Which bibs for longer rides?
 

Having recently recovered from hip surgery I'm really enjoying getting back into cycling. My typical weekday loop is 20 miles with mild elevation. I'd like to start doing 50 mile rides on the weekend and work towards a century in the Fall. I only have one pair of bibs - Pearl izumi Elite that I bought years ago, but haven't actually used all that much (until now). Now that I'm riding more frequently, I need to pick up a couple more bibs and jerseys so I don't have to wash the kit I have every night.

I'm not opposed to spending the money on quality bibs, but don't want to spend just for brand name. I'm 6' 188lbs (down from 205lbs 10 weeks ago) so typically end up in XL kit. So, which bibs would you recommend for longer rides?

The first PI bibs I bought are still great bibs. In between then and now, they went to a coarse, rasp-like thread for the chamois, and thickened the chamois to nearly plywood thickness, so I went looking elsewhere. Maybe they've returned to decent shorts by now.

I got a bunch of Performance bibs shortly before they closed up, so that's most of what I've been wearing. They're OK (with minimal chamois cream) up to about 75 miles, IME.

I got a pair of expensive Specialized bibs a year before I lost too much weight to wear them comfortably. They were great for that year, though.

The other brand I like is a pair of Aerotech bibs. If they're still in business, I'll buy some more of them when I wear out the Performance bibs I'm mostly using now.

Now for the disclaimer: YAMV.

fyi Performance is still on-line along with Nashbar.

I ride in Castelli bibs and they are among the most comfortable I've ever worn. My longest ride this year was 119 miles with nearly 9,000 feet of climbing, and climbing is harder on your sit bones than flatter riding. Pearl Izumi was a little thin for my uses but it was long ago when I last had a pair of them.

Thanks guys. Anyone riding with Assos Mille or Cento bibs? On the pricey side, but supposed to be designed for all day comfort on long rides?

Where are you guys typically buying your bibs from? LBS, nashbar, etc?

Alas, I only wear bibs to eat lobster, so I wouldn't know myself. The guy from Path Less Pedaled seems to like the Velocio Men's Trail Mesh Bib Liner for wearing under normal clothes. I could never see spending over 100 dollars on something like that, even if it does look like it could double as bondage/domination-wear...

Another 10-20 pounds, and maybe I can pour myself into an Assos.

LBS is the better way to find a pair that works for you. You get to look and touch (at least, when the LBS is open). I checked PI in the store for maybe 3-4 years after the pad went thick and hard. On a trip, stopped and bought a pair of relatively cheap Performance bibs, and they worked pretty well.

Mail order shipping and handling, along with buying the things in the first place, gets expensive. Try a single bib? Aerotech turned out to be worth it. Since I'd tried the Performance bibs, I bought three or four more when they went on sale. Nice to know they're still available; not so nice that I can't check them in a store to make sure they've not been cheapened.

Three pairs of Assos - 2 older Mille and a newer Cento pair. Still my go to for anything super long - 8 hours plus - but I have a pair of Primal bibs and Bontrager Velocis that have worked fine on rides up to 200k.

I'm sorry, I find going to a forum for advice on bike shorts, the most personal piece of clothing we wear riding, amusing. Fit is so critical. Being comfortable on a bike for hours means having a chamois that is just right,shape, coverage, material, no bunching, plus for us males, shorts/bibs must accommodate our genitalia in a way that is comfortable. We are radically different. (And the difference is obvious. We don't even need to drop out shorts, Just look at the different seats people find comfortable. I"m also old enough that all my gym showers were community affairs.)

Also you cannot separate what works "down there" from details like waist size, torso length (for bibs), leg length, constriction and elastic.

I have to try on shorts. I have to try on a couple of sizes of each type. Then I have to ride them. (I prefer shorts with clip-on suspenders. I also like that suspenders easily adjust to both torso length and the inevitable stretch. And even with that variable outof the picture, finding the "right" shorts is a try it on and see deal. A place where bike shops with changing rooms are money well spent.

Ben

Thanks - I might give the Assos Mille a go. Priced about the same as PI. How do they run as far as size?

I'm 6', 160 or so. Two pairs medium, 1 large. They are not far off the other brands, maybe half a size smaller, but the compression is not so great as to prevent getting them on, and the straps are generous.

There are many good names mentioned here, but the ASSOS Mille is my choice. ASSOS products wear well and are durable.

I've been using Assos Mille for years now, and couldn't be happier. They are my only bibs now. I agree, a little pricey, but well worth the price. Look at their outlet page for a deal. I purchased said bibs directly through Assos. Take care..

but does anyone still use chammy creme? haven't used it for years and only used it here and there. on long/hard rides, always more worried about cramps.

I have two pairs of Assos Mille and the chamois just doesn’t work with my rear. 30 miles seems to be my limit with both pair so it must be the design. On the other hand, I have several pair of Specialized RBX bibs and do centuries with no problems.

Like all clothes, fit and performance varies with the rider.

Not chamois crime but Butt Butter or the like if my tush has been feeling abraded a little after a few days of long rides.

The most comfortable pad I've found is the Dupont CoolMax 3D and 4D pads used by Spotti and Przewalski for their inexpensive bibs and shorts. Great basic kit, comparable to The Black Bibs stuff. The only nit I'd pick is the legs are slightly short for my thighs, which are a bit out of proportion, so I'd need custom or long-leg shorts/bibs from any maker.

But the pads are terrific for long rides, especially in hot sweaty weather. Wicks moisture away very efficiently so it never feels like I'm sitting in a wet sponge. And it retains the loft, density and cushioning through repeated wearings and washings.

They don't cost much, around $20 for the Przewalski shorts, $30-$35 for the Przewalski and Spotti bibs. Worth a try. And I prefer the very stretchy but supportive mesh suspenders on the Spotti bibs over The Black Bibs. With the Spotti bibs I can pull the front down for a pee break without partially undressing. With The Black Bibs I need to pull the jersey off one shoulder, slip the suspender part way down my arm, etc. Not with the Spotti bibs.

I can Pee behind a tree, wearing regular bike shorts,


These optionally offer a fly, fixing the main problem with bib shorts, taking a leak wearing them..

https://www.kucharikclothing.com/pro...nel-p-105.html


..

After working through a closet full of other brands, I stick with Assos. They are cut to fit very fit cyclists in the riding position. I'm about your height and weight currently (6', 185 lbs.) and the Large still fit me, but I"m UP from 163 lbs. You should try both L and XL. PI are more American fit (height and wt) and the Italian and Spanish companies usually are better for shorter, slimmer riders.

Thanks - I ordered the Assos Mille in XL. Should arrive next week - I'll post again once I've had a chance to try them. Crossing fingers they fit.

Which bibs for longer rides?
 

At 76 I started having chaffing problems, not saddle sores but raw areas I guess due to thinning skin as we age. I was using Castelli bibs which were always great but not anymore. I bought Assos which I was told were the best. same problem. I had read in forums that the Giordana Pro FRC bibs were good so I bought a pair ($250). They had a little thicker chamois. I also used Chamois butter. I have done centuries with 7000 feet of climbing with no problems. I have now found these bibs for about $113 from an Irish company so keep several pair.

I really enjoy the Black Bibs Ultimate at $80. I have used them for 7 longer 5-7 hour rides/climbs and find them a bargain at $80. I am 6'2" 205 and the XL fit perfectly with the inseam extending to about 2" above the knees. The chamois pad fits me and I have no chafing or sore spots. No shrinkage with cold water wash and hang drying. The garment material is thick and supportive. No complaints for me since I cannot justify spending $100-$300 for one pair of bibs.

I highly recommend shopping here. They are local to me and I know the owner well. He not only carries top brands, his house brand is as good as you’ll find and at good prices. I use a lot of his shorts and jerseys. His service is exceptional as well.

https://classiccycling.com/collections/bib-shorts

Rapha for me.

I have found that besides the individual, even the saddle makes a difference. My old bike had a Selle Anatomica and I had some low-end Pactimo bibs that worked great. Later I bought some of their high-end bibs on sale and they were not as comfortable. On my new bike, it's the opposite. The more expensive bibs are much better.

I won't recommend a particular brand but what I would say is find a company that keeps the same design for a long time. Some brands are always changing things so you may find something you like only to find it's no longer available the next time. The companies that do only cycling kit seem to be more consistent with the styles and construction.