swimming in a two piece tri suit??

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2009-08-25 1:00 PM

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South Jersey
Subject: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
ok- how many people out there do the swim in a 2 piece tri suit?

I've heard and seen people do it, but I did it in one race and the drag the shorts created was unbelievable (yes, I know I should have tried swimming in the trisuit before hand. My bad.) Does anyone else have this problem?? Is it just me?? ( I have a Desoto Tri suit)

My next race will not be wetsuit legal, and I don't like swimming in my tri suit. Unfortunately, I also REALLY don't like the idea of biking and running in just my swim suit! Should I just suck it up and run in my swimsuit anyway, or take the few seconds to throw my trishorts on in T1? Or any other suggestions??

Thanks!!

2009-08-25 1:03 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Master
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Apex, north carolina
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I would recommend learning to swim in the 2 piece tri outfit.  If you put on shorts in T1 I assume you mean over a swimsuit.  That would chaff quite bad since bike and tri shorts are not meant to have "underwear" worn with them.  As long as you find a tight fitting top and proper fitting bottoms it shouldn't drag too bad - it just feels weird for a while. 
2009-08-25 1:06 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Champion
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Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??

I've done it before.  Even as tight as the top was, there was still some significant drag.  I ended up using a one piece the rest of the time.  Of course, now our team kits are two piece.  I just ordered a swim skin to wear over the two piece suit.  We'll see how that works out.

2009-08-25 1:11 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Elite
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Gilbert, Az.
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Caraleigh - 2009-08-25 11:00 AM ok- how many people out there do the swim in a 2 piece tri suit?

I've heard and seen people do it, but I did it in one race and the drag the shorts created was unbelievable (yes, I know I should have tried swimming in the trisuit before hand. My bad.) Does anyone else have this problem?? Is it just me?? ( I have a Desoto Tri suit)

My next race will not be wetsuit legal, and I don't like swimming in my tri suit. Unfortunately, I also REALLY don't like the idea of biking and running in just my swim suit! Should I just suck it up and run in my swimsuit anyway, or take the few seconds to throw my trishorts on in T1? Or any other suggestions??

Thanks!!


I wear a two piece, and I don't notice much difference in drag/times between that and a onesie. I went away from single suits as a lot of them seem to compress across where my diaphragm is and constricts breathing a bit. (For me at least)

John
2009-08-25 1:11 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Are you sure you're in the correct size? I would think significant drag comes from shorts or a top that is too big for you. Tri clothing should be VERY tight, but not restrictive of course. Maybe try a different size or brand that might fit you better?

I've done probably 20 triathlons in nothing but two-piece tri suits (shorts + top) and have never noticed drag of any sort.

2009-08-25 1:12 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Ventura County, California
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Exactly what kind of shorts were you using? Tri-Shorts are virtually the same as a pair of Jammers and shouldn't cause any perceptible drag. Could it have been the top? Does the top have pockets that could have opened and caused the drag? Not all tri-tops are designed to be swum in without being under a wetsuit.

2009-08-25 1:25 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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South Jersey
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
My shorts are Desoto Carrera Low Rises. I'm 5'8" and 125, and they are a Small, so I'm pretty sure they're the correct fit. At the very least, they aren't too big. Theres no way I'm squeezing into an extra small!.

 THey feel absolutely great on the bike and run. And it had to have been the shorts that created the drag, because I wore my swim top during the race (should have titled my post swimming in tri shorts. sorry) Plus, it simply felt like thats where the drag was coming from.

I might look into different tri shorts or a one piece trisuit next season, but this was my first tri season, and I've spent about as much as I can afford getting just the basics! :-)
2009-08-25 1:28 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I can't imagine that much drag is coming off your tri suit. It might feel that way, but I'm sure it's very minimal.

You just have to get use to the feeling. I know when I first started swimming in my two-piece tri suit I was very sensitive to the top moving around and what not.

I've gotten use to it though and never notice it in a race anymore. I'm too focused on swimming and breathing to even bother thinking about it.

Keep the tri suit. Get use to it.

Also, if the tri top is cut low, that might be pretty annoying. You might just need a top with a higher neck line?

2009-08-25 1:32 PM
in reply to: #2369652

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Elite
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Gilbert, Az.
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Caraleigh - 2009-08-25 11:00 AM ok- how many people out there do the swim in a 2 piece tri suit?

I've heard and seen people do it, but I did it in one race and the drag the shorts created was unbelievable (yes, I know I should have tried swimming in the trisuit before hand. My bad.) Does anyone else have this problem?? Is it just me?? ( I have a Desoto Tri suit)

My next race will not be wetsuit legal, and I don't like swimming in my tri suit. Unfortunately, I also REALLY don't like the idea of biking and running in just my swim suit! Should I just suck it up and run in my swimsuit anyway, or take the few seconds to throw my trishorts on in T1? Or any other suggestions??

Thanks!!


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/show-album.asp?albumid=11843&photoid=108743

2009-08-25 1:35 PM
in reply to: #2369748

Extreme Veteran
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Minneapolis
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Caraleigh - 2009-08-25 1:25 PM My shorts are Desoto Carrera Low Rises. I'm 5'8" and 125, and they are a Small, so I'm pretty sure they're the correct fit. At the very least, they aren't too big. Theres no way I'm squeezing into an extra small!.

 THey feel absolutely great on the bike and run. And it had to have been the shorts that created the drag, because I wore my swim top during the race (should have titled my post swimming in tri shorts. sorry) Plus, it simply felt like thats where the drag was coming from.

I might look into different tri shorts or a one piece trisuit next season, but this was my first tri season, and I've spent about as much as I can afford getting just the basics! :-)


I don't have much experience swimming in tri shorts (prefer wetsuit whenever legal), but I'm surprised you think you are getting significant drag from them...  I've never noticed that - maybe a teeny bit of drag from the top if they have looser pockets or something like that, but the shorts shouldn't add any noticeable drag.

Anyhoo, based on what you've said, I don't think going to a one-piece is going to help - they are going to be pretty much the same material as your shorts, so if that's what you suspect is causing the drag, then maybe your money would be better spent on a swimskin.

FWIW, I wear DeSoto lo-rises shorts exclusively - love 'em!

Cheers, Chris
2009-08-25 1:35 PM
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2009-08-25 1:38 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Expert
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Oakland, Fl
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??

Just curioous, but you dont have water bottle holder pockets on the back of the top, do you?  I know my brother-in-law did a race with a cycling top and ran into the issue of drag.  I wear a 2-piece and I don't notice any real drag. 

2009-08-25 1:41 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Master
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Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
For what it is worth and you might not want to hear this. I have a DeSotob single Tri suit that I just love.
Yeah it is a pain in the porta potty, but I am very comfortable.
I train in it at least once a month and i try to do a couple of Bricks in it before any race.
2009-08-25 1:55 PM
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Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
Caraleigh - 2009-08-25 2:25 PM My shorts are Desoto Carrera Low Rises. I'm 5'8" and 125, and they are a Small, so I'm pretty sure they're the correct fit. At the very least, they aren't too big. Theres no way I'm squeezing into an extra small!.

 THey feel absolutely great on the bike and run. And it had to have been the shorts that created the drag, because I wore my swim top during the race (should have titled my post swimming in tri shorts. sorry) Plus, it simply felt like thats where the drag was coming from.

I might look into different tri shorts or a one piece trisuit next season, but this was my first tri season, and I've spent about as much as I can afford getting just the basics! :-)

I have those tri shorts and have worn them in races.  I also wear a small and mine fit very snug. Comfortable, but snug.  I've never noticed any drag with mine.  If anything, my tops would create more drag if they get stretched out or I've lost weight.
2009-08-25 2:02 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Pro
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Burbs
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I've swam in a couple races in a two piece suit and didn't have a problem with it... I perfer a swim suit or a wetsuit but it wasn't that bad
2009-08-25 3:29 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Regular
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Lilburn
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I had the same problem with the first pair of tri shorts I bought (Louis Garneau).  I found that I needed them one size smaller and I needed a brand that had a drawstring at the waist.  My favorite tri shorts are Zoot.

Also didn't like the first tri top I bought.  It was a tank style, racer back.  The front seemed to scoop up a lot of water.  I switched to the Zoot sleeveless top this year and like it much better.  It has a zipper (6" or so) that I can zip all the way to my neck for the swim and then loosen it for the bike and run.

2009-08-25 5:20 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Expert
1258
10001001002525
Marin County, California
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I did a HIM last month in a Zoot sports bra and Zoot tri brief....you can see it in my avatar. The breif has a tiny, tiny piece of fabric 'pad.'

This is my usual race outfit. There is zero movement or drag.

It also comes down to your own comfort level as to the amount, or lack of amount, of coverage.

Edited by LittleCat 2009-08-25 5:27 PM
2009-08-25 5:48 PM
in reply to: #2370394

Elite
4048
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Gilbert, Az.
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
LittleCat - 2009-08-25 3:20 PM I did a HIM last month in a Zoot sports bra and Zoot tri brief....you can see it in my avatar. The breif has a tiny, tiny piece of fabric 'pad.' This is my usual race outfit. There is zero movement or drag. It also comes down to your own comfort level as to the amount, or lack of amount, of coverage.


I can't....quite....see it clearly...

I definitely need a bigger pic. :p

John
2009-08-25 6:01 PM
in reply to: #2370394

Pro
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Burbs
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
LittleCat - 2009-08-25 6:20 PM I did a HIM last month in a Zoot sports bra and Zoot tri brief....you can see it in my avatar. The breif has a tiny, tiny piece of fabric 'pad.' This is my usual race outfit. There is zero movement or drag. It also comes down to your own comfort level as to the amount, or lack of amount, of coverage.


if I had your abs I would rock the same race outfit !
2009-08-25 8:25 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
In non-wetsuit legal races, I wear a swimsuit over my sportbra/bottom combo. Strip off as I am coming out of the water.
2009-08-25 8:27 PM
in reply to: #2370394

Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
See, now I had the same outfit (except TYR bottoms, not Zoot)...and the drag drove me nuts. So I resorted to the suit over the top.

(I didn't have your body tho :p So it may have been my free floating gut creating drag :D)

2009-08-25 8:31 PM
in reply to: #2369652

Champion
5782
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: swimming in a two piece tri suit??
I've done a 400m pool swim in a tri top and tri shorts...pockets on both...don't really recall feeling like drag was an issue.  Probably could have thrown that particular tri top on in T1, though...relatively loose-fitting.  My other tri tops, though, would be tough to put on in a hurry.

When I was first starting out doing tris, I pulled on bike shorts over my jammers in T1...there's no real chafing issue with swimsuit under bike shorts that I've ever experienced.
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