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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Bolingbrook, IL
    Posts
    21

    Bibs versus not bibs

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    I've heard once I put on a good pair of bib shorts, I will never go back. Interested to know what you all think.
    2012 Fuji Cross 3.0 Cyclocross & 2016 Specialized Dolce

    Choose the road you always wanted.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West MI
    Posts
    4,259
    I find this to be the case. I even went so far as to get a skinsuit for doing duathlons, but then I gained weight and was too self-conscious. And the bike portions of those races is relatively short, anyhow. I've not done anything longer than olympic distance. Not having that waistband is so much comfier and the chamois doesn't seem as prone to slide around and chafe, either.

    Now my favorite chamois needs to put in a short that is truly easy to pull down for bathroom breaks.
    Kirsten
    run/bike log
    zoomylicious


    '11 Cannondale SuperSix 4 Rival
    '12 Salsa Mukluk 3
    '14 Seven Mudhoney S Ti/disc/Di2

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    I really enjoyed wearing bibs myself. I was careful to purchase drop-tail bibs which I loved. I rode in the country for longer rides (30-75 miles at a time) and found them more comfortable than regular shorts.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    northern Virginia
    Posts
    5,897
    I've tried on a couple of pairs of bib shorts but the bib part was too short for me. So I'm still wearing regular shorts.

    If I did find bibs that fit comfortably, they would have to be very easy to take off for bathroom breaks, without having to take off my jersey, jacket, vest , base layers, whatever I'm wearing on top.

    - Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
    - Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
    - Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle

    Gone but not forgotten:
    - Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
    - Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Bolingbrook, IL
    Posts
    21
    Thanks all! I've found two pee-friendly options - Specialized ($180) and Velocio ($229) - so expensive, but probably worth it? if you've found easy to use options with a lower price point, let me know.
    2012 Fuji Cross 3.0 Cyclocross & 2016 Specialized Dolce

    Choose the road you always wanted.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    northern Virginia
    Posts
    5,897
    I don't know what they're offering currently, but in the past Pearl Izumi made bibs that were highly praised by a local LBS owner for being easy on/off.

    Also I should add one more thing, per zoom-zoom's last comment -- in addition to pee-friendliness, the chamois has to be comfortable.

    - Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
    - Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
    - Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle

    Gone but not forgotten:
    - Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
    - Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    1,973
    I love the PI drop tail bibs I have, but I gained a few pounds and they're just bit tight right now. Other bibs are comfortable but sometimes inconvenient, especially when you're wearing a lot of layers.
    2016 Specialized Ruby Comp disc - Ruby Expert ti 155
    2010 Surly Long Haul Trucker - Jett 143

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    I loved my PI drop-tail bibs as well, but it's good to know that they have, or at least had, different versions of them. I loved the PI Elite bibs, don't go for the less expensive version if you choose the PI as there is a big difference in both material and leg grippers. At least there was at one time, that may have changed since then.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    1,973
    I noticed that the Pearl Izumi website has both the Elite and the PRO drop tail bibs discounted right now.
    2016 Specialized Ruby Comp disc - Ruby Expert ti 155
    2010 Surly Long Haul Trucker - Jett 143

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Bolingbrook, IL
    Posts
    21
    Great advice. Thanks!
    2012 Fuji Cross 3.0 Cyclocross & 2016 Specialized Dolce

    Choose the road you always wanted.

 

 

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