General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg Rss Feed  
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2006-10-25 9:58 AM

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Veteran
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Subject: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
For all of you experienced IM athletes I have a question with the bike leg. Do you all wear padded bike shorts? I have read that some people will wear compression shorts and bike shorts during the bike segment? I have used a some De Soto tri shorts but there is very little padding.

Suggestions...?


2006-10-25 10:04 AM
in reply to: #578229

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

I've only done ONE Iron distance race, so I don't know if I qualify as "experienced" but I do have an opinion....

I wore my most comfy and hi-tech padded shorts I own (Pearl Izumi UltraSensor).  At that distance the small amount of time it takes to change from tri shorts to cycle shorts is unimportant.  I guess if you're trying to qualify for Kona then time may be more important. 

As far as compression shorts under cycling shorts.....I've never heard of that.  I would think it would take away from the effectiveness of the padded insert.

2006-10-25 10:15 AM
in reply to: #578229

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
Did you wear them under your wetsuit? Or did you chance into them before the bike? I heard that there is "changing tents" withing the transition area?
2006-10-25 10:21 AM
in reply to: #578229

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

When is your race? Have you done a 1/2 before?

I've only done one IM as well, but here is my experience:

I wore my tri top and tri shorts under my wetsuit. I switched to bike shorts for the bike in the change tent. I had to change again to running shorts for the run. My butt was used to the saddle from training, but I wanted to be sure.

When I do my next one I will wear tri shorts the whole race. If you practice in your tri shorts and your butt is used to long rides (100 miles) then you'll be fine.

Race how you train.

2006-10-25 10:25 AM
in reply to: #578229

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Official BT Coach
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Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

My suggestion is to practice in what you want to wear.  Your body will need to get used to the shorts you choose.  I would go with at least some padding.  It is a long day in the saddle.  Then are you going to run in them or change into running shorts.  If you choose to run in your biking shorts, you had better get some training runs in them as well.

Best of luck!

2006-10-25 10:53 AM
in reply to: #578229

Master
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portland, or
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I wear tri shorts (desoto power lycra) for the entire race. Personally I prefer tri shorts over bike shorts when riding aero, so that's what I wear whenever I'm on my tri-bike.

If you prefer bike shorts, then take the time to change. It will add a minute or so, but better safe (doing what you know works) then sorry.

scott


2006-10-25 11:07 AM
in reply to: #578229

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SF Bay Area, Mountain View
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
i've actually found that less padding is better for me. don't know why - maybe because there is less movement?

anyway, i wear tri shorts during all my long rides and races.
2006-10-25 1:41 PM
in reply to: #578229

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I wore my BT uniform for all of IMLP. I had trained with that level of padding all the way through, though.
2006-10-25 2:03 PM
in reply to: #578269

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

joerigg - 2006-10-25 10:15 AM Did you wear them under your wetsuit? Or did you chance into them before the bike? I heard that there is "changing tents" withing the transition area?

Yes, I wore my Tri shorts under my westsuit, but changed into the cycle shorts in the T1 tent.  And yes, all IM distance races (to my knowledge) have changing tents.

Some have made a good point about tri short comfort in the aero position.  I found this to be true as well, but opted for the more cushy feel of full-on cycle short for this distance.

 

2006-10-25 2:11 PM
in reply to: #578229

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Pro
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Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I've only done one 1/2 IM which I just wore tri shorts.

For my full next month, I will wear my tri shorts under my wetsuit like in my 1/2, then pull over my bike shorts over my tri shorts in T1, then remove the bike shorts in T2.

2006-10-25 8:25 PM
in reply to: #578810

Expert
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Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I wear tri shorts the whole way, from beginning to end. Slip on a Tri top for the bike and just wear it to finish line. I like to keep things simple.

Its funny, during long training rides, I will wear bike shorts and then change into running shorts when I do a brick but for the race, I just wear tri shorts.


2006-10-25 8:40 PM
in reply to: #578229

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2006-10-26 9:19 AM
in reply to: #578229

Regular
123
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St. Louis, Mo.
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I use the DeSoto seat cover with my tri shorts.  Works pretty well.
2006-10-26 9:20 AM
in reply to: #578229

Champion
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Bellingham, Washington
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

Practice being wet in the shorts, see if there is any rubbing that is associated with the crotch/padding being wet.

Remember you will probably be wearing tri shorts under the wetsuit, also during the ride, you will be pouring water over your body to cool (if it's hot out) down.

So if you do change to Bike shorts in the Transition tents, get them wet during the ride and see if they chafe when wet.  People on the course will have water hoses for you to ride through.   Better to know in advance what it will feel like if wet.

   I've tried 3 different brands of Tri Shorts, and like De Soto the best with Pearl Izuma next best.



Edited by BellinghamSpence 2006-10-26 9:22 AM
2006-10-26 10:48 AM
in reply to: #578229

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
2006-10-26 3:50 PM
in reply to: #578229

The Original
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Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I do all my training in tri shorts- they work for me. I hate bike shorts- way too much padding.  For my IM next week I plan to wear tri shorts for the entire race.


2006-10-26 4:07 PM
in reply to: #578407

Pro
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St Charles, IL
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg

awol - 2006-10-25 10:07 AM i've actually found that less padding is better for me. don't know why - maybe because there is less movement? anyway, i wear tri shorts during all my long rides and races.

Same.  I use Oomph shorts, which just have a thin neoprene pad.  I train in 'em and I race in 'em.  Once you get enough Time In The Saddle, you don't need a laz-boy feeling of comfort.

2006-10-26 5:45 PM
in reply to: #578229

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
I've raced all three IMs in a one piece Sugoi tri suit which has fairly minimal padding.(it comes in a women's x-small- yeah) If you are fit correctly to your bike and have enough Time In The Saddle, that's all you should need.

For what it's worth, I did most of my long training rides in Pearl Izumi Microsensor shorts this year and ended up with saddle sores every single freaking ride 80+. Did 3 70.3/HIMs plus IM WI in the tri suit(3 of the 4 in the rain) and no saddle sores from the bike chamois or mostly lack thereof so...I might be weird.
2006-10-26 9:30 PM
in reply to: #580427

Pro
4675
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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
Oomph Kileuea Compression shorts for me in IM WI last month - love 'em
2006-10-27 5:09 PM
in reply to: #578229

Expert
2547
200050025
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Experienced IM Question---Bike Leg
Comfort needs to win, whatever that is for you. I train in cycling shorts, race in tri shorts. I also use a ton of vaseline.

I wear my entire bike outfit under my wetsuit, including food.

tj
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