First bib shorts and jersey
Discussion
Hi all,
Since the lockdown started I've had a little more free time and dusted off a secondhand road bike. I've really been enjoying it and am slowly increasing my time on the bike each week. Currently riding up to 90 minutes at a time. A background of running and climbing means I am familiar with the risks of doing too much too soon. However at this point in time I am finding a little more comfort is required, let alone being rid of the flapping from my running shorts and tees!
As a newcomer to the sport, I'm finding the clothing and the brands quite different from what I'm used to and need some help.
Bib shorts: a couple of friends warned me away from the very cheapest and suggested that £50-100 is the sweet spot. Some dhb shorts (£60) just arrived. They feel snug all round and the shoulder straps are a bit tight when stood up. This is relieved when hunched. It's there anything I dam do at home to confirm if they are a good fit? I also noticed some nice looking Rapha core shorts are avaliable at £85.is there any value in an upgrade here?
Jerseys: I'm a tall and skinny build, is it just trial and error to find something slim cut and long enough?
Thanks in advance!
Since the lockdown started I've had a little more free time and dusted off a secondhand road bike. I've really been enjoying it and am slowly increasing my time on the bike each week. Currently riding up to 90 minutes at a time. A background of running and climbing means I am familiar with the risks of doing too much too soon. However at this point in time I am finding a little more comfort is required, let alone being rid of the flapping from my running shorts and tees!
As a newcomer to the sport, I'm finding the clothing and the brands quite different from what I'm used to and need some help.
Bib shorts: a couple of friends warned me away from the very cheapest and suggested that £50-100 is the sweet spot. Some dhb shorts (£60) just arrived. They feel snug all round and the shoulder straps are a bit tight when stood up. This is relieved when hunched. It's there anything I dam do at home to confirm if they are a good fit? I also noticed some nice looking Rapha core shorts are avaliable at £85.is there any value in an upgrade here?
Jerseys: I'm a tall and skinny build, is it just trial and error to find something slim cut and long enough?
Thanks in advance!
Personally, I have moved away from Bib shorts and now just wear padded shorts.
Mostly because I found it difficult to get a pair that didn’t end up giving me neck ache for the reason you said. I also find them too hot in hot weather. Both Lusso and Galibier do good non bib shorts at reasonable cost, Assos at the top end.
Countless brands out there for jerseys. Comes down to personal choice really. I have actually found that merino is magic like they say. Great temp control, fast wicking and anti bacterial. Ashmei stuff is great albeit admittedly expensive. They do have a very lines at the moment in their archive sale, which make them well worth a punt in my eyes...
Mostly because I found it difficult to get a pair that didn’t end up giving me neck ache for the reason you said. I also find them too hot in hot weather. Both Lusso and Galibier do good non bib shorts at reasonable cost, Assos at the top end.
Countless brands out there for jerseys. Comes down to personal choice really. I have actually found that merino is magic like they say. Great temp control, fast wicking and anti bacterial. Ashmei stuff is great albeit admittedly expensive. They do have a very lines at the moment in their archive sale, which make them well worth a punt in my eyes...
I recently bought a pair of second bibs - DHB Classics at £55 and despite being half the price of my other pair, they're twice as comfortable. It's too early to gauge their durability as I've only worn them a handful of times but I've been more than impressed and tbh, don't see the point in spending more. I have also managed to bag a pair of the Aussie Grit Ignite 2 in 1 shorts but they haven't turned up yet. Unfortunately they are sold out now but I'm looking forward to trying them as I'm not particularly a fan of lycra! Take a look at their Flint shorts that are still in stock AFAIK.
As for jerseys, I use Decathlon and Torm.
As for jerseys, I use Decathlon and Torm.
Edited by Blink982 on Saturday 6th June 08:38
AlpineWhite said:
Some dhb shorts (£60) just arrived. They feel snug all round and the shoulder straps are a bit tight when stood up. This is relieved when hunched. It's there anything I dam do at home to confirm if they are a good fit?
Cycling clothing should fit when you are on the bike - when you are probably "hunched up". This is more obvious with jerseys (where your arms are stretched out in front of you) but the same applies to shorts - think about whether they fit in our riding position. DHB are well rated and sell in volume so unless you are an odd shape they will almost certainly be OK.AlpineWhite said:
Jerseys: I'm a tall and skinny build, is it just trial and error to find something slim cut and long enough?
Most road cycling clothing is cut that way (fitted) anyway. Sizing can be an adventure, so worth looking at the sizing charts for the specific brand that you are buying.If you are on strava and cycling regularly you can sign up to one of Le Col's regular "challenges" and end up with a £50 voucher. That reduces the cost of their pro bibs to £100 which also means free delivery. They are exceptional value for money at that price point. If you arent a racer I'd size up - I am 6'1 and approx 80 kg and I wear an extra large and love them.
Bib shorts are like saddles in that their fit is personal to you.
When I wanted to invest in some decent quality shorts, I bought from all the recognised sellers; Rapha, Assos, Castelli, DHB FS260 etc.
I tried them all on at home and on the bike to determine which fitted the best and had the most comfortable pad.
For me, the Rapha Classic shorts met the criteria, coincidentally I tried the Core’s too, but they were longer in the leg despite using the same pad, so they were discounted.
Taking recommendations over the web is fine for a starting point, but I think ultimately you need to try them for yourself.
HTH
Robert
When I wanted to invest in some decent quality shorts, I bought from all the recognised sellers; Rapha, Assos, Castelli, DHB FS260 etc.
I tried them all on at home and on the bike to determine which fitted the best and had the most comfortable pad.
For me, the Rapha Classic shorts met the criteria, coincidentally I tried the Core’s too, but they were longer in the leg despite using the same pad, so they were discounted.
Taking recommendations over the web is fine for a starting point, but I think ultimately you need to try them for yourself.
HTH
Robert
Newcomer myself and have had a mix of kit delivered in the last few weeks courtesy of Wiggle's easy returns....
These are the jerseys I've settled on
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-wear-c3-jersey-1/
I was all settled on the dhb Jerseys but prefer the kind of meshy texture that the Gore ones have rather than the silky feel of the dhb's, plus they're widely available in fairly plain colours in all sizes, whereas most of the dhb stuff at the moment only seems to be available in outlier sizes or the designs no one wants.
I have been using dhb's classic bib shorts and it must be said they're very comfortable indeed, though a little snug around the boys in the size I need...! The next size up was much too big in the pad so I'll have to settle for a bit of camel toe.
I've ordered some Gore bibs at almost double the cost of the dhb's as I'm a bit OCD about mixing brands, but they'll have to be superb to make me switch from the dhb's, and it seems Gore don't make a padded bib tight which is going to be really annoying when the winter comes and I want warmer kit, I'd assumed all manufacturers would do identical shorts and tights but apparently not.
These are the jerseys I've settled on
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-wear-c3-jersey-1/
I was all settled on the dhb Jerseys but prefer the kind of meshy texture that the Gore ones have rather than the silky feel of the dhb's, plus they're widely available in fairly plain colours in all sizes, whereas most of the dhb stuff at the moment only seems to be available in outlier sizes or the designs no one wants.
I have been using dhb's classic bib shorts and it must be said they're very comfortable indeed, though a little snug around the boys in the size I need...! The next size up was much too big in the pad so I'll have to settle for a bit of camel toe.
I've ordered some Gore bibs at almost double the cost of the dhb's as I'm a bit OCD about mixing brands, but they'll have to be superb to make me switch from the dhb's, and it seems Gore don't make a padded bib tight which is going to be really annoying when the winter comes and I want warmer kit, I'd assumed all manufacturers would do identical shorts and tights but apparently not.
OriginalFDM said:
I've ordered some Gore bibs at almost double the cost of the dhb's as I'm a bit OCD about mixing brands, but they'll have to be superb to make me switch from the dhb's, and it seems Gore don't make a padded bib tight which is going to be really annoying when the winter comes and I want warmer kit, I'd assumed all manufacturers would do identical shorts and tights but apparently not.
To be honest, you're probably better off getting unpadded tights and wearing them over your favourite shorts anyway. I've always struggled with finding padded tights that fit as well as shorts, and therefore the pad never seems to stay in just the right place. Also, using unpadded tights over the top means you can generally wear them a few times before washingaddey said:
OriginalFDM said:
I've ordered some Gore bibs at almost double the cost of the dhb's as I'm a bit OCD about mixing brands, but they'll have to be superb to make me switch from the dhb's, and it seems Gore don't make a padded bib tight which is going to be really annoying when the winter comes and I want warmer kit, I'd assumed all manufacturers would do identical shorts and tights but apparently not.
To be honest, you're probably better off getting unpadded tights and wearing them over your favourite shorts anyway. I've always struggled with finding padded tights that fit as well as shorts, and therefore the pad never seems to stay in just the right place. Also, using unpadded tights over the top means you can generally wear them a few times before washing
I’m tall and skinny and found bib shorts (and tights) a disaster. Straps too tight and they would ride up so they would end up halfway down my thighs. Then I found Endura Pro SL Long Leg bib shorts:
https://www.endurasport.com/Pro-SL-Bibshort-II-Lon...
These are perfect, and the pads come in 3 widths so line up with your sit bones properly.
Not cheap, but then bib shorts last forever if you don’t murder them with 40 washes and fabric softener.
Castelli stuff is good for racing snakes too, just always order a size bigger than the size guide suggests, including the mitts. Their sizing is demented.
https://www.endurasport.com/Pro-SL-Bibshort-II-Lon...
These are perfect, and the pads come in 3 widths so line up with your sit bones properly.
Not cheap, but then bib shorts last forever if you don’t murder them with 40 washes and fabric softener.
Castelli stuff is good for racing snakes too, just always order a size bigger than the size guide suggests, including the mitts. Their sizing is demented.
Went out in the Gore kit tonight and it was so much nicer fitting and feeling than the dhb stuff. The shorts are half as expensive again as the dhb but they feel much nicer, tightly fitted to the legs without a hint of camel toe 
pad feels a bit nicer too
And the jerseys are the same sort of cost as the dhb and fit/feel much better quality to me, much prefer the matt/meshy feel of them to the silky dhb jerseys.
pad feels a bit nicer tooAnd the jerseys are the same sort of cost as the dhb and fit/feel much better quality to me, much prefer the matt/meshy feel of them to the silky dhb jerseys.
Well, in the end I have a pair of rapha core shorts on the way. If I don't like either those or the dhb, I'll spread my search a little wider to le col and gore, too.
Jersey-wise, I found a pearl izumi that both fits better, and feels nicer, than the dhb ones. So those will be going back.
I went out with the new Jersey last night and it feels in sync with the bike, rather than billowing around like a looser cut running top would.
Thanks all for the advice. Look out for my next thread on pedals and shoes once my bank balance recovers from this, ahem, investment.
Jersey-wise, I found a pearl izumi that both fits better, and feels nicer, than the dhb ones. So those will be going back.
I went out with the new Jersey last night and it feels in sync with the bike, rather than billowing around like a looser cut running top would.
Thanks all for the advice. Look out for my next thread on pedals and shoes once my bank balance recovers from this, ahem, investment.
The Santini sale is worth a look. No experience of their shorts but have just picked this up and it's great value: https://www.santinisms.co.uk/products/detail/CAS33...
Really good quality fabric and made in Italy.
Really good quality fabric and made in Italy.
You can't go too wrong with the higher end stuff, and even though it seems expensive compared to other stuff available, if cycling's going to be your thing an extra £100 isn't huge in the scheme of comfort and function
Rapha and Assos both make some amazing kit, and there's a fair few options in the ranged to get something that fits well
Castelli as well are a really good brand
Sizing for most high end stuff seems to assume the average cyclist is 5ft 7 and 50kgs though, so try and order from somewhere with a good returns policy and re paid post back (Wiggle, Chain reaction or Sigma are the ones I tend to use)
For reference, I'm 5,11/79kg's and fairly normal proportions and I wear an XL bibs and Jersey in Castelli kit, and XL/L bibs and jerseys in Rapha
Rapha and Assos both make some amazing kit, and there's a fair few options in the ranged to get something that fits well
Castelli as well are a really good brand
Sizing for most high end stuff seems to assume the average cyclist is 5ft 7 and 50kgs though, so try and order from somewhere with a good returns policy and re paid post back (Wiggle, Chain reaction or Sigma are the ones I tend to use)
For reference, I'm 5,11/79kg's and fairly normal proportions and I wear an XL bibs and Jersey in Castelli kit, and XL/L bibs and jerseys in Rapha
To be honest I've been very pleased with the Planet X bib shorts at £25 odd. You can't go wrong for the money. I've got a pair of their normal club ones, and a pair of the 365s, and TBH the standard ones are marginally more comfy due to the cutaway back.
I've also got a pair of Rivello tights which share the same pad as Rivelo's bib shorts. I love the tights, really great. Rivelo is a SportPursuit own brand, however the Honister bib shorts always get good reviews. My o/h has the girlie version and likes them. I know people talk about dropping big money on the really posh brands, but I kinda think as with a lot of cycling you are getting very much into the laws of diminishing returns at that point, and one "off" and it's possibly bin time.
I've also got a pair of Rivello tights which share the same pad as Rivelo's bib shorts. I love the tights, really great. Rivelo is a SportPursuit own brand, however the Honister bib shorts always get good reviews. My o/h has the girlie version and likes them. I know people talk about dropping big money on the really posh brands, but I kinda think as with a lot of cycling you are getting very much into the laws of diminishing returns at that point, and one "off" and it's possibly bin time.
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