Bibs are not for kids anymore: 4 high end bib shorts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 11:56AM I thought bibs were for little toddlers and all-you-can-eat BBQ fests till I tried a set of bib knickers from Ibex. Then, once I tuned into them, it opened my eyes to the bennies of having your lycra shorts being held in place by over the shoulder straps. I am now a fan. In fact, if you look around you at a lot of the more experienced riders, you will often see bibs as part of their ‘kit’. Forget about shorts that creep down and get all saggy on ya’ and waist bands that dip. The bib set-up keeps you tight and snug. The bad things? It can be a issue with the shoulder straps if the fit is not right. In fact, all bibs I have seen are sized just like a normal lycra short...according to waist size. So, I would be a 32” waist and a Medium. However, you can be 5’2” with a 32” waist and 6’2” tall and have a 32” waist. How do you factor in the over the shoulder fit in this case? You build stretch into the material that the straps and the above the waist section is made from. That seems to work fairly well although it takes a little getting used to. Also, this shoulder fit, if you will, gets better when you are on the bike and bent over the bars and feels more restrictive when you are upright and walking around. Keep that in mind if you are trying them on.
The other bad thing, other than additional cost over a comparable short, is the extra effort when nature calls. Yeah, pretty much a partial disrobe here.
So, I thought it would be worthwhile to get a few high end bibs in hand and get some saddle time. And so we have 4 shorts, one from Craft Clothing, one from Ibex, and two from Specialized Body Geometry. I ordered them all based on the sizing charts and all of them were Mediums. Let’s take a look at the results.;)
Craft Elite Bib Shorts:
From the Craft website - “Featuring our Antimicrobial Elite Gel Chamois which offers a seamless and molded 4-way stretch antimicrobial compound that continually moves with the body for superior performance. Varying chamois densities in conjunction with reinforced gel pads under key pressure points assure even the most delicate areas remain dry and comfortable during sustained pursuits.”
Aerodynamics for the stage race.
“The shape of a racing cyclist changes on a bike when being in position over the bars versus standing on the pedals or attacking. We constructed this bib to move with the competitor, specifically combining a mix of our mesh and compression with 3D construction for an ergonomic fit with maximum moisture transport. Extremely durable and lightweight overall, the short delivers less resistance with each pedal stroke, saving critical energy over time.”
The first thing I noticed was when I took them out of the package. The weight and size of the Elite Bib Shorts had me wondering if they left something out. This is a lightweight piece of kit. It has a very minimal feel to the garment and trying it on revealed a tight fit, very tight, perhaps too much. However, my first fitting of the previously tested El Fito ¾ bibs from Ibex were much the same and they stretched to fit very well. Therefore, I figured a Large would be perfect at first, then could stretch to become baggy. However, I should have taken that chance as the fit became an issue. On the bike, the fit was acceptable, but the shoulder straps were always too snug over the top and never really settled in. The shorts themselves were a better fit though, and had a great feel against the skin. If you like a barely there feel, these were that short. I felt very ‘roadie’ in them. I had issues with the chamois early on when on the first ride I had hot spots on a warm day. I never felt like the chamois was a ‘sit and never think about it’ set-up. I found myself squirming to resettle on the saddle too much and that never resolved itself. Also, the leg grippers are really tight against the leg, enough so that I would reach down and relieve the fabric every so often. These will never creep up your leg.
Thinking that I may have a total sizing problem skewing the results, I let another rider use them who, at 6’ tall, is about 2” shorter than me and more leg than torso, but the same waist size. He said two things: The straps are too tight and the leg grippers are too tight. So, perhaps the sizing is off a bit or I just should have upped to a LG right away. Still, I should be able to count on the sizing charts IMO. Once you wear them, they are yours to keep, so try them on carefully before you go pedaling.
They are obviously a high end piece of gear and well made, but I struggled with the fit and the comfort at the chamois.
Ibex Arrivee Bib Shorts:;)
From the Ibex website - “Merino bib shorts have Arriveed (or something). We've got a merino/nylon/spandex blend on the bottom; wool mesh for the upper back and straps; and a breakdown of polyester and spandex on seat and inner thigh. And the wonderfulness? That's pretty much everywhere. Form-fit. Modified 9-panel construction. Contrast stitching. Made in the U.S.A.”
“TECH SPECS:
● 84% Merino Wool /11% Nylon / 6% Spandex on bottom; upper back and straps 100% wool mesh
● 87% Polyester/13% Spandex on seat and inner thigh
● Form-fit
● Superior temperature regulation
● Modified 9-panel construction
● 4-way stretch micro-fine polyester, anti-microbial, multi-dimensional 8mm; Density: HAP-50
● Gripper elastic hems; contrast stitching
● Inseams: S=9'', M=9.5'', L=10'', XL=10.5''
● Machine washable
● Made in USA
BEST USES:
Cycling, Mountain Biking”
I have to admit that I was looking forward to these based on the past experience with the El Fito ¾ bibs. I nearly lived in those this Fall through Spring and came to love them. When I put on the Arrivees for the first time, I knew I was on to something good. There is something about that Merino wool blend that I just love. It feels snuggly and substantial. It feels like a mountain bikers piece of clothing, not an ethereal roadie thing. The fit of the Mediums was spot on. The chamois has never made me even shift my seat once to get comfy and they are not too tight over the shoulders. They claim a wide range of temps for the wool blend and I agree with that, although I have not ridden them in really hot weather. It is a heavier weight fabric for sure, so I am not certain that I would run them in So Cal summer, but to be fair, it has not gotten truly hot yet here to find out. In any case, if you like a more substantial feel to the short, material wise and you spend long hours in the saddle, these are worth a look. The El Fito bibs are wearing well, only getting just a tiny bit saggy in spots as they retain my body shape, so I would expect these to wear the same over time.
Two things maybe not to like - The contrast stitching may not be your cup of tea. I like it, or at least, it does not bother me. But then, I am a Mtn Biker and thusly, not a slave to any fashion sense...or maybe I have no sense at all! The other is my only functional complaint and here I quote from the Reviews section of the website, submitted by Mike from Maine:
“These have the same fit issue that the knickers have-they seem to have extra material in front of crotch area, making for a sloppy fit there, and requiring frequent adjustment to keep things in place and prevent abrasions. Other bib shorts keep male parts more comfortably in place. Still, they are workable, and the wool feels nice against legs.”
I agree with this and it applies to both Ibex shorts I have. Not a deal killer, but it does annoy here and there. Perhaps a nip or tuck in material cut is warranted. Other than that, I love ‘em.
Specialized BG Bibs: The RBX and the SL:;)
From the RBX web page - “Our highest level cycling short, the BG RBX bib short offers the additional function of a highly supportive and breathable upper along with a uniquely designed, triple-density pad. “
● Redesigned for Spring 2011
● Unique BG RBX chamois uses strategically placed high density foam to relieve pressure in critical areas
● RBX pad is seamless and stretchable with upper thigh protection
● Large, XL, and XXL sizes have increased pad size
● Patterned Fieldsensor™ fabric transfers moisture away from the skin and disperses it on the surface for fast evaporation and enduring comfort
● Unique panel construction and stitching minimizes seam contact to reduce chafing and improve ergonomics
;)
The SL: from the SL web page
● Unique BG SL chamois uses strategically placed high density foam to relieve pressure in critical areas
● Pliable seamless construction and lightweight materials for added flexibility and comfort
● Thinner padding extends onto upper thighs for additional friction protection
● Lightweight, high performance Fieldsensor™ fabric for superior moisture transfer in key areas
● Updated external gripper with silicone elements for softer feel and improved function
● Lightweight mesh panels provide additional venting
● Mesh bib upper has a small rear pocket for valuables or electronics
● Exposed, plush elastic at leg opening provides easy stretch with minimal pressure
● Mesh bib upper has a small rear pocket for valuables or electronics
Looking at the RBX and the SL side by side, the biggest difference is in the weight of the materials and the thickness of the chamois. You can even feel it when you heft them in each hand...the SL is light in the same way as the Craft bib is. There are others things as well, such as the way the SL cuts the extra panels of material that the RBX has. Wearing them, the RBX has a more substantial feel and the extra padding is apparent when seated on the bike. Pulling on the RBX for the first time was pretty impressive. Of all the garments reviewed, these had the best combo of fit, length, strap stretch vs. snugness, and material feel. Not as snuggly as the wool Ibex bibs, they are still amazingly comfy. I have to say that, among the products I have used, the BG line of stuff for Specialized shows a lot of attention to detail and performance. For instance the leg grippers built into the shorts that are a ‘just’ right balance of comfort and function...small details, but they add up. The chamois is a lesson in geometry with multiple cuts and shapes. Pretty cool.
I have not had a marathon session in the BG bibs yet, but I have had up to a three hour ride and I never had any comfort issues. The SL is very good on a hot day. I recently headed out on a mid to high 90s day and I could feel the cooling through the lighter weight panels on the short. The chamois is not as thick, but is pretty much the same cut and design as the RBX and it has been fine so far. Overall, I prefer the RBX for the heavier weight fabric and thicker chamois, but I would turn to the SL for very hot rides.
I did get some irritation from the stitching on the RBX short at the top of my back between the shoulder blades. If I was not wearing a base layer, there is a panel sewed in that bugged me every so often. On the SL, this panel is not there and it feels smoother to the skin.
Overall thoughts:
I never really came to grips with the Craft bibs. The sizing should have been dealt with at the start, but they should also fit like a Medium should, something all the others gave me. However, the chamois and I never got along and I wondered if the gel was holding heat in? Not sure. They are a very tight fitting, very minimal feeling garment and I think if I was in a very bent over position, such as a road or tri type bike, the fit would be much more acceptable and perhaps that is part of the deal...could they be less of a match for a mountain biker and the more upright riding style? Maybe so.
The Ibex wins my vote for the feel of the material and the heavier construction. They are the best ones at fending off branches and sitting trailside and for cooler weather, they rock. The Merino wool blend is something that regular lycra shorts cannot match, but you may need to be more careful washing them, etc. They have been all day comfy except for the issue with the, ah, more manly parts, and the quote I referred to from the website review page.
The BG shorts, especially the RBX, is my pick for the best fit and design of all of them. I have not figured out what to put in the sewn in pocket on the back of the bib...still working on that...but they are immediately comfortable, they seem to stay that way in the saddle, and they look pretty snazzy, too.
If I had to pick just one, it would be the Ibex for the wool feel, the more trail friendly cloth, and the wide range of temps it works in but wool is not for everyone. The Specialized RBX is very close behind if not right along side and has the best fit of them all and a great look. Tough choice, and a good problem to have.
Specialized, bib shorts, body geometry, craft, ibex in product test