Thread: Bike shorts or tri shorts?

I'm debating whether to buy tri shorts/outfit when I already own bike shorts. Is the difference significant (I've done one sprint tri and really enjoyed it, but I'm no athlete) Is it practical to swim in bike shorts? And bike after? Would they retain too much water? I'd appreciate opinions. Thanks , Celia

It's all about the money for me. Bike shorts and try shorts cost a lot of money, I'll get a lot more use out of th try shorts and there more comfortable. I have don a couple of try in the bike short and thay feel fine. Whan I get on the bike I'm not as conserned as much with the wet shorts as I am with making good time. Happy racing Mike

oops, did I say more use out of try shorts, I ment to say bike shorts. I used try shorts once and found that the bike shorts are more comfertable.

i have my first tri this weekend. i was going to swim in my sppedo and then throw my bike shorts over them for the rest of the race. if i were to swim in the bike shorts also, do i wear anything underneath. the thought of that suede pad touching my privates for a couple of hours seems uncomfortable.

i live for triathlons. i have done races in all maner of gear. Bike shorts are great for long triathlons, ie 1/2 and full irons (which i put on after exiting the water) which i remove to put on running shorts for the run (also over the speedo). for international (olympic distance) i prefer tri shorts because they are easier to run in than bike shorts and i usually swim in them too with speedo under as i don't like the chafing on the run. but for sprints i just wear a tri speedo (speedo with a pad built in) it requires getting used to on the bike and i keep some vasiline under the saddle just in case, also body glide on the saddle to help.
but it is best to practice the different combinations and find one that you are comfortable with before race day. first rule is never change anything on race day if you don't have too.
good luck,

Just to let you guys know if you didnt already, Ebay is a great spot to by tri gear, i just got a great Louis Garneau jeresy that sells for like 70 bucks in the stores for 10 dollars. Im new to the sport and have only competed in tri shorts (sprint and olympic distance) and the where great under my wet suit, on the bike, and very comfertable to run in.

Good Times
rick

Is the tri shorts pad smaller?

Thanks for all the input. I'll certainly check out ebay, and try both. Thanks again

I have done both tri and bike shorts and over the past two years I could not think of doing another tri in bike shorts. The weight and how fast they dry out in the pad area is night and day.

I would go with the Tri shorts. They are confortable and dry quickly. Bike shorts have too large of a chamois pad and it feels like a wet diaper, if I can really remember what that feels like.

Definately the Tri shorts. You can get multiple uses out of them from and alternate swim short, bike short and run short. I have used them up to 1/2 IM. You can get longer ones for colder season races and shorter ones for hot weather. Plus, they are a little more modest than running in Speedo's. Don't have a problem with people who use Speedo's. It's just not environmentally sensitive for a 200lb grown man to run around in Speedo's. Therefore, I were Tri shorts as a favor to any spectators.

Jeff

I found that regular lycra shorts without padding were great for sprint distance tris. But for 1/2 or full ironman distance events try swimming in lycra shorts and then add a pair of bike shorts for the ride. That way you get the extra padding and the added benefit of extra protection if you should come off the bike. For all training rides I always wear both pairs of shorts.