zerocool33

Just curious as I will be buying some new road gear coming up pretty quick. I tried on some Pearl Izumi Attack shorts on Sat, and they fit great and were very comfortable. Would I be better off going with bibs? I am a clyde if it matters. The only real benefit I see is that bibs won't slide down like shorts could. Am I missing anything else? I would probably be looking at Pearl Izumi Attack bibs.

heads up!

Basically, once you've tried them you'll certainly think they're necessary. More than not having them slide down, bibs are all about not having something constricting your waist and your digestive tract while riding.

Clydes tend to be more prone to muffin top and plumber's crack. Why not use bibs to solve both those problems?

MONGO!

Yes on the bibs, no on the PI

slacker_express

There are *many* posts here about bibs. Short story - if you search the site, you will find many people praising bibs. I rode for years with bike shorts. I bought bibs after seeing all the posts and I don't think I've used anything else since then. For me (and for many people), they are much more comfortable, especially since they don't typically have a waist band. So you don't have the band digging into your stomach. Another benefit is that you don't have to worry about the shorts slipping down during a ride, although I never had that problem.

All in all, bibs are not necessary. But if you can ignore how silly they look, you may find them much more comfortable than shorts.

thirdin77

You need bibs because without the straps, when you get out of saddle your pants fall down and you indecently expose yourself.

JoelS

Not necessary, but way more comfy. Once you try out bibs, you'll be hooked. The lack of a waistband is the kicker.

patentcad

Once you go bib, you never go back. I started wearing bibs about 4 years ago, never wore my shorts again.

Nick29

just to reiterate what's been said, I would at least try a pair of bibs. I'm a newbie who, like most, bought shorts first. A couple months later I bought a pair of bibs and have used the shorts once since then.

Thunder Dan

Holy Chr1st only four years ago?!?! I am soooo glad I was introduced to them earlier.

roadiejorge 

I started out with shorts then tried bibs and loved them. Are they necessary? No. Are they much better? Yes.

Thunder Dan

Oh my goodness, where do you put your nethers?

Nick29

wut?

mkauffman

I'm on the other side of bibs, I thought they were truly terrible. Wasn't a fan of wearing two 'shirts' on a ride.

haimtoeg

If you are going to spend money anyway go for the bibs. You'll never look back.

icyclist 

>The only real benefit I see is that bibs won't slide down like shorts could.<

I'm in the minority camp - I've never been especially enamored of bibs. I like them, but I like shorts, too. Maybe it's because I don't have a gut - the waistband cutting into my flesh isn't an issue for me. The top of the bibs, at least in sunny S. California, just mean another layer of material holding in the heat from my body that I would like to dissipate.

Finally, it's a lot easier to go to the euphemism with shorts than bibs.

nbac23

Bibs!

scirocco

I don't find that shorts cut into my waist at all, but I don't have a gut, either. For me the biggest benefits of bibs are the way they stay up and hold everything together. Shorts can do that, too, but as they get older the lycra tends to stretch and get baggy, so bibs have the edge there.

Bib downsides are the "extra shirt" like icyclist said. But if you live in a colder part of the world you probably won't mind that. Bathroom issues are not that big a deal.

Psimet2001 

+1 on both accounts

roadwarrior

Bibs. Without question.

jesspal

Clyde here also, the lack of a waistband/muffin top is the best part for our physique.

Supe

When you drop weight, you'll find those shorts end up being loose at the waist. While bibs may cost a bit more, you'll be able to hang on to them/use them longer. Bib straps = win. Your jersey covers the 'unitard' look. Knicks with draw strings solve loosening at the waist but then you end up with shorts that feel too constrictive.

Pay attention to fit. Take your time trying bibs on. Too tight, and you'll get a mangina (and testicle ache), possibly bust the seams and have mega difficulty getting them on and if they're loose, they won't keep your gear in place, it will feel uncomfortable and be of a lesser utility in wicking the sweat away. Straps shouldn't feel loose when standing up but snug. You'll know what's comfortable and what's not. One brand does not rule them all (thread wars have been fought over this idea) . So try on different brands. Stay away from cheap unless it's a run out on a previous season and they've received good feedback.

JimF22003

Wore bibs for the first time last week. They were OK. My main issue was trying to do the surreptitious side-of-the-road activity. I had to get pretty hunched over to get everything clear. When I use shorts, if a car comes up I can just let go of the elastic and you can't really tell what I'm doing. With the bibs it was pretty obvious from a mile away...

Homebrew01

In 30 years of riding & racing, I never noticed the waistband. Bibs solve the crack problem, but are a pain at bio-break time. In the old days, jerseys were long enough to overlap the top of the shorts, but now they're not.

MrCrassic 

That's pretty much it. On the whole, bib shorts usually have better quality chamois, but you can find that in a good pair of shorts. The Attack shorts are one of those.

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chrys9989

Yes, I bought my first pair after I accidentally mooned two old ladies. Threw the shorts out.