Ok…maybe this is like asking how long is a piece of string and I’m expecting someone to say “it depends” There are still some good sales out there, so I’ve been thinking about stocking up on bibs but wanted to get some opinions before I don’t have room in my drawers for regular clothes.
I ride 10-12 hrs per week over 5 or 6 sessions typically. I’ve made it though the year with 2 good bibs (washing after every ride of course!) I figure more bibs mean fewer washes so they last longer, but obviously that’s more money invested in lycra. I have no idea how long my current 2 pairs of Pactimo bibs will be good for…they’re a year old and still comfy and obviously no one wants to be the one with see thru bibs on the group ride
I have about 10 pairs of good bibs, they last about 2 years. I ride 5-6 times a week, I notice after a few years the pad starts to compress and it causes more hot spots then a new pair of bibs. I am 200lbs
I have 4 giro base liner padded shorts for indoors, not the best padding but I usually don’t spend more than 90 mins inside. Then I have 8-10 kits for riding outside and I feel like I don’t have enough I also have 2 insulated bibs for colder days. It does get expensive and some of my kits are like 6-7 years old, so I guess yes having more means they will last longer.
I always buy things on sale so I never pay full price, that’s my only “secret”.
Ride 5 times a week and have 5 good bibs. Three Assos GT Miles, a team bib (not sure what brand) and a Siroko SRX bib. Those Assos bibs are still top notch. Some wear on the padding for sure but still very comfortable on long (indoor) rides, even after about two years. Had the Siroko bib for about1,5 years now and that one is about done. The team bib i have about a year and also still feels good.
But for a long time i had about three that i would use and that was enough to be fair. Just have to make sure you wash them in time for your next ride.
I have about 10 in circulation at any one time. I ride every day, about 500 hours/year total. I am fairly lucky in that my saddle/arse combo is good enough that I can wear relatively cheap bibs without comfort issues, but they don’t look or feel as nice. So I typically buy (and retire) a couple of pairs each year. Newish good quality bibs get saved for group rides, long rides and races. Cheaper and/or somewhat worn bibs get used on solo rides and commutes. Bibs that are starting to get transparent or falling apart a bit but the chamois is still fine get used on the trainer.
I have 4 pairs. I found over the years that I could in a pinch do with 2 if I had to.
My normal routine is to take the bibs and jersey with me to the shower after the ride and wash it there. I wring it out and hang on the shower and by next morning they’re usually dry and ready to wear again if I have to.
This method has served me well over the years as I noticed that if you don’t wash your kit right away the same day, then the stink tends to settle into these lycra materials very quickly and you can never get rid of it going forward.
More bibs more better, IMHO. I buy 2-3 pair each year, add to the collection, and rotate them until they get loose/see through. At any time, I have 8-10 bibs in good shape ready to go.
I never really thought about it but I think, Ive got currently 5 bib shorts and 6 bib longs I’ll wear out door and about 10 or so bib marked (no pun intended) bib shorts for indoors (although at the moment I tend to be only using 1 per workout and I’m on a LV plan and swapping the endurance ride for the commute). Lol, Ive also a couple of pairs of bibshorts which are a bit thread bare (not exactly good) that’ll I’ll wear with a pair of strapless shorts for gravelling/ exploring over grown trails
4 pairs of nice bibs (mostly Rapha cargo and brevet)
2 pairs old team bibs (older but only used for races and events)
2 pairs of random older bibs of lesser quality
Plus an assortment of wind-block and thermal bibs/knickers
The random older bibs are fine for my usual weeknight rides. I keep the nice pairs for longer weekend rides. The 4 Rapha pairs are all <1 season old, so I’ll probably purge the older pairs this winter, and buy at least one new pair of team bibs, leaving around 6 pairs for use over my typical 5x weekly rides.
2 really good pairs that I use for long rides 4+ hours
4 everyday pair for less than 4 hours
several old bibs for 60 minute indoor workouts
sometimes I just ride in my boxer briefs if its a just a 60 minute endurance or recovery ride. Undercarriage doesn’t seem to mind.
But I would say 3 plus good bibs if you don’t have much in your rotation.
I’ve been doing this as well. Not to save the bibs, but the idea to keep them a full week (or a couple of days) completely sweat waiting to be washed doesn’t sounds great for me. It’s a perfect paradise for bacteria
I have a bib hierarchy: some older/cheaper options that I only use indoors for <1 hour workouts, some pretty good ones I don’t mind on longer rides, and my very faves (Assos Equipe RSRs) that I use for longer rides and races. About 8 total pairs in the rotation currently.
My general rule is, if I find myself doing laundry just to wash a specific item, I should get more of that item.
8 pairs of bibs from Castelli - all with the Kiss Air 2 pad, 3 pairs of NoPinz aero bibs for summer riding, 4 pairs of DHB bib tights for cold weather - anything below 15C and the knees stay covered and 5 NoPInz TT skinsuits - although only 2 get used in open races. The vile bright yellow one is for evening club TT where sticking out in the fading light is vital!
There are still some good sales out there, so I’ve been thinking about stocking up on bibs but wanted to get some opinions before I don’t have room in my drawers for regular clothes.
I also have 2 insulated bibs for colder days. It does get expensive and some of my kits are like 6-7 years old, so I guess yes having more means they will last longer.
