Anyone tried Pearl Izumi Drop Tail Bibs or Cycling Suit?

[Kiwi Stoker]

I have the older version of the Pearl Izumi bibs (no drop tail). I have a large bust and the clip across the chest sits just on the fullest part of the bust and I don't notice it at all unlike my heart rate monitor strap which I do.

[bluebug32]

Reviving this thread because I just purchased a pair of drop tail bibs. First thought: now this is an interesting design. And when I dropped the tail to pee: Holy crap, there's no room for error here! The shorts are very comfy and I don't mind that the straps hook at the chest. But has anyone perfected actually dropping the tail and going to the bathroom? Any tips for avoiding bathroom blunders?

[Catrin]

Reviving this thread because I just purchased a pair of drop tail bibs. First thought: now this is an interesting design. And when I dropped the tail to pee: Holy crap, there's no room for error here! The shorts are very comfy and I don't mind that the straps hook at the chest. But has anyone perfected actually dropping the tail and going to the bathroom? Any tips for avoiding bathroom blunders?

It depends on whether you have the 2010 or 2011 version, I have both. The 2010 small is cut a little more generously than the 2011, but the 2011 have a much larger "drop tail" part. Am thinking I should have purchased a medium rather than a small but it is too late.

Practice makes perfect - especially with the 2010 version. I practiced at home before taking them out.

[nscrbug]

Reviving this thread because I just purchased a pair of drop tail bibs. First thought: now this is an interesting design. And when I dropped the tail to pee: Holy crap, there's no room for error here! The shorts are very comfy and I don't mind that the straps hook at the chest. But has anyone perfected actually dropping the tail and going to the bathroom? Any tips for avoiding bathroom blunders?

I thought the EXACT same thing, when I received the pair (2011 version) I ordered. So much so, that I ended up returning them for fear that I might rip them in the process of "dropping" them down. When I tried "practicing" at home, it seemed nearly impossible to sit on the toilet without peeing all over some part of the shorts. Oh well...maybe I'm just a dork!

[Catrin]

Interesting, I found the 2011 quite easy to use, but the 2010 version was so different...

[bluebug32]

Interesting, I found the 2011 quite easy to use, but the 2010 version was so different...

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

[ladyicon]

I have a 2010 pair. They worked great at home with the lower toilet, but on a ride with a porta potty, the toilet was much higher and I peed on the bibshorts. I have not worn them since. Maybe I am too short.

[amb]

I just bought the "Spring 2010" model on sale at REI. I could only find Small but they seem to fit OK (generally wear a M). I have NO idea how you're supposed to drop the tail enough to pee...seems impossible. I have not worn them on a ride yet bc it's been hot/raining every afternoon and then I injured my groin/quad at Zumba. Maybe I'll give them a whirl this weekend. I don't know that I'll be able to drop them though.

[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.