Triathlon - difference between bike shorts and tri shorts?

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DRLski
03-27-05, 10:51 PM
k, I'm a cyclist but have been reading lately bout triathlons, stupid question....what is the difference between cycling shorts and tri shorts?

thx,
Dave

james_holden
03-27-05, 11:36 PM
no such thing as a stupid question! :)

the difference is the padding.
cycling shorts have a lot of padding "down there". tri shorts less since they are intended to be used during the swim leg as well. so they're gonna be wet when you hop on your bike in T1. With regular padding they'd never dry. it'd soak up like a sponge.
So trishorts are designed as the best compromise between comfort in terms of padding and in terms of how fast they dry.
bladder infections are surely something you don't want to have...

welcome to the world of triathlons! :D
Gonzo Bob
03-28-05, 10:17 AM
Tri-shorts are also often a little shorter in the leg. Often just a 5" or 6" inseam, while cycling shorts are often around 9". Tri shorts also usu. have a drawstring and cycling shorts often don't.

DRLski
03-28-05, 11:32 AM
thx for the replies, now tri shorts are also made for running right? and the whole tri shorts getting wet, I thought that was what wet suits were for, so they didn't get wet and you didn't get cold in the water.
cjbruin
03-28-05, 11:54 AM
Yes, you also run in tri shorts.

Wetsuits do not prevent you from getting wet. They keep you warm by trapping a small amount of water between it and your skin. Your body heat warms the water.

Dry suits keep you completely dry but those are only used for diving. They wouldn't work very well for for competitive swimming.