hey ST shoppers, doing 2+ months of COVID trainer time is making it clear I need new and better bibs.
just for indoor, just for the trainer, what’s the best bib for the buck? I’ll take all suggestions, links. and coupon codes.
I like the non-bib version of The Black Bibs for trainer rides. I do have some bib versions for outside. Both are the nongrippy leg versions. Works for me.
I got hooked on Hincapie bibs after getting a pair in one of their Gran Fondo events. They have been amazingly comfortable for me, and now I have 4 sets. I try to nab them when on sale, since trainer time can be harsh, and I don’t care about the style.
Just tried the black bibs. All I can say is amazing and awesome wish I knew about these before
While I’m on the trainer 5-6x a week most of the year, it’s rare that I go past 2 hours. I couldn’t speak for anything beyond that.
For bang-for-the-buck I have been using the MTB liner shorts and bibs from Pearl Izumi for my 90+ minute rides. It’s the exact chamois as their Elite road shorts with pretty breathable fabric (that is too see-through for outdoor riding). They sell for 2/3 of the price of the normal Elite lines. PI tends to do ~25% off online around Memorial Day and Thanksgiving/Christmas every year, so next week could be a good time.
Assos. Everyone else is just a pretender.
I feel a bit silly paying for aero technology indoors, but my Castelli Free Aero 4.0s are the overall best I’ve ever found. You can get the same chamois in ones that are a bit cheaper, but if you hunt around you can get the Frees for about $140 or so. I could have bought another two pairs of these with the money I’ve spent trying to save money buying cheap bibs.
That said, I think it’s worth noting: it’s just trial and error. There are bibs listed in this thread that are unridable for me, and I’m sure some people hate the Frees. ST posted an article a few months back about saddle choice amongst triathletes, and the fitter specifically called out how much the bib/saddle interface matters. Just my 2c.
I feel a bit silly paying for aero technology indoors, but my Castelli Free Aero 4.0s are the overall best I’ve ever found. You can get the same chamois in ones that are a bit cheaper, but if you hunt around you can get the Frees for about $140 or so. I could have bought another two pairs of these with the money I’ve spent trying to save money buying cheap bibs.
That said, I think it’s worth noting: it’s just trial and error. There are bibs listed in this thread that are unridable for me, and I’m sure some people hate the Frees. ST posted an article a few months back about saddle choice amongst triathletes, and the fitter specifically called out how much the bib/saddle interface matters. Just my 2c.
Love the Castelli Free Bibs: great pad, cool (low cut front, super thin fabric).
From a pad standpoint, the market leaders are Assos and De soto 400 mile bibs. Both are pricey though*.
*De Soto currently has 25% off for Slowtwitchers.
Second. You can find the Assos Mille bib for ~$100 on sale. At that price I doubt you’ll regret it.
Without a doubt Rapha bibs , classic or pro team .Wait for the sale though .
Check out Pactimo.com, specifically their mtb bib liners. They have mesh side panels to keep you cool since you’re wearing baggy mtb shorts over them.
They’re great for trainer bibs since no one will see you with the mesh sides and they help to keep you cooler than standard bibs.
If you or anyone wants to buy anything from the website, send me a private message. I’m a brand ambassador and can give you a 30% off coupon that expires at the end of this month.
Disclaimer from Pactimo below.
Please do not post this code to any website, discount code site, or social media channel. You can give the code out to someone via phone call, verbally in-person (though that might be tough right now), private email, or private message. Please be sure the person you share this code with knows not to post this coupon code anywhere or share with anyone else. Failure to follow the above rules may result in our termination of this discount and may lead to expulsion from the PAC, so please do not ruin it for everyone else.
Exclusions: Artist Series, Charity Jerseys, Outlet Items, or Custom clothing orders. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One-time use per customer.
After wearing Ale bibs some years back I only buy Ale cycling clothing for training their chamois is the most comfortable I have ever used. Their bib IMO are the best for quality and comfort followed closely by Giordana which I found out Ale formed after one of the brothers split from Giordana so I am told.
Vote for DeSoto 400mi bibs. Quite pricey, but the best ive found. Ive gone 6-7 hours in these. Well worth it IMO.
Not a fan of the Pactimo bib’s. I would use them for no more than 2.5hrs.
My indoor staples are 1hr ish races, Alpe du Zwift time trials and 100km Sunday morning group rides (2 1/2 hrs ish).
I have Assos, Gore and Stolen Goat bibs and, honest to goodness, I can’t tell any difference from one to another.
Maybe I’m just an insensitive ass.
I feel a bit silly paying for aero technology indoors, but my Castelli Free Aero 4.0s are the overall best I’ve ever found. You can get the same chamois in ones that are a bit cheaper, but if you hunt around you can get the Frees for about $140 or so. I could have bought another two pairs of these with the money I’ve spent trying to save money buying cheap bibs.
That said, I think it’s worth noting: it’s just trial and error. There are bibs listed in this thread that are unridable for me, and I’m sure some people hate the Frees. ST posted an article a few months back about saddle choice amongst triathletes, and the fitter specifically called out how much the bib/saddle interface matters. Just my 2c.
Love the Castelli Free Bibs: great pad, cool (low cut front, super thin fabric).
From a pad standpoint, the market leaders are Assos and De soto 400 mile bibs. Both are pricey though*.
*De Soto currently has 25% off for Slowtwitchers.
See I picked up 3 pair of Free Aero thinking they were going to be the bib to rule them all. From a riding standpoint im sure they would have worked, but damn those were some “serious bibs.” It felt like surgery to get them on for how tight they were. Pretty thin and very compressive. I just didn’t want to feel like I’m about to ‘go race’ day in day out. I tool em back
For their thinness, how long have they help up for you?
I’ve tried 4 so far and I really like Craft. I ride same course and distance most of the time and my butt is least sore when I wear Craft. Voler is pretty close to craft but Craft is still better. Sponeed is cheap Chinese brand and it does its job but pad is too thick for aero position. It’s okay with road bike though. I don’t wear Pearl Izumi often but I don’t remember anything special about it.
Voler
Craft
Sponeed (bought from Amazon)
Pear Izumi
For those posting, what kind of saddle and bike are you riding? I’m looking for several new pairs of bibs and want something with a thinner chamois i can use on a split nose saddle and TT bike. A lot of these recommendations above look like some seriously padded shorts which, to me, are fairly uncomfortable compared to what I’m after.
I like the non-bib version of The Black Bibs for trainer rides. I do have some bib versions for outside. Both are the nongrippy leg versions. Works for me.
For those who have tried The Black Bibs, can you comment on sizing? Did you take the same size as you do in most brands. i.e., Craft, Pearl, LG, etc.? Was going to pick up a pair but was unsure of sizing from their site. Seems like a solid deal. Thanks!
Want a thin set of bib shorts? Head to De Soto and get the Riviera Fli Bib. It’s damn near perfect for anything. https://www.desotosport.com/collections/mens-shorts-bibs/products/riviera-fli-bib
If you’re looking for a bit more cushion for your watt pushing, the 400 mile short is second to none. https://www.desotosport.com/collections/mens-shorts-bibs/products/400-mile-bib-short
Between these and our custom Smashfest stuff for our coaching company, my rear end has never been happier, and I’ve been riding indoors more than ever.
Natural Disclaimer: De Soto is a Slowtwitch Partner.
When I got mine I would say I was a “fat” medium. Combine that with the fact that I read somewhere they run a touch small, I got mine in large and they have been fine. I’m 10-12 lbs lighter now and would order a medium if I were ordering now. No need to replace at the moment.