Another bib thread - 1/2IM compatible?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi folks,

 After reading February's bib talk I bought a bib short and really like it, very comfy and works well. This year I am doing 1/2IMs and was wondering if people have ever worn bibs in this distance? I see a lot of refrences to IM bib use. I do not plan on changing shorts after the swim or bike, will bibs be comforable? 

 Thanks, 

 Tilden
2

If I recall correctly Jurgen Zack set the Hawaii bike course record while wearing a Pearlizumi bib and no jersey saying the straps were the tanktop of his uniform. Not sure anyone else could pull it off.

3

Normal cycling bib shorts? Sounds like a recipe for disaster on the run.

4

I got a pretty bad case of nipple rash while running in bib-shorts after a ride, but I don’t know if that is common or more of a unique situation to me and that particular pair.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you do a pretty hefty brick, and maybe a longer run standalone, in bib-shorts before trying it in a race.

I am doing my first 1/2 IM at St. Croix and still don’t know what I am going to wear. I have had good luck with a cycling style skinsuit in sprint and Oly races but I am not sure what adaptations I should make for the longer distance and salt water.

5

Most bib shorts have a nice fat chammy not the minimal stuff in tri-shorts. Just pull your bibs out of the washing machine wet and try them on. I think your question will be answered. I did 3 HIM’s in a Desoto 5-pocket one piece last year and I thought it worked great. I like the pockets because they are down on the shorts and you can easily get to them while on the aero bars. I also liked having my lower back protected from the sun when on the bike as most tri-jerseys are really short on me.

6

This may be a stupid question, but I’ll ask anyway: Do you where those skinsuits/bib shorts underneath your wetsuit, if you’re wearing a wetsuit? I was wondering this today as I was contemplating getting a DeSoto skinsuit.

I’m planning for my first tri (an Oly) in May.

7

The skin suit answer is yes, so far it looks like the bib answer is that no one does it…

 Tilden
8

FWIW…I used to think I couldn’t cycle without bib shorts - then I bought two things that changed my mind:

  • Neoprene Saddle cover from DeSoto ($20) - huge bang for the buck

  • Distance tri shorts from Oomph - really comfy and light for running - the chamois is fleece (I think) so it’s dry after 1h max on the bike

With those I’ve done training and raced a 1/2IM (rides up to 3h) and am planning to do an IM this year.

Have you tried running in cycling shorts? Try a long run, say 2h, just for ‘fun’