recommendations for bib shorts

[sjj84]

Just started out with a road bike earlier this year, bought a pair of altura progel shorts but really not getting on with them. Any suggestions for others to try without breaking the bank? Think I'll go for bib shorts this time as the waist band is uncomfortable on the alturas.

[Some Gump]

Dhb aeron

[Daveyraveygravey]

DHB are good, so too are Lusso. I had a pair of Morvelo Unity shorts, which were the comfiest (although the straps were a bit short which meant off the bike the old meat and two veg were very cosily pulled up!) but I shredded them in a crash.

[Fugazi]

I prefer Lusso ProGel 2 bibs, somebody recommended them on here a while back and I think they're great, can pick them up for about £45 if you shop around online.

[Magic919]

I haven't tried DHB, but I have a few pairs of the Lusso Pro Gels and they are good for the money.

[pembo]

I have altura gel bib shorts and although alright they are nothing compared to my Endura FS260 pro gel shorts. I went to my lbs to look at the pearl izumi shorts and the assistant said to feel the pad and try them on. I was sold, really comfortable, padded in the right areas and you don't feel the pad as much as in others I've tried when walking around.

I will be riding 100ish miles a day for 6 days next week with a bib rotation of endura, altura, planet-x. I'm making sure the endura ones will be used on the worst days!

[sjj84]

Thanks for the recommendations, I will check them out. Are the dhb ones good quality? I bought a dhb jacket a few months ago and it was terrible in both fit and quality so I sent it back, kind of put me off the brand.
What about castelli? Anybody used them? They look to be about £10 more than the lusso ones.

[Jimbo.]

sjj84 said:

Thanks for the recommendations, I will check them out. Are the dhb ones good quality? I bought a dhb jacket a few months ago and it was terrible in both fit and quality so I sent it back, kind of put me off the brand.
What about castelli? Anybody used them? They look to be about £10 more than the lusso ones.

The Aeron Pro bibs are fine. Castelli stuff looks good and works well when new, but IME the quality/durability is somewhat lacking. I'd rather save the £20 or so and go for the DHBs.

[K1909]

I would of said decathlon, and their higher end stuff, which has always been comfy for me, usually around £40ish, but bought my first pair of castelli bib shorts in a sale this week. First ride tonight with them, and after 25 miles, I could really notice a difference, very comfortable.

[ecsrobin]

I got some pearl Izumi bib shorts from their outlet at Gunwharf. £50 got me mid range bibs and a jersey. £70 would have got me the top end bib and shirt although it was a tighter fit and I'm not that confident in going full tight gear at the moment. (I still wear baggies over the bib shorts)

Very comfortable with decent padding.

[Stiggolas]

Check out Merlin stuff. The have recently started their own clothing range which is getting very good reviews. I'll be having a pair of their £30 bib shorts come payday

[sjj84]

The lusso progels look worth a try, £49.99 from chain reaction. Probably cheaper elsewhere but their returns are so easy I can buy a few sizes and see what fits. Thanks everyone.

[IroningMan]

Rapha Team Sky bibs are only £40 from the Archive Store in Shepton. For that price I could become a convert.

[mikees]

Looked at rapha ( have a couple of jerseys) and assos but just bought these as dhb fit me ( old fat knacker). They are brilliant and 1900 +ve feedback. Plus use same chamois as rapha

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-pro-cycling-bib-...

So good I've gone back to the standard s-works saddle from a charge spoon

Mike

[sjj84]

Is the charge spoon comfy? I was considering one of those, seem a bargain.

[PeteB0]

Of the three bibs I ride most often:

DhB Aeron's - good fit, comfy pad and perfectly durable
Castelli Evoluzione - great fit, comfy pad and less durable
Rapha Classics - great fit, great pad and perfectly durable


For the money, the Aerons are great. The Rapha bibs are close to perfect (for me anyway), but they are also substantially more money.

[TonyHetherington]

IroningMan said:

Rapha Team Sky bibs are only £40 from the Archive Store in Shepton. For that price I could become a convert.

Was it the bib shorts they had different levels of (replica vs pro), as well as the shirts? Or are those £40 ones the full Rapha pro stuff. If so, that's an absolute bargain, especially for winter underneath long padless leggings

[IroningMan]

TonyHetherington said:

Was it the bib shorts they had different levels of (replica vs pro), as well as the shirts? Or are those £40 ones the full Rapha pro stuff. If so, that's an absolute bargain, especially for winter underneath long padless leggings

The Sky ones were 'Replica' at £40; made in China. I also picked up a pair of 'Lightweight' which were £90; made in Italy, so the Sky ones are not the full monty, but still the cheapest bibs I own.

There may have been a third type knocking about, not sure, but the Rapha/Condor team kit used the 'Lightweight' bibs as far as I could see.

[E65Ross]

I've had 2 pairs of the dhb aeron pro shorts and they're great for the money. I too also had a dhb jacket which wasn't very good but their other stuff I've had (eg Jerseys) have been great.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Anyone recommend a pair with a tough pad? I find the pads on my shorts is always the weakest point and wears down the quickest. cheers