Rapha Bib shorts

[jimmy156]

Hi all,

I bought a pair of Rapha bib's and having tested them on a ride, it thought I had been a bit optimistic with the sizing. I gave it a few weeks with eating a few less pies and tried them on again, but i'm now not sure that the therein't a fault with how the pad has been sewn in. Could anyone with experience of Rapha bib's advise as to whether that's "just how they are" or if there is a problem with these. Rapha have kindly offered a refund, despite them being worn once, but have said they can't see a problem with them...

The issue is essentially at the front of the pad, where ones gentleman's organs need to be. When you look at the front of the pad, there is an area of thicker material, that bunches up. You can see how it pulls the pad inwards in the photos. When on, with the front of the bibs being pulled upwards, in creates a “ridge” which is not comfortable at all





When holding the bibs and feeling the front of the pad, it feels as if there is a “gap” where the material and the pad do not sit properly against each other. In the photos, this occurs between the two seems at the front of the pad, this is where the “ridge” manifests too.

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|https://thumbsnap.com/W4K4AkSJ[/url]

You can see in some of the photos how the material sort of bunches and pulls between the stitching in places. tbh its very hard to show in the pictures, but when you've got your hands on them, it just feels wrong. My £19.99 DHB cheapies feel better.

It will be a shame if its a case of that's how they are, as I love the look of them and they get really good reviews. I just can't see how any bloke could comfortably wear these!

Edited by jimmy156 on Friday 18th March 06:10

[mikecassie]

They look ok to me, I've a couple pairs of Rapha bib shorts and bib tights and they are all pretty comfortable, one saddle suits them better than others.
The chamois/arse/tackle/saddle interface is a personal thing, so maybe they just aren't for you.

[jimmy156]

Thanks, I was hoping you would say the opposite though as I really like the look and feel generally, and have been impressed with other rapha gear which is super comfy. I may order a size up anyway in the hope they are different. I must say, its very hard to show / explain why I think there is a problem with these, but it fells as if there is an air gap between the pad and the outer lycra, where the lycra is being pulled by the seam, which means that they won't sit flush against each other, causing the ridges / discomfort. If thats how they are suppsoed to be, it woudl be a real shame as they just won't be comfy for me.

[jimmy156]

So here, the parts circled in red are at the front of the pad. If the bibs are just resting, I.e not on, and you poke your finger onto the outside of the shorts, you would stretch the Lycra in a cm or 2 before poking the pad, if that makes sense. When you put them on, which pulls that area tight, that’s when it forms the aforementioned ridge.



This may seem a lot of fuss, but I don’t want to waste my time with deliveries and etc if it’s just a case of they are all like that!

[JayRidesBikes]

Rapha use size specific chamois in their shorts - so if by any chance you don't have the correct size the pad may not be in the place you need it to be.

I've had a few pairs of pro team shorts and never had an issue, they are always excellent.

[jimmy156]

hmm okay. Might just be me then, and just not a good fit.

My other bibs and tights don't hang this way, if anyone could be bothered to have a look at their rapha bibs and see if, when you pull them apart to put them on, the pad folds in and out again as per the top photo, that would be pretty conclusive.

[MrBarry123]

They look like Rapha’s Classic bibs to me OP. Is that correct? If so, I’ll check mine tomorrow.

Also, Rapha isn’t doing anything particularly helpful by offering a refund as they offer a 30-day money back guarantee on all of their Classic range, and some other items too. I have nothing against Rapha, I really like their stuff, but they’re only honouring their own policy by offering a refund.

[klootzak]

Rapha have stuffed up big time with this year's Classic range. The sizing is odd compared to previous years (medium is massive, small is tiny, either way the legs are weirdly flared), the new leg grips are awful and the pads are just bizarre.

I'd take the refund and order from one of the other ranges.

k

[jimmy156]

Thanks both. They are core rather than classic (so the thirty day thing doesn’t apply) I have taken the refund and ordered another small and medium, so I can see if it’s a sizing thing, a faulty item, or if they are just not for me!

[HardtopManual]

FWIW I've a few pairs of classic bibs, which I rate. I bought a couple of pairs of Cores for commuting duty and didn't get on with them at all. Try the Classics.

[MrBarry123]

Sorry for the delay OP but have checked and I don’t have any of the weird bunching you have, albeit mine are Classic bibs.

[jimmy156]

Thanks for that! I’m awaiting the replacements with baited breath.

I am pretty convinced that, despite them looking normal to most on here, that there is a problem with them and if you held them in your hands you’d quickly see what I meant.

It’s almost as if the pad is a medium and the material is all for a small, and it’s too stretched around the pad, causing it to bunch.

I will report back when the replacements arrive!

[JagYouAre]

Hi Jimmy, I have a couple of pairs of Rapha's core bibs (one of the regular ones and one of the cargo) and I have just had a look at them. I think I see what you are talking about, though I've never noticed it myself, as mine are similar, i.e. when you look at the outside, it's flat, but on the inside, there is that ridge. However, when I put mine on and they are stretched taut they are fine and I find them super comfortable (even on a 200km ride!) so maybe it is just the sizing you have wrong.

I have nothing to compare them to really as these were my first bibs, having come from Assos shorts which were god awful with what felt like a really poorly positioned chamoix, so I can't tell you how they compare to other bibs. One thing I did notice is that I needed XL, when for most things I'm L, but I put that down to being the 'incorrect' shape for a cyclist (6' 3" and 90kg).

Outside view:



Inside view:



Hope you get yours sorted and it's a comfortable fit!

[jimmy156]

Well they arrived today and it seems that they are all like that! I was wrong, no fault.

I have ordered a size up, so will try them on later to see if it was just a sizing thing. Hopefully as a I love rapha gear!

[jimmy156]

Having tried them on now, the mediums are really too long in the leg, and still not hugely comfortable around the pad. So both going back!

I have ordered a pair of the explore cargo shorts… different pad, different material, hopefully a better fit. I also do gravel rides so will be well suited to that.

A lot more money, but I had a voucher so worth a punt. At that price they need to be pretty perfect!

[jimmy156]

Not blown away by the cargo bibs either, it’s a real shame as I wanted to love them (and they were bloody expensive)

They are just not comfortable around the man bits! Maybe should have bought a medium instead of a small, as I am just over the waist measurement for small. but the medium “core” bibs I tried didn’t seem much better in the us regard and had a lot of spare material around the leg. It seems to just be a manhood issue rather than sizing. It’s so hard to know until you actually get out on the bike and after that they can’t be sent back.

Dhb have got there Aeron bibs at half price (£40) so i figure they are worth a punt, and if they are better I will try and flog the expensive rapha ones, if there is a market for used bib shorts!