BIBs OR shorts?
02-16-06, 12:13 AM
#3
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
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Shorts ride down in the back. Looks bad in summer, feels bad in winter. Bibs stay up, and you don't have to cinch them down on your waist. Bibs win.
02-16-06, 12:26 AM
#4
Aluminium Crusader :-)
bibs are more comfortable overall, but they do have some minor cons:
1) people with legs disproportionate to their torso may have to adjust the straps with some sewing skills -- I had to shorten my straps.
2) there's much more material on them, so they're hotter.
3) if you need to take a dump you've gotta take EVERYTHING out of your pockets coz you've gotta get your shirt off.
4) the front of the front of the jersey tends to sit right down near your pecker instead of stopping at the waist band on the shorts -- I find this a little uncomfortable.
As I said, bibs are better, but don't expect them to be magically more comfortable, like i did; and they take a few rides to get used to, especially if the shoulder straps aren't quite the right length. The only 'magically' comfortable knicks experience I had was when I bought some Giromondos -- OOOOH baby, that lycra was like a second skin, and super stretchy
1) people with legs disproportionate to their torso may have to adjust the straps with some sewing skills -- I had to shorten my straps.
2) there's much more material on them, so they're hotter.
3) if you need to take a dump you've gotta take EVERYTHING out of your pockets coz you've gotta get your shirt off.
4) the front of the front of the jersey tends to sit right down near your pecker instead of stopping at the waist band on the shorts -- I find this a little uncomfortable.
As I said, bibs are better, but don't expect them to be magically more comfortable, like i did; and they take a few rides to get used to, especially if the shoulder straps aren't quite the right length. The only 'magically' comfortable knicks experience I had was when I bought some Giromondos -- OOOOH baby, that lycra was like a second skin, and super stretchy
Last edited by 531Aussie; 02-16-06 at 12:48 AM.
02-16-06, 12:37 AM
#5
Senior Member
I find more expensive shorts as comfortable as bibs. Probably because they have more material above the top of your arse. Bibs are comfortable, but I am slightly annoyed the way the straps keep moving about. How do women stand bras.
02-16-06, 12:38 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by 531Aussie
people with legs disproportionate to their torso may have to adjust the straps with some sewing skills -- I had to shorten my straps.
I only ride in bibs.
jw
02-16-06, 12:43 AM
#7
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Originally Posted by John Wilke
A friend had shoulder straps that were too long ... he just tied a knot in each one. Worked.
02-16-06, 01:44 AM
#8
Thor's dad
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Originally Posted by 531Aussie
...
The only 'magically' comfortable knicks experience I had was when I bought some Giromondos -- OOOOH baby, that lycra was like a second skin, and super stretchy
The only 'magically' comfortable knicks experience I had was when I bought some Giromondos -- OOOOH baby, that lycra was like a second skin, and super stretchy
I usually only wear bibs but I'll use knicks for short midweek rides.
02-16-06, 06:06 AM
#10
He drop me
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Yea bibs for sure...I only wear my shorts when on the trainer now...outdoors any ride longer than 30 min gets bibs....and all my rides are longer than 30 min. 
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02-16-06, 06:38 AM
#11
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Bibs...................enough said.
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02-16-06, 08:20 AM
#12
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I have posted this many times but once you go bibs you will never go back!
02-16-06, 08:31 AM
#13
Senior Member
Ha!
The correct answer is both. On long rides I wear shorts. Bibs in tiny gas station bathrooms, no thanks.... If we're stopping at places like Stabucks or decent restaurants, that's a different story.
But bibs are nicer, and I have a couple pair and use them from time to time. Wonder if you could make them with a zipper?
The correct answer is both. On long rides I wear shorts. Bibs in tiny gas station bathrooms, no thanks.... If we're stopping at places like Stabucks or decent restaurants, that's a different story.
But bibs are nicer, and I have a couple pair and use them from time to time. Wonder if you could make them with a zipper?
02-16-06, 09:08 AM
#15
You Know!? For Kids!
I am a recent bib convert after 20 years in shorts. Now shorts sit in drawer and bibs are worn exclusively. Once you go bib, you won't go back.
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Originally Posted by colorider
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02-16-06, 09:25 AM
#16
RustyTainte
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Man, I got my first pair of Giordana bibs and I'm loving them. This compared to a cheap pair of C'dale shorts that had as much padding as a panty liner.
02-16-06, 10:01 AM
#17
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Just got bibs a a week ago. Wish I'd bought bibs sooner because they are so much more comfortable than my shorts. However, I can see how bibs would be more difficult during a potty break in a small bathroom or behind a tree.
02-16-06, 10:12 AM
#18
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I prefer shorts. I have never had a comfort problem, never a falling off of my arse problem and when riding I can still pee without getting off of the bike. Use bibs if your waist is larger than your hips.
02-16-06, 10:12 AM
#19
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It's much easier to tuck your colorful jersey into shorts than bibs. 
I had this rider catch my wheel yesterday:
But he kept up with me on my final hill sprint, 25 mph coming home on Sand Hill Rd. I was duly impressed and was left to think what he could do if he knew what he was doing.
I had this rider catch my wheel yesterday:
- jersey tucked into shorts
- elbows sticking out horizontally
- hips rocking wildly on the saddle
But he kept up with me on my final hill sprint, 25 mph coming home on Sand Hill Rd. I was duly impressed and was left to think what he could do if he knew what he was doing.
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02-16-06, 12:19 PM
#21
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"search the forums"
this has been debated to death forever.
this has been debated to death forever.
02-17-06, 04:20 PM
#25
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It's a highly personal thing, also depends on the shorts or bibs being compared. After seeing the ravings about bibs on these boards, I bought some Nashbar bibs, and I hate them. The front comes too high up on my stomach, which is hot and uncomfortable.
However, my team got bibs made by Nalini and I freakin' love them. The mesh upper is comfortable, and the pad is the best I've ever used.
However, my team got bibs made by Nalini and I freakin' love them. The mesh upper is comfortable, and the pad is the best I've ever used.
