Hi guys, came into gravel from MTB so I’ve never owned bib shorts and have been riding in a t shirt, shorts and 7Mesh under shorts.
I’d like to get some (preferably cargo) bib shorts to ride in so I can save my under shorts for days on the enduro bike, and for some more convenient pockets.
How do you pick bib shorts without being able to try them on? It seems difficult to pick beyond aesthetic reasons as it’s not possible to try them, so is there any online resource or methods for picking brands based on padding style etc?
So far I’ve looked at PNS and 7Mesh as options, but any more cost effective recommendations are welcomed.
PFA of the new gravel rig replacing my previous Lapierre Crosshill (this one’s also a Crosshill, just plastic instead of metal)
by DubplateWavy
17 Comments
I like the black bibs ultimate adventure bibs. Affordable and have served me well for long rides across multiple years…
Neopro is the best affordable option I’ve found
Win coupons on strava and see what I can afford lol
Go Down to your local bike shop, Ask about the options they have, ask them for help with fitting, usually shops will allow you to try them on, with the understanding that you keep your undergarments on..
If you don’t know your size and you are buying online. Look for a company that will offer free and easy returns.
Like Pactimo, in the USA, at least, they offer free returns and exchanges for unused, with the tags on. Again, its good to be honest and wear undergarments for try on’s. I think they even offer to chat, and work with you for sizing help. (Full disclosure/Side Note, The team / club I ride with uses Pactimo for our team kits, but I do pay for mine and they are custom)
LBL is always a great start, sure you may pay a little more, but that’s covering having a sales person or staff member with knowledge that can help you find your best fit.
I own Rapha bibs and black bibs and the Rapha quality and comfort is so much better I only wear the black bibs on trainer. I like the look of Ornot bibs but haven’t bought them yet but all their other stuff is insanely good stuff.
This is a super hard question and it really does come down to each individual. As my bike fitter said: “Everyone has different tissue”.
You want something tight but not too tight. Just because something feels good in a fitting room doesn’t mean it won’t still give you a saddle sore after a long ride.
The unfortunate truth that I have discovered is that you just need to be prepared to gamble and possibly lose money if the company doesn’t have a good return policy. You may get lucky and your first try works great for you. Or you can be like me and it may take you 5-10 different brands to find the one your body cooperates with. Best bet is to go to a bike shop and try on what they have to get a feel and go from there.
For me, Assos is the only brand I’ve found that doesn’t give me issues. My ass has expensive taste, evidently.
I own Castelli Unlimited Endurance Bib shorts, which I’m very happy with. Their online size calculator takes body shape, weight, size and age into consideration, I found their prediction to be accurate.
Castelli has two bib shorts with pockets, the Unlimited Endurance and Unlimited Cargo. The former has their more advanced padding and a little smaller pockets (still big enough!), the latter has crazy big leg pockets and two small pockets in the back.
The red white endurance bibs and the black bibs for a budget option.
Voler Black Label bibs.
There is a cargo style too.
They aren’t the cheapest, but aren’t the most expensive either.
They are made in the USA, are designed and built to last, and have good compression.
Many cheaper priced bibs look similar to higher quality bibs and even feel the same in the beginning.
The pads are often not as long lasting and the compression is usually not as strong for long.
Bibs that don’t have good compression are dumb, at least in my eyes.
You can find all kinds of gravel cycling garb online if you search specifically for them, bonus if they’re in your area.
I find the cheapest ones on sale and go for that. They’re stretchy padded shorts literally made to conform to your body.
Ykywbike off aliexpress works for me.
Super cheap, fits well. Regularly do 12hr+ rides in them.
Im a brand snob little bitch so I have two pair of MAAP alt_road cargo bibs and I have no regrets in paying for them they are awesome, wear them gravel rides and mountain bike rides the chamois are the comfiest I’ve used by far, others I’ve used 7mesh, gore, rapha.
I don’t need to run a pack cuz I can fit everything I need in the bibs, run an extra water bottle in the back center pocket.
Have any outlet malls close to you? See if there’s a Pearl Uzumi outlet store. Can usually find good deals.
RedWhite. Don’t have experience with many brands, but I like these.
By size.
Also by what’s on close out. If I like it I buy more of it or that brand. If not, I buy less. I’m not opposed to buying used bibs cheap either.
Look for good sales online and send it – I like my Primal bibs a lot(wait for their warehouse sales if possible, got mine for 50% off), I also have some Pearl Izumi and Gorewear kit that are great but really it’s been trial and error finding bibs and a chamois that work for me.
One thing I’ve learned is I’ll never buy non-cargo bibs again. Stashing my phone in the thigh pocket is way nicer than reaching around my back or in a frame bag for it.