What size bib shorts?......Again!

cobbslane

I'm not new to cycling but at 57yrs I've just got back into it after spending too much time at the bar tent/cake shop etc. I reckon if I was 6ft 3" tall I'd have the perfect physique for an Assos athlete but at 5ft 10" I am certainly no athlete. As you will see I am not the conventional racing snake of a club cyclist and that is exactly why I was inspired to get me a new bike and get on with it - to loose a lot of weight and regain some fitness whilst I can and am able - and boy am I enjoying it! My bike fits perfectly - which makes a change - but the clothing needs upgrading.
I'm currently using Endura waist FS260 - great shorts but would like to upgrade and go to bib shorts in the process. I've been looking at Sugoi RS, Gore Power 2 and PI Attack. Love the look of Santini but doubt they go to a 10X size.
Anyway, I'm 5ft 10" with a waist of 38". My Endura's are XL and my chest is 43" but shrinking. When I look at a Santini chart I need a 3XL waist but a M height - can lycra stretch that much? I've also looked at Shutt VR - the company impresses me - but again they talk of arm length - what that has to do with bibs I've no idea.
So my qu. is - what do you recommend and in what size....surely I'm not the only rotund creature on a bike out there?
Gerry

Hierotochan

Just had to get the tape measure out...
5' 11" tall, 32" waist, 36" hips, 38" chest & 40" shoulders.
I like long walks on the beach, kittens...

Anyway,
I have both a Nalini & a Santani pair of bib-shorts both in large & they fit well.
Not too tight, a bit of room left for when I earn thighs like the Cav's!
Chest & shoulders move free & due to the cut I can't think you would need bigger.

I also have a Nalini long sleeved full zip in a large & it fits well too,
but I don't have large arms & if I did the sleves would be a little tight.

Seems like both brands are made for oddly shaped Italians!

Erudin

I got some Santini Max Bibshorts from http://www.prendas.co.uk, sent them my measurements (5'7", 38inch waist) and they advised XL which fit great.

"If you are unsure of the size you need, then email or phone us or simply fill in the sizing boxes on your on-line order where applicable and we will make the judgment call. Estimation is correct approximately 96% of the time, we've been sizing unseen customers for over nine years now!"

StillGoing

Italian sizing is way off compared to UK sizing. I had to buy XXL bib shorts for a 5'7" frame whereas a M or L UK size is long enough. I can only assume that the stories of Italians being tall are just myths and 5'7" is a giant for them.

52Teeth

Italian sizing refers to the fact that it has been constructed in a completely random manner.

cobbslane

Thanks Erudin and all, that's exactly the input I needed.
Cheers

mediamazter

5f 11" 38 waist 42 chest..

Im comfy in a Nalini 8 and a Vermac 3xl(7)...

B