After some shopping around I picked up a pair of Specialized BG RBX bib shorts at Village Bike Shop. A pair of Sugoi RS bibs were also a possibility. I already use a pair of the Sugoi RS shorts and have been pretty happy with them. I chose the Specialized bibs because the material seemed a little thinner and better for warm weather wear even though I was told that the chamois is also a little thinner than the Sugoi. It also helped the Specialized shorts were about $15 cheaper. Admittedly, a lower price always helps.
As a point of reference, I bought a size XL. I am 5' 10", 210 lbs and have a 36" waist. My trunk is long and my legs are relatively short (you can call me Stumpy).
I won't really give my final impression on them until I do at least a century with them, but here are my preliminary impressions (I probably have put 150-200 miles total on them):
- The chamois does seem to be in the "proper" place. As soon as I put them on, I noticed the chamois was positioned differently than with my shorts. Once I was riding, it felt like the chamois matched my ischial tuberosities well.
- My second thought upon initially donning the bibs was, "Gee, I hope these straps don't chafe my nipples". To this point, that has not been an issue. A longer ride will tell me for certain.
- I had some concerns that I would feel hotter with the extra material versus shorts. I'm not sure where I stand on this yet. There have been times where I thought I was cooler with them and times where I have thought the opposite.
- There doesn't seem to be a lot of compression in the legs with these. The description on the Specialized site doesn't specifically make any statements about compression.
- During the first couple rides, I noticed some mildly uncomfortable rubbing of "The Dude". This never amounted to any serious issue and I haven't noticed it on the last several rides.
It is now January of 2012. I have put many miles on the Specialized BG RBX bib shorts. My overall impression has been good, but not great. On my longest ride with them, I had to add extra Chamois Butter to avoid a saddle sore. I have never had to do this the the Sugoi RS shorts. For my tastes, the chamois seems to be a little too thin. However, chamois thickness seems to be a very personal thing so that should not deter anyone.
On the topic of bibs vs. shorts, I have yet to see the real advantage to bibs. My one pair is not that much more comfortable than the other shorts I have. In fact, I find the straps and body of the bibs to be a little constricting.
This does not mean I have given up on them. I feel like I need to try another pair. Maybe the Sugoi RS bibs. I might try a pair from Twin Six, mostly because I like the way they look. and they are cheaper. It could certainly be that the Specialized bibs just aren't right for me.
Further Editing
I have now been using the RBX bib shorts for about a year. During that time, I did get a basic pair of bibs from Twin Six. As of my last update, I indicated that I wasn't sure whether I got much benefit from bibs.
Looking back, I have worn a pair of regular shorts, including my good Sugoi RS shorts, less than 10 times. Why? In reality, the bibs are more comfortable. They keep the pad in a better position and they don't bind around the waist the way shorts do. I'm just more comfortable in them. Plain and simple.
As I look ahead to future purchases, I'm not even considering buying a pair of cycling shorts. I'll go bibs every time. This wasn't even really a conscious decision. It wasn't a part of some grand plan. Once I was used to them, they were all I wanted to wear.
For what it's worth, the RBX bibs are probably slightly more comfortable than the Twin Six bibs, but just barely. I have ridden a century using both (with copious amounts of Chamois Butter) without any really chaffage or saddle sores.
Further Editing
I have now been using the RBX bib shorts for about a year. During that time, I did get a basic pair of bibs from Twin Six. As of my last update, I indicated that I wasn't sure whether I got much benefit from bibs.
Looking back, I have worn a pair of regular shorts, including my good Sugoi RS shorts, less than 10 times. Why? In reality, the bibs are more comfortable. They keep the pad in a better position and they don't bind around the waist the way shorts do. I'm just more comfortable in them. Plain and simple.
As I look ahead to future purchases, I'm not even considering buying a pair of cycling shorts. I'll go bibs every time. This wasn't even really a conscious decision. It wasn't a part of some grand plan. Once I was used to them, they were all I wanted to wear.
For what it's worth, the RBX bibs are probably slightly more comfortable than the Twin Six bibs, but just barely. I have ridden a century using both (with copious amounts of Chamois Butter) without any really chaffage or saddle sores.
No comments:
Post a Comment