Triathlon - Cycling Nicks vs Trishorts

I'm wondering why there are specific tri shorts for triathlons. Why can't we just use cycling nicks for the whole triathlon?

I'm guessing there might be issues with the padding and the water leg of the triathlon.

Chris.

not so much the water leg but the running. if you walk around in bike shorts, you feel like your rear has a #2 in it. walk around in tri shorts, and there is little to none of this feeling.

not so much the water leg but the running. if you walk around in bike shorts, you feel like your rear has a #2 in it. walk around in tri shorts, and there is little to none of this feeling.

Hmm, so then how do the trishorts feel on the bike leg. Say you were doing an ironman, your rear end would feel like its been to a gay bar, lol :)

IM is different beast.

First off, bike shorts are kind of slow in the water, texture wise.

Secondly, you're probably going to be in a wetsuit.

So for IM, wear a wetsuit over bike shorts and just deal with soggyness for the first 10 miles of the ride. Then change into running shorts for the run.

Half IM and down, I just wear a speedo fastskin and deal with a little bit of rawness if it should occur.

IM is different beast.

First off, bike shorts are kind of slow in the water, texture wise.

Secondly, you're probably going to be in a wetsuit.

So for IM, wear a wetsuit over bike shorts and just deal with soggyness for the first 10 miles of the ride. Then change into running shorts for the run.

Half IM and down, I just wear a speedo fastskin and deal with a little bit of rawness if it should occur.

I was wondering about IMs.

I prefer tri-shorts to regular bikes shorts in general unless I'm going on a particularly long ride. I've started wearing a tri-suit for actual races and it works much better than trying to put some sort of shirt or jersey on when you're wet.

IM is different beast.

First off, bike shorts are kind of slow in the water, texture wise.

Secondly, you're probably going to be in a wetsuit.

So for IM, wear a wetsuit over bike shorts and just deal with soggyness for the first 10 miles of the ride. Then change into running shorts for the run.

Half IM and down, I just wear a speedo fastskin and deal with a little bit of rawness if it should occur.

So smaller distances just use trishorts for the whole thing (under wetsuit if possible), but for IM change into running shorts....

I may just stick to my running shirt for the bike/run legs of the sprint tri next month. It'll save me investing more money, If I get hooked then yes more money can be poured in (or is that burned) lol :)

I did my first couple of sprint tris in a pair of running shorts. You'll probably also see people in just cycling shorts for the whole thing.

Alternatively, go ´old school´and just wear budgie smugglers all the way through the tri.

I always wear my tri shorts for long and short rides alike. Less padding works better for me, it's definitely less cumbersome. FWIW I ride a Specialized Tri Tip saddle.

Alternatively, go ´old school´and just wear budgie smugglers all the way through the tri.

As I have said before, I was much more comfortable back in those days.

So smaller distances just use trishorts for the whole thing (under wetsuit if possible), but for IM change into running shorts....

I've always preferred competing the whole race in the tri shorts including IM. Saves time on changing (every second counts!) and I find there is less chaffing of thighs than with running shorts.

I've only used a one piece Tri Suit when racing the Duathlon World Titles back in 05 because that was the official National kit and found it okay. For longer tris I found the separate Tri shorts and tri jersey a better option. Tri jersey due to pockets, tri shorts in case of emergency toilet stops.

Why do people even bother with a shirt in transition?

Tri suit works great, two half-IM's, two full IM's, and numerous oly's and sprints, and no problems for me.

And I do wear regular bibs with a nice thick pad for regular riding. The tri suit with the thin chamois just works better for tri's

question from a bystander. I have seen bike races where the riders are in bathing suits. usually small suits like speedos or the women in a bikini bottom. do these people do their whole race like this including the run?

question from a bystander. I have seen bike races where the riders are in bathing suits. usually small suits like speedos or the women in a bikini bottom. do these people do their whole race like this including the run?

They do. Not many people do this anymore. It used to be somewhat the norm back in the day. But now with tri suits and shorts this style is less popular. In my opinion, it is much more comfortable.

I agree with the "tri-shorts."

Having done an olympic and sprint tris as a beginner, I found the thinner padding is more conducive to running. You can make up for the lack of padding on the bike leg, though, by opting for a tri-specific saddle and tweaking the angle of it for your comfort level (depending on what distance you're doing).

Heck, I did two IM's with tri suit thickness padding. You just have to make sure you get used to it.

Why do people even bother with a shirt in transition?

Most tris have a rule that you must cover your torso with some form of clothing. So, people swim in their shorts ( or smugglers) and then pull a shirt on in transition. Its either about staying legal or modesty.

Chiming in late on this one:

Padded bike shorts will fill with water in the swim and will feel like a full diaper once out of the water. Tri-suits are the best option. If you are not concerned about 30 seconds on T1 and T2 the second best option would be to swim with a pair of mid thigh shorts, then pull a pair of loose MTB padded shorts on T1 and take them off on T2. I tend to spend minimal time on Ts because the only thing I do on T1 is to dry my feet and put a pair of socks and running shoes on (yes I bike with running shoes and cage pedals) and my helmet and glasses on and on T2, drop the bike and helmet.

Most tris have a rule that you must cover your torso with some form of clothing. So, people swim in their shorts ( or smugglers) and then pull a shirt on in transition. Its either about staying legal or modesty.

This.

Also, I've always found that swimming with a tri-top is the best way to go. I do this with and without a wetsuit all the time.
Trying to pull on a shirt or jersey when you're soaking wet, disoriented and exhausted is surprisingly difficult.

Pearl Izumi makes a nice tri short, especially for sprint or Olympic distances. the newer tri shorts have a thin insert. The shorts I have used in the past did not have the insert. This is not bad for a sprint or an Olympic distance.