Mens Bibs....looking for some personal feedback here!

[Matt Gibbs]

I currently ride my gravel bike in Ciovita Altura Bib Shorts which I love.

At 1.78m tall, +- 70kgs and a relatively 'slim' hindquarters, I'm after a bib with a very thick chamois that's been tried and tested for long rides.

Feedback welcome!

[michaelbiker]

11 minutes ago, Matt Gibbs said:

I currently ride my gravel bike in Ciovita Altura Bib Shorts which I love.

At 1.78m tall, +- 70kgs and a relatively 'slim' hindquarters, I'm after a bib with a very thick chamois that's been tried and tested for long rides.

Feedback welcome!

Am not sure if a thicker chamois will make it more comfy. Probably a better saddle or a good bikefit. I’ve ridden the EI Paris pad on very long days (8-10 hours) and not had issues and it’s relatively thin.

That being said if the Ciovita bibs work for you, why switch?

[Ncayi]

22 minutes ago, Matt Gibbs said:

I currently ride my gravel bike in Ciovita Altura Bib Shorts which I love.

At 1.78m tall, +- 70kgs and a relatively 'slim' hindquarters, I'm after a bib with a very thick chamois that's been tried and tested for long rides.

Feedback welcome!

I have used bibs from Ciovita, First Ascent, Van H, Monton and found that the  Assos Mille GT and GT C2 have the thickest chamios. 

But as mentioned by @michaelbiker a comfortable saddle can be game changer. For me it as the Bontrager Aeolous Comp saddle. I can use the  thickest or thinnest bib shorts and still be comfortable even after 5 hours of riding.

Edited November 5, 2025 by Ncayi

[Matt Gibbs]

3 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

Am not sure if a thicker chamois will make it more comfy. Probably a better saddle or a good bikefit. I’ve ridden the EI Paris pad on very long days (8-10 hours) and not had issues and it’s relatively thin.

That being said if the Ciovita bibs work for you, why switch?

Thanks @michaelbiker - my intention is to be comfy on longer rides in prep for a few races coming up in the +100k line. I also recently replaced my bontrager saddle with the selle san marco shortfit narrow saddle. I also have the Prologo Dimension NDR. Maybe I'll run a bike fit on each to get some professional advice, I thought a thicker chamois would be a good starting point.

[ChrisF]

34 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

Am not sure if a thicker chamois will make it more comfy. Probably a better saddle or a good bikefit. I’ve ridden the EI Paris pad on very long days (8-10 hours) and not had issues and it’s relatively thin.

That being said if the Ciovita bibs work for you, why switch?

 

Have to agree with Michael.

 

Few years back I was trying out various saddles and bibs and and ....

 

@NotSoBigBen "politely" suggested I spend more time in the saddle and become "saddle fit" ... not what I wanted to hear, but it worked.  YES, a bad fit or a bad quality bib needs to be addressed.

 

 

After very bad experience with two off entry level Ciovita bibs .... avoid their entry level bibs.  (the thin sides roll and cause bad pain)

Edited November 5, 2025 by ChrisF

[michaelbiker]

26 minutes ago, Matt Gibbs said:

Thanks @michaelbiker - my intention is to be comfy on longer rides in prep for a few races coming up in the +100k line. I also recently replaced my bontrager saddle with the selle san marco shortfit narrow saddle. I also have the Prologo Dimension NDR. Maybe I'll run a bike fit on each to get some professional advice, I thought a thicker chamois would be a good starting point.

Just putting this here as it explains it the best for me.

 

[DJR]

33 minutes ago, Ncayi said:

..................a comfortable saddle....................

An oxymoron if ever I heard one.

Just kidding.

I was just reminded of something a bikeshop guy once told ne when I said I was looking for a comfortable saddle. He asked for how long I wanted it to be comfortable! Because all saddles are comfortable for the first few kms, and all saddles are uncomfortable after 100 kms and 4 hours into the wind........

[leon_pro]

Even swopping between the Ciovita range makes a difference, the Corsa 2's are more comfortable then the Supremo's, same size, the cut changes the way it feels over a longer distance. 
Cheaper does not always reflect less comfort. 

I use them for MTB/Gravel/Road. No issues. 
 

[dave303e]

I used Castelli Competizione for silk road mountain race and all training leading up to it. I wore one pair for first half and then swapped to new pair of exactly the same bib shorts at 1100km in but really that was because of sanitary reasons not because they were not comfortable still. 0 bum issues, not even a single saddle sore.
They are a slim fit and they advice sizing down a size when you order even.

I still have both race pairs and apart from the odd hole from barb wire and a crash falling asleep they are still perfectly usable.

[NicholasT]

17 minutes ago, leon_pro said:

Even swopping between the Ciovita range makes a difference, the Corsa 2's are more comfortable then the Supremo's, same size, the cut changes the way it feels over a longer distance. 
Cheaper does not always reflect less comfort. 

I use them for MTB/Gravel/Road. No issues. 
 

This just goes to prove how subjective bibs are. I have a pair of Corsa 2’s are they are without a doubt the WORST bibs I have ever worn. Uncomfortable as all heck and the stitching started unravelling after the second use. On the other end, I have two pairs of Supremos that are as comfortable as my Assos Equipe RS S9’s that I’ve happily spent 8 hour rides in. 

[DieselnDust]

8 minutes ago, NicholasT said:

This just goes to prove how subjective bibs are. I have a pair of Corsa 2’s are they are without a doubt the WORST bibs I have ever worn. Uncomfortable as all heck and the stitching started unravelling after the second use. On the other end, I have two pairs of Supremos that are as comfortable as my Assos Equipe RS S9’s that I’ve happily spent 8 hour rides in. 

ditto

not withstanding the irritation of the corsa 2.0 not liking to stretch too much before displaying your butt crack to all in Sea Point Mian Road

[Murrob]

I get along really well with the Assos Mille for mtb and Mille GTS for road. I will say that I find for added comfort for longer rides a shammy cream really helps. Assos cream not so much, but the Mucoff one really seems to make a difference. Of course assuming you’ve got a well fitting saddle. 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, NicholasT said:

This just goes to prove how subjective bibs are. I have a pair of Corsa 2’s are they are without a doubt the WORST bibs I have ever worn. Uncomfortable as all heck and the stitching started unravelling after the second use. On the other end, I have two pairs of Supremos that are as comfortable as my Assos Equipe RS S9’s that I’ve happily spent 8 hour rides in. 

 

Same here.

 

First one had me swopping out saddles and chasing my tail .... just to find out that the this sides were rolling up and the cause of all the issues.

 

It was swopped out ... test fit showed the same issue.  I gave it away, new owner very happy with it ... I had a look at the Corsa cycling shorts, same issue.

 

From the cheap sportshop cycling pants to Assos, the Corsa's are the only model I avoid.

[fanievb]

https://giordanacycling.com/collections/mens-fr-c-pro/products/s5-fr-c-pro-bib-short-mens

[Matt Gibbs]

58 minutes ago, fanievb said:

https://giordanacycling.com/collections/mens-fr-c-pro/products/s5-fr-c-pro-bib-short-mens

Those look great and I found a few local suppliers - price however is a little steeper than I anticipated .

EDIT: 'I'm after a bib with a very thick chamois that's been tried and tested for long rides - on a budget' 😜

[Gert van Wyk7]

12 hours ago, Matt Gibbs said:

I currently ride my gravel bike in Ciovita Altura Bib Shorts which I love.

At 1.78m tall, +- 70kgs and a relatively 'slim' hindquarters, I'm after a bib with a very thick chamois that's been tried and tested for long rides.

Feedback welcome!

Hi Matt, Check out Assos tactica T5. I am the same height and weight as you. Have done a few very long rides in mine. Nice pockets also.