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The wife has set herself a goal of completing a small triathlon this year. Swim in a indoor pool, biking on the local tt road course and a run. Question is: would she benefit from a "tri-suit" ?
Knowing her as I do, she will probably do loads more triathlons when she realises she can do it.
Thanks
she'll be faster without sleeves.
don't know why; it's just the way of the world. 😉
Ha, noted !
Probably not for pool based swim. Would prefer too shorts and cropped top. Suits are better for OW when under a wetsuit IMO
If she/you want a trisuit make sure it's one without back pockets as they cause drag when swimming
The three letters "TRI" equal rip off normally but good bargains in the sales now
Depends what it would replace. If it means she doesn't have/need to put other stuff on in transition then yes (I think back many years to my first triathlon, I think it took me about 5 minutes to put a helly hansen thermal on, don't underestimate the friction between damp skin and a thermal!).
Otherwise, not really.
Definitely not for me, pedalling only ! Think we'll have a look on start cycles or somewhere for a two piece if tri suits not worth it.
I'd say yes, get one. Some on wiggle and the like at a good price at the moment. You can use them layered up or otherwise to train in for biking and running or doing a brick session so it's not just for race day. Not all swimming pool based tri take you through the changing rooms from swim to bike so shorts would have to go on over the swim suit which can be a chaffing issue, especially for ladies.
Cnud, it is a tricky one tbf
Don't underestimate the aggro of trying to get dry kit on a wet body - get a tri suit
Tri suits are easy, comfortable and work for all disciplines*
* as long as you avoid ones with pockets if swimming in a pool. Please do check this otherwise you/she will be wasting her money
I prefer them with sleeves, less chaffing.
if you can get a cheap one in a sale possibly i would, it does make life a lot easier (my first tri i had to get changed from trunks to cycle kit in a windy carpark transition in april so i can talk from experience, plus running in cycle shorts can be a bit uncomfortable). but its really not essential and it may be better to do one and then spend cash on a decent tri suit rather than buy a cheap quality suit.
if you do get one make sure to do some pool sessions in it as they do swim differently.
honestly though its better to spend time on your transition box and routine, and don't sweat the first one its just to have a go. lots of talc in teh shoes and on your mat/towel, tri laces, super bright towel so you can spot it, pace the swim, the bike is where you will make/lost most time, the last half mile of the bike spin like crazy to loosen the legs and then get ready for the weirdest sensation ever when you start to run. a good tip i was given was get a tune with a strong repetitive beat in your head and use that to drive your legs.
I think so. I did a sprint tri a few years ago and didn't bother with any of that 'tri-suit nonsense' instead using a pair of lycra shorts. The problem is that after the swim putting on a T-Shirt over a wet torso is not a quick process as the T-shirt sticks and rolls up and gathers up as you try to put it on. Another thing is that she should get used to riding and running in cycling shoes and running shoes without socks. I must have wasted a good 40 seconds at the first transition faffing about with my T-shirt and socks. In a Tri-suit and not wearing socks i'd have been much quicker at the transitions. But given my pathetic running capability I don't think i'm within a handful of seconds wasted at the transitions of any records or significant placings.
Having said that women have the option of doing it in a swimming costume, maybe with cycling shorts over the top.
Good stuff, thanks again
The big issue is the shorts - she'll need something she can swim, bike and run in (to state the bleedin' obvious). The pad in cycling shorts are a pain to swim in (I've tried), and run in. The pad in tri shorts (or a tri suit) is much thinner and works pretty well for all three disciplines. FWIW, I use tri shorts and a tri top rather than a full suit.
A swimsuit is fine up to a Sprint distance (750/20/5). Beyond some kind of discrete pad in the shorts adds a little comfort. Madame raced tri for 20+ years and never owned a trisuit. It's not needed for short distances and a no-no for long distances where she'll probably need a pee at some point.
Decathlon sell them ~ £30. Aldi sell them ~£10. 3rd London triathlon I upgraded to the Decathlon on, it is a better cut and fit. They make the 4th discipline considerably easier.
Also recommend decathlon tri suit.
I'd say yes. If you're looking at Start Fitness/Cycles, the More Mile ones they stock are great value. Mine never gets used anymore as I've got a nice subtle yellow and black set of top and shorts that identifies me as a crap triathlete who prefers beer, but it did the job admirably.
Need a pee??
That's what the swim is for - look at the faces of the swimmers at the start as they wait in the cold water. The wee smile is a give away
Never peed during ride or run even in half iron man tris. More a battle of staying hydrated not being over hydrated
I found DHB liner shorts to be a good halfway house. The pads pretty minimal so no problem being wet and not uncomfortable to run in. Only £10 too.
For full distance I just took the hit in time and got fully changed. At my end of the results table taking an extra couple of minutes in transition is irrelevant in the interest of comfort.
There are decent cheap tri suits available via Amazon.
I think my girlfriend got my tri suit from Amazon and, whilst cheap, it was a better thing to wear than chopping and changing shorts and shirts. I was outdoors on a relatively not freezing day though.
Even with this, I still messed up T1, so practice that... Getting a wetsuit off is a night mare when your arms are tired.
For those trying to get clothes over a wet body then roll them up to start with and roll them onto you.
Like ilf said I'd say it depends on what she has already for a first tri I wouldn't buy anything if I could get by. For a novice tri the distances aren't really that great to have issues with rubbing and wotnot. If she does like it then go for it.
Saying that elastic laces are handy. And on that note I'd advise not going down the shoes in pedals route for a beginner, can be very amusing watching though.
I'd say tri suit along with the number belt are the best things ever. The first tri i ever did, i spent over 5mins in T1 trying to get clothes on especially when you've safety pinned a number to your t-shirt.
Tri suit and number belt every day of the week
I'd say - don't bother for the first tri, just go with a swimsuit and clothes over the top.
If your other half plans to do more triathlons, then definitely dive in and get kit. Tri suits are fine up to Olympic distance, over that I find a top/short combo to be better. Of course at IM distance you have a changing tent and everyone is getting naked anyway 😮
In terms of tri suit pockets, I reckon you're better off with pockets. You'll miss them at Olympic distance, and they're only a (very minor) disadvantage in a pool swim - any open water swim you'll be wearing a wetsuit anyway. If you're only doing one pool-based sprint a year and you're not competing for the podium, you're not going to notice the difference IMO.
I did a series a while back of 800m swim 40km bike and 5km run and did them all the in the dhb liner shorts mentioned up there. It was fine, by the time you're off the bike they've dried in time for the run. Admittedly it wasn't the single most comfortable thing I've ever done, but for the couple of hours a Tri takes..? mleh.
Of course at IM distance you have a changing tent and everyone is getting naked anyway
What has triathlon come to? Tents!
I never changed even at IM. Everything dries within a few kms. Usually had a couple of pees though during a descent on the bike and while jogging along. If you don't need a pee in a half I suggest you are dehydrated to the point of losing a bit of power.
not if the water is warm enough to ban them.any open water swim you'll be wearing a wetsuit anyway.
Not overly likely to happen in the UK....
Mallorca this year wetsuits were banned the day before. Then they must have gone out in a boat searching for a patch of water that was cold enough to allow wetsuits the morning of the race, resulting in lots of people running back to their hotels in a panic to get their wetsuits.