Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2011-11-24 12:40 PM

User image

Member
102
100
Round Rock
Subject: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts

What is the difference between cycling shorts and triathlon shorts?

 

Thanks for the info/advice!

Bryan

2011-11-24 1:31 PM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts

Tri-shorts are designed to allow you to swim and run in, while bike shorts are not.

padding and fabric are thinner in tri-shorts than they would be in bike shorts so they should dry fairly quickly after swimming.

 

 

2011-11-24 4:31 PM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Extreme Veteran
724
500100100
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts
I'm planning on having a few pairs of both.  For the longer training rides, I will ride in the bike shorts.  For bricks and a few mid-race distance rides I will use tri-shorts.  Seems like a pretty good idea.
2011-11-24 10:20 PM
in reply to: #3914188

Expert
1233
100010010025
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts
Just don't do what I did once at a HIM. Wore bike shorts over my tri shorts on the bike, them forgot to take off the bike shorts before the run!

2011-11-25 4:28 AM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts
Bike shorts feel like a diaper. Tri shorts are thinner and feel every which way from close to diaper to nonexistant.

I don't own bike shorts and do century rides, HIMs and a couple IMs with tri shorts only. Never really seen a need for bike shorts.

2011-11-25 11:54 AM
in reply to: #3914289

User image

Pro
5361
50001001001002525
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts

Petein206 - 2011-11-24 2:31 PM I'm planning on having a few pairs of both.  For the longer training rides, I will ride in the bike shorts.  For bricks and a few mid-race distance rides I will use tri-shorts.  Seems like a pretty good idea.

this ^^^

I can understand what DanielG does as well.  Just use tri-shorts, but this may depend on your bike seat.  I've got a really firm, light seat on my road bike- that's far more comfortable with a proper set of bike shorts/bibs.  My tri-bike has a cushier saddle that works great with tri shorts. 

If I use my cycling shorts on my tri saddle- it's literally too soft and mushy to be comfortable.  If I use my tri shorts on my road bike, think 30-40mi max.  The long rides get brutal.  So, it all depends on your setup.

2011-11-25 4:43 PM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Veteran
572
5002525
Hudson Valley
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts
I ride with simple spandex shorts. The padding is in the seat, which has a cutout in the center.
2011-11-25 5:07 PM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Extreme Veteran
626
50010025
Wahiawa, Hawaii.... but now in Florence, KY..
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts

I started using bib-shorts last year and love them for longer rides.  the desoto bibs are the best shorts i've ever so i am gonna tri out their tri-bibs.

2011-11-27 3:32 PM
in reply to: #3914188

User image

Pro
5755
50005001001002525
Subject: RE: Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts
I found that once I got used to riding that a thinner chamois was more comfortable. Now I only wear bibs or tri shorts. I also think the thicker chamois of some bike shorts just sucks up sweat and water if it rains at all, and I actually chafe more. Oh, get chamois cream if you don't already know about this!
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike shorts ~vs~ Triathlon shorts Rss Feed