Biking shorts vs Tri shorts

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2008-09-26 5:58 PM

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Cecilia
Subject: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
newbie question? Is there any difference between biking shorts and tri shorts? do tri shorts have a seat pad? what do people normally wear? Thanks

2008-09-26 6:02 PM
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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts

cecjap - 2008-09-26 5:58 PM newbie question? Is there any difference between biking shorts and tri shorts? do tri shorts have a seat pad? what do people normally wear? Thanks

I wear only tri-shorts even if I'm just going biking.  They have a much smaller pad and dry out quicker.  I've found that if I'm in my aero position I don't notice the smaller pad at all, and, in fact, find regular biking shorts uncomfortable at this point because of the amount of padding.

2008-09-26 6:04 PM
in reply to: #1699939

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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
Padding in both, but much more in your typical bike shorts. Padding in tri shorts won't hold water like the padding in bike shorts would. I keep highly padding while training, but use tri shorts for actual events. The tri shorts will work for all three events...swim, bike, and run.
2008-09-26 7:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts

As others have stated, less padding.  A friend of mine is training for a marathon and brought the wrong shorts to work, his biking shorts.  He decided to go ahead with the run and after wards said it was like wearing a diaper!

Most of my training is in Tri-shorts or suit and race in a tri-suit.

2008-09-26 7:26 PM
in reply to: #1699939

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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts

I train in bike shorts and race in tri shorts with different type pads depending on the length of the triathlon.

It is a comfort thing and what you like. Many tri shorts have almost no pad. All tri short pads dry fast and not like bike shorts that hold water and tend to be bigger.

 

2008-09-26 7:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts

I got my first tri shorts about a week ago for my first race weekend after next.  I have been training in them to get acclimated to them so there isn't any surprises on race day.  I must say...I really like them a lot.  Previously I had just been training in your avg gym shorts.  I know what I will be asking for for christmas!!!

 

 

You thought I was gonna ask for more tri shorts, didn't you...   Of course not, I'm gonna ask for a new Cervelo tri bike!  Tongue out

 

(hey, one can dream...)



Edited by toader 2008-09-26 7:34 PM

2008-09-26 7:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
Another thing is due to the reduced size and bulk of the pad in the tri-shorts, it is much more convenient for running.  You will feel like you're wearing a diaper if you run in cycling shorts, but you don't notice it with tri-shorts.  I actually find tri-shorts more comfortable on the bike . . . but of course that's a personal preference.
2008-09-26 8:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
I use only tri shorts, train in them and race in them. I have gotton used to the smaller pad, even on long rides.
2008-09-26 9:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
zeroviz - 2008-09-26 9:47 PM

I use only tri shorts, train in them and race in them. I have gotton used to the smaller pad, even on long rides.


I'm with you, I train in tri shorts and obviously race in them. The first 50 miler in tri shorts was a litte uncomfortable but within the next few rides with well placed chamoix butter or bag balm I was good to go....

Can I say bag balm in this forum?
2008-09-27 4:56 AM
in reply to: #1699939

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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
I'm only wearing tri shorts as well. It's what I've gotten comfortable with and since I'm going to wear them for all the races I might as well train with them exclusively.

After wearing biking shorts once I can now sympathize with the girls in gym class during school who had to wear pads for some reason or other.
2008-09-27 5:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
Tri shorts don't cut it for me, especially for long rides. Even with Bag Balm applied. I'll race in Oly's or below in them and do short training rides in them.

For my HIM I used my DeSoto 400 mile shorts, the pad is designed to not hold water and it conforms better on the run to not feel so much like a diaper. Either way they work great in training both biking and long runs and I had no issues in the half iron which was a non wetsuit race, but will plan on wearing them under my wetsuit for my full iron next year and doing the ride in them too. They work that well for me.


2008-09-27 6:19 AM
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Subject: RE: Biking shorts vs Tri shorts
I now prefer tri shorts for all running and biking. It's easier to just have a couple of pairs that work for everything. I use Body Glide when racing, because it doesn't break down in water, and Chamois Butt'r for most rides.
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