I’ve been using Voler bib shorts for the last year and need a replacement for a few. I like the Voler, but thought there may be a better bib out there. Istrictly ride my Cervelo tri bike in a decently aggressive position. I do a few 25-35 mile rides a week and one 50+ ride a week.
Been looking at the Desoto 400 mile bibs which have an unreal amount of good reviews, but was hoping I could get some suggestions from you experienced guys. My price point is roughly $150 a pair.
Sizing suggestions would be great as well. I’m 5’10 170lbs with a 32/33 waist and normal size quads.
Bibs choice varies from individual; to individual. That said, over the past few years I’ve tried out most of the major ones and here are my thoughts:
My team kit comes from Voler. I hate their chamois. I’ve done a few 40K TT’s in the skinsuit and it chafes me horribly and that’s with lots of cream. I don’t race on Voler anymore. Some people love it, but it’s not for me.
I prefer a medium to minimal chamois padding. That said, the Desoto 400 mile had the thickest pad I’d ever seen in 2 decades of riding. If you’re doing an Ironman, that would be the bib to get. I thought it was too thick and felt like I was an inch off the saddle.
I got a set of Assos FI Uno and it has a very good pad. A solid medium thickness compared to the Desoto. Good coverage. Longer legs. I’d consider these as a safe bet for all around bibs.
I got a high end pair of Descente bibs(Carbon something) and they are the most minimal set of bibs I own. Very little padding. Great for hot days and short crits.
My current favorite is the Craft Elite bibs. The ones I have were the top of the line before the latest Elite Body Control. Perfect for me almost minimal chamois. Great compression. Shorter leg length which I prefer in warm weather.
The best surprise of my recent bib test is the Castelli Sanremo speedsuit. It’s a high end hybrid skinsuit and it’s comfortable as it is fast. I wish my team used Castelli as it’s supplier, because that’s all I would wear. Chamois is great though I prefer the Craft by a slim margin. I’d imagine Castelli’s actual bibs that use their Sanremo chamois would be very comfy too. Heard very good things about their bibs. My SpeedSuit 2.0 is incredibly comfortable too.
That helps alot, thanks! Im pretty new to the sport and dont really have any direction on where to head for new products, so i turn to you fine folks for some advice on where to start. I think im more of a medium to thinner style chamois as wel,l especially for the distances im covering. I have some Voler w/the trilogy (thick pad) and some with the triton (all around thinner pad) and like the thinner of the two.
Ill look into the brands you suggested and see. Thanks again!
What saddle are you using? I liked the 400 mile shorts with my road saddle(Fizik Anteres). However have suffered on tri bike, couldn’t get comfortable. Thought I just had to deal with it. I then tried a Cobb saddle. After speaking with him, he advised less padding is better with the Cobb. Bought a set of Forza Riveria tri bibs…awesome!!! Similar pads to 400 mile, pad is just not so bulky. Bought another Cobb saddle for the road bike. Now the Desota shorts are only ones I wear.
I love my SKINS tri shorts! I’m comfortable in them for 120 mile ride with no problem. Plus, they seem to hold up really well. I have had them for 1.5 years and they are holding up very well.
I was also looking at the riverias. I ride a Cobb v flow max and like you said prefer more of a medium chamois then super padded. I’m going to the lbs tomorrow to try the 400 and riverias. Hopefully they’ll have some of the other brands to try as well.
i’m also an avowed castelli bibs guy, but am just wondering: you mention endurance and bodypaints with progetto 2 (agree 100%) - but why not the free aero then? it’s positioned between those.
also: the gore xenon sonic has minimalist padding, but great for long rides nonetheless as the pad is split in several well-positioned parts
Another brand that I found supprising and durable are Sportful. I got a couple of pairs along with jerseys when PBK had a sale. They are priced very fair a great product.
Never tried the Desoto, but I have some Voler stuff and some Louis Garneau stuff. The high end Garneau is very nice, and the fit would be similar to the Voler, so you would take the same size. Garneau’s higher end Tri chamois is super comfy, and so much better than that piece of fleece most low end shorts have, while still being thin enough to be comfortable on the run.
Put me down as another vote in favor of the DeSoto 400-mile bib. I’ve tried the other major brands and like the 400-mile bib the most. DeSoto has improved the bib over the years, in particular the stitching around the pad. When you first put the bib on, it’s like putting on compression socks. It is very, very tight, but over a few wearings and washing the bib fits very well–tight, but not too tight. Also, the bib has sufficient pockets that are well located.
The other DeSoto option I recommend is a pair of their tri shorts; I like the four-pocket model. Plus, put one of their saddle covers on your saddle, if you need extra padding. Wearing the tri shorts with the saddle cover works for me even on long rides on my tri bike (50+ miles).
I am just a satisfied DeSoto customer and have no financial interest in the company.
Been looking at getting some 400 mile bibs for awhile now, waiting on a good sale/discount. Anyone have a idea of where to purchase at good price or a shop that carries the 400 mile bid and has good sales often? Love the bib!..Just looking for a price better than 165$
i’m also an avowed castelli bibs guys, but am just wondering: you mention endurance and bodypaints with progetto 2 (agree 100%) - but why not the free aero then? it’s positioned between those.
also: the gore xenon sonic has minimalist padding, but great for long rides nonetheless as the pad is split in several well-positioned parts
The free aero is a great bib as well, just make sure to get the “race” version, since the “train” version has the lower end Kiss pad.
One thing that differs from the lower cost options to the higher cost options is complexity of chamois; thickness, how the chamois is built into the bib, etc. I tried a high-end Santini bib and found that transition from chamois, (which I like) to the fabric on the short caused saddle sores so out went the bibs.
Just because a bib costs more doesn’t mean it’s going to fit your body. For me, the more simple the product (I have a basic pair of Voler bibs too) generally the less issues I have. Also, the higher end shorts I have (Craft) have stiffer fabric and chamois and seem to need a few rides before they are broken in.
If you are riding in a TT position for most of your training I’d suggest you continue to look at bibs with less height and are minimalist as they will feel more like your tri shorts.