Cycling UK Forum

Has anyone had any experience of altering bib Tights professionally or otherwise? My legs are a little bit shorter than average so most bib tights end up being quite long on me. I was just wondering if anyone knew of tailors that would be able to do that in the UK and if it's even possible due to the material etc.

Why not just ring a few local clothing alteration places and ask if they can work on lycra? Alternatively, buy a pair of 3/4 length bibs next time.

Most dry cleaners do alteration, I do my own as I have a sewing machine I can't stand "long shorts", mine are more like hot pants

google sewing & alterations for your area?

As above dry cleaners will often do this, but there are still folks around who do sewing, tailoring, alterations, etc.

The OP of this thread found someone to shorten their tights viewtopic.php?p=1083331#p1083331

There's also the thread (see what I did there) about sewing lycra viewtopic.php?p=1746987#p1746987

It seems to me there might have been 1 or 2 others like this, but my search didn't turn them up.

Bet any clothing alteration place will do it. I do all sorts of stuff with my mums cast off sewing machine. I tend to use a stretch stitch.

It might not be that simple as most bib tights these day have a rubbery, grippy band at the bottom to stop them riding up, in some cases this seems to have been heat-shrunk rather than sewn in place. But as has been suggested talk to your local alteration place. A simpler alternative could be to have your legs lengthened.

borisface wrote: ↑5 Sep 2023, 8:53pm It might not be that simple as most bib tights these day have a rubbery, grippy band at the bottom to stop them riding up, in some cases this seems to have been heat-shrunk rather than sewn in place. But as has been suggested talk to your local alteration place.

They will normally take a section out just above the grippy bit, then sew that back on at the bottom for the new length.

borisface wrote: ↑5 Sep 2023, 8:53pm A simpler alternative could be to have your legs lengthened.

I’m also blessed with stumpy legs, and have had very good results from Lancashire Sports Repairs - they can do clever things with taking out sections higher up (if you see what I mean) so that any shaping round the knee and zips/bands at the ankle aren’t affected. https://lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk/

I do wish more (any?) bike kit makers would offer short leg versions of things, though!