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bib shorts - are they $186 better?

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bib shorts - are they $186 better?

Old 05-21-21, 11:32 PM
  #26  
softreset
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I've had excellent luck with picking up NOS Hincapie Power Bibs for $20-$30 (with $159.99 tags on them). I've gotten 6 pairs over 2 years with a basic notification filter.
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Old 05-22-21, 05:46 AM
  #27  
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I fell for some ads on Facebook and ended up trying out Bibs from Neopro. They were 60 bucks and really comfortable after 6 hours in the saddle yesterday.
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Old 05-22-21, 06:05 AM
  #28  
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I've been rotating my three pair of standard Black Bibs for a 3 or 4 years now. I like them a lot. Done lots of miles, including numerous centuries, with them and they still look and feel good.

However, I was gifted a pair of Assos bibs, and for me, they are more comfortable, especially on longer rides. Unlike my Black Bibs, I don't seem to get swamp ass when I use Assos on those hot and humid summer days.
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Old 05-22-21, 07:39 AM
  #29  
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The cost / quality ratio is not linear with anything that I know of. A 10k bike is not 5 times better than a 2k bike. A hundred dollar bottle of wine is not 10 times better than a 10 dollar bottle, etc. Generally the higher you go in price, the lesser improvement you get per bucks spent.

Everyone finds their own place on the cost/quality curve based on the importance they place on that item and their financial situation.
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Old 05-22-21, 07:47 AM
  #30  
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If you are only going to ride 1 hour, just wear an old pair of $5 Champion gym shorts.

If you are going to ride 5, 10, 20, 50 hours straight, then, you would appreciate Assos T Cento bibs and it isn't just the penthouse for the boys but you wouldn't get it. Yes, they are more than worth it and a hundred times better than cheap shorts on long rides
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Old 05-22-21, 08:16 AM
  #31  
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I have a few pairs of the PI Pro bibs and find them to be super comfortable for long rides. Comfort and performance are worth spending on imo but, as mentioned in other posts, cost is subjective and the gains become incremental.
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Old 05-22-21, 12:06 PM
  #32  
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Any love for Giordana FRC-Pro bibs?
My Rapha’s cost a fortune and were a miscalculation on my part; the “ relaxed “ fit Lycra was not compressive enough.
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Old 05-24-21, 05:33 PM
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I just used a pair of Red White bibs on a 200K Brevet this weekend. Needed to size up to Xl (I wear L in Rapha). I found them really comfy.

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Old 05-24-21, 06:00 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by gios

bib shorts - are they $186 better?

It depends,
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Old 05-24-21, 07:14 PM
  #35  
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I've heard that the Rapha chamois padding is actually from 186 shredded dollar bills. Or maybe it was 18 $10 bills.. I can't remember.
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Old 05-24-21, 08:02 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Ogsarg
The cost / quality ratio is not linear with anything that I know of. A 10k bike is not 5 times better than a 2k bike. A hundred dollar bottle of wine is not 10 times better than a 10 dollar bottle, etc. Generally the higher you go in price, the lesser improvement you get per bucks spent.

Everyone finds their own place on the cost/quality curve based on the importance they place on that item and their financial situation.
Well, mostly, but for clothes some price markups come from snob appeal rather than actual objective quality, so that the price/improvement curve can in places have a negative slope. That probably best applies to categories such as women's fashion and accessories. Whether or not it applies to cycling kit is the present subject of discussion.
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Old 05-24-21, 09:51 PM
  #37  
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Why is it that every OP that starts a thread asking "Is X worth the money?" has already decided that X is not worth the money?
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Old 05-26-21, 11:59 AM
  #38  
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TLDR; wear what works for you until they don't. Also remember everyone has a return policy, so don't feel married to them if you ride them and they just don't work.

I used to swear by PI and then they changed their chamois and I can no longer stand wearing them. Assos Mille GTs are my go to, but Eliel thermals are outstanding for cooler weather. I also have some Gore & Le Col (Strava discount anyone?) which are very good.
Don't pay full price for the high end. Since they can tilt to the poser/fashion oriented, last year's model WILL go on sale for a very nice discount.
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Old 05-26-21, 12:15 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by SCTinkering
TLDR; wear what works for you until they don't. Also remember everyone has a return policy, so don't feel married to them if you ride them and they just don't work.

I used to swear by PI and then they changed their chamois and I can no longer stand wearing them. Assos Mille GTs are my go to, but Eliel thermals are outstanding for cooler weather. I also have some Gore & Le Col (Strava discount anyone?) which are very good.
Don't pay full price for the high end. Since they can tilt to the poser/fashion oriented, last year's model WILL go on sale for a very nice discount.
Most places won't accept returns if you've ridden in them, and I think its a bit dodgy of you to try, and thats why we always get these threads (Ive started some myself). Bibs are expensive, and tbh buying them is a bit of a lottery, which could end up costing you quite a lot of money if you don't get it right first time
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Old 05-27-21, 05:30 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by noodle soup
It depends,
There are bib shorts specifically for people with incontinence issues? That might justify the price.
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Old 05-27-21, 05:33 AM
  #41  
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These "are they worth it" threads always make me think of this scene. (warning for vulgar language)

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Old 05-28-21, 09:24 AM
  #42  
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1 hour ride? Why bother with bibs? Just wear some jorts.
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Old 05-28-21, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
I got some LG fit sensor 2 shorts that I loved, so I figured their bibs would work great. The inseam length is 3" shorter on the bibs.
It's a completely different fit. Shame, because I love the leg bands on those shorts- just some nice compression and no cheap feeling silicone band or anything like that.


I have some black bibs plus tall- the $65 ones and they have been my go to for the last 18mo or so.
Just bought some of the black bibs ultimate tall that are $80, gonna take em for a 65mi try tomorrow. Curious if they feel any different due to the pad.

The plus version has been awesome for every distance I've ridden since buying them- from 15-105mi. My saddles aren't wavy though. Slipping around would get annoying.
I've lost about 30 bs in the last year, enough that my XL sized Garneau bibs are a touch looser than I'd like. I found Excel had them on sale for $58, so I sprung for 2 pair of Large sized. They fit better where the XLs are loose, but the inseam is significantly shorter than the XLs. So much so that I'm not sure I'll use them on the road - I might save them for Zwifting. BUT that means I need to find new favorite bibs.

Or gain back the 30 lbs!
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Old 05-28-21, 11:17 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
1 hour ride? Why bother with bibs? Just wear some jorts.

I want bibs in jort print
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Old 05-28-21, 08:13 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by phrantic09
I want bibs in jort print



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Old 05-28-21, 08:27 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by WhyFi



The best I can come up with is:

"Great idea! You can use them on the tractor also."
Or
"I'm hearing banjos now. Better pedal faster."
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Old 05-28-21, 11:34 PM
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Ive just taken delivery of my first pair of The Black Bibs shorts: I bought The Black Shorts Plus, for use under baggies on the mountain bike. The fit is weird: the inseam and overall length is incredibly long, and yet the waist feels very tight, despite the fact I'm only a 32 and 67kg. Its like they were designed for a 6ft 5 racing snake, rather than my 5ft 10 modest height

The pad is also a little weird, with decent padding under the sit bones, but very little further forward. I haven't worn them on the bike yet, so I'll reserve judgement. However, based on initial impressions, I'm not sure I'll bother with any more from them. I reserve the right to change this opinion
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Old 05-28-21, 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by UCantTouchThis
Have never tried the BB shorts but looking at the site wondering if I should try, I noticed the lack of cushion toward the front and in the center. Seems like that is where I like it the most. Good reviews but maybe not for me.

I have the right to read your ride review after you post it!
Ive have seen a review that mentioned the rearwards bias of the pad. I suspect they might be ok on the mtb as my position is more upright, typically, whereas my road position is more forward leaning. I'll update after Ive had a chance to test them out.

I also bought them with the intent to use them on the indoor trainer so hopefully that feedback will be more relevant to this particular forum.
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Old 05-29-21, 06:46 AM
  #49  
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The BlackBibs certainly gets a lot of playtime these days on BF. Are they really any different than yesteryears' darlings such as Przewalski, Baleaf, Sponeed etc?
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Old 05-29-21, 09:28 AM
  #50  
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I like the $80 Black Bibs Ultimate bibs enough to have bought two pairs, but they're honestly not as good as the Rapha Pro Team, Ornot House, Giordana FR-C Pros or Pas Normal Studios Essentials I own. Are those bibs worth the 2.5x-4x price? Maybe. If I can come off a 5 hour ride on a hot day, take a shower and have my undercarriage be in good enough shape to do it again the next day, that's worth something. If the bibs last a long time, that's worth something. I'm not saying that isn't true of the Black Bibs (actually, I've found the Ultimates to be very durable). To me, bibs and shoes are the two things where saving money shouldn't really be a consideration if you ride a lot. It's all depends on what works for you. If you can ride for hours in $40 bibs and come off the bike as fresh as a daisy, stick with it. If not, I think it makes sense to put 105 on your bike and wear pricey bibs that work for you.
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