Bike shorts or tri shorts for an IM

At mine it was about half and half. I didn't want to mess with changing from compression shorts to bike shorts to running shorts.

I did all of my long rides in tri shorts instead of bike shorts, so it was no problem come race day.

If you are comfortable doing 112 in tri shorts, go for it!

Last year I made the switch to bike shorts in t1 and running (compression) shorts in t2.  The decision was solely based on comfort.

My plan this year is to invest in tri shorts until I find a pair that I can wear the whole day.  

Same here. 

CP2K

The only tri shorts I think I could use from start to finish are the Oomph tri shorts with their distance pad. They work well for me for long bricks and my HIM.

I'm debating what to do as I'm a big fan of bike shorts. Current thought it to change in T1 & T2.

Jay,

For IMAZ, I used tri shorts for the entire race.  I wore my Oomph tri shorts for the swim and bike, but then changed into my Pearl Izumi tri shorts for the run.  The Oomph shorts had a bit more padding in them for the bike and the PI's had a good bit less for more comfort on the run. 

This year for IMFL, the plan is to use my/our club tri shorts for the entire race.  If I do not find the club tri shorts to be comfortable enough for a 112 bike ride, then I will just go back to the Oomph tri shorts and wear them for the entire day.

I'll wear tri shorts during the swim, bike shorts for the bike, and either compression shorts or running shorts for the run.

I want to be as comfortable as possible. A few extra minutes won't be that big of a deal. Of course unless they are chasing me for my chip! LOL.

Plus I want to be able to apply adequate body glide and sunscreen, so changing will give me a chance to do that.

Tri shorts throughout the race (I've never even owned a pair of real bike shorts, only tri shorts and thus train in them). Because I did IMLP, where, in 2007 was about 40 degrees at 5AM, I did change shorts and bra at T1 as I didn't want anything wet on while it was still chilly in the mountains (it warmed up to the upper 70s by 6PM when we were all running btw).

But if air temperature wasn't a factor, then I wouldn't have changed at all (I also wasn't racing for a Kona slot).

I got a long way to go for IM AZ in Nov 2009, so I can experiment.  Since I started doing tris I have always worn Zoot tri shorts.. Wore them in my first HIM last July when I did Vineman..  I am looking forward to many lonely hours on the Santa Ana River Trail here  beautiful Orange County, California, to determine what will craddle my butt the best for hours on the bike..  I don't think i'll try the bike shorts..  I am still deciding if I'll change out after the bike for something diff on the run..  Like one has already said.. Practice...Practice....Practice...  There's noting like to know how long yer butt is gonna last...  If you think you can't, you won't..

Lori....  "Improvise, Overcome, Adapt..... Heartbreak Ridge..

I haven't tried that, and I don't think I will.  I can seriously see me grabbing too many layers when shedding the bike shorts in T2 and then getting some kind of indecency penalty.  Also, everything 'down there' needs to breathe some during that 112, and you run the risk of suffocation, chafing, over-compression, etc. 

That being said, I am considering a kilt for IMAZ with a saline filled cruiser saddle on my tri bike.