The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick Take: After tens of thousands of miles and more bib shorts than I care to admit, these Przewalski Men's 3D Padded Bib Shorts are still the ones I keep buying. Comfortable, durable, great for long rides, and half the price of premium brands — they’ve held up better than anything else in my closet. When it comes to cycling gear, one thing has become painfully obvious over the years: price doesn’t determine durability. I’ve spent big money on fancy bib shorts that wore out quickly — seams frayed, colors faded, and the fit loosened up way too soon. Then I tried the Przewalski Men’s 3D Padded Bib Shorts . And honestly, I haven’t looked back since. Better Quality at a Lower Cost These bibs cost a fraction of what I used to pay, but the build quality surprised me. The stitching is tight, the fabric holds its shape, and the compression is spot on — snug, but not restrictive. I’ve worn these through long-distance training, hot T...

Last Updated: December 25, 2025 The best cycling bib shorts for long rides offer a mix of comfort, fit, value, and support—especially for senior riders. Here are the top bib shorts worth considering. Quick Answer: The top ratef cycling bib shorts for long rides combine comfort, fit, and long-distance support. Top choices include the Assos Mille GT C2, Pearl Izumi Attack, Velocio LUXE, Castelli Espresso, and SUGOi Evolution. These options offer a range of budgets and comfort levels suitable for everyday riders and seniors who want to stay comfortable in the saddle. Top Rated Cycling Bib Shorts for Long Rides (Chosen for Comfort, Value & Senior Riders) When you reach a certain age—and especially when you’re riding thousands of miles a year—comfort becomes non-negotiable. A good pair of bib shorts won’t make you faster, but they will keep you riding longer, reduce pressure points, and prevent the chafing or saddle discomfort that can derail a ride. This guide...

Updated October 3, 2025 🚴‍♂️ Quick Answer: Bib shorts are usually more comfortable than regular shorts because there’s no waistband digging in, the straps keep the chamois (padding) perfectly positioned, and the fit reduces rubbing on long rides. Padded cycling shorts—bib or not—protect soft tissue, spread pressure, and cut down on saddle sores. If you’ve only ridden in regular shorts, bib shorts feel like cheating. No waistband biting when you lean forward, the straps keep everything locked, and the chamois stays exactly where it should for hours. That’s “The Good.” But there’s “The Bad” (price and lifespan) and “The Ugly” (the bathroom dance and the look in a gas-station mirror). Let’s walk it through and then I’ll show three solid picks— Budget , Mid-Range (what I wear), and Premium . The Good: Why Bib Shorts Are Simply More Comfortable No waistband pain. With bibs, there’s nothing squeezing your stomach when you’re in the drops or grinding uphill. Sta...

Updated: June 2026 Quick Tip: If you're only going to invest in two pieces of cycling gear, make it a quality helmet and a good pair of bib shorts. One protects your life. The other protects your ride. After riding more than 150,000 miles, I’ve tested a lot of gear — some of it good, some of it gimmicky. But two things stand out as absolute game-changers for me: my helmet and my bib shorts. 🚴 The Helmet: Non-Negotiable Safety I used to think helmets were just another accessory. That changed the day I crashed hard. My helmet cracked — and so did my view of “optional” safety. There’s no way around it: a quality, well-fitting helmet is the single most important piece of gear you can wear. And if you haven’t upgraded in a few years, do it. Helmet safety tech improves all the time. Mine now has MIPS technology — a small layer inside that helps reduce rotational forces on impact. It’s not hype. It’s smart design. ✅ My Recommended Helmet: Check it out on Amazon   ...

🚴 Real Advice from the Road: I’ve ridden tens of thousands of miles — and wearing cycling shorts the wrong way can ruin your ride fast. Here’s how to do it right. How to Wear Cycling Shorts Properly (So They Actually Work) Cycling shorts are one of the best upgrades a cyclist can make — but only if they’re worn properly. Done right, they reduce chafing, wick sweat, and make long rides significantly more comfortable. Done wrong, they can cause more pain than they prevent. Whether you’re just getting into cycling or looking to improve your comfort on longer rides, this guide covers everything you need to know about wearing cycling shorts correctly. 📏 1. Choose the Right Size Fit is everything. Cycling shorts should be snug but not constricting. Too loose, and they’ll bunch up and chafe. Too tight, and they’ll cut into your thighs or waist. Always check the brand’s size chart before ordering — sizing varies between manufacturers. 🩳 2. Pick the Right Style: B...

🚴‍♂️ Real Advice from the Road: Padded bike shorts aren’t just for pros. They’re for anyone who wants to ride longer, feel better, and avoid saddle pain. Here’s why I never ride without them. Why Padded Bike Shorts Are Essential for Every Cyclist (And the Bib Shorts I Swear By After 50+ Years in the Saddle) Cycling is one of the best things you can do for your body and your mind. But whether you're riding 5 miles or 50, there’s one piece of gear that makes a bigger difference than just about anything else: a good pair of padded bike shorts. Personally, I wear bib shorts. They just feel better to me—no waistband, no tugging. But regular cycling shorts work too. The real benefit is in the padding, and if you've never tried them, you're missing out. ✅ 1. Comfort Where You Need It Most Saddle discomfort, chafing, and sore spots can ruin a ride fast. Padded shorts use a built-in chamois (usually foam or gel) placed precisely under your sit bones and soft tissue to ...

Last updated: June 2026 Quick Answer: Some cycling gear is perfectly fine at the budget level — like bottles, cages, gloves, and basic shorts. But when your comfort, visibility, or safety is on the line, cheap gear can become expensive fast. After more than 155,000 miles on the bike, here’s where I believe saving money makes sense — and where it absolutely doesn’t. Every cyclist eventually faces the same question: Should you buy the budget version… or spend extra for premium? After more than 150,000 miles of riding, I’ve learned this: some cycling gear works surprisingly well at the budget level. Other gear? Going cheap can hurt your comfort, ruin long rides, or flat-out put you at risk. This isn’t about being a gear snob. I’m actually pretty practical with money. But experience teaches you where saving money is smart — and where it isn’t. ✅ Budget-Friendly Gear (Usually Safe to Save On) Cycling Shorts (Short Rides): Budget shorts are usually fine for c...

Last Updated: May 2026 Quick Answer Thicker liners usually win for all-day comfort and rough roads, while thinner liners feel cooler, less bulky, and more “natural” for many experienced riders. The best choice depends on your ride length, heat, saddle fit, and what your body tolerates best. If you ride often, you already know the truth: cycling comfort isn’t just about the bike — it’s about the gear touching your body for hours at a time. And cycling shorts are near the top of that list. One debate that never dies is the chamois (liner/pad) question: are thicker or thinner liners better? Let’s break down the pros and cons in plain language so you can choose what actually works for your rides. Why Some Riders Prefer Thicker Liners ✅ Extra cushioning for long rides Thicker liners add more padding where it counts. If you spend hours in the saddle — especially touring or riding long steady miles — extra cushion can reduce soreness and keep you...

By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ve probably seen me mention the Przewalski Men's Cycling Bib Shorts once or twice. Well, there’s a reason for that. After years of cycling in all kinds of gear, these shorts are the ones I keep going back to. They’re affordable, comfortable, built to last — and honestly, one of the best pieces of cycling gear I’ve ever bought. Since I keep talking about them, I figured it was time to give them their own post — and share a link in case you want to check them out. Quick note: This is an affiliate link, which means if you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support this blog. Thank you! 🚴 What I Love About These Bib Shorts Incredible Comfort: The bib design stays in place and never rides up. The fabric is soft, stretchy, and breathable. And the chamois pad? It’s perfect — just the right amount of cushion without bulk. Dura...

Last Updated: July 18, 2026 I Thought Cycling Would Make Me Lose Weight. I Was Wrong. Quick Take: Cycling helped me lose weight, but cycling alone was never the answer. The real change came when I started counting calories honestly and stopped using bike rides as permission to eat more. I spent years believing cycling would eventually make me lose weight. It seemed logical enough. Ride the bike. Burn calories. Get healthier. Lose weight. Simple. Except it did not work that way for me. For years, I was consistently around 230 pounds even though I rode a lot. I was not sitting on the couch doing nothing. I was putting in miles. I was doing long rides. I was training. I was sweating. I was doing the thing everybody tells you to do. And still, the weight stayed. That was the frustrating part. I could ride for hours, come home tired, and still not really move the scale in any lasting way. I felt like I was working harder than the results showed. ...

Photo: The Old Guy Bicycle Blog Last updated: Octo ber 22, 2025 Quick Answer: These are the real cyclist-approved gifts for Christmas 2025—useful, durable, and actually ridden with. I’ve included budget, mid-range, and splurge picks for every rider on your list. Quick Picks: Budget • Mid • Splurge Budget: Reflective ankle bands , CO₂ inflator , chain lube , multi-tool w/ chain breaker . Mid-range: Garmin Varia rear radar , Giro Fixture MIPS II helmet , quality bib shorts . Splurge: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V3 / Garmin Edge 540 Solar , Wahoo KICKR Core trainer . 🎄 Top 10 Christmas 2025 Gifts for Cyclists (All on Amazon) Short list first, deeper notes under each pick: comfort, visibility, training data, and “I’ll use this every ride” gear. No gimmicks. 1) Smart GPS Bike Computer Why it lands: Mapping, turn-...