Bib Shorts Sizing

RICH78
RICH78 Posts: 49
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
What tips can you anybody give me when it comes to buying bib shorts. How tight should the bib straps be? Should the shorts bunch on the back above the chamois? Should the shorts be worm without underwear?

What are good brands to look out for?

Comments

  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    OK RICH78, first off, underwear isn't necessary cos the insert in the shorts supplies any necessary 'padding'. Wearing pants or boxers will result in 'chafing' and you don't want that!

    Secondly, when you are standing, the shorts should be tight to the point that the straps are 'gappy' if you see what I mean. They should make you bend over slightly due to the tightness. This results when you are in the 'bent over' mode on the bike to be correct.

    Brand wise, depends on your budget, you can get bib shorts between 50 and 200 quid. DhB from Wiggle make a good budget pair of shorts and Assos are generally regarded as the best quality, which are expensive for a reason ie. they are bloody comfortable and the quality is first class.

    Hope this has helped.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Secondly, when you are standing, the shorts should be tight to the point that the straps are 'gappy' if you see what I mean. They should make you bend over slightly due to the tightness. This results when you are in the 'bent over' mode on the bike to be correct.

    Got to disagree with this bit. You should be able to find the right riding posture without needing your bibshorts to contort you into it! They should be snuggish over the shoulder but not constricting - just tight enough to prevent the shorts part from slipping down.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    biondino wrote:
    Secondly, when you are standing, the shorts should be tight to the point that the straps are 'gappy' if you see what I mean. They should make you bend over slightly due to the tightness. This results when you are in the 'bent over' mode on the bike to be correct.

    Got to disagree with this bit. You should be able to find the right riding posture without needing your bibshorts to contort you into it! They should be snuggish over the shoulder but not constricting - just tight enough to prevent the shorts part from slipping down.

    That's what I said mate, stop splitting hairs for gods sake ...
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    biondino wrote:
    Secondly, when you are standing, the shorts should be tight to the point that the straps are 'gappy' if you see what I mean. They should make you bend over slightly due to the tightness. This results when you are in the 'bent over' mode on the bike to be correct.

    Got to disagree with this bit. You should be able to find the right riding posture without needing your bibshorts to contort you into it! They should be snuggish over the shoulder but not constricting - just tight enough to prevent the shorts part from slipping down.

    That's what I said mate, stop splitting hairs for gods sake ...
    *still slightly confused* :?
    So, when standing normally, are you saying the straps should be fractionally loose?
    ...and then when leaning forwards, they should tighten-up, just enough to be "snug".

    ...and I take it they should at no time feel like a Borat mankini & make you feel like you've suddenly aquired three Adams Apples. :shock:
    Cycling weakly
  • RICH78
    RICH78 Posts: 49
    Doesn't it feel weird wearing the shorts without underwear?
  • fast as fupp
    fast as fupp Posts: 2,277
    RICH78 wrote:
    Doesn't it feel weird wearing the shorts without underwear?

    no

    its quite liberating :D
    'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    Doesn't it feel weird wearing the shorts without underwear?

    No - completely natural. They are designed to be worn that way. Wearing undies will just result in rubbing & chafing.

    Make sure you buy some chamois creme though. The Assos one is great at around £10 per tub.
  • soveda
    soveda Posts: 306
    skyd0g wrote:
    biondino wrote:
    Secondly, when you are standing, the shorts should be tight to the point that the straps are 'gappy' if you see what I mean. They should make you bend over slightly due to the tightness. This results when you are in the 'bent over' mode on the bike to be correct.

    Got to disagree with this bit. You should be able to find the right riding posture without needing your bibshorts to contort you into it! They should be snuggish over the shoulder but not constricting - just tight enough to prevent the shorts part from slipping down.

    That's what I said mate, stop splitting hairs for gods sake ...
    *still slightly confused* :?
    So, when standing normally, are you saying the straps should be fractionally loose?
    ...and then when leaning forwards, they should tighten-up, just enough to be "snug".

    ...and I take it they should at no time feel like a Borat mankini & make you feel like you've suddenly aquired three Adams Apples. :shock:

    As long as they don't fall down and feel comfortable you'll be OK.
  • Some bibshorts are "anatomically cut" - which means that they are designed to fit properly when you're hunched over. When you stand, the shoulder straps should be fairly taut and "pull" on the short. As you bend forward the tension on the straps should ease, as you assume the riding position.

    There should still be some tension when you're in position though, otherwise the straps can fall off your shoulders. Which is quite annoying.

    The tension in bibshorts that aren't anatomically cut is usually a bit less when stood upright.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Some bibshorts are "anatomically cut" - which means that they are designed to fit properly when you're hunched over. When you stand, the shoulder straps should be fairly taut and "pull" on the short. As you bend forward the tension on the straps should ease, as you assume the riding position.

    There should still be some tension when you're in position though, otherwise the straps can fall off your shoulders. Which is quite annoying.

    The tension in bibshorts that aren't anatomically cut is usually a bit less when stood upright.

    That explains it better than I did :wink:
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Some bibshorts are "anatomically cut" - which means that they are designed to fit properly when you're hunched over. When you stand, the shoulder straps should be fairly taut and "pull" on the short. As you bend forward the tension on the straps should ease, as you assume the riding position.

    There should still be some tension when you're in position though, otherwise the straps can fall off your shoulders. Which is quite annoying.

    The tension in bibshorts that aren't anatomically cut is usually a bit less when stood upright.

    Thanks ALOB - now it's clear. :D
    ...giant mancp had all the right words in there, but not necessarily in the right order. :lol:
    Cycling weakly