***WHICH BIB SHORTS & WHICH RACK BAG?***

Kim Mitchell · Post by **Kim Mitchell** » 23 May 2007, 2:29pm

My subject line says it all.

I recently got a pair of (I think) Roubaix bib trousers and am as impressed as I am warm. But most importantly I am at last comfortable and no longer get home and need the saddle to be surgically extracted!

I now want to get a pair of bib shorts for the summer and would be grateful for some guidance and advice. My local bike shop has offered/recommended a pair of Specialized at £50 less 10% which I very nearly bought on Saturday as they had a most impressive chamois; 3-D and dense, I am 15 stone after all, so these things are important.

But the very next day I read the rave review in June's Cycling Plus for Wiggle's own brand "dhb Earnley Bib Shorts" which according to Wiggle's website also appear to have had a good review in Cycling Weekly, though I don't know when. They are going for £29.99 less 10% if you spend over £50.

So please advise, gents.

Also, I think I need a rack top bag to fit my Blackburn panniers and would welcome some recommendations. It wouldn't need to be gigantic or with attached panniers but would need to be big enough for a weekend away and I would expect it to be able to take the contents of my under-saddle Dirt Monkey tool thingy.

Regards,

Kim

fatboy · Post by **fatboy** » 23 May 2007, 3:56pm

I wanted a rack top bag but my wife bought me one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360029322

and it's great. Easy to get on and off and works well with or without panniers. Only snag is that it is a bit smaller than a rack bag

JohnW · Post by **JohnW** » 23 May 2007, 6:00pm

Look at the Carradice rack-top bags and compare the capacity with the rest. You may decide to buy the best.

JohnW

Kim Mitchell · Post by **Kim Mitchell** » 29 May 2007, 1:29pm

Many thanks to Fatboy and JohnW. I'll have a look at your kind suggestions.

Is there anyone out there who could comment on the bib shorts part of my question, please?

Regards,

Kim

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 29 May 2007, 7:42pm

I don't think anybody does roubaix bibshorts - roubaix fabric is intended for the cold weather so is not really compatible with shorts.

The equivalent fabric for shorts would be Coolmax or similar. (Roubaix fabric is the same thing but in a heavy weave and with the back fluffed up to help keep the heat in.)

There are various manufacturers who do this sort of thing and I think it is a brave person who buys mail order until they know a make which fits them well. On that basis, you are stuck with what you can try on and buy locally.

If you really want roubaix fabric, have a look at bib knix. THese are made by several firms and are like tights but finish just below the knee. Not all are agreed on what they do for your image but they certainly keep your knees warm.

Kim Mitchell · Post by **Kim Mitchell** » 30 May 2007, 11:50am

Many thanks Mr. TC. As per my original note it was simply bib shorts that I was after for the summer - I get sweaty enough without the help of a bit of fluff half way up my back!

In the meantime I have actually bitten the bullet and gone ahead and bought the Specialized pair from Paul Smith et al at Bike Plus my local 'proper' LBS.

Perhaps the very fact that despite rave reviews from two cycling mags others follow your view and do not buy this type of item by mail order; otherwise I'm sure that by now I would have had loads of commentary and advice.

Regards,

Kim

TrevA · Post by **TrevA** » 1 Jun 2007, 9:25pm

Bibshorts are as individual as saddles. However, one thing to look out for are the number of panels used in manufaucture. The more panels, the better with 8 panels being the optimum. Cheap shorts tend to only have 2 or 4 panels. I've always found De Marchi shorts to be very comfortable, but am currently riding mid-priced Decathlon bib shorts for around £25.

pigman · Post by **pigman** » 4 Jun 2007, 9:15am

I've ridden lots of shorts throughout the years - from assos, descente and cheaper ones. My personal recommendations are
1. Shorts that fit under bibtights for winter - I go for the cheap ones £5.95 from decathlon. Can't beat em value for money and quite comfy.
2. Shorts for summer - must be bibs, as i don't like my lower back exposed (altho' awkward for peeing) - i like Lusso coolmax. Retail at about £35 and slightly more hardwaring and thicker lycra than some. Last for years (Some of mine are 10 years old and the lycra still hasn't thinned out to become see through). No faults whatsoever.

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 4 Jun 2007, 1:24pm

Agree with pigman in that I use Lusso coolmax, however they do thin out, but as I am in cycle shorts nearly every day they do get heavy use. As they thin out I recycle to my winter drawer and wear them under winter longs. I confess I never use bib anything, not very practical for a lady to go to the loo, esp in winter with layers over the top!!!!