Are Cycling Bib Shorts Better Than Regular Cycling Shorts?

Sam Myers — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:30:04 +0000

One of the things that happens when you have been riding a bicycle for a long time, and perhaps even joined a cycling club, is that you start wearing all the proper clothing, a bit like a uniform. Maybe it starts out as a fashion thing, as the cycle jerseys can look really cool, but by the stage when you are getting dressed up in Lycra and shaving your legs (if you’re a man), you might have to admit you have a problem – or you are a serious road racer! It is worth pointing out that the leg-shaving has nothing to do with speed or aerodynamics; it is to help with healing cuts and grazes from the many crashes you will have a road cycle racer; and to prevent them from getting infected.

One of the never ending debates that goes on between cyclists is whether normal cycling shorts are best, or are the cycling bib shorts better. The difference between the two types regards the method used for holding them onto your body. Regular cycling shorts are like any other shorts, with an elasticated waistband, whereas cycle bib shorts do not have the waistband. Instead, they have two suspenders or straps that you pull over your shoulders to hold up the shorts. For serious racing, many riders do prefer the bib cycling shorts, because after hours in the saddle and sweating through exertion, the waistband on normal ones can start chafing your skin. This is needless and preventable pain, so waistbands are avoided if at all possible.

In both cases you get the benefit of moisture wicking materials, so you are not left drenched with sweat; it simply gets channeled to the outer surface where it rapidly evaporates. Both styles of cycle shorts incorporate a padded chamois to protect your sensitive regions on long haul rides.

The only real downside to bib cycling shorts is that it is a little bit of a hassle to get them down when you are desperate for a rest room break. In fact, you might need to remove all your racing tops to get to the straps on your shoulders! The best advice here is to pull the straps up over your shoulders after you have all your layers on, and then you only need to wear a single cycle jersey over the top of the straps – problem solved! There are a few companies around that make lower cut cycling bib shorts to make the “toilet stop” easier to do, Assos being one of them, but let’s face it; Assos are one of the top companies for cycle wear, and a really good pair of their bib shorts could easily set you back $250. It would be far easier to follow the advice about pulling up the bib straps on your penultimate layer, and buy a more affordable pair of Pearl Izumi bibs for $50 – or of course, you can always decide to shun bib shorts in favor of the regular style of cycling shorts!

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Are Cycling Bib Shorts Better Than Regular Cycling Shorts?