Bib tight fit - DHB, Endura, PBK

kfinlay

Hi all,

After a spill at the weekend I ripped my Altura winter Bib tights and so need to look for others. I liked the Altura but found that the pad does sit a little too far back for me so I'm considering others.
Searching here shows the most popular to be DHB Merston and the 2010 ones seem to be better quality. I am also considering Endura Thermolite Pro and PBK Exclusive RL900X.

Links:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Hi_Viz_Padded_Bib_Tights_2010/5360045078/

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0592

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0907

I'm 77kg, 5'9" have a 32" waist and 31" inside legs that are quite big (more sprinter Cav than skinny Contador). I'm a bit concerned that the Merstons will be too long in leg fit and not sure how the others fit - do you need a size bigger than normal or not as I'm a Medium in Alturas although they are quite snug around my monster thighs :oops:

TIA

dov2711

Hi Kev, I bought the DHB tights and knickers to get my kit up and going though I will be flinging the knickers on e.bay sometime as they are imo too long for me (Nora Batty style isnt my thing)

If it helps you balance sizes I bought medium and Im just about 5'8" and a 32 waist with 31 inside leg.

Any advice on shorter length tights/knickers would be welcomed from anyone with ideas.

Looking out the window just now its not tights you need its a snow plough attachment for your bike. Had intended to head out past your way this afternoon towards Glenfarg but its rollers this evening as an alternative (oh joy !!)

SBezza

I have the Merstons, and I have a 29" leg, and they are a tiny bit long, but it isn't an issue. They don't have foot straps though. I am 30" waist and I have the small. I think the medium will be fine.

I would expect the tights to be tight on the legs, they stretch

ajb72

Same feedback on the DHB's from me. My size large merston bib tights are great for the £, but the leg length is at least half an inch too long. I have an inside leg of 33" so don't usually get this problem.

I take one size up in Endura gear, but find the fit is superb, will be ordering new 3/4 bib knicks soon.

Rich Hcp

Mmm, looks like I am a Medium, my Inside leg is about 31"

(I say about, left leg is 3/4" shorter than the right!)

Damn confusing this sizing...

SBezza

Rich Hcp wrote:

Mmm, looks like I am a Medium, my Inside leg is about 31"

(I say about, left leg is 3/4" shorter than the right!)

Damn confusing this sizing...

Go by waist size I would say, the small leg length is probably long enough for 31" legs. The fact that they are slightly long on me, doesn't bother me, the ends are covered by overshoes anyhow.

keef66

Well I went for medium based on 31" leg length and they are a bit too long. I suspect the small would've been perfect if I could've been arsed to return them.

iain_j

DHB Merstons are great. I'm 6'1", 33" inside leg. The legs are about half an inch too long but after a few wears they've stretched enough to fasten the ankle zipper all the way down, and for their price I can live with that!

solsurf

You may find the Endura are a bit tight around your thighs. possibly give gore or the pearl izumi ones a go.

blorg

DHB stuff sizes are big.

PBK stuff is Italian AFAIK. If so sizes are small, very small. Be careful with PBK's sizing charts too as in my experience they bear NO relation to reality. You need to size based on external information.

6ft, 75kg, 33.75" inside leg

- Medium in DHB
- Large in Descente (with some exceptions where I'm medium), Adidas, Cannondale
- X-Large in Nalini, Castelli, Briko

Descente is my favourite and what I have most of. The Italian stuff tends to be too short in large in terms of the straps.

This is all bib shorts, I am medium in just about anything on top, small in some of the Anglo stuff.

coopster_the_1st

kfinlay wrote:

Links:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Merston_Hi_Viz_Padded_Bib_Tights_2010/5360045078/

I'm 77kg, 5'9" have a 32" waist and 31" inside legs that are quite big (more sprinter Cav than skinny Contador). I'm a bit concerned that the Merstons will be too long in leg fit and not sure how the others fit - do you need a size bigger than normal or not as I'm a Medium in Alturas although they are quite snug around my monster thighs :oops:

TIA

I have the non Hi-Viz dhb Mertsons and have them in a medium.

I am have the same inside leg to you but am 34" waist and an inch taller and a bit more weight :oops: . I also have big thighs and calfs. The extra knee padding sits over the knee so I do not find them too long like others have commented.

Based on my sizes, a medium will be your size for the DHB's.

and the material is stretchy :oops:

kfinlay

Thanks for the info guys, found that the LBS has Endura, Altura and Castelli Gregario so will go and try a few pairs on then make a decision but think that the DHB and PBKs are the top two just now.

blorg

You need to bear in mind with bib shorts that height, or more correctly, torso length, is important. Indeed I would tend to consider it one of the most important factors as lycra is after all stretchy. Some of the Italian stuff under XL I have got before has been fine in terms of waist etc. but the straps have been too short resulting in pulling up of the shorts and the crushing of my testicles. YMMV.

ajb72

blorg wrote:

You need to bear in mind with bib shorts that height, or more correctly, torso length, is important. Indeed I would tend to consider it one of the most important factors as lycra is after all stretchy. Some of the Italian stuff under XL I have got before has been fine in terms of waist etc. but the straps have been too short resulting in pulling up of the shorts and the crushing of my testicles. YMMV.

+1. Exactly the problem I have with assos bibs, very frustrating.

kfinlay

blorg wrote:

You need to bear in mind with bib shorts that height, or more correctly, torso length, is important. Indeed I would tend to consider it one of the most important factors as lycra is after all stretchy. Some of the Italian stuff under XL I have got before has been fine in terms of waist etc. but the straps have been too short resulting in pulling up of the shorts and the crushing of my testicles. YMMV.

Thats my issue too as I have slightly short legs but a longer torso for my 5'9" height - tried on a pair of medium Castelli Gregario and the leg length and waist were fine but the straps were way too tight and the ankles were too tight to close the zips. The shop didn't have a large and I didn't have time to try on others so will need to go back as I feel it's best to buy from the LBS where I can try them on - they will give me a bit of discount too as I'm a returning customer. In spite of this the PBKs do seem really nice and a good price - no sense in this but they've had a good review and a comfortable pad (plus I'm a sucker for black/red colours :oops: )

blorg

You mention Castelli; I find the Italian brands are generally "too short" in this manner, I have had the same with Castelli myself with a pair of shorts that were otherwise lovely and with a great pad. I had to sell them on. Doesn't matter how good they look or how comfortable the pad if at the end of the day they don't fit!

I'd email PBK and ask them who makes their own kit, or at least what sort of brand it might be most similar to in sizing.

Also, I have bought Nalini from PBK and their sizing chart was virtually made up. They are notorious for this, could be two sizes out from reality. You only need to compare, say, the Nalini chart on PBK with the Nalini charts everywhere else to see this. I just ignored the PBK chart and chose the size based on everyone else's chart- doing this it worked out fine

bigpikle

I recently bought the DHB Merstons in L - I'm 6'0" 32" leg and 32" waist and they fit great except are >1" too long. They still do up OK though and with no stirrup I havent found the length an issue.

I do have a couple of other warnings on the DHBs though:

1. VERY obvious seam on the rear of the knee area. Doesnt chaff etc but you know its there all through the ride

2. they are just not windproof enough for me on the thigh areas. I wore my Aldi bibs for most of the winter and the first time out with the DHBs I was cold and thats the first time all winter my legs were cold.

Personally I wish I had bought better quality and spent more on the Assos I originally looked at. They were 4x the price but the issues above were enough to make me think they would be worth it personally.

HTH

solsurf

@pigpikle

totaly agree with you the dhb ones are not warm enough, considering most days since December have been below zero in the morning my legs are never really warm, although they do fit well.

I really wish I had bought the gore ones now. I'm wondering if i should still get them, cyclesurgery still have them on offer. more money on cycling stuff

kfinlay

Looks like the DHB's could be ruled out as I need these to be my winter tights and there will be plenty cold days yet before things start to warm up. The weather here is for some rain and snow tonight and tomorrow so have a little time to make my mind up and maybe try a few pairs on.
Lots of very helpful info so many thanks guys it's all appreciated

oscarbudgie

I'm 5' 8", 67 kgs - I find it quite difficult buying online - most brands I go for small (Endura / Pearl / Sugoi / Nalini usually perfect fit) DHB sizes are a lottery, 'small' = crushed nuts but medium flaps around. For me Altura seems to come up big too. Just be prepared to send the stuff back or pay more at the bike shop