ProBikeKit.
Voler does make women's bibs, especially for custom orders.
I prefer men's, though. They just fit better, if I can find them in small enough sizes.
I have a pair of Voler bibs, and they're okay, except for a few "issues" I have with them.
Sizing is on the small side.
Grey panels = see through!I will NEVER again get grey panels in shorts. These bib shorts have been retired to non-group rides and under-tights duty.
They have a paper tag attached to a side seam that is incredibly annoying and itchy. I'm afraid to cut it off, for fear I will make it worse. I have to get it laying "just so" in order to not irritate me.
The other bib shorts I have are Castelli and Exte Ondo. Both seem to have stiching quality issues -- as in, they keep ripping apart. I don't know if that's a function of what ends up at Sierra Trading Post's close-out bin or what. They are both comfy, otherwise.
Hicapie's bib tights are wonderful. On the short side, but very nice.
2007 Seven ID8 - Bontrager InForm
2003 Klein Palomino - Terry Firefly (?)
2010 Seven Cafe Racer - Bontrager InForm
2008 Cervelo P2C - Adamo Prologue Saddle
What is the advantage of wearing bibs? Thanks in advance.
Advantages... no tightness on waist... no feeling like the shorts are slipping down... lower back always covered (even when jersey rides up... lower back and sides much warmer in winter
Disadvantage... complete undress if you wanna pee