They say never try new things on race day so what did I do? I raced IMCDA in a brand new pair of Synergy tri shorts with mesh pockets for water bottles. They worked fine for the the heat however changed into running shorts in T2. I’ll wear them again. $65 on Amazon seemed fair.
For cycling…… I rotate through Zoot, de soto, love the pain and Assos bibs and castelli bike shorts. And, I’ve tried several other brands. For long rides, it’s Assos bibs and the voting wouldn’t be close.
Sorry I meant longer trainer rides (3 hours +) on tri bike
Love, Love Love DeSoto!
To repeat what I said above, De Soto… Have done several 5+ hour trainer rides and just like outdoor riding, the De Soto is almost all I’ll wear for the TT bike on the trainer.
For the road bike on the trainer then Louis Garneau shorts for the longer stuff, but that’s because the pad shapes are designed for the different saddle angles/heights. The LG have too much padding up front for use on the TT bike.
Honestly, for all the aches that I get after a 180km race or training ride, then the saddle/shorts is one interface I’ve never had an issue with in the dry or in the wet. Shoes have left me literally in tears, I’ve had awful hand /finger cramps, back has been agony, but never the saddle area. Note that this applied to the old cloth type liner and then the new pad too.
On the other hand then I do notice the feel of the pad if I’m wearing my zoot 1 piece, but then to be fair the fit isn’t that good (bit baggy) and I probably don’t use it enough to get used to it - it was only really for the very very infrequent sprint race (done 3 in 18 years of racing), and a few club winter duathlons.
For cycling…… I rotate through Zoot, de soto, love the pain and Assos bibs and castelli bike shorts. And, I’ve tried several other brands. For long rides, it’s Assos bibs and the voting wouldn’t be close.
Sorry I meant longer trainer rides (3 hours +) on tri bike
Haven’t done a 3+ hour Tri ride in many years. But, from the above list, I would probably say Castelli free aero shorts would be most comfy as they have the best pad for longer rides. Or, De Soto Riviera shorts. Riviera are very good shorts, but have a lot of stitching which may cause problems for some.
Actually, what I would probably do for that type of ride is wear my Zoot or Ownway Apparel Tri suit which would both hold up well.
Desoto. Just Desoto for me since 1999.
To repeat what I said above, De Soto… Have done several 5+ hour trainer rides and just like outdoor riding, the De Soto is almost all I’ll wear for the TT bike on the trainer.
For the road bike on the trainer then Louis Garneau shorts for the longer stuff, but that’s because the pad shapes are designed for the different saddle angles/heights. The LG have too much padding up front for use on the TT bike.
Honestly, for all the aches that I get after a 180km race or training ride, then the saddle/shorts is one interface I’ve never had an issue with in the dry or in the wet. Shoes have left me literally in tears, I’ve had awful hand /finger cramps, back has been agony, but never the saddle area. Note that this applied to the old cloth type liner and then the new pad too.
On the other hand then I do notice the feel of the pad if I’m wearing my zoot 1 piece, but then to be fair the fit isn’t that good (bit baggy) and I probably don’t use it enough to get used to it - it was only really for the very very infrequent sprint race (done 3 in 18 years of racing), and a few club winter duathlons.
Thanks!
Which DeSoto tri short please?
Looks like there are 3 different ones
Love, Love Love DeSoto!
Thanks!
Which DeSoto tri short please?
Looks like there are 3 different ones
I like DeSoto for thier tri bibs. The downside to this brand is that they fall apart quickly. Even their regular cycling bibs do not hold up at all.
I like DeSoto for thier tri bibs. The downside to this brand is that they fall apart quickly. Even their regular cycling bibs do not hold up at all.
What?
I think that this is very much not true.
I was out of triathlon for four years. Last year got back into it… and pulled out my old Desoto Tri shorts, some dating back as far as 2010, and put them back to work. I have so far been completely unable to wear out a pair of Desoto Tri shorts. It’s probably a bad business model to make things that last this long. Except that the shorts are so great that I recommend them to everyone. These things are the bomb!
I’ve always used the Forza short (4pocket), and suit although also have a Riviera suit. Pads are same I think.
The fit of the Riviera suit and lack of pockets means I really only use that under my wetsuit for swim training, but as mentioned I’m a morphological freak so not a criticism of the design.
That’s not been my experience with them. I have two pairs of 400-mile cycling bibs and two pairs of tri-bibs. All but one have been to the tailor to get fixed. Most common issue is hole in crotch. I only wore the tri-bibs during races and a hole still wore through on the outer thigh on one of them. At the time, I rode less than 2500 miles a year and rotated various pairs of shorts. So I’m not a heavy user. The other brands I own have had zero issues.
The 400-milers have been demoted to indoor cycling bibs now. Along with 10+ year old Pearl Izumi and LG bibs that have had zero issues.
The pads are amazing, but I just don’t trust the quality of the product anymore.
I posted about my issues on ST back when it happened (about four years ago). Multiple had similar issues (hole in crotch). So I know I’m not the only one.
Fair play, and I want to open with that.
I have worn holes in several bike shorts on the top inside of the leg where there has been some abrasion on my saddle bag. I now use electrical tape over the Velcro, but some shorts seemed to go in a matter of a dozen rides, others none after a year of use.
So I put that down to how the specific seam either created a ridge hat caught or pulled my skin / thigh in a way that either increased or decreased friction.
I’ve not tried the 400m bib. Just the tri shorts.
And yes on one pair I did wear away the stitching on the inner seam that created a hole. But that was after many years use and I put down to abrasion with running shorts over the top. Was an easy fix to sew up though.
Not to you but in general
I am surprised about hearing wearing out tri shorts and bike shorts
I have tri shorts from AMZ cost approx $24. I was hoping for something which felt better which is why I asked.
As far as durability
Easily over 500 hours and not a single broken stitch, hole or other damage
Zoot trinsuit with over 500 hours on the trainer and no holes, broken stiches nothing
Maybe it’s like the song you don’t know what you have til it’s gone
Maybe I should count my blessings and stay with what I have
WynRepublic
Very comfortable trisuit, great quality material, good compression and great fit. bought 2 this year. I don’t even waste my time looking at the other brands. the post-sale is very friendly and helpful.
I’ve used DeSoto for a while and like them, but I just got some Zoot stuff and really like the feel of the material. I’m going to get some more items later this year. Good stuff!
I agree. My first shorts were DeSoto. They were fine when I knew of nothing else. Later tried out Zoot - really good - love their tri shorts and suits.
Desoto for sure
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Another vote for DeSoto. I love the 400 mile for training (there are bib or short options). I like more cushion for training. For racing I love the Forza Flisuit for long distance tri’s. No chafing, comfortable, sun protection, durable. Built in San Diego!
Y’all should check out this Australian Brand , cannibal.com.au , it was Braden Currie who turned me onto them in Kona whenever we were last there , I’ve bought some gear and seems awesome quality and very durable , with USD to AUD is quite cheap
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Thanks for pointing them out, Erik! I’ve just ordered two pairs of shorts from them.