Bibs or Tri-suit for Ironman?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi-

I’m signed up for IM Wisconsin (my first IM) later this year, and have a question…does anybody make a tri-suit that has a chamois comfortable enough for 112 miles, or should I just wear some high-quality bibs and change into running shorts for the marathon? Needless to say, I am not worried about transition times…just want to be comfortable.

Spot

2

Now, I would be thinking, “wear shorts”, in case I have to stop for nature.

3

If you are not worried about times etc I would suggest using bibs, on the other hand if looking to race hard and wee on the bike etc use a tri suit
.

4

I wore tri-shorts and a sleeveless jersey at Moo last year. No problems. If you don’t want to have to go through the “break-in” process to get your ass used to riding long distances with a thin chamois, and you don’t mind slow transition times in order to change clothes, then why not just wear bike shorts? It’ll be a lot tougher to get our of the bibs or tri-suit to pee, unless you just plan to go on the bike.

5

For my one IM (05 Ultramax), I road and ran in bibs and a jersey. I appreciated the padding on the long bike and wasn’t bothered by it on the run. In fact, I always wear bibs when I race-never been bothered on the run.

6

I have never had a time on an Ironman, particularily on the run where I have been willing to deal with a bib! I’ve used the DSS shorts without a problem the last 2 Ironman’s I’ve done. Depending on what time you are looking for, I have seen MANY people wear bike shorts on the ride and spend an extra minute in T-2 changing into run shorts. With the tented changing areas in IM racing, it’s very easy to do.

7

I think you answered your own question…

Personally, I’ve always changed into cycling shorts in IM…then to running tri shorts.

If there was ever a swim to bike transition where you could shed water before the bike, it’s Moo. So, I might do a tri-suit there as that’s my A race this year.

You’ll see all sorts of stuff. Some folks swim in cycling shorts claiming they will dry “right away” on the bike.

Net result…do whatever meets your goal…and be sure to train with it.

A buddy’s tri-suit zipper broke at IMAZ and messed with his head all day…

8

I swam with my bike shorts under my wetsuit the last two years at IMoo. it was no problem - they were dry within 10km of T1.

I ran in them two years ago, but switched into running shorts this year - probably cost me 30 seconds - max. no worries to me.

9

Thanks for the advice, everybody. Any other tidbits to get ready for IM Moo?

Spot

10

Good tri shorts are nearly as good as good bike shorts - did a 1/2IM last year and some 4+ hour rides in my Oomph shorts with ‘distance’ pad…no problem, especially if you put a seat cover on your saddle. Then it’s easier to run with them than with bike shorts.