Transition gear and apparel

[Michael Melarag]

Hi, I will be attempting my first Tri in May, an International distance one. In preparation I have
read the book Triathlon 101 in which the author suggests that if the race is shorter than a half IM
to do the whole thing in a Speedo. I don't think that I am all that comfortable with that.

My question is this, what do you guys recommend for equipment for an Olympic distance? Are bike
shoes not appropriate? I am thinking of getting one of those bike/run shorts and wearing it under my
wetsuit. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-Mike in AZ

 

[John Hardt]

Mike,

Yes, get yourself a pair of "tri shorts" (<http://www.trisports.com/desottrishor.html>).

Many people on this forum (including myself) swear by DeSoto brand, but there are others (e.g.
Zoot). They have padding to help on the bike, but the pad is small enough you won't even notice it
while swimming or running. You can wear them for the entire race (including under a wetsuit) and
they will serve you well at the International distance and under.

I also recommend bike shoes, they will help you get more power on the bike which translates into
speed. But it's also perfectly appropriate to do your first race without so you can see if you like
the sport before you invest a bunch of cash in equipment.

Let your wallet be your guide, the only things that are absolutely necessary are some kind of
swimming attire (see above), swim goggles, bike, bike helmet, and running shoes. The rest is
optional fluff.

I'm reading into your speedo comment here, but if you're worried about the "revealing" nature of tri
clothing, I wouldn't get too worked up about it. You'll be surprised how quickly your brain switches
to "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" mode (AKA peer pressure) when you show up for your first race
and virtually everyone is wearing the same black tri shorts.

Good luck at your race.

John

On 1/25/03 11:09 AM, in article, "Michael Melaragni" wrote:

> Hi, I will be attempting my first Tri in May, an International distance one. In preparation I have
> read the book Triathlon 101 in which the author suggests that if the race is shorter than a half
> IM to do the whole thing in a Speedo. I don't think that I am all that comfortable with that.
>
> My question is this, what do you guys recommend for equipment for an Olympic distance? Are bike
> shoes not appropriate? I am thinking of getting one of those bike/run shorts and wearing it under
> my wetsuit. Any info is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> -Mike in AZ

 

[User]

On 25 Jan 2003 08:09:58 -0800, [email protected] (Michael Melaragni) wrote:

>Hi, I will be attempting my first Tri in May, an International distance one. In preparation I have
>read the book Triathlon 101 in which the author suggests that if the race is shorter than a half IM
>to do the whole thing in a Speedo. I don't think that I am all that comfortable with that.

Wear several layers of speedos and won't have to worry about that.

>
>My question is this, what do you guys recommend for equipment for an Olympic distance? Are bike
>shoes not appropriate? I am thinking of getting one of those bike/run shorts and wearing it under
>my wetsuit. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Just get something with a bike pad that it is thin enough not to drive you nuts during the swim and
run. In other words, plain old bike shorts won't do the trick.

>
>Thanks
>
>-Mike in AZ

 

[Tom]

Good correct, Tom! Always check first! I was assuming that it was draft legal.

By the way, you bring up a good question: What is the reasoning behind some races being draft-legal
and some being draft-illegal? And, relatedly, why can't there be an "industry standard?"

Tom (not advocating anything naughty!)

"Tom Henderson" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Tom wrote:
> > Good for you! May I suggest that you get yourself a pair of tri shorts.
> >
> > Also, my first advice for the first time: try not to pay any attention
to
> > anybody during the race (unless you can use them for drafting!)
>
> Is the race he's planning to do draft legal, or did you just advocate cheating?
>
> > - race for yourself and simply finish. If you compare yourself to others when it's
your
> > first time, and they are seasoned pros, you'll give yourself a) an
ulcer,
> > and b) a heart attack.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
> > "Michael Melaragni" <[email protected]> wrote in
message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>Hi, I will be attempting my first Tri in May, an International distance one. In preparation I
> >>have read the book Triathlon 101 in which the author suggests that if the race is shorter
> >>than a half IM to do the whole thing in a Speedo. I don't think that I am all that
> >>comfortable with that.
> >>
> >>My question is this, what do you guys recommend for equipment for an Olympic distance? Are bike
> >>shoes not appropriate? I am thinking of getting one of those bike/run shorts and wearing it
> >>under my wetsuit. Any info is greatly appreciated.
> >>
> >>Thanks
> >>
> >>-Mike in AZ
> >
> >
>

 

[Chris Maginn]

Hell yeah! And if it isn't then I'll continue to be a shameless outlaw in the water. They'll have to
take away my wetsuit to make me stop ('cause I sure as hell won't do a race without one...I need all
the help I can get).

"Jim Gosse" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I thought drafting was legal in the swim?
>
> Jim

 

[Kim]

Very precise resume - just as I remember it.

Tom Henderson wrote:

> Tom wrote:
> > Good correct, Tom! Always check first! I was assuming that it was draft legal.
> >
> > By the way, you bring up a good question: What is the reasoning behind some races being
> > draft-legal and some being draft-illegal? And, relatedly, why can't there be an "industry
> > standard?"
> >
> > Tom (not advocating anything naughty!)
> >
>
> Now there's a can of worms! You'll find that the adoption of rules which allow drafting for pro
> (and now some amateur) events has been hotly debated here.
>
> I'm one of the one who feels that drafting certainly makes for an interesting event, but veers too
> far away from the intent of triathlon, which is essentially a time trial event.
>
> That usually brings in comments about drafting being allowed in the swim and run, so why not on
> the bike. Then some people will say that the draft doesn't make as big of a difference in the
> other events. Then someone will say that they can swim 30% faster when they are drafting, which
> someone else will call a blatant lie. Then someone will say that swimmers get more benefit from
> the wet suit than they ever could from drafting. Then someone will say that wet suits should only
> be allowed when the water is under 59F. Then someone will say that clydesdales shouldn't wear wet
> suits, since they're buoyant enough anyway. Then the whole "why have a Clydesdale division?"
> question comes up. Brian will then point out than Marx and Lenin were blatant drafters, that
> capitalism and the U.S. will fail due to clydesdales, and that referees should ride the course
> alone on dirt bikes, randomly firing handguns at anyone they catch drafting. Which bring us to the
> value of quality engineering in sunglasses and what that's truly worth...
>
> See what you've started?

 

[Bfp]

Other than missing out on anti Team in Training rants, TriCalifornia race registration, and having
only !one! beratement by Brian, I think you nailed things quite well. Going with Marx and Lenin over
the usenet-standard ****** reference is a nice touch as well.

Tom Henderson <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Tom wrote:
> > Good correct, Tom! Always check first! I was assuming that it was draft legal.
> >
> > By the way, you bring up a good question: What is the reasoning behind some races being
> > draft-legal and some being draft-illegal? And, relatedly, why can't there be an "industry
> > standard?"
> >
> > Tom (not advocating anything naughty!)
> >
>
> Now there's a can of worms! You'll find that the adoption of rules which allow drafting for pro
> (and now some amateur) events has been hotly debated here.
>
> I'm one of the one who feels that drafting certainly makes for an interesting event, but veers too
> far away from the intent of triathlon, which is essentially a time trial event.
>
> That usually brings in comments about drafting being allowed in the swim and run, so why not on
> the bike. Then some people will say that the draft doesn't make as big of a difference in the
> other events. Then someone will say that they can swim 30% faster when they are drafting, which
> someone else will call a blatant lie. Then someone will say that swimmers get more benefit from
> the wet suit than they ever could from drafting. Then someone will say that wet suits should only
> be allowed when the water is under 59F. Then someone will say that clydesdales shouldn't wear wet
> suits, since they're buoyant enough anyway. Then the whole "why have a Clydesdale division?"
> question comes up. Brian will then point out than Marx and Lenin were blatant drafters, that
> capitalism and the U.S. will fail due to clydesdales, and that referees should ride the course
> alone on dirt bikes, randomly firing handguns at anyone they catch drafting. Which bring us to the
> value of quality engineering in sunglasses and what that's truly worth...
>
> See what you've started?