Weird bib tights with stirrups - could I just cut them off?
Discussion
Morning all,
I've just been looking for some new bib tights, and noticed quite a few have these weird stirrup things on them which look like the particularly nasty tracksuits that we had as kids in the Seventies!
I can't even begin to figure out why anyone would want or need the discomfort of a seam running round the back of their foot inside their shoe/boot in the first place, but I know I wouldn't. Some of the prices are pretty good though, so I was wondering if there would be anything to stop me buying them and just cutting the stirrups off?
I've just been looking for some new bib tights, and noticed quite a few have these weird stirrup things on them which look like the particularly nasty tracksuits that we had as kids in the Seventies!
I can't even begin to figure out why anyone would want or need the discomfort of a seam running round the back of their foot inside their shoe/boot in the first place, but I know I wouldn't. Some of the prices are pretty good though, so I was wondering if there would be anything to stop me buying them and just cutting the stirrups off?
Having foot 'stirrups' is the 2nd best thing about full length big tights IMO? Teamed with some waterproof socks it means you get full coverage from head to toe with no gaps, perfect for winter!
As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
Trabi601 said:
Don't do it!
You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew
(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
Because I haven't actually bought any, so was hoping someone who has could look and see if it's a separate piece of material - in which case no reason not to cut - or part of the same material as the leg, in which case I'd imagine they'd possibly completely unravel on my first commute to work in them!You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew

(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
Kermit power said:
Trabi601 said:
Don't do it!
You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew
(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
Because I haven't actually bought any, so was hoping someone who has could look and see if it's a separate piece of material - in which case no reason not to cut - or part of the same material as the leg, in which case I'd imagine they'd possibly completely unravel on my first commute to work in them!You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew

(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
snotrag said:
Having foot 'stirrups' is the 2nd best thing about full length big tights IMO? Teamed with some waterproof socks it means you get full coverage from head to toe with no gaps, perfect for winter!
As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
I've never tried waterproof socks, but currently ride with the bib tights pulled down over the outside of my Northwave Celsius waterproof boots. That coupled with full muguards means it takes rain of biblical flood proportions before enough water is getting through the tights to get my feet wet via the medium of sock osmosis.As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
Fair point about them riding up. My current ones don't, but they have silicone grip strips on them. I think I'll stick to the stirrupless ones, even if it does reduce the choice somewhat.
Kermit power said:
snotrag said:
Having foot 'stirrups' is the 2nd best thing about full length big tights IMO? Teamed with some waterproof socks it means you get full coverage from head to toe with no gaps, perfect for winter!
As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
I've never tried waterproof socks, but currently ride with the bib tights pulled down over the outside of my Northwave Celsius waterproof boots. That coupled with full muguards means it takes rain of biblical flood proportions before enough water is getting through the tights to get my feet wet via the medium of sock osmosis.As for cutting - it depends on the material - you might find it begins to fray and tear. alternatively, they might ride up, as shorts use a rubber or silicone gripper, which obviously won't be there on a long tight with the feet cut off.
Fair point about them riding up. My current ones don't, but they have silicone grip strips on them. I think I'll stick to the stirrupless ones, even if it does reduce the choice somewhat.
55palfers said:
Trabi601 said:
Don't do it!
You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew
(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
Quite.You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew

(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
TwistingMyMelon said:
Try em first before you cut them
Handy if they fit well, if they bug you cut them after a few rides
I'm like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to having anything at all in my shoes other than the bits of the shoe that are meant to be there, my socks and my feet! Handy if they fit well, if they bug you cut them after a few rides

Kermit power said:
I'm like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to having anything at all in my shoes other than the bits of the shoe that are meant to be there, my socks and my feet! 
I thought the same as you but you don't notice them once you're going and they stop the legs riding up which I find far more uncomfortable.
Kermit power said:
55palfers said:
Trabi601 said:
Don't do it!
You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew
(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
Quite.You'll bring on a plague of locusts if you do that... thought everyone knew

(I'm honestly trying to think of any reason why you'd need to ask this on a forum, rather than just taking a set of scissors to them!)
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