Literally on the MAAP website at the moment as I’m in need of a few items. Will give them a mess, so good timing!
ASSOS is pretty much all I wear after alot of trial and error, I have one Rapha pair (that i’ll be replacing with whatever I order). I’m guessing that Pas Normal Studios stuff is along the same lines aswell.
What’s the problem exactly?
I like TheBlackBibs and they work well for me, especially the upgraded ones with longer straps but the stuff I got on sale from Pedal Mafia just feels a lot nicer/more premium. I think the sale prices were close to the regular price of TBB.
Well, it is of course mandatory to say that bibs are a personal choice, so YMMV.
Personally these bibs keeps me way disconnected from the road and the bike, I like race bar tape because I like to feel the road and ride accordingly, so go figure.
So, given that the pad looks like one giant steak, I began to question about my saddle position since I was basically suddendly shot forward, while a bent foam triangle was literally pushing onto my scrotum. It has never been painful, just everything extremely uncomfortable.
So, amazing mid season jacket from them, finally, but horrible bibs. Not sure I’ll ever give Rapha bibs a try either, I think these cool companies don’t have that " Campagnolo’s hoods " kind of background yet.
Yeah I love my Assos to, but it’s time to get some bibs instead of shorts from them. Castelli and Assos for me, that’s it.
Ah, gotcha! Thanks for the clarification. I was considering bibs from them so that’s super helpful. Seems like the problem is a poorly designed + thick chamois
yea YMMV but I have those maap bibs, and while I haven’t ridden a lot with them yet, they’ve been very nice so far Have had no issues so far with the chamois, I like the slightly longer leg length and the straps/back are very premium/comfy. Subjective, but I think they look good too (got dark grey as well). FWIW, these bibs seem to be highly rated on various cycling websites.
Admittedly, I’m a style/fashion guy so brands like PNS/Maap appealed instantly to me when I started riding not too long ago, and I have never tried Assos or some of the older legacy brands. But my experience with the newer brands have all been positive. I almost never ride more than 50 miles on any given ride so I can’t rate these for longer rides.
Another brand that makes nice bibs is state and search. I just dont like the folded hem at the leg (I like the raw hem or something close to that) but very nice fabric and seam lines and premium overall feel.
I’m just throwing this in here for 2023. I picked up a couple pairs of 7mesh bibs 3 years ago at the beginning of the pandemic based on recommendations from this forum and a discount code. They utilize the hammock chamois design so the chamois should stay with your body through all your movements. The chamois hammock is also seamless so you don’t have any seams pinching or getting pinched on your skin. I hate how companies like Rapha have these fancy chamois pads that they ruin with seams.
I just completed a 400 mile race where I spent over 36 hours in the cargo bibs. They were great the entire time and combined with 2 or 3 Chamois Butt’r applications, my nether regions are fully recovered 2-3 days later. The highest compliment I can pay is that I never gave my bibs much thought.
I highly recommend them, especially for the ladies out there. I also recommend the cargo bibs over the regular because the extra pocket actually adds some tension to the lower leg and keeps the shorts from riding up. For those of us with thick thighs, you’ll know what I mean.
Just got my first pair. Only a 50 mile ride, but really liked them. As much if not more than my Eliel, Veloccio, and Rapha.
If you get hooked on Giordana’s FR-C bibs, bookmark SwissIconic.com. Occasionally they have FR-C’s in stock at a worthy discount. Giordana also seems to be making a push with more direct to consumer sales and discounts via their website, so it may be worth signing up for their newsletter (a la, give them your “mail-order/newsletter/junk-mail” email address).
FWIW - Giordana sizes for European market and tends to run small for North Americans. I am a size M in Velocio and an L in Giordana.
How do you find 7mesh sizing? I feel like I haven’t ever been able to get it right
I’m female so my sizing would be irrelevant for 80%+ of this forum. I followed their size chart based on the leg opening and assumed the stretchiness would accommodate my thighs/hips/butt as per their recommendation. The size I chose was perfect. The bibs were really tight the first time I pulled them on and I was concerned I ordered too small, but after a few shimmies and quick stretches, it was spot on. The measurement charts are very accurate IME, including the jersey tops and jackets.
No one design is going to accommodate every body, so obviously if the fit is just not right for you anatomy, they won’t work. It’s just shoes and saddles. I just wanted to brag on them for being used for ultra distance racing without discomfort. If I were packing up for a bike tour, these would be the bottoms I choose.
I’m totally a cycling fashion guy and I’ve read tons of positive reviews about these bibs, I was very surprised about this actually. And yeah, straps are extremely comfy, while Castelli straps sometimes it feels like I’m having my shoulders about to be cut apart !
I found the mille GTO bibs padding to be too thick, and it sits further forward than the equipe RS. The material is more luxurious though, and the longer leg length was nice. I sold them on, kept the equipe and my old Centos are still going strong.
I also really like the spring fall equipe RS.
I believe the newer targa equipe rs are a better fit still.
Man these bibs are my absolute favourites of all time. Crazy how different it is for different folk, hey?
I am pleasantly surprised by the SQ Short ONE12 from SQ Lab. The concept with a very thin and very firm pad works very well on the trainer
I love the Pactimo Summit Raptors. Extremely comfortable (use them for 5-6 hour gravel races). Men’s small fit like a glove for me (5’7, 120#), wear small in other brands as well (Castelli, Ale etc)
Anyone use “thermal” bib shorts, ie bib shorts with a fleece lining? I’ve seen these around and was wondering if they’re too niche. Currently where I’m at, it’s a bit too cold to wear my normal summer kit. I don’t like wearing tights (considering knickers). Temps I’m talking about are low 40s. I wonder if these would be that much of a step up over bib shorts?
I used thermal bibs for many years….basically under 45*F, I would use thermal bibs and leg warmers.
Now I simply refuse to ride outside if it is under 40*, so I rarely bother with thermal bibs.
But I would alway default to bibs / leg warmers before tights….if it was really cold (~32* or less), I would out knee warmers under my leg warmers.
I loathe tights and will avoid them at all costs. 
so you’d wear them between 40-45? did they ever get too hot? I’ve only worn normal bibs so don’t have experience with fleece lined while riding.