Cyclefiend

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.

blacknbluebikes 

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 ?

indyfabz

I have some PI models that are years old and still in good shape despite many unsupported touring miles, among others.

Iride01 

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.

noimagination

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.

mstateglfr 

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.

pdlamb

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!

indyfabz

After being told very subtly that a pair of my shorts were showing butt crack I now pay it forward.

bruce19

I have several pair of Assos for the past 5-6 years. My guess is my Castelli bibs are just as solid.

Troul 

holy cow!

Troul 

stilightto calves?

Troul 

Illuminating legs

Jumpski

Assos are not cheap, but we’ll worth the price.

Fahrenheit531 

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.

Germany_chris

I pretty much defaut to Aero Tech designs for all my cycling clothes.

JohnDThompson 

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.

2ndtimeAround

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.

masi61

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?

bbbean 

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.

Badger6

I won’t tell, I used several sets over a period of years. My only gripe was the chamois quality was a bit sus.

Badger6

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.

2ndtimeAround

"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 .

Sy Reene

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.

bbbean 

Just a matter of riding every or at least most days.Helps if you love to ride.