Top 5 Reasons Cyclists Choose Bib Shorts over Cycling Shorts

Team Garmin-Cervelo sets the pace at the front of the pack.

5.  It's not "PRO" to wear anything else.  If you want to look "Euro-Pro," take it to the next level by showing up at a group ride only half-dressed to ride with bib shorts on, straps dangling down by your side, brandishing a cotton cycling t-shirt and cycling cap. Continue getting dressed in the parking lot with less than five minutes to go and still roll up to the start on time perfectly assembled.

4.  No waistbands.  Lack of a waistband means no drawstring or itchy elastic cutting into your abdomen, reducing oxygen intake and restricting blood flow. A waistband can also collect and retain moisture, reducing comfort and increasing potential for chafing. Wearing bibshorts will leave you feeling completely free and comfortable in the torso. No waistband problems also means no shorts riding down as you pedal, giving those drafting your rear wheel more than they bargained for.

3.  Chamois stays put.  Traditional cycling shorts can tend to slip down a little over time, and the seatpad can move with them. The result? Potential for chafing, saddle sores, and unhappy times. Keeping that seatpad/chamois snug to the body and in place plays a large part in bib shorts being found by most, if not all, to be the most comfortable option for a riding short.

Castelli's top-of-the-line Progetto X2 chamois packs a powerful punch.  Sculpted foam layers, gel inserts designed to relieve pressure off soft tissue areas, and a perforated, highly breathable top chamois layer guarantee maximum comfort for those long days in the saddle.

2.  Straps equal an exponentially increased comfort factor.  Lightweight, cool and breathable mesh straps over the shoulders, rather than restrictive drawstrings or elastic at the waist, serve to hold shorts up in the proper position. Before bibs were common, cyclists would often use suspenders to hold their traditional shorts in place. The modern bib offers a far more comfortable and effective means of doing the job. As with anything, the universal truth holds: PROPER FIT IS KEY TO OPTIMAL COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE. For help with getting the right fit, consult the Ensuring Proper Fit guidelines in our BicyclingHub.com Buyer's Guide to Bib Shorts.

Pearl Izumi Women's Drop Tail Bibs give
female riders the ability to go easily when on the go.

1.  Bare midriffs are a fashion faux pas.  Unless you're Gwen Stefani, the belly shirt probably isn't your thing--especially when you're out braving the elements on a long ride. Race jerseys tend to be cut short and aero and some riders (especially the tall and lanky set) may find certain jerseys tend to creep up the back and/or ride up the front, especially in that hands in the air victory salute. With bibshorts being obviously cut higher than a traditional short, a fluid transition between shorts and jersey--along with good form--is maintained at all times. To the onlooker, your bibshort and cycling jersey will look just like a jersey and traditional short would; to the wearer though, the difference is as stark as night and day.

Coming soon:  new and improved
Castelli Body Paint 2.0 Bibshorts!

Bib shorts are found by the majority of cyclists to be the most comfortable option for a riding short. If you're already a convert then you'll probably know exactly what we're talking about! Many who start using bibs say that they will never look back - sounds like what we all used to say about pedals when clipless were first introduced. Let the cycling clothing experts at BicyclingHub.com help you find the right pair of bib shorts for your style of riding and learn why we say in the office, "Once you go bibs, you never go back!"

 Did we convince you to buy bibs?  Go here to shop our current line.

Why Give Diamonds When You Can Give PEARL?

Pearl Izumi Spring 2012 Designs Sneak Peak!

Jill Kislia, Pearl Izumi, congratulates the mannequins on looking so good
in the new P.I. Elite LTD "Honor and Valor" line, offering a patriotic twist.

Pearl Izumi Account Executive Jill Kislia took BicyclingHub.com staff on a whirlwind tour last week during Interbike, showcasing some of the best and brightest the brand has to offer for 2012. Our predictions, based on what we've seen thus far? Their future's so bright they have to wear shades.

First off, what impressed us most was Pearl's embrace of technology to construct, test, refine and then re-test new technical fabrics such WXB,  In-R-Cool and Minerale Fabrics. Both In-R-Cool and Minerale were introduced to receptive audiences in 2011 and continued over into 2012 lines of production.

A side-by-side comparison of regular polyester and Transfer Minerale fabrics
Transfer Minerale (™) Fabric:  Fully integrated Minerale Fabric features 15 times greater surface area that dries 50% faster compared to performance polyester and provides odor absorption.

You know Pearl's serious about technology when they utilize heat guns and thermal sensors to
more accurately gauge In-R-Cool's ability to keep riders cool and comfortable.

In-R-Cool Technology: Transfer fabrics with In-R-Cool feature built-in technology that reflects the sun's rays to reduce fabric surface temperature by up to 35 degrees F/14 degrees C under direct sunlight. In-R-Cool technology makes a dark fabric the same temperature as a white fabric and reduces perspiration by up to 58% while providing 50+ UPF protection.

Pearl Izumi's (Waterproof X Breathable) WxB Fabric offers superior wind and water protection for cold and wet weather rides.  Here, Pearl Izumi demonstrates the effectiveness of the material with an underwater pump blowing air through the yellow fabric.  Note the bubbles rising, visibly showing its breathability as well as waterproofing properties.

2012 Improvements and Upgrades

"Our PRO line is simply amazing," enthuses Jill. "The elastane material, silky stretch fabric, non-binding sleeves [on the jerseys]....amazing quality." Another key favorite across the PRO and Elite product lines for both genders?  "Check out the flow of kit designs: long continuous line of pattern/color from shoulder, down through jersey and into the shorts pattern."

2012 Pearl Izumi PRO and Elite jerseys for men and women will sport new EZ Vent Zippers for on-the-fly temperature regulation control. Flip-up: one-handed pull easily opens the jersey to where you want it. Flip-down: stays in place.  Easy, right?  Another new feature: the location of elastic gripper exclusive in rear of jersey to hold the back in place. Extraneous grippers in front have been removed to ensure a better, more comfortable fit without "creep up" over torso; this is especially important in women's jerseys for a proper fit that won't ride up over the hips.

Leg bands on Pearl Izumi's line of cycling shorts and bibs have been re-tooled to offer a wider, rather than narrow, gripper on the leg cuff, combating the "sausage effect" too much compression can have on the thigh. Still constructed to provide a truly anatomic feel, Pearl's line of bottoms for both men and women offer more comfort and less constriction for those long days in the saddle.

Speaking of long days in the saddle, Pearl Izumi's "insanely anatomical" Seamless 4D chamois is worth noting.  Rather than constructing a flat chamois, the 3D and 4D chamois (found in both the PRO and Elite versions of men's and women's cycling shorts and bib shorts) are pre-formed and curved for precise anatomic shaping to the rider, then sewn directly into the short. And new foam technology allows for 35% lighter foam chamois, while retaining maximum comfort.

Let's Give Them a HAND

Gloves also received an upgrade for 2012, with small but important changes to the location of the gel padding on the palm. As a means of combating cyclist neuropathy, numbness and tingling in the hands and forearms of riders, Pearl Izumi got together with an orthopedic surgeon and changed the design of their gloves to line the padding directly up with the bony pillars of the hand . This creates a channel for nerves to run through; pressure is now diverted away from the ulnar nerve, decreasing intensity on key pressure points and resulting in a more comfortable, higher-performing cycling glove.

And finally, one last comment about Pearl Izumi's 2012 Women's Elite LTD line: "Our women's kits look and feel amazing," notes Jill as she pulls some of her favorites, such as the Cyclists Femme jersey, off the rack. "[They represent] Fit, Function, and looking' FINE."

BicyclingHub.com Buyer's Guide to Bib Shorts

Why Bib Shorts?

Whether you're relatively new to riding, or have recently decided to get more serious about your fitness and training, you're ready to bridge the gap from traditional cycling shorts to bib shorts. If you're already a convert then you'll probably know exactly what we're talking about! Many who start using bibs say that they will never look back - sounds like what we all used to say about pedals when clipless were first introduced. Bib shorts are found by most, if not all, to be the most comfortable option for a riding short - but of course this relies heavily on getting the fit right (see Ensuring Proper Fit guidelines, below). Lack of a waistband and the fact that bib straps serve to hold the shorts up in proper position significantly contribute to the comfort factor. Preferred by professional cyclists and general enthusiasts alike, with a cycling jersey worn over the top bystanders can't tell the difference between bib shorts and traditional ones.

Ensuring Proper Fit

You will notice that our sizing charts (provided on each product page) give height as the measure that you should use. Of course, some individuals will have a shorter torso and some longer, but we still find height to be the best measure. It is paramount to get the bib strap length right in order to get the optimum fit: too long and the straps will be loose, failing to hold the shorts up and in position effectively; too short could cause discomfort, pulling the short up too tightly with straps potentially cutting in on the shoulders.

NOTE: bib straps may feel just a bit tight in the standing position. In fact, this is actually probably best, as when you are in true riding position the straps should slacken a little. You might find that after a few uses, the shorts will loosen up a bit as well. We suggest when you first try on the shorts, re-create the riding position if at all possible - perhaps pretend you are on the bike and adopt the crouch position - or get on the bike on the indoor trainer - or just pop down the driveway on your bike. (Don't be tempted to keep going though, unless you are sure of the fit, as we cannot accept exchanges that have been ridden in!)

Sample Sizing Chart: Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Bib Shorts

Men's	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Height(bibs)	5'3"-5'5"	5'6"-5'10"	5'11"-6'2"	6'3"-6'4"	6'5"and above
Chest	35-37	38-40	41-43	44-46	47-49
Waist	29-31	32-34	35-37	38-41	42-45
Hip	35-37	38-40	41-43	44-46	47-49
Inseam	31.5	32	32.5	33	33.5