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One piece or two piece tri suit for longer races?

deleshdelesh
in General Training Discussions

I am wondering what the EN guru's thoughts are on whether to race IM/HIM in a one piece or two piece tri suit. Obviously we want to wear our EN singlets, but is there another reason most  people seem to race the longer races in a two piece setup? I have heard it's a little easier to adjust things in a two piece, but I've also heard it's more aero to use a one piece and it won't slide up under the wetsuit. I've done a few shorter races in a one piece and thought it was pretty nice but I don't know if that would be the case for longer races. 

Comments

  • Michael ByertsMichael Byerts
    I use a 1 piece for Olympic distance and under, a 2 piece for HIM (never done an IM). I remember there was some wind tunnel research in an old episode of the Tri-Talk podcast indicating that a 1 piece skinsuit produced less drag than a 2 piece. I go for the 2 piece in longer races because:
    (a) you can buy tri-shorts with more padding than most of the 1 pieces available have. I don't have a problem with the cloth over 24.8 miles but after 40-50 I need the extra padding. I think that DeSoto now offers a 1 piece with the extra padding, but haven't tried it;
    (b) easier to take restroom breaks in a 2 piece. I can't pee on the bike yet and taking off the 1 piece in a porta-potty is much harder;
    (c) I find the two piece is marginally cooler. My 1 piece has no pockets, while my 2 piece has a pocket in the back. On the run in hot races, I drop a cup of ice in the pocket.
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al

    I have raced in both and like the one piece. Sometimes the top of a two piece will slide up and expose the jiggling mass around my waist, which can be a tad embarrassing when reviewing race photos. Perhaps the solution to my problem is replicate the Faris Al-Sultan fashion statement, which would drive me to loose those last few, loose pounds.



    On the other hand, if you are a bit shy about emptying your bladder in public and need to stop at the port a potties, the one piece can be a bit of a pain to remove, especially when things start getting hot and sweaty.

    As far as pockets, my one piece has a couple of pockets and when racing in a two piece, I wear DeSoto four pocket shorts, which allow me to carry as much as I need.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Like Al, I've raced in both at all distances. I think the one piece suits look better and feel more aero. Assuming you only have to pee, it takes maybe an extra 5 seconds to drop the top to your waist. But after I observed how the Europeans did it at the outdoor urinals they had at ITU worlds in the Netherlands, I would say there is NO advantage to wearing a two piece over a one piece at the port a potty...it's only a matter of technique! My one piece suits all have pockets...choose whichever you are most comfortable with it.
  • Carrie ChavezCarrie Chavez

    2 piece for sure!

    I did laugh though with Al's response, about mid sections.

    I sometimes feel hot or Short of Breath and will pull up my top to feel like I can breath. Just a thought. Plus going to the porto potty is easier in a 2 piece in a long course race.

    Carrie

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    I've been doing IMs in a one-piece DeSoto with thin pads for years. It's simply a fashion statement for me, I don't think there's any advantage. But last time I did, since EN doesn't have a one-piece in its couture, Coach RIch threatened to staple the EN logo to my chest the next time he saw me racing without the colors. I bought the two-piece package this fall to protect my pecs.

  • Thing2Thing2

    I'm going to try out DeSoto's new tri bib shorts under my EN singlet this year.  Should help keep my gut from popping out, avoid the tramp stamp sun burn, and allow me to wear my EN singlet. 

    http://www.trisports.com/desoto-men...short.html

  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    I race in the two piece...it ain't pretty, but hell neither am I by the time I hit the run. As long as you are pushing as hard as you can you are okay. I like the ventilation, etc, one pieces were always too "hot" for me, but that was in 2004, or the 1800s in triathlon years...
  • TerryOTerryO
    I much prefer the one piece but will always go 2 piece to sport the logo.
  • Chris GChris G
    One piece looks even more ridiculous than 2 piece IMO. I'm always slower then not wearing the EN kit anyhow...not sure why...might be some VooDoo by Rich or just a coincidence ... Either way i am looking forward to getting the new kit ... When is that happening again?
  • jburbattjburbatt
    One other added benefit of a one piece that I found out during a HIM is that you can dump sponges and ice down your back and it will generally sit at the small of your back. Very cooling. Of course you have a big bulge on your back, but like P said, it isn't ever pretty!
  • kurshingkurshing
    I have never thought about getting a one piece...but, as this discussion has progressed, I am getting interested. We should put a request together to have a Team EN one piece made if this many people like them.
  • deleshdelesh
    Thanks for all your responses. Looks like everyone has their preferences. It seems like i will have to try out the one piece and the two piece and see which one i like better. I don't want to get the EN logo stapled to my chest. As slow as I am right now I'm not sure i have earned the logo yet anyway.
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