Best non bib shorts

[alolympic]

I’ve got plenty of pairs but actually not a big fan of bib shorts. I prefer the non bibs, especially when it’s really warm.
The only non bib shorts I own are Galibier.
I struggle to find other shorts which have a good chamois. My favourite bibs are Lusso Carbon V2.
Can anyone recommend non bibs shorts with a good chamois?

[mikecassie]

I've a pair of Gore shorts which I wear under baggies, but they have a mess side for cooling. So not the best if you wear without baggies.

[leyorkie]

I have a pair of Assos called high miler I think

[Jacobyte]

I'm no fan of dungarees either. Assos H.Mille shorts are perfect.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've got some Lusso non bibs, and another pair I can't remember the brand.
Starting to think of bib shorts as Emperor's new clothes, if you get a good fit on non bibs, there's no advantages to bibs, and a couple of disadvantages.

[SVS]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Starting to think of bib shorts as Emperor's new clothes, if you get a good fit on non bibs, there's no advantages to bibs, and a couple of disadvantages.

I was wondering the same thing. I've never had any issues with non-bib shorts. Why would bib shorts be better?

[alolympic]

Thanks for the tips so far.
Damn, the Assos shorts are pricey! Twice the price of the Galibiers. Need to think if they can be worth the outlay.

My take on the bib shorts is that they are sold on the proviso that they hold themselves in place better. They are bought on the basis that people have suffered bad fitting shorts that don’t stay up and dig in to their middle. Dare I say it, if one does have a bit of a belly, at the position we take on a bike, non bibs will dig in. Long term response is to lose the belly, not buy something to hold it in!

[Daveyraveygravey]

SVS said:

I was wondering the same thing. I've never had any issues with non-bib shorts. Why would bib shorts be better?

I'm not sure either! I think if you are an extreme in any of your measurements, whether that is short/tall, fat/skinny, bib shorts will stop them dropping or gaping at the back, so you won't be "winking" at anyone behind. They may also keep the pad in place better, but that sounds to me like the shorts aren't fitting the rider.

I got into an argument on one of the forums about it once, and a couple of people said things on the lines of "no serious cyclist would ride without bib shorts" !

[SVS]

Daveyraveygravey said:

I got into an argument on one of the forums about it once, and a couple of people said things on the lines of "no serious cyclist would ride without bib shorts" !

What is it about cycling and "the rules"?

[keith2.2]

Counter-point; if you don't find bibs to be more comfortable than non-bibs, you haven't worn the right bibs - I'm a non-fatty and absolutely swear by bib-shorts. Initially it took me a while to make the move (mainly on cost grounds) but I'd never go back. Fewer seams, better position management and the fit won't degrade over time (Which an elasticated waitband will).

If you want for hot weather - Rapha flywight bibs - personally I prefer the pro-team to the classics as I prefer the fit. (I live in HK, so 6hr rides in the summer when it's 35-40C in the shade and 95% humidity; I understand riding in hot weather!).

end of the day though it's not worth arguing about - you pays yer money!

[Daveyraveygravey]

keith2.2 said:

Counter-point; if you don't find bibs to be more comfortable than non-bibs, you haven't worn the right bibs - I'm a non-fatty and absolutely swear by bib-shorts. Initially it took me a while to make the move (mainly on cost grounds) but I'd never go back. Fewer seams, better position management and the fit won't degrade over time (Which an elasticated waitband will).

If you want for hot weather - Rapha flywight bibs - personally I prefer the pro-team to the classics as I prefer the fit. (I live in HK, so 6hr rides in the summer when it's 35-40C in the shade and 95% humidity; I understand riding in hot weather!).

end of the day though it's not worth arguing about - you pays yer money!

Reading your post, I was thinking most of what Keith is saying is the usual Emperors new cloths bullst, then I got to the bit about HK so maybe you have a point.

However, I've never worn Rapha and never will, almost on principle. That aside, I would dispute the fewer seams thing and "better position management". I also disagree about the fit degrading over time. I'm not talking about baggy mtb shorts, I am talking about proper cycling shorts, just without the bibs. They are elastic all over, so they will degrade everywhere, not just the waist band. The material thickness fades and exposes you before the elasaticity goes, in my experience anyway.

And if you have to stop to use a toilet, then you really do feel like a plonker taking your jersey off to take the straps off to drop your shorts...

[Your Dad]

I resisted Rapha, until I picked up a pair of Classic bibs in the sale and found them to be a very good fit with a pad that hasn't caused any discomfort.

As for comfort stops whilst wearing bibs, never been a problem. Just pull the front down or pull the leg up (depending on how blessed you are). The only time I saw a pro have to take their jersey off and drop the straps was Tom Dumoulin taking a dump in the 2017 Giro.

[snobetter]

If you could try these and let me know please....

Like the look / made locally but don't need any yet.

https://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/cyclingshorts

[Mr Ted]

Jacobyte said:

I'm no fan of dungarees either. Assos H.Mille shorts are perfect.

Plus one for these, expensive but so comfy and the waist band doesn't exert any pressure but stays in place, magic!

Personally I found bibs a faff, especially for comfort stops and I really didn't like the straps over my shoulders, for me they weren't as comfortable or as practical as the Assos non bibs.

My other favourite that I seem to be wearing both on and off road these days are my Aussie Grit Flint shorts , very comfy for all day rides and not too baggy but smart enough for even the most posh coffee stop! I have the matching trail jersey which I like as it's a close fit but not skin tight. I don't race so I don't wear 'aero' clothing and my kit can't be slowing me down too much as I have overtaken plenty of riders who look like they've been dressed by a sausage machine LOL

[chris7676]

For a cheaper option look at Decathlon (the shorts for £20 or £30) - the only negative too me is the front pad bit is a bit awkward, Otherwise I find them much better than dhb stuff at the similar price.

Otherwise I personally like one piece suits, especially when feeling fast.They can be surprisingly comfortable.

[keith2.2]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Reading your post, I was thinking most of what Keith is saying is the usual Emperors new cloths bullst

To dismiss someones opinion of something based purely on the cost of the item and having absolutely no understanding of that persons experience, personality wrt whether they feel a need to justify a purchase or ability to make a balanced judgement comes across as short-sighted / petty at best, and envious / rude at worst.

I won't address the other points - your're entitled to your opinions, factually incorrect or otherwise.

Edited by keith2.2 on Wednesday 10th July 05:02

[Jacobyte]

Daveyraveygravey said:

They are elastic all over, so they will degrade everywhere, not just the waist band. The material thickness fades and exposes you before the elasaticity goes, in my experience anyway.

True, but how long do yours last beofre that exposure? My last pair of Assos non-bib shorts (H.Mille predecessor) lasted 11 years before a small area of material at the back wore thin enough to see through. The fit and the padding were still perfect with no other degradation at all.

[Gareth79]

Your Dad said:

As for comfort stops whilst wearing bibs, never been a problem. Just pull the front down or pull the leg up (depending on how blessed you are). The only time I saw a pro have to take their jersey off and drop the straps was Tom Dumoulin taking a dump in the 2017 Giro.

I was about to say, I've never had to do anything other than pull the front of the bib down at a pit stop. Ok you have to stoop a tiny bit, but that's it.

[Daveyraveygravey]

keith2.2 said:

To dismiss someones opinion of something based purely on the cost of the item and having absolutely no understanding of that persons experience, personality wrt whether they feel a need to justify a purchase or ability to make a balanced judgement comes across as short-sighted / petty at best, and envious / rude at worst.

I won't address the other points - your're entitled to your opinions, factually incorrect or otherwise.

Edited by keith2.2 on Wednesday 10th July 05:02

You dismissed non bibs in your first sentence! And I commented on you riding in HK, so did you not read what I posted?

I dismissed all Rapha products, I am not seduced by their branding/advertising. Next time I see a Rapha sale, I might see if there is anything I can justify buying, anything I actually need. I suspect even in the sale, all Rapha items will be way more expensive than any other equivalent clothing.

[keith2.2]

Daveyraveygravey said:

keith2.2 said:

To dismiss someones opinion of something based purely on the cost of the item and having absolutely no understanding of that persons experience, personality wrt whether they feel a need to justify a purchase or ability to make a balanced judgement comes across as short-sighted / petty at best, and envious / rude at worst.

I won't address the other points - your're entitled to your opinions, factually incorrect or otherwise.

Edited by keith2.2 on Wednesday 10th July 05:02

You dismissed non bibs in your first sentence! And I commented on you riding in HK, so did you not read what I posted?

I dismissed all Rapha products, I am not seduced by their branding/advertising. Next time I see a Rapha sale, I might see if there is anything I can justify buying, anything I actually need. I suspect even in the sale, all Rapha items will be way more expensive than any other equivalent clothing.

I mean you've selectively read and quoted, but ok.. I specifically said 'it took me a while to make the move [to bib shorts] and explaind the rationale. You can therefore take it that I've tried both and stuck with the one that I personally think is the better choice for me - and also explained why I believe this to be the case.

My comment about HK was in relation to having plenty of experience of riding in proper heat and humidity (pertinent to the original post). Before HK I rode for nearly 20 years in the UK (granted only 5 of those on road bikes).

This isn't a pissing contest - it's offering an opinion and qualifying the experience on which that opinion is based.

"I wouldn't buy rapha on principle" on the other hand. The principle seems to be 'it's premium priced and I don't like the photography'. Objectively - you're making assumptions about something you haven't tried based on it being at the premium end of the market. It's no more expensive than Assos or mid-high end Castelli. Incidentally, with the exception of a pair of corsa gloves, I've never had a bad piece of kit from Castelli - but now we're getting way OT



So to come full circle - OP - I would suggest giving a pair of hot-weather bibs from a decent brand a go, I personally think they're worth the investment (I don't know what brands you've tried).

For specifically non-bib, it depends on your budget, but Rapha / Castelli would be my first looks. For me, the chamois on Castelli shorts is extremely comfortable (I've done several 300km+ in-one-go rides on the same chamois) and they last far longer than they have any right to (I have a pair that are into their 8th year and just refuse degrade apart from some of the print). For an initial purchase cost of about 160gbp (at the time, by a long shot the most expensive bit of kit I'd ever bought) they've actually represented seriously good value for how long they've lasted.

Edited by keith2.2 on Thursday 11th July 03:38