Rapha Classic Bib Shorts Fit

bmxboy10

Hi

I got some of these in the sale - fit fine apart form the elastic bit at the bottom of the leg (just above the knee). They kind of flare out when I stand but seem ok when my knee is bent. Do you think I got the wrong size? I assume this is not normal :shock:

Cheers!

Midlands Grimpeur

It's just the particular cut, some bibs are wider around the leg gripper so not all shapes will fit. Rapha have changed the cut of bib shorts over the last couple of years IMO, they are cut a little bigger. You can size down but this won't necessarily solve it. They fit you when your knee is bent because the material shifts up and is gripping a thicker part of your leg where it fits more closely.

Basically they are not quite cut right for your leg shape, depends if you can put up with it or not. I switched back to old pro team bibs as I had the same issue with the new version.

paulmon

I don't like the fit of the classics. Too loose for my liking. I prefer the more compressive feel of the Pro Team bibs.

bmxboy10

Come to the conclusion it’s to do with the leg length

grenw

PaulMon wrote:

I don't like the fit of the classics. Too loose for my liking. I prefer the more compressive feel of the Pro Team bibs.

Wish I'd gone for the Pro Team ones myself. The lycra in the Classics is much too stretchy. Even though I sized down to a small (all my other bibs are mediums) the pad still moves around far too much on the bike.

Pity because the materials are great and they're very comfortable otherwise.

supermurph09

I actually wished I'd sent mine back, I don't think they are very good at all. As said, they are a bi too stretchy and the flappy material at the end of the leg holes serves what purpose?

prhymeate

What size did you get? I'm 6'4" with 32" waist, size guide and reviews suggested medium but I ordered a medium and a small and the small seem a pretty good fit.

bmxboy10

If you are 6ft 4 I think you will be ok as my problem is the thigh length was too long for me at 5 ft 10.

itboffin

the classic are great but on the large size, i have the original model from 2012 and they still look like new, pretty warm for how thin they are but too big, should have gone medium

assuming they'll wear out eventually i'd buy again

galatzo

I have Mediums and they do feel considerably bigger than my Core bibs in Medium
Maybe its just how they are but wish I'd ordered a Small to try too.
Dunno if I'd risk a swap for a Small (if anyone's thinking of asking) though as they're not that much to big and it'd be shame to get stuck with some which didn't fit at all

prhymeate

FWIW I'm returning mine. They're nicely made etc but they just feel a bit strange compared to my other shorts, I think it's the combination of the stretchy fabric and narrow silicon band at the bottom of the legs. I've realised I prefer more compression and shorts that have an inch or so of leg gripper fabric, if that makes any sense.

JakeJ

Consider yourself lucky that you didn't buy the core bib shorts, there's what feels like 100mm of gripper at the bottom of them making them a right faff just getting them up your leg, then they fold on themselves making you look stupid.

And it you're wearing legs warmers as well they pull them all about making them baggy ect..

From now on IF I buy Rapha shorts it'll be pro team or brevet.

But since wearing the Black sheep cycling shorts, I don't think i'll go back to rapha.

itboffin

yeah i bought the core bibs as well leg grippers are weird so much so i complained to rapha who said send them back to change, why thats how they fit. bad design if you ask me

furiousd

Just got some of these delivered. I got large based on asking Rapha and I use Large in my Assos bibs.
They fit great apart from the leg grippers which appear tight, there is still a lot of stretch in the grippers but they are significantly tighter than my Assos ones. Is this normal? Like I say the rest of the fit is good. I do have fairly big thighs.
Will they give at all ?
Cheers
D

ayjaycee

I always had the same issue on Rapha classics with a perfect fit apart from the slightly generous gripper area but put up with it as I liked them. However when I bought my last lot (about 12 months or so ago), I found that the general fit seemed to have changed to fit the 'more generously proportioned gentleman' and no longer seemed to suit me so I sent them back. My solution was to buy 2 pairs of Lusso bib shorts for the price of one pair of the Raphas at their sale price. OK, they haven't got Rapha printed on the side (if that's important to you) but IMHO, they do the job just as well - comfy over distance, look alright and wear very well.

furiousd

Decided to send them back, the material was lovely and fit good but the leg grippers were just too tight.
Was out yesterday, used my Assos S5 Mille, they were great until 100 miles, the next 20 took there toll and now have saddle soar. One day i will find a pair of BIBS that suit me.

mrb123

FuriousD wrote:

Decided to send them back, the material was lovely and fit good but the leg grippers were just too tight.
Was out yesterday, used my Assos S5 Mille, they were great until 100 miles, the next 20 took there toll and now have saddle soar. One day i will find a pair of BIBS that suit me.

Try Pactimo. The Summit Raptors are superior to Rapha Pro Team in my view. Excellent leg grippers too!

lakesluddite

I'm a convert to this brand, La Passione:

https://www.lapassione.cc/collections/m ... bib-shorts

The pad is excellent, and the fit just about right for me. I even got some thermal weight versions, and they are also excellent, they feel very luxurious.