I recently bought some Pearl Izumi Microsensor 3D Bibs. They are too big. (and for sale on E-Bay & Classified thread) I bought the large because i have 3 pairs of Pearl izumi shorts in size medium 1 bib,2 short. The mediums are to tight on my quads and too short in the inseam. I bough the large Microsensors but they are built for someone who apparently has an ass, i guess i dont. The 3D Pad was too far up my back and not enough under my sit bones. It’s like they were built for a “rounder” build.
So, what brand bib shorts will fit a tall skinny guy like me. I’m about 6’2" tall and 170lb. I wear Levi 550 33x32 and they hang low on my waist. It seems i would favor “European Sizing”. Castelli, Assos, DeMarchi, any others? I have some one-season “team” clothing that isnt really as durable as the big brands. I would like a nice set with a good pad that will last a long time with the proper care. Of the big brands i have only owned Pearl Izumi so i’m at odds.
Louis garneau and canari both make bibs that are reasonably priced and VERY comfy. I had all of our shop and club stuff made from LG and everyone loves it. I would say definitely stay with medium. Try to deal with the quad issue for overall comfort. Weigh the pros and cons of each bib that you try on and take the one with the highest average. If the quad area seems too tight, quit riding so that your muscles get smaller…just kidding. I think that you will like the LG’s and/or the canari. they seem to fit me the best overall (plus i sell them in the shop, so maybe I’m partial).
I actually really like Nike bibs. Castelli are nice but not as durable as I’d like. The team kit stuff I have is Voler and I like that too. They’re not super durable, but they’re inexpensive.
No way should you be in a large. That’s what I often wear and I’m 6’4" currently 210 with a 35 waist.
My biggest gripe with most bibs is that the chamois doesn’t come up high enough in the front. Also because of my height the legs are often shorter than I’d like as are the bib straps. You just gotta keep trying. Buy stuff that’s on sale. Don’t pay full price until you’ve found something that works.
My team stuff last year was Verge, This year it will be Nalini. I like the fit on the Verge size large. They fit good length wise and quad wise, and the pad is under my sit bones, but like you said the quality isnt as good, to last 3 years. I was trying to buy some bibs to last a few years. The old ones i have are 3+ years old. I would like a Medium-Long size, i thought maybe between the brands the fit would vary and one brand would be designed that way. I have never heard that Castelli was not a durable as others. I’ve never tried the Nike, i thought the fabric was thin.
Any experience with Assos?($$$$), DeMarchi? anyone?
I live in SoCal, who’s got what?
San Diego stores: B&L, Nytro, Hi-Tech, Supergo/Performance? I would like to try some Assos, and Castelli but who’s got them in stock?
I would like to try some LG and canari but i never see it in stock at stores in my area. If i stick with Medium, Who’s mediums are the longest. My femur is 20" long and i look goofy if i dont get some long ones. It looks like i’m wearing daisy dukes!
6’ 2" and the same weight as you in season but no way are my quads that big. I’m a skinny ball player! I bought a couple pairs of DeMarchi Contour Bibs on closeout (like 60% off) earlier this year and they work very well. The chamois is comparable to the one in Assos and the fabric is very forgiving (I think they guy that made the assos chamois made the demarchi one too but don’t quote me). Don’t get me wrong they hold you in place but they stretch in the thighs and over the shoulders. Bought the L and XL but the L fits better in the waist. I could probably do a M considering the way that the shoulders are made.
I like the Giordana bibs. I too have fairly long femurs. I am 5’10 and 150 lbs. The Giordana’s cut is a European fit, I wear a Large in their bibs and there is no way I am a large. I have also tried LG (too big in the legs), Assos (short inseam, fat pad), Pearl Izumi (size L in the shorts I like the long inseam, bibs I wear a M) and Castelli (pad is like a diaper),
The top-of-the-line LG’s go further down towards the knee than other bibs I’ve worn, other than knickers of course. If you ride much and only have a few pair of bibs, I can’t imagine them lasting 3 years.
Castelli - like lingerie, and equally durable.
Santini Gel-Twist whatchamacallit’s - absolute trash in my experience.
PI - lasted until jaylew told me he could see right through them, which is when I then retired them.
LG - top-of-the-line bib ($200 retail) is very nice and holding up well, and has good compression.
Zoot - pretty nice, lasted me about 6 months before a small hole started to develop, which isn’t bad considering the volume of riding I put in with them.
I have a total of 6 sets of shorts and have rotated through them evenly. Now they are all worn out at once. So i’m shopping for the long term buy. if i find a set that fits i’ll probably end up buying 2 bibs and 2 shorts at least.
Still no store employees chiming in?
Who carries LG in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Diego?
I have a couple of Santini Twist Gel and love them, especially for rides over 4 hours. The legs are quite stretchy. I usually wear a large, but one pair is a medium and still stretch over my quads.
If you con’t mind the lack of padding, DeSoto Bibs are very stretchy and have fairly long suspenders.
with a 35 waist.
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