Wearing Bibs, understanding & opinions please

[BikeSwimLaugh]

Prior to my getting into biking I only knew "bibs" to be small napkins attached around the necks of infants and my father-in-law....it wasn't long before I came to realize lycra shorts with suspenders attached were also referred to as "bibs".....

So okay, I get it....shorts tend to roll-down so the suspenders hold everything up and keep a nice pressure on the abdominals....but what I don't get is the proper way in which to wear these things. And am I correct in that they are generally worn just to avoid the shorts rolling-down syndrome?

Seems there are 3 options as far as wearing these...

1) With shirt/jersey on the outside...this seems traditional and the commonly accepted method. My only complaint are the suspenders usually separating and sitting on the edges of my shoulders....but still, this is the common method and looks normal.

2) The 70's disco method; occassionally you'll see some guy wearing a t-shirt tucked-in with the suspenders on the outside. This just seems wrong, ghey and did I mention wrong?

And now the big question.....

3) I see some guy in my spin class wearing a bib with no shirt at all. Something just doesn't look quite right. This guy is in good/fair shape and perhaps he thinks he's doing the gals a favor...but it just seems a bit odd. Am I correct in thinking this is wrong? I've never seen it on the trail or road.

My interest is based on the fact that I sweat like a pig in spin-class. OMG I go through 2-4 bottles of water and I pre-hydrate as well. I just sweat like crazy, I put towels under my bike and at the end of class I can take off my shoes and wring quit a bit of perspiration out of my socks. I NEED TO SERIOUSLY FIND THE COOLEST OUTFIT TO WEAR that is within acceptible fashion/function. The bib seems like it would be the ticket, but wearing it w/o a shirt just seems way wrong; am I correct? (cause I really don't wanna do that)

My other observation is that the bib has material that runs up the back, why not just have a bit more material running up the front to mimic a wrestling singlet or triathlon suit?? That's what I often wear, a light tri-suit with a running shirt over the top...the light padding is good for the spin-saddle, the shirt can come off if I get way hot and I generally swim right after spin class...but still, my question is more about the bib and how it should be worn.....

Opinions please.....

 

[g8r80]

And am I correct in that they are generally worn just to avoid the shorts rolling-down syndrome?

Yep - that's the only reason to wear bib shorts. I had a pair of bib shorts years ago and never felt the need to go back as my regular shorts never creep down.

1) With shirt/jersey on the outside...this seems traditional and the commonly accepted method. My only complaint are the suspenders usually separating and sitting on the edges of my shoulders....but still, this is the common method and looks normal.

This is the traditional method

2) The 70's disco method; occassionally you'll see some guy wearing a t-shirt tucked-in with the suspenders on the outside. This just seems wrong, ghey and did I mention wrong?

Agreed - this is flatout wrong!

3) I see some guy in my spin class wearing a bib with no shirt at all. Something just doesn't look quite right. This guy is in good/fair shape and perhaps he thinks he's doing the gals a favor...but it just seems a bit odd. Am I correct in thinking this is wrong? I've never seen it on the trail or road.

Any guy who wears a bib without a jersey either has major cajones or at least thinks he has major cajones! Most gyms require everyone to wear a shirt so I suspect he is violating the dress code. Like you, I have never seen anyone on the road wearing bib shorts sans jersey.

My interest is based on the fact that I sweat like a pig in spin-class. OMG I go through 2-4 bottles of water and I pre-hydrate as well. I just sweat like crazy, I put towels under my bike and at the end of class I can take off my shoes and wring quit a bit of perspiration out of my socks. I NEED TO SERIOUSLY FIND THE COOLEST OUTFIT TO WEAR that is within acceptible fashion/function. The bib seems like it would be the ticket, but wearing it w/o a shirt just seems way wrong; am I correct? (cause I really don't wanna do that)

Yes, you are correct - it is way wrong.

My other observation is that the bib has material that runs up the back, why not just have a bit more material running up the front to mimic a wrestling singlet or triathlon suit?? That's what I often wear, a light tri-suit with a running shirt over the top...the light padding is good for the spin-saddle, the shirt can come off if I get way hot and I generally swim right after spin class...but still, my question is more about the bib and how it should be worn.....

Opinions please.....

Go with regular bike shorts when riding (mountain bike shorts for offroad and road shorts for the road) or go with triathlon shorts or a triathlon suit. You shouldn't wear loose shorts for spinning class, not because you need the padding for 45 minutes - your @ss should be able to tough that out - but rather to prevent chafing from the loose material. Make sure all the material you wear is the wicking stuff.

 

[tonymcclellan]

Updates done.

 

[BikeSwimLaugh]

Like you, I have never seen anyone on the road wearing bib shorts sans jersey.

Make sure all the material you wear is the wicking stuff.

I don't ride road, here in L.A. it's just too dangerous...too many SUV's, people on cell phones, etc. I ride fire-roads through my local mountains. In the summer during heatwaves I've started as early as 5:40 in near darkness....when I go for long rides (almost 3 hours) I'll sometimes find myself melting on the way back. There's very few people out there and I've seen plenty of guys with their shirts completely off or once or twice bibs w/o jersey.....but that's along near empty fireroads and only when the heat is cookin'

But I'm happy you agree.....even if it's hot, wearing a bib w/o shirt is just too weird and I suspect that guy (in the spinning class) does think he's impressing the housewives with his daring outfit. I ain't going there! And yeah, I do wear the wicking stuff!!!!! It's a must.

The other problem is they don't run the fans. Not sure, but the general consensus is that it's just too much to take...so the instructors just briefly turn it on & off. I know this sounds uber-dumb, but I saw a portable rechargable fan at Home Depot that was mid-sized and could probaby do the trick....I just might bring that thing to class. Dude, I'm f-in melting and I've experienced some light-headedness to the near point of almost passing-out! It also doesn't help that they keep the doors closed (to keep the music in) and I don't hear/feel the ventillation system working either!!!

Btw, I usually take 2 spinning classes back-to-back in order to simulate my 2+ hour rides I go on. I just got addicted to the spinning classes a few months ago when the weather was wet, windy & darn cold...plus, after spinning I jump in the pool and that's a nice blend of upper & lower body workout.

Thanks for the input...I think I should get a personal fan, I love the music & group thing...but I really miss the moving scenary and air-over-body experience that comes from REAL riding!!!

 

[BikeSwimLaugh]

Updates done.

Thanks Tony.....

 

[blueoval]

Im still yet to buy any bibs, but from what you have mentioned Steve, its the only way to go. I'll probably buy them from ProBikeKit or Wiggle in the UK. Very cheap and offer great specials.