Bike Shorts vs Tri Shorts

DanS

Any thoughts/feedback on Bike shorts versus Tri shorts?  My last two IMs I went with Bike shorts and then changed for the run.  I thought I would ask around before giving a try in some of my long rides leading up to IM AZ.

How much comfort am I potentially giving up for a few minutes time saved in Transition.  I fo Half IM the whole way in Tri shorts with no problem.

Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks

Dan

tgarson

This is a debate that comes up often and as always I really think it comes down to personal preference. Some people plain and simple aren't really any more comfortable in bike shorts then they are in tri-shorts so there is no real benefit to wearing them and having to change. I tend to fall in this category, my big beef with road bike shorts is just that, they are made for biking and have a ton of excess pad on the rear portions of the sit bones which I would be using if I were sitting in a more upright position, but which largely do nothing for me while I am in aero.

Your saddle also plays a big factor in this, I find that some saddles, like my Cobb V-Flow max, were designed very specifically to do what they do, for you to sit on them relatively bare-assed to be frank. By slathering on an extra layer of chamois I think some saddles are actually less comfortable rather than more-- you may no longer be "interfacing" with the saddle exactly as the designer intended.

But really, it just comes down to what you like. If you are going to go tri-short then make sure you have 4.5-5+ hr rides on tri shorts. If you still prefer bike shorts, then don't sweat it, plenty of fast people do. One possible compromise is simply wearing a really light tri-short underneath your favorite bike shorts, that way you can very quickly strip off the outer layer in transition with a little less fuss.

rah2774

No thoughts/advice as I'm a rookie... but interested in others' thoughts.  I only wear tri shorts when training bc I know that's what I'm going to race in and so far, knock on wood, I've not had any problems doing HIMs in the same shorts.   I'm contemplating a change for the run, though, just to get into something dry and hopefully more comfy for my run....

DeSoto makes a "400 mile" short that, for women at least, are marketed for use in triathlons.  I just got a pair and the padding isn't out of control bulky... so I think that's the route I'm gonna take.  A bit more padding than a standard tri short but nowhere near the bulk of a bike short.

mattsull

Like Trevor, said, it's really a personal preference. It also boils down to your goals for the day and comfort vs. speed. If your more comfortable in bike shorts and don't care about adding a little time to transition, then go for it. Also, try it in training and in your race rehearsals.

gina

I switched to tri shorts only a few years ago and have never looked back!

aimeefab

Another plug for tri-shorts. I used the DeSoto Forza for my first IM in Louisville - I also brought running shorts to change into for running, but found I didn't need to. The compression element of those shorts seems to be helpful.

Chris G

 I only wear bike shorts [bibs only] on my road bike and only wear tri shorts on my tri bike.  On the tri bike the big pad is less comfortable not more.  On the road bike it is great.  Maybe it is the saddle or the angles or just me.  

If one or the other works for an hour, it will work for 6.  Nothing magic should happen after several hours.  I would still try whatever you are planning to wear for a RR, thats why we do them.  

mattsull

I'm a big fan of the DeSoto Forza shorts also. No problem riding long in them.

Beth_S

Tri shorts. I, too, love the DeSoto forzas. Tri shorts + chamois cream + well-fitting saddle = happy rider.

Michele Cellai

If you don't have problems in tri shorts- go for it.
I am one of those people that develops - um- problems- to put it nicely, in the under carriage area.
I have tried every combo and found that for IM training and riding over 4 hours I need to wear gel padded shorts to decrease the overall issues- which are not necessarily pain. But I wear tri shorts for short rides.
I think if you pee on the bike in racing, then you kind of WANT to change shorts for the run. I know I do.

mattsull

I find that if I use regular chamois cream in a race, it washes off in the swim. I use a generous amount of aquaphor on my tri shorts chamois in a race and it doesn't wash off.

Spokane_Al

I really like the DeSota Forza four pocket tri shorts.

I often wear bike shorts during the winter when riding down in the basement and sometimes will put on the tri shorts for the Sunday two hour ABP rides after the longer Saturday ride. However, for racing and normal riding I find that less is better and am happy riding in tris shorts.

kathleennelson

Posted By Matt Sullivan on 07 Sep 2010 03:38 PM

I find that if I use regular chamois cream in a race, it washes off in the swim. I use a generous amount of aquaphor on my tri shorts chamois in a race and it doesn't wash off.

 

Good to know!

mgraffeo

Another option for putting chamois cream on before the swim is the anti-friction cream from Mission (see the ads with Hunter Kemper in Triathlete mag). Worked well for me at LP.

Swoodowrth

I'm bringing one of those velcro after shower wraps and changing shorts. The issues I had with abrasion on my last Ironman attempt were one of the biggest factors to me not finishing. To be blunt, I felt like I was running with cut glass in my shorts. Anyway, thanks for the info on Aquaphor. I kind of want to give that a try. Also, before going out on the bike the last think I do is squeeze a huge blob of chamois butter in my hand make for those porta potties just outside of transition on the way to the bike and apply.....

Spokane_Al

I really like Bag Balm as an alternative to chamois butter. It is very cheap and a tub of it can be purchased at most drug stores. It also has the consistency of Vasoline and tends to last longer than chamois butter.



Unfortunately it does not stay on in the swim so it is Body Glide for me on race day.



P.S. Bag Balm was originally designed for applying to the udders of dairy cows to keep them from chapping.

Tom Glynn

For me it's bike shorts all the time, both road and tri bikes, until race day. Then I always wear tri shorts. I've got a comfortable pair do no issues. I also don't want the extra time in transition for changing.

Cary Blanco

I think it depends on your race goals and how long you plan to be on the bike.

While training I mix it up - shorter distances I use tri shorts. Centuries and such I use bibs.

In all 70.3 and shorter distance tris I use tri shorts at the event.

At IMLP I wore a De Soto 400-Mile Bike Short under my wetsuit and on the bike (I applied Assos in T1). I switched to tri shorts for the run.

I used the 400-Mile Bike Short in race rehearsal as well.

Now, if I was a 5-hour IM bike split kinda guy I might consider wearing tri shorts for a whole IM, but that's just not where I'm at.

Paul Hough

I'm with Gina. After I hardened up my ass with long rides, I found that I no longer need bike shorts. I never raced in bike shorts anyway, and I've been replacing them as they wear out with tri shorts only.

mancona

I think it just takes time to get used to tri shorts. I switched to tri shorts only about two years ago and haven't worn cycling shorts yet, including 20 hours of riding in one long weekend. I just decided on Nov 1st the OS started and I was not wearing cycling shorts again and have not since. If you never force yourself to do it you will never switch over completely no matter how long your IM bike split is.

Having good quality shorts that work right for you makes a huge difference. I have really good luck with both Zoot and DeSoto shorts, but some other popular brands (sugoi, pearl izumi) just don't work as well for me.

Like Chris G, I alwasy found trishorts more comfortable when in the aero bars, however sitting up cycling shorts used to be more comfortable to me... now I just feel like I have a huge diaper on if I put them on.

Bob Irwin

I use tri shorts (DSS forza) for anything shorter than IM, and bike shorts (DSS 400 mile shorts) for IM. DSS makes a new tri short with a little more padding than the forza that I've been thinking about trying. I use a product called sportslick for races. It's sort of a cross between vaseline and chamois cream (only quite a bit thicker). It is the best thing that I've found in a race.

Scott Alexander

Tri shorts (Sugoi) all the time, training and racing. Like someone said, train like you race.

Over the years, I've ended up with some cycling shorts/bibs, which I only use on pure-cycling camp weeks, like ToC.

vykkio

A always wear tri shorts for IM distance races. I also use a $20 DeSoto neoprene saddle cover for a little extra padding.

phaedrus

I took the advice from several folks in the compression thread and picked up a pair of the Zoot ComressRx tri shorts - used them in IM Moo and couldn't have been happier. Like Matt said, the high waistband takes a little getting used to, but very comfortable for the full day.

Eric Rueppel

I have never had anything but Tri shorts. I use a ISM race saddle and love it. I had Vaseline in my special needs run bag at IMMoo but didn't need it.