Bibs for a fat guy

rgordin · Apr 27, 2011

pushpull said:
I know- I quoted cowbell and my reply to him is below. I quoted you and my reply to you was below that. It's how the internet works

I can't find a more helpful suggestion within me other than to consult with a seamstress or clothes-maker. They'd love the opurtunity to have something like this in their portfolio, and you'd end up with bibs that are designed just for you. Look on craigslist for seamstress ads maybe. If not bibs then custom elastic shorts with padding.

Finally got to addressing the OP's question - I was beginning to give up hope!

bwhite_4 · Apr 27, 2011

PlatyPius said:
Still have my shop.
I don't.
a) I haven't placed a clothing order yet this year
b) I sold out of fat-man clothing last year.
c) I would love to sell Campy clothing, but I don't know where to get it.
c1) I buy mine where everyone else does - RealCyclist
d) I don't have a Giordana account yet, although I plan to remember to send in the app soon.
e) I can get Kalas, but they primarily do custom for teams and such. The pair I have came from my rep (former employer).

Answer(s):
C) Contact Joni Taylor at Sinclair Imports (US distributor) - She is the National Sales Manager for Campagnolo Sportswear USA

supermatt9 · Apr 27, 2011

Now I remember why i stopped visiting this forum. Too many guys who hide behind the anonymity of the internet and act like jerks.

Thanks to those who tried to help.

pushpull · Apr 27, 2011

LOL

I hope you don't think I'm a jerk. I just start talking and can't stop sometimes. Sometimes this means getting way off topic. We should meet up for a ride and a drink sometime if possible. I can get along with almost anyone in real life. The interwebs makes things complicated sometimes.

Oh yeah... Your welcome

Please note that a genuine jerk would be one to go along with your self-descriptive assesment of being "fat" as opposed to the correct and respectful term- "obese."

rgordin said:
Finally got to addressing the OP's question - I was beginning to give up hope!

Hey... I had a 504 plan and IEP throughout my school years. Sometimes I need an extra allowance of time to complete the task at hand. Never lose hope.

George M · Apr 27, 2011

Hey Matt, try and give these guys a call. If they don't have them they maybe able to make you some, Good luck.
http://www.boure.com/

PlatyPius · Apr 27, 2011

I just look at the waist size, cross my fingers, and hope for the best. I have probably 10 pairs of bibs. There are only 2 that I never wear.

rgordin · Apr 27, 2011

supermatt9 said:
Now I remember why i stopped visiting this forum. Too many guys who hide behind the anonymity of the internet and act like jerks.

Thanks to those who tried to help.

Reading through this thread makes me understand your feelings. But actually nearly all the responders tried to offer helpful suggestions. Hope you stick around.

gtpharr · Apr 27, 2011

supermatt9 said:
I tried searching for this topic but couldn't find one. I apologize in advance if this has been hashed out before.

I've never found an LBS that sells bibs/shorts in my size so I've been stuck ordering them off the internet. I'm 6' 1" and about 300 pounds so a xxl or xxxl is the size I need.

I've ordered two pairs of the internet and found them to be less than comfortable. It takes me a few rides to realize it so I can't return them at that point.

So, how do you big guys buy your shorts/bibs? If you can't try them on at the LBS, and buying online is hit or miss....what do you do?

I appreciate any help/advice offered.

I share your problem. Buying online with the hit and miss method is about your only option. I read the reviews on this site and decided to try a pair of Sugoi RS bibs in their largest size which is 2XL. I bought a pair on Ebay for about $90 (MSRP = $160) and they fit OK. My longest rides are about 65 miles, but I'm very pleased with the bibs. I eventually bought 2 more pairs on Ebay for just under $100.

Aero Tech Designs has a big mans section going up to 5XL. They have a good selection and are reasonably priced. The don't have the most liberal return policy, so check that out before you order.

Performance Bike store brands have fairly good reviews, but are only offered up to 2XL. Performance does offer 1 pair of LG 3XL bibs that might be worth a try. Performance Bike has a very liberal return policy so you should be able to return anything that does not work for you.

pushpull · Apr 27, 2011

rgordin said:
Reading through this thread makes me understand your feelings. But actually nearly all the responders tried to offer helpful suggestions. Hope you stick around.

You seem like a compasionate and understanding individual. Try this-

He said ordering online is hit or miss and wants to know what other people do for exta large or xxl, xxxl, etc. sizing of bibs.

Well is this really so complicated? You either gamble online or shuffle yourself to the LBS for a looksee. Everyone is different, so there is no one solution. A simple web search of "cycle bibs xxxl" turned up plenty of resources.

Not to mention plenty of responders gave creative ideas, including myself. So lets not pretend that anyone is trying to just poke fun and be a jerk.

I thought that in the close of his original post, where he said something along the lines of "any suggestions/opinions are welcome," that he was being serious. My first suggestion to an obese person looking to become an avid cyclist is to first make a healthy foundation for yourself to build on. At 300lbs, it's simply not there, and it starts with diet and nutrition. These aren't my imposing idealistic values, it's just the way it is. The healthy thing to do is work your way down to a reasonably over-weight weight of 250 or so through diet and nutrition, and then introduce cardio-vascular exercise. Again, not an opinion, a fact of life.

I made obvious attempts to be nice and respectful, so if you guys don't like it, then wah

AJL · Apr 27, 2011

pushpull said:
Again, not trying to be mean or negative, just cautious. You don't want your muscles and vascular system (heart) to lock up in contraction due to an over-exerted body that is not in proper shape to handle any exertion in the first place.

One just needs to check with their doctor first. I got the OK and jumped in (I was already walking 10+ miles/week at a brisk pace). I did feel like I was going to puke the first few rides (I live on a hill - not an ideal way to start out).

pushpull · Apr 27, 2011

AJL said:
One just needs to check with their doctor first. I got the OK and jumped in

Good to check with a nutritionist who isn't trying to sell you something, also. Doctors practice medicine and many will disregard and not test for basic nutrient and mineral deficiencies that can show up in a lethal way.

Example:
Nearly ALL victoms of a cardiovascular event show a magnesium deficiency uppon autopsy. Doctors can't reliably test for a mg deficiency because only 1% is found in your blood serum. The rest in the heart, other organs, tissues, and cells. A nutritionist will evaluate your diet and ask more personal questions that will reveal things such as this- compared to a doctor who is paid to prescribe for symptoms of deficiencies such as this (heart palpitations, skips, flutter, tingling, agitation, body temp. regulation etc.) Nearly all ailments (including obesity, for some) and diseases are caused from a nutrient, vitamin, or mineral deficiency and unfortunately most doctors don't evaluate patients diets in very much depth.

Example 2 (to back up example 1)
I was diagnosed with lone atrial fibrilation at age 20. I had bouts of extreme iregular heart beats. Doctors found nothing physically wrong with my heart and tried to control it with heart rythym meds, EPS studies, etc. 5 years later, via a nutritionist, I find that my diet is and has been severely deficient in mg. I replenished my mg, weened myself of the meds, changed my diet, and my heart has been regular ever since and I've never felt better.

So I sort of cringe when I see/hear someone say "just check with your doc."

Doctors are useful, but not all-knowing and idiot-proof.
There I go again rambling and getting off topic.

PlatyPius · Apr 27, 2011

After reading the posts in this thread, I have decided that riding my bike is too scary and dangerous. I will now just sit and watch TV whilst eating Cheetos. Much less chance of actually moving and risking a cardiac event, since I'm "obese" (which I detest much more than "fat").

DaveG · Apr 27, 2011

partial advice

supermatt9 said:
I tried searching for this topic but couldn't find one. I apologize in advance if this has been hashed out before.

I've never found an LBS that sells bibs/shorts in my size so I've been stuck ordering them off the internet. I'm 6' 1" and about 300 pounds so a xxl or xxxl is the size I need.

I've ordered two pairs of the internet and found them to be less than comfortable. It takes me a few rides to realize it so I can't return them at that point.

So, how do you big guys buy your shorts/bibs? If you can't try them on at the LBS, and buying online is hit or miss....what do you do?

I appreciate any help/advice offered.

Many shops will not stock the bibs you need. I suggest an internet source with a liberal return polcy. I know you said you went there before but if you simply can't find what you want locally, that may be your only option. Out of curiosity, what issues did you have with the bibs you tried?

Good luck

pushpull · Apr 27, 2011

PlatyPius said:
After reading the posts in this thread, I have decided that riding my bike is too scary and dangerous. I will now just sit and watch TV whilst eating Cheetos. Much less chance of actually moving and risking a cardiac event, since I'm "obese" (which I detest much more than "fat").

Way to mangle the point that was being made :thumbsup: Nobody said "don't ride a bike." I think people were just trying to say "be extra cautious, due to your ~100lbs of excessive baggage."

As for not liking the term "obese", I can understand that, because sometimes the truth hurts.

Peanya · Apr 27, 2011

supermatt9 said:
how do you big guys buy your shorts/bibs? If you can't try them on at the LBS, and buying online is hit or miss....what do you do?

Thanks

Although I'm not large, there are some clues you can look for when shopping:
Most manufacturers use sizing charts (which you already know), but what's important is that are those charts accurate.
Look for reviews that say "true to size" or larger than sized, with a description of that reviewer's sizing.
I hope this helps!

AJL · Apr 27, 2011

pushpull said:
So I sort of cringe when I see/hear someone say "just check with your doc." Doctors are useful, but not all-knowing and idiot-proof.
There I go again rambling and getting off topic.

I'm one of those people who can really feel heart palpitations (every one gets them), so I take a magnesium and potassium supplement anyway (so I don't notice the palpitations) during biking season.

In any case, odd are, that unless you have a pre-existing heart condition or an abnormal rhythm when he/she checks you with a stethoscope - you're not going to be sent for a stress test (though it might be worth asking for if one is morbidly obese).

I was already exercising and in generally good health (aside from being obese) b/4 I started biking. I don't see any real difference between walking and biking (for a beginner) if you can bike on fairly flat routes.

jaydub_u · Apr 28, 2011

supermatt;
I am 6'0 and 260. I find that pearl izumi fit pretty good. I wear an XL pair and they fit fine. Plus they are very comfortable. rode 50miles the other day and never gave me an issue. Been rolling with them now for 2 years. We gotta climb them hill brotha, cause we are rockets on the downhill,.

Opus51569 · Apr 28, 2011

pushpull said:
Are you saying that you are an obese smoker who is the anti-christ?

He can't be. I'm an obese smoker who is the anti-christ and he's never at the meetings.

The problem, pushpull, is that you posted here without even attempting to answer the OP's original question. You started off with a flippant response about the OP losing weight and then started your diatribe about exercise and weight loss. Take a look at your posts in this thread and ask yourself if they are more about helping the OP or yourself.

BTW, OP, I am happy with cheap bibs from Performance. I have a pair of their 2X and 3X. The 2X fit me fine across the mid section, but seem a bit short and pull at the shoulder straps. The 3X fits great at the shoulders and waist, but the legs are a bit long on me. If you go the Performance route, I'd recommend trying a 3X.

pushpull · Apr 28, 2011

Opus51569 said:
He can't be. I'm an obese smoker who is the anti-christ and he's never at the meetings.

The problem, pushpull, is that you posted here without even attempting to answer the OP's original question. You started off with a flippant response about the OP losing weight and then started your diatribe about exercise and weight loss. Take a look at your posts in this thread and ask yourself if they are more about helping the OP or yourself.

I'm not sure what your definition of "flippant" is but I know it to be as lacking serisousness and respect. Believe me, I'm a creative enough person to have worded things completely differently if seriousness and respect were not important to me regarding this topic. I'm deadly serious in what I said, all of it, and I stand by it. It's not about me, of course, but if I have a life experience that I feel would be helpful to share then I'm going to share it. You people need to learn that this is the internet, someone asked for opinions and suggestions, and I felt that what I had to offer was relevant. You're going to hear all sorts of things you may or may not agree with, but to say that this somehow revolves around me is ridiculous.

If you honestly think that what I said was self-serving then your perception and or ability to comprehend information is way off.

The hard truth is that obese people who are 100+ lbs over weight need to practice extreme caution before investing into cardiovascular exercise. I'd hate to reccommend some nice huge bibs for him and then find out he keeled over while huffin it up a hill when he's not quite ready for that amount of exertion. It might sound mean or invasive to inquire about it, but when inquiries such as these don't happen, people can die. So I take it very seriously, and I have done my best to display due respect.

I'm not going to apologize to our obese audience for speaking the truth, even if it stings a little. If you like to think that this is disrespectful then you are simply in denial and are overly-sensative about your obesity-which you are in full control of.

GumbyN · Apr 28, 2011

supermatt, congrats on taking up biking to lose weight. i've just started as well, am 6' and was somewhere around 220-230. i have no clue where i am now, but my dress pants are fitting loosely after only about 10 rides outdoors, and handfuls indoors on a trainer.

as far as where to buy fat guy bibs. a lot of people have told you about what brands sell XXLs, etc, and then they also mention where to buy them - mainly RealCyclist.com. they have a great return policy... and, if you watch bonktown.com, they'll have some really nice bibs on steep discounts, and most of the time they have 2 and 3XLs...
if it were me, and it is cuz i'm actively shopping for bibs that fit me and my 36-38" waist, i'd look into buying some from them, trying them on, and if they fit, great, if not, send 'em back for the next size larger.
the pairs that i've bought felt a little snug at first, but i forget about 'em when i'm on the bike.

anyway, good luck and kudos for actively attempting to keep your weight in check. i've got buddies that ***** about being overweight, but they just sit there and *****.

Bibs for a fat guy

rgordin

bwhite_4

supermatt9

pushpull

George M

PlatyPius

rgordin

gtpharr

pushpull

AJL

pushpull

PlatyPius

DaveG

pushpull

Peanya

AJL

jaydub_u

Opus51569

pushpull

GumbyN

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