Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Bib Shorts: I’m a Believer

I have long been skeptical of the benefits of bib shorts. Every time I saw someone squeezing into a pair I just thought that they looked really uncomfortable and awkward. I had to try a pair out myself before I could understand the true benefits.

Bibs truly are the right tool for the job on long cross country rides. The lack of a painful seam along your waist really is wonderful, and you don’t have to worry about flashing your crack to people behind you. In addition, the shoulder straps help keep the shorts perfectly in place. The chamois stays firmly attached to the appropriate parts of your anatomy at all times. I’ll try to spare you all of the intimate details...

But like I said, they are the right tool for long cross country rides. Any other application, and I'll still pass on the bibs. A short commute to work or school? Nah. Almost any ride under 10 miles? I’ll pass. And don’t even get me started on freeriding or anything on the more aggressive side….

One of the only down sides that I’ve noticed is the additional material on my back, which feels quite a bit hotter. Right now with temps in the 70s it’s not a big deal, but once it starts pushing 90 and 95… the more cloth you can shed, the better!

The other downside is that no matter who you are, you look kinda queer walking into your local convenience store in spandex.

I guess it’s a cycling thing…

PS: I just noticed that Marty Tank also blogged briefly about his first bib shorts experience. We each wrote these blog posts independent of each other!

9 comments:

kevin bonney May 4, 2011 at 1:45 PM  

YES! Another convert, now we just need to work on Tony.

eastwood May 4, 2011 at 4:51 PM  

I just got and wore a pair myself and they are AMAZING!! Agreed that they aren't an every ride necessity (I got them for racing). But boy do they feel wonderful throughout the whole ride. As for the fabric on the back - I think just like everything, some are better (better ventilated) than others. Oh, and I make sure I have shorts in the car to throw on over them if I have to go into a store : )

Airborne Tank May 4, 2011 at 5:07 PM  

C'mon....come up with your own material :D

Greg Heil May 4, 2011 at 10:40 PM  

@kevin, you bet!

@eastwood, I know, sweet, right? Mine are definitely not the most expensive, but I definitely can't afford the nice ones

@marty, hey man, great minds think alike! ;)

Jeremy (Golden Goose),  May 5, 2011 at 1:31 PM  

Don't forget the best part about them...great for showing off the old Moose knuckle! Have quietly been using a set of bibs for about a year and agree with just about everything you've said.

Greg Heil May 5, 2011 at 5:43 PM  

Haha yeah Jeremy, that's definitely the coolest part, lol!

Tony Caruso May 5, 2011 at 11:58 PM  

As long as there are fat guys in spandex, I will always look great in manshorts.

dgaddis May 12, 2011 at 3:57 PM  

I'm still not sold on bibs. I wear lycra shorts for most of the riding I do, but I don't see the point in adding shoulder straps. I've never had issues with the waistband being uncomfortable. But like everything else...don't knock it itll you try it...

Greg Heil May 13, 2011 at 11:27 PM  

dgaddis left a comment a couple of days ago, but because of the recent Blogger mess up, it's not showing. Here's what he said:

"I'm still not sold on bibs. I wear lycra shorts for most of the riding I do, but I don't see the point in adding shoulder straps. I've never had issues with the waistband being uncomfortable. But like everything else...don't knock it itll you try it... "

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Greg Heil is the Editor in Chief for Singletracks.com. He's been writing and publishing online since before blogging existed.

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