Cycling ladies - talk to me about bib shorts <the horror>

[CMOTDibbler]

Having got through my fear of cleats, and the trauma that was wearing a tri suit, I'm now ready to deal with bib shorts - being a bit taller than average (5'9) my jersey doesn't stay on my shorts and I now have sunburn on the resulting gap.

Can anyone recommend particular ones? I don't do huge distances (mostly 25 miles or so), but do intend to go further more often, esp as ds is now OK at 25 if we stop for cake

[Stealthfart]

The last issue of Women's Cycling magazine had a full article on them so you could check that out (check it is the right one before you buy it though).

[CMOTDibbler]

I do have the womens cycling review, but what the reviews can't tell you is whether in 10 washes the kit goes manky, or indeed whether spending £££ is a good investment as it will still be a joy to wear in a year

[pootlebug]

For normal cycling shorts (I still shudder at the idea of bib ones! But I have a short torso so don't share your gap issues) I find my Pearl Izumi ones have worn and washed brilliantly, so I can't see why their bib shorts would be any different. They're not the cheapest though.

[CMOTDibbler]

Thanks Pootle, is the pad good in them?

[Sleepwhenidie]

DH has Rapha ones (assume they do women's too) and they seem to be doing well after lots of miles and washes - again definitely probably not the cheapest though.

[pootlebug]

I think it is but I only have 2 pairs of different length Pearl Izumi so not much to compare to iyswim.

[CMOTDibbler]

The rapha ones look lovely, but are more like a trisuit and so would be a real pita to go to the loo wearing.

The pearl izumi ones have tried to get round the loo issue by having a strange flap arrangement, but apparently this untucks which would defeat the point of bibs. Gah!

[BetterWithCheese]

I don't know about women's ones but my husband is very hard on his cycling gear and has had dhb ones from Wiggle for years. These pair have two good reviews and are a good price.

[CMOTDibbler]

So, after trying on 10 different sets of bib shorts, finding some of them had very strange ideas on womens anatomy, I bought Decathlon ones, and they are fab. Great pad, great fit, nice leg gripper. V flattering too. And half the price (in some case a third or quarter) of the price of others