What bib shorts?

[dirty boy]

My long ride is coming up shortly, training has gone well (or not) but i've got 400 miles in 4 days in a couple of weeks and just realised I only have one pair of cycling shorts and one set of long ones.

I could do with a bib short I think, as I hear they're a bit more comfortable on longer runs.

Budget is about £50, but really do fancy some decent padding!!!!

Any tips welcome.

[anonymous-user]

Dont set a budget on something that could be the difference between afour days of bliss or four days of pain.... I likw Castelli, they fit, the panels are well designed and cut and the pads are superb. Others will prefer Assos, Rapha, etc etc... Personally I'd buy a pair of Castelli Velocissimos and somethign else, see which you prefer and then stock up. They arent cheap but they are worth it.

And liberal applications of Assos chamois cream.....

[j00pY]

Top of the range Decathlon shorts. Should be just under your budget. My bum cannot tell any difference between them and the much more expensive Santini shorts that I own.

[tobinen]

i can't really recommend any bib shorts as it's a personal thing and also I still haven't found any which are perfect yet myself.

The Assos chamois cream is definitely worth having though

[Roger Irrelevant]

tobinen said:

i can't really recommend any bib shorts as it's a personal thing and also I still haven't found any which are perfect yet myself.

This is the correct answer unfortunately - for example in anticipation of my nine-day JoGLE trip I bought a pair of £100+ Assos bibshorts off the back of rave reviews on forums. They may work for most people but after two days I was in serious discomfort and swapped back to my old £30 dhb jobs which were loads better. Since got some more bibs from dhb and Sportful for around the £50 mark and they're all fine. I'd just get some you like the look of and hope they work for you (they probably will!).

[central]

CW tested some a few weeks ago - http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/group-tests/cycling...

[dirty boy]

Thanks for the responses

Seen these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-pro-padd... which seem reasonable value and state for rides over 3 hours.

Really can't justify the Assos at £130 upwards, I only do 30+ miles a dozen times a year.

[Stiggolas]

Just had an email telling me that Merlin cycles are starting their own line in clothing. £29.99 for a set of bib shorts from their middle range. I will be ordering some

[jamiebae]

dirty boy said:

Thanks for the responses

Seen these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-pro-padd... which seem reasonable value and state for rides over 3 hours.

Really can't justify the Assos at £130 upwards, I only do 30+ miles a dozen times a year.

Those are Roubaix material so designed to keep you warm which may or may not be what you want. Certainly, unless you like having really sweaty balls you won't want to be wearing them in summer.

For £50 go for the top of the range DHB or Decathlon ones I'd say.

[richardxjr]

I'm a bit of a tight old sod. Except for bib shorts. Castelli in 1 or 2 sizes bigger than you are in anything else

[Usget]

I've always found DHB shorts to be really comfortable especially given how good value they are. They're what I wore for Chase The Sun last year.

[okgo]

Assos s7 - best shorts I've owned.

[roystinho]

sportpursuit.com for bargains to be had

[Some Gump]

dirty boy said:

Thanks for the responses

Seen these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-pro-padd... which seem reasonable value and state for rides over 3 hours.

Really can't justify the Assos at £130 upwards, I only do 30+ miles a dozen times a year.

I've Got 2 sets of vaeons with the red pads. I find them great (up to 13h in the saddle and nee bother).
I also have a set of decathlon longs with the thinner black pad. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy over about 90 minutes.

[Gruffy]

Just to muddy the waters further: I can ride for days in my Rapha shorts (CyTech chamois) but 3 hours on Castelli's KISS3 pad and I'm suffering. Top-of-the-range Decathlon shorts are more comfortable than my Castellis and less so than Rapha. It's obviously quite a personal thing that also depends on the shape of your arse, your saddle etc.

At your budget I'd also recommend trying your luck with high-end DHB and Decathlon.

[julianm]

Take a look at the Nalini ones here: http://www.trikotexpress.de/index.php?stoken=CF95B...
I`ve got a big bum & found that if I order the right size ( they`ve got a good fitting chart) then they are great. Good service & price.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I read a review somewhere that recommended Morvelo Unity shorts and was umming and ahhing about the £90 odd quid, then saw that Wiggle have some in the sale for about £48 so ordered some. Certain sizes only though.

[aberdeeneuan]

I bought some Etxeondo last year for £45 when they were reduced. Really impressed.

Other than that, Nalini or dhb for me. All have been fine for 30+ mile rides.

[JQ]

Another vote for the top of the range Decathlon shorts here.

[dontdobends]

There are a few brand snobs on here but you can buy a decent pair of bib shorts for what the original poster asked £50 and plus made in UK
Ive always used them up to 6hour rides and never had a problem and they even came top on test in Cycling Active

http://www.lusso.bike/mens/shorts-bib-shorts/aero-...