Long Wearing Bib Shorts
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Long Wearing Bib Shorts
I’m looking for recommendations regarding long wearing bib shorts. Bibs that don’t become embarrassingly transparent in the first year of use. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1,282
Bikes: two blacks, a blue and a white.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 445 Post(s)
Liked 847 Times
in
410 Posts
Not typically my "goto" brand, but I have been impressed with the durability and quality pair I have from Specialized. Don't tell anyone, OK ?
Likes For blacknbluebikes:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,539 Times
in
7,329 Posts
I have some PI models that are years old and still in good shape despite many unsupported touring miles, among others.
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,986
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
When you are on the bike, most of us aren't going to even be able to tell if you have any shorts or bibs on at all. Just keep your jersey pulled down so we don't see your crack as we come up on your wheel. <grin>
Color might be part of the issue. I had a dark blue pair of Peal Izzumi shorts start getting a little transparent in places about 18 months after I got them. However the black pair of the same model bought at the same time still looks good over 2 years later. Both have equal time on the bike and get washed together.
Color might be part of the issue. I had a dark blue pair of Peal Izzumi shorts start getting a little transparent in places about 18 months after I got them. However the black pair of the same model bought at the same time still looks good over 2 years later. Both have equal time on the bike and get washed together.
Last edited by Iride01; 09-22-22 at 11:55 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 728
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 419 Times
in
248 Posts
Hmmm, I never had any trouble with shorts becoming translucent. Usually mine wear out from abrasion caused by my inner thigh rubbing against the saddle, which isn't visible to others unless I'm out of the saddle and someone is REALLY interested. And, it takes a lot longer than half a year, more like 1+ years. Of course, that depends on how many pair you have and how often you ride. I've ridden mostly Performance branded bibs in the past, now I ride Przewalski, so not really very expensive bibs. No complaints for either wrt longevity.
Likes For noimagination:
#6
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 7,490 Times
in
4,189 Posts
Voler Black Label. I have a couple pairs and after countless rides and washings after multiple years they look new. No wear, no loosening, all good still.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
Bad news: I've tried shorts from half a dozen brands, and all of them have eventually worn to the point of being translucent.
Good news: It's taken longer than a year for all of them to get to that point. There seems to be a correlation between longevity and cost, with $75-$125 shorts lasting the longest. With the exception of Black Bibs, which last longer than you might expect given their comparatively low price. All IME, of course!
Good news: It's taken longer than a year for all of them to get to that point. There seems to be a correlation between longevity and cost, with $75-$125 shorts lasting the longest. With the exception of Black Bibs, which last longer than you might expect given their comparatively low price. All IME, of course!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,539 Times
in
7,329 Posts
After being told very subtly that a pair of my shorts were showing butt crack I now pay it forward.
Likes For indyfabz:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,473
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1743 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
740 Posts
I have several pair of Assos for the past 5-6 years. My guess is my Castelli bibs are just as solid.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,969 Times
in
1,918 Posts
I have a pair of quite cheap bib tights , ( not shorts) and being brand new and unwashed ( ok ,once )- one can easily see my pasty white legs and rear through them. Noticed it when I first tried them on . I wear thin unpadded bike shorts under them because of it. Chaffing is not an issue ,at least compared to wearing a double hernia belt /brace when cycling.
Your skin tone might be a factor here. Me - white as white comes ,bring sunglasses.
My sister is actually blue white . Like nonfat milk .
Your skin tone might be a factor here. Me - white as white comes ,bring sunglasses.
My sister is actually blue white . Like nonfat milk .
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,969 Times
in
1,918 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,969 Times
in
1,918 Posts
Illuminating legs
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
#14
52psi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,015
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 802 Times
in
391 Posts
Spend the money for upper-tier stuff from most any well-known brand and you should do fine.
Go searching for bargains on amazon and you get what you pay for, or less.
Go searching for bargains on amazon and you get what you pay for, or less.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Likes For Fahrenheit531:
#15
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
I pretty much defaut to Aero Tech designs for all my cycling clothes.
#16
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3588 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
My experience is that you get what you pay for with bike shorts. Cheap shorts last a season or two, pricier ones can last for many years.
Likes For JohnDThompson:
#17
Newbie
Despite purchasing a cheap pair of bib tights recently - all my cycling clothes are about 30 years old. Giordana , Descente , and Bellweather mostly .
The Japanese and Italian jerseys are still in great condition . Most have been hand washed and hung dry . Might be why they've endured.
The Japanese and Italian jerseys are still in great condition . Most have been hand washed and hung dry . Might be why they've endured.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,682
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times
in
315 Posts
The longest lasting ones I ever had were Pace brand, Cat 1. These were made in California and had a lot of panels all flat sewn together with white thread. The Lycra was the thickest I have ever seen in shorts, but very soft. They worked great for 10 years until they finally started wearing out.
I can’t tell if Pace is in business anymore. Does anybody know?
I can’t tell if Pace is in business anymore. Does anybody know?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
I primarily wear Garneau, but I also have PI, Cuore,, and Giordana in regular rotation, and my bibs last years (5-8k miles/year) before becoming a little sheer on wear spots. As long as the chamois and the fit are still good, the worn bibs just become my indoor bibs.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#20
Obsessed with Eddington
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brussels (BE) 🇧🇪
Posts: 1,330
Bikes: '16 Spesh Diverge, '14 Spesh Fatboy, '18 Spesh Epic, '18 Spesh SL6, '21 Spesh SL7, '21 Spesh Diverge...and maybe n+1?
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 532 Post(s)
Liked 621 Times
in
368 Posts
#21
Obsessed with Eddington
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brussels (BE) 🇧🇪
Posts: 1,330
Bikes: '16 Spesh Diverge, '14 Spesh Fatboy, '18 Spesh Epic, '18 Spesh SL6, '21 Spesh SL7, '21 Spesh Diverge...and maybe n+1?
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 532 Post(s)
Liked 621 Times
in
368 Posts
OP, if you want a good set that will last spend the money to buy a good set. Rapha or Assos have proven the most durable for me. I ride 330-340 days a year, and generally have 5-6 bibs in rotation at a time, with 2-3 getting the most saddle time. I tend to find that the high quality stuff sees the chamois sack out long before the fabric becomes translucent.
#22
Newbie
"I primarily wear Garneau, but I also have PI, Cuore,, and Giordana in regular rotation, and my bibs last years (5-8k miles/year) before becoming a little sheer on wear spots. As long as the chamois and the fit are still good, the worn bibs just become my indoor bibs."
That's impressive amount of milage. Quite motivating .
That's impressive amount of milage. Quite motivating .
Likes For 2ndtimeAround:
#23
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,635
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Duration of use depends a lot if you ride 2-3x per week and you only have 1 pair of bibs, vs 3 pairs that you rotate. Miles ridden is also a factor ... just to be obvious.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
"I primarily wear Garneau, but I also have PI, Cuore,, and Giordana in regular rotation, and my bibs last years (5-8k miles/year) before becoming a little sheer on wear spots. As long as the chamois and the fit are still good, the worn bibs just become my indoor bibs."
That's impressive amount of milage. Quite motivating .
That's impressive amount of milage. Quite motivating .
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Likes For bbbean: