so I'm trying to figure out what type of gear i should be wearing or have ready at transitoin. I have read tons of articles. but nothing really gave me my answer.

1. I'm 230 and tri shorts just aren't going to cut it. because they are cut way to low. I am having trouble finding a pair of shorts that I can use for all 3 events. but still ahve some padding for the bike portion of the race. but I don't want to be running in a wet diaper also.

2. if I can find a short that will do all 3 event. can I change at the transition point from swim trunks to a cycling slash running short. and if I do this how private are they. don't want to be showing the world everything I got going on.

I've got the bike and the running shoes and what not. just looking for shorts that can do all 3 that keep the mid section in mind.

I look forward to all the answeres.

Unless you are at a very large event, most transition areas are not private and you will be changing in the open. It might even be against the rules to go nude for a moment. If you absolutely must change, you can hold a towel around yourself, but being wet and doing that probably is asking for a lot of headaches. My suggestion would be to use cycling style pants without a pad. Whatever the case, you'll be making some kind of tradeoff because there is no ideal solution.

so I know the rule of thumb is nothing under your cycling shorts but about about skin tight running shorts under the padded bike shorts. that way I can swim in them. pull on padded shorts over them for the ride and then drop the padded shorts for the run.

thanks

If you can find a short for all three disciplines, why would you want to change? Check out this site for options https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/triathlon.htm

that meant to be a separate thought just didn't come out that way. if I didn't find a set of shorts.

that is a great site thanks so much.

I just did my first tri at 290, and the tri shorts I used seem just fine - was it a matter of the ones you've tried so far seeming to be cut too low?

no I haven't tried any. just by the description and the way they look in pictures

Just because I'd read that they were 'different' than normal bike shorts, I didn't comfortable ordering them online, so I found a fairly local bike shop with some tri stuff.

That said, they didn't feel all that different to me, but I will always miss bibs when on the bike :-)

I'd suggest trying a pair before you declare that they 'aren't going to cut it'.