Cycling Bibs – All Things You Need to Know

There are various reasons why you need to wear the bibs other than just for comfort and efficiency. Special care should thus be taken while choosing cycling bibs so as to make the most of them during your cycling sessions. Various reasons include:

• The bibs reduce wind resistance as you cycle thus increase aerodynamic efficiency
• However fitting the bibs, you cannot feel uncomfortable that your skin is exposed. They will also protect your skin against the frequent friction occurring between the legs and the bicycle seat or frame
• They provide support to the genitals which align directly to the jock strap thus prevent any damage that could be caused by frequent cycling
• Bib shorts keep the lower back from lycra
• The bibs are made to be sweat absorbent thus drawing sweat away from the skin preventing chaffing and rashes
• The fact that they are sweat absorbent also helps to cool the rider by wicking away the sweat during the evaporation process
• The bibs will offer compression the legs preventing and reducing the probability of getting muscular fatigue or cramps
• It reduces the baggage of having heavy clothes on them that would be caused by outfits such as baggy shorts
• The bibs will offer extra comfort during long rides offered by the extra padding around the sitting area

• Bibs are usually comfortable especially if you are going for longer rides.
• The suspenders are integrated into the short non-removable and are designed using lycra or mesh so as to make them light unlike the traditional riding shorts where racers were forced to use old fashioned clip on suspenders to hold their shorts
• They have no waistband compared to normal short, hence no itchy cutting feeling into your abdomen and more productive for long distance cycling, as oxygen intake through diaphragmatic breathing take freely. With shorts, the waistband restricts this from taking place freely by pressing the stomach
• The cycling bibs ensure the chamois stays intact unlike with shorts where the pad will keep on shifting. This reduces the chances of chafing and getting saddle sores.
• The cycling bibs do not show any skin for example, the bibs are made in such a way that no curves of your body are seen making the wearer even more confident as they put them on
• The bibs are produced with the chamois coming in a variety of shapes so as to suit the need of different riders unlike the shorts which are produced in the same shapes and lack faux-chamois lining
• Bib shorts are also well suited for riders with bellies, unlike regular shorts which tend to fall from the back while riding.
• If you are a man and want to pee no problem. Cycling bibs are good for that, just pull the front and you are good to go.
• Ladies may be afraid that during the cold weather their nipples may show through their gear. No need to wear a base underneath your bibs.
• The bibs are stretchy so whenever you feel pressed anywhere adjusting your bibs is easy.

As cycling shorts, if not worn well may not be as productive as they are meant to be. We, however, recommend the following as you wear your bib:

• Firstly it would be best to apply a cream such as Paceline products-chamois Butt’R to the inside of the chamois to help further reduce the friction during long rides
• Do not wear any cotton clothing before wearing the bib as it negates all the benefits provided by friction control management chamois
• If you are uncomfortable that people are aware of you wearing a bib we recommend that your wear your top/jersey on top of the bib, this way the bibs straps are hidden and no one should know that you are wearing cycling bibs if they spot you in your ride

Literature will differ on this issue; however it is sensible not to wear underwear as the whole point of wearing a bib is to reduce the amount of seams and various material such as cotton that may cause chafing. Some more reasons for not wearing underwear in long rides include:

• The inner thighs are often exposed to rubbing against your bicycle’s saddle and so if you are wearing your underwear the seam can end up rubbing against your genital for the rest of you ride
• Another reason is that the chamois pads are specifically designed to wick away sweat and are in many cases made of antibacterial material thus reducing the chances of getting a urinary tract infection
• The bibs fit tightly to your body, wearing underwear could cause digging-in to occur making the outfit unsightly especially from the rear
• The cycling bibs often have inserts that conform to the body like underwear and allow your skin to breathe hence no need for undies at all
• Also as long as you choose the right type of bibs and accessories, then you will be able to feel more at ease going bare when you are cycling

However, if you cannot avoid underwear then go for soft natural fabrics or seamless constructions. However an exception comes when the ride is very short as an hour, in this case wearing your underwear is perfectly fine.

With obvious differences between women and men, women bibs are specifically made to suit their physic. With women extra comfort is essential and hence what sits between the saddle and most delicate part of the body is more important. Over the year bibs were manufactured specifically for men but in the recent years, bib technology for women has come as a welcome addition. Women bibs include:

• Gore Bike wear the Gore bibs have two hip zips, when opened they let you pull down the back of the shorts making it easy for women to relieve themselves from a nature call during their ride. The mesh shoulder straps are breathable with a clip at the middle chest allowing you to roll with them open or not.
• Velocio super flies bib shorts the bibs have a rear zip that makes it possible to slide in and out of the bibs with ease. You cannot feel the zip while pedaling and it’s easy to operate with both hands. The bib has a full front mesh making the outfit more breathable and comfortable to wear.
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  Pearl Izumi Elite drop tail cycling bib-the back of the shorts has fabric that tucks into a scoped drop seat while riding. When you need to go for nature call you just grab and drop, there are no zips, clips and snaps to deal with, when done you restack the back flap, which stays secure while riding, these are the best bibs to get down and back up as easy and fast as possible.

• Giro Halter Bib – Giro has ditched the traditional straps for a single halter round the neck with the full front mesh being breathable.

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  Specialized hookup bibs – the hook up bibs are created to speed up bathroom breaks. A magnetic clip releases the shorts from the shoulders so that you can drop them easily. However the system will take a bit of practice before you get used to it, the hookup, therefore, requires upper body flexibility while a cold treatment keeps the lycra from getting too hot

• Louis Garneau women’s course race two bib-the seams are eliminated so as to improve aerodynamics. They are made of a stretchy comprehensive material to keep your legs feeling fresh; the bibs have broad above the belly button to secure the shoulder straps.To answer to a nature call you need to secure the clip at the shoulder and unhook the yoke from the neck.

With the various cycling bibs in the market, some brands rate as the best ten best for both women and men. They include:

• Pearl IZUMI Attack
• Pearl IZUMI men’s In cool Bib short
• Gore Wear Men’s Contest Bibs short
• Best beginners bike shorts by Pearl IZUMI Quest
• Best value urban commuting shorts b-Zoic Men’s Black Market Bike Shorts
• The best ladies short on the market-Pearl IZUMI Elite short
• Pearl IZUMI Symphony short-pearl Izumi
• Pearl IZUMI Symphony Short-pearl Izumi Sugar
• The Pearl Izumi short
• The Pearl Izumi women’s canyon short

When washing the bib, we advise that you check the label for proper instructions. In most cases, however, wash it in cold water and hang out to dry or lay it flat. Always avoid the use of harsh detergents as they shorten the life of the bibs. On the other hand, washing softeners in most cases clog the material reducing its moisture absorbing ability.

Don’t let your cycling bibs stay wet.

Whenever you are from cycling, it is important to get your bibs washed or if you do not have time for that you can hang them on the cloth line to dry up. Drying them up avoids the buildup of odor that comes as a result of sweat. Cleaning them is important because it avoids bacteria growing in the bibs that may cause infections.

Do not re-wear your bike clothes many times without washing

This may be common especially when you have not ridden for a long time.One may also think that they did not sweat so having a reason to reuse them. The bacteria build up may cause itchiness that may be uncomfortable especially when you are enjoying your ride. Again, the sweat may cause sticking that may also be uncomfortable.

Having a nice detergent for your clothes is also important

Penguins sports wash is mostly used by the cyclists because it leaves the clothes softer and smelling fresh. Febreze in was his also commonly used since it leaves the bibs odor free
There are also pre-wash treatments where you spray the smelling parts of the synthetic with some 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it evaporate.This also kills the bad odor by killing the bacteria.
Before doing this, it is important to check If the alcohol causes any problems in the garment like discoloring the garment.
Another way is to use vinegar though it may have a residual effect on the clothes at first.

Dry your bibs in the open

Letting your bibs dry in the dryer is not so good because most of the bibs are made of cotton and this may shrink the clothes destroying the elastic that are within. It also prevents them from the heat of the dryer.

Do not mix clothes

When washing, your bibs avoid mixing them with your regular clothes. Try not to mix brighter clothes from darker clothes this is to avoid them being dingy.

Do not use perfumes or dyes

This also is to avoid them having a mix up of smell and also the effect of them attracting more clogging.

When looking for a good cycling bib, it is good to look for a good wear that fits you perfectly and making you look great out there. Everybody wants to look good in the sports gear and makes you look very attractive.There are various cycling bibs that can make you look good. It is all about getting to know your perfect match, color, and size. I believe with all this-this you are going to enjoy your ride from now. Before getting to buy your cycling bibs, it is important to have a fitting of it to see it it is comfortable or not. Buy a comfortable and fitting bib that is also stylish.

Remember: The best cycling gear is always there, it is up to you know what suits you.

If you want to look like a real racer wear bibs, shorts makes you feel like a regular sports guy.