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Bibs or shorts?

09.03.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 9 Comments

From time to time, I have alluded to problems I have with my posterior region. Sometimes, my butt just plain gets sore when I ride. I’ve dealt with the problem by spending some real money and getting high quality biking shorts. And on Father’s Day, Mrs. Noob Pat gave me a pair of bibs.

Chatter on Bike Forums gives the nod to the bibs. People generally think they fit better and are overall more comfortable than regular shorts.

That’s not true for me.

My shorts and bibs are both by Pearl Izumi. Both have the same generous Race 3D chamois. But given the choice, I’ll pick the shorts over the bibs.

I still get the sore butt occasionally, but not as much as before. I get it with both the shorts and the bibs, so neither gets the nod for greater bottom comfort.

The mesh top and straps of the bibs do seem to add an extra layer to my clothing, and in the Texas summer heat, that can add to my riding discomfort (despite what I said about them in that earlier post). I’m not crazy about the way the straps feel over my shoulders. The bibs are supposed to have a slimming quality to them, but I’m not seeing it (Lose weight, fat boy!). And answering the call of nature while wearing bibs can be a real production. Better find a public john somewhere, because a lot of your kit will be undone in order to tend to business.

Anyway, I know I’m something of a maverick here, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. When it’s time to get a new pair of bottoms, they’ll be shorts — not bibs.

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Comments

  1. Bryan says

    September 4, 2008 at 7:29 am

    I have both in my arsenal but favor the bibs. Part of my favoring the bibs is that the bibs I have do have a better chamois than the shorts. The other is that with the suspender like design of the bibs I don’t have to worry about them rolling down at the waist band like my shorts do. Now, if I were about 120 pounds lighter I might not have that problem.

    Still, a 270 pound guy in bike shorts or bibs is still a 270 pound guy and the visual isn’t pretty no matter how you look at it. Slimming qualities or not!

    I’ve heard good things about the PI Race 3D. How do you like it?

    Reply
  2. joel says

    September 4, 2008 at 8:26 am

    I’ve never tried bibs, for a lot of the reasons you mention not liking them (too much of a production if I have to “take care of business” on a ride, the added layer+heat, shoulder straps). I’ve got a significant belly to deal with, but I don’t have a lot of trouble with shorts rolling and exposing me (that’s why jerseys have extended tails anyway).

    Reply
  3. Jared says

    September 4, 2008 at 8:58 am

    I wear both (not at the same time…) During the summer months I generally wear shorts, when it starts to cool down I’ll wear the bibs more and more. To me the bibs are more comfortable since the waist line isn’t digging into me. The mesh top doesn’t really seem to heat me up at all.

    Reply
  4. 331miles says

    September 4, 2008 at 10:28 am

    I’m a bib guy, although I’ve worn shorts too. I find bibs more comfortable, and the heat or straps just don’t bother me. One thing to remember — there are ‘cooler’ bibs with mesh and other features, and different strap styles. Pearl Izumi makes good stuff, but nothing beats Santini, Assos, and the high end kits.

    That being said — it’s whatever you find comfortable. And there’s definitely a ‘bio break’ drawback to bibs, particularly if you don’t wear a full zip jersey!

    Reply
  5. Arlyn says

    September 4, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    I’m a fan of bibs. I like the support and that they don’t ride down. Peeing is a cinch, btw. Just pull up a leg – no need to remove the bibs.

    I don’t mind the extra layer, I even clip my iPod to one of the straps inside my jersey which is really convenient.

    Reply
  6. Red says

    September 5, 2008 at 7:07 am

    I don’t have much of a problem with my backside. I have never tried bibs but have considered it. I have tried a wide variety of shorts and still no problem. Maybe it’s my butt. I have been accused of being a hard ass. 🙂

    The one thing I do swear by is a Brooks saddle. I can even ride that for an hour or two without any type of special bike shorts. It maybe kind of clunky looking but it’s only another 8oz.

    Reply

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