Triathlon - Road vs Triathlon shorts/bibs

I tried finding info with no luck. What are the main differences between a basic road cycling short/bib and a triathlon short? Do they come with butt padding like mountain/road shorts? If they do, how much quicker do they dry?

I have what is roughly this right here...
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=331&product_id=1229406

But am considering getting this tri-short here...
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=58&product_id=1372971

I just didn't know that if running in actual bibs is a PITA. And if triathlon/duathlon shorts have padding.

Triathlon shorts have less padding and generally a different type that dries out better after swims. I have a buddy who does his t-runs in regular bike shorts...not my preference.

Right, tri shorts have a lot less padding than a normal set of bike shorts, but they dry really quickly, and don't hinder you during the run. I can't imagine doing a run in regular bike shorts, it would be like running with a diaper.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably get those Izumi shorts. Though this next race I'll be in is a Duathlon I do plan to hit up a couple of Tris this year.

Unless doing an ironman, there is no need to have any padding at all on a bike course in a triathlon. If you have been training regularly, you wont get sore.

Don't want to hijack the thread, but can you do the swim in just the speedsuits? This will be my first year of tri's(hopefully) and I just want to condense the cost a little so I'm not spending excess amounts of money on shorts, top, wetsuit, etc...it will also be my first time getting all the basic stuff most people take for granted (shoes, pedals, etc)

Depends on water temp. Wouldn't want to hit 58 degree water in just a tri suit. On the other hand, if the water is warm enough, sure, no problem.

Road shorts after swimming = Depends after Peeing

Road shorts after swimming = Depends after Peeing

Personal experience speaking?

Personal experience speaking?

Thank god no. I've got the forgetful/senile down, and the joint problems but no peeing my pants yet. I'll save that for later.

Unless doing an ironman, there is no need to have any padding at all on a bike course in a triathlon. If you have been training regularly, you wont get sore.

Well my main goals of my 2/10/2 is to not die and look like I know what I'm doing.

Friday I'm going to run and then bike and run again in my road shorts to see how it feels. If it doesn't bother me I'll keep the shorts, if it does I'll get the tri shorts. Though I'll need some for sure when I do my tri in late April.

Unless I decide to do my du/tri in speedos!!!

Unless I decide to do my du/tri in speedos!!!

If your junk falls out I want video

If your junk falls out I want video

I'm sure after the swim in the cool Atlantic waters I won't have junk to fall out.

From my understanding the differences are mostly in the padding and maybe the inseam length. I am going to give these shorts a try @ $29 a pop. http://www.aevero.com/store/viewitem.php?groupid=0&productid=0

Supposedly the padding is perforated and thinner to allow better drying, less bulk, etc. with these shorts as compared to their bike counterparts.

I'm sure after the swim in the cool Atlantic waters I won't have junk to fall out.

Oh its not the water where itll fall itll be the run ;)

Oh its not the water where itll fall itll be the run ;)

If I can make it that far.

Sort of did a practice Duathlon today. Ran 2.2 miles and then bikes a little over 10 miles. I didn't do the last run even though I felt I could do it. I didn't want to try and then not do it and discourage myself for this weekend.

Anyways I ran in my biking shorts and it did fine. It felt weird at first but after a few seconds of running other feelings took priority as I stepped aboard the pain train. I'll get some triathlon shorts for a sprint tri I plan to do in may. but that's down the road.

Thanks for the input

Well my main goals of my 2/10/2 is to not die and look like I know what I'm doing.

Friday I'm going to run and then bike and run again in my road shorts to see how it feels. If it doesn't bother me I'll keep the shorts, if it does I'll get the tri shorts. Though I'll need some for sure when I do my tri in late April.

Unless I decide to do my du/tri in speedos!!!

Actually, in my opinion, that is the most comfortable way to race, although few people do. Back in the day, many of us did. I miss those days. I think they are more comfortable than tri suits.

I did a sprint tri in a speedo and had really bad chaffing on my inner thighs during the bike. I won't do that again. I now have cycling shorts, tri shorts, and a speedo jammer (like unpadded cycling shorts) and am trying to decide which to use for my upcoming half. I often ride with no padding, and any chamois can get annoying after running a couple miles so I'm leaning toward just the jammer. Jammers are pretty cheap too, just be sure you have a comfortable saddle. I use the http://www.bikeman.com/SA4248.html Velo Pronto SL-Z1. It has 15k+ miles on it and I find it comfortable for all sorts of riding.

Speedos would never work for me because of my tree-trunk sized legs. I've always had huge legs, even when I was at my thinnest.

But I did the duathlon today in my bibs. Infact my attire was bibs on first, then a thermal top, pearl izumi long sleeve top, and a columbia waterproof/windproof jacket. With some walmart Starter lyrcra/spandex/whatever. It worked pretty well and I didn't notice any problem with it. I'll get some tri shorts soon for my Triathlong coming up in may.

Speedos would never work for me because of my tree-trunk sized legs. I've always had huge legs, even when I was at my thinnest.

But I did the duathlon today in my bibs. Infact my attire was bibs on first, then a thermal top, pearl izumi long sleeve top, and a columbia waterproof/windproof jacket. With some walmart Starter lyrcra/spandex/whatever. It worked pretty well and I didn't notice any problem with it. I'll get some tri shorts soon for my Triathlong coming up in may.

I don't know how people can run in bike shorts. The padding feels so heavy, and, frankly, it digs into the male parts, causing me pain.