Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Strapless cycling bib shorts, huh? Adidas’ bib shorts that don’t actually have bibs…

Did you know the ‘bibs’ of bib shorts refers to the shoulder straps?

Adidas has recently added some cycling apparel to its ever-growing line-up of cycling specific shoes, but it seems like Adidas has misunderstood the word ‘bib’ with its shorts release. 

Adidas Strapless cycling bib shorts 3

Let’s be honest, cycling's technical jargon is one of the biggest hurdles when you're starting out, hence why we thought there was the need to create a glossary of terms to help you out.

You’ve got some terms that are completely counterintuitive - clipless pedals which you actually clip into, being a clear winner in that category. 

Adidas, though, has now thrown more confusion into the mix; which could be particularly troublesome as its audience largely consists of beginner cyclists...

> 12 best cheap cycling shorts — get a comfy bum for small change

It seems as though Adidas’ marketing team were unaware that there’s already a term for shorts without straps, hence naming its option “strapless bib shorts”, which Cycling Weekly spotted was quietly launched. 

In cycling you’ve got two types of shorts: bib shorts and waist shorts. Bib shorts are held up by braces, or straps, which aim to evenly distribute pressure over the tops of your shoulders. Then you’ve got waist shorts, which instead use an elastic band around the waist to hold the shorts in place.

Adidas Strapless cycling bib shorts 2

Strapless bib shorts are therefore a contradiction of terms. Waist shorts are strapless shorts, bib shorts have to have some kind of strap system going on. 

Waist shorts like Adidas’ new offering have some benefits over going for bibs. They can be more effective at keeping you cool as less material is used, and toilet stops are a lot easier.

That said, the thicker material around your waist can soak up sweat and, depending on the model, you may find it restricts your breathing a little and can dig into your stomach uncomfortably.

Aside from the naming error, Adidas £85 waist shorts are an environmentally conscious option, made with a yarn which contains 50% Parley Ocean Plastic to help end plastic waste. The dual-density endurance pad is claimed to cover you for over six hours in the saddle. 

Adidas Strapless cycling bib shorts

The “unaggressive leg grippers” seem to be a lot baggier than usual though… what are your thoughts on the look of these?

Adidas aims to meet the demands of a new generation of cyclists with “a desire for adventure, improved health, and the ability to move in and out of their cities in a sustainable and flexible way." 

The most recent release was its Indoor Shoe for three-bolt cleats (Look Kéo, Shimano SPD-SL, and so on), which sits in a range which increasingly caters for a wide range of cyclists, alongside the laced Road Shoe, the Gravel Shoe and the Velosamba, designed for road, off-road and city riding respectively. 

www.adidas.co.uk

Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.

Add new comment

20 comments

Avatar
The _Kaner | 2 years ago
1 like

I'm holding out for the Adidas Emperor variation, The "Shortless" Shorts.

Avatar
Dingaling | 2 years ago
0 likes

You can rely on Germans in marketing to screw up their choice of English words.

Beamer - ceiling (mounted) projector

Messie - hoarder

Body bag - messenger bag

Handy - (pronounced Hendy) mobile/cell phone

Public viewing - open air screening

Neck holder - halter neck top

Oldtimer - vintage car

There are more......

Avatar
Cupov | 2 years ago
1 like

Can these be found on Ali Express?

Avatar
janusz0 replied to Cupov | 2 years ago
1 like

Cupov wrote:

Can these be found on Ali Express?

Our factory needs 24 hours to obtain the patterns, make test pieces, write the customer reviews and get 23 hours of rider testing done before we release the first 100,000 pairs.

<insert hànzì logo here>

Avatar
billymansell | 2 years ago
7 likes

I don't see the issue. I'm a big fan of their fingerless full-finger gloves and their knee-length ankle socks.

Avatar
theSplund replied to billymansell | 2 years ago
0 likes

How about those crotchless padded shorts?

Avatar
cbrndc | 2 years ago
6 likes

Actually the "bib" does not refer to the straps but the raised fabric above the waist around the midriff.

The straps just support that raised material in place.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to cbrndc | 2 years ago
1 like

Beat me to it, and I've often wondered why companies don't make a high waisted version of their shorts without straps (although these ones seem pretty close to normal short waist height, I'm thinking something more just under the rib cage); without wishing to be indelicate, on long winter rides when one might have three or four layers over the straps of one's shorts, they would certainly make pub/cafe comfort stops more, well, comfortable.

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
4 likes

Cycling shorts with a long-johns type opening. Get onto kick starter tout suite.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
1 like

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

Cycling shorts with a long-johns type opening. Get onto kick starter tout suite.

In winter? I fear the wind around the Gorbals could be seriously unmanning...

Avatar
Kapelmuur | 2 years ago
0 likes

Re "unagressive leg grippers", I have classic Ernie Wise legs and find most grippers too tight for comfort.

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
0 likes

Hmm, not the only company who sells "bibless shorts" for men. it seems if selling for road use, womens shorts are fine to be sold as cycling shorts but mens need to be stated specifcally as bibless. Changes if for MTB though as they can all be sold as cycling shorts. 

Avatar
mdavidford replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
1 like

'Bibless shorts' is slightly different to 'strapless bibshorts', though. And I'd say fair enough - the 'bib' is the strappy bit, so 'bibless' means they don't have the strappy bit.

Avatar
kinderje replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
3 likes

Or 'padded cycling shorts' to avoid any confusion 

Avatar
eburtthebike | 2 years ago
1 like

Unbib shorts?

Avatar
EK Spinner | 2 years ago
4 likes

'waist shorts' !!

Are they not just 'shorts'

Avatar
henryb replied to EK Spinner | 2 years ago
9 likes

EK Spinner wrote:

 Are they not just 'shorts'

Yes, although the weather's pretty cold here at the moment so I'm wearing my ankle-length shorts...

Avatar
Dingaling replied to henryb | 2 years ago
4 likes

It's 3°C here so this afternoon I will wear my shoulder to ankle shorts.

S2A Shorts a new label for 2022.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn replied to henryb | 2 years ago
1 like

Yes, the shorts called longs.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to henryb | 2 years ago
0 likes

but in the summer I can wear  my knee length bib tights.

Latest Comments