fletch wrote:ok... thought this through some more. i'm thinking of the following combinations:
Swim - Tri shorts and wetsuit
Bike - Tri shorts, bib shorts and jersey
Run - Tri shorts and running singlet
Don't see the need for the tri top if it's only going to ride up and become a very unflattering boob tube and no need to wear it in the swim.
Am I missing anything obvious here?
I find this works very well:
Swim: Trishorts, Tri top,
non bib bike shorts, wetsuit
Bike: Trishorts, Tri top,
non bib bike shorts + socks
run: Trishorts, Tri top + socks.
The advantages of this are that (apart from adding socks) you are only ever taking kit off - getting bib shorts and jersey on when you are wet will be a complete arse. Also, at the end of the bike it takes less than a second to remove your shorts before you put your shoes on. Tri top also saves you time from multiple changes, plus my Champ sys tri top has pockets for storing gels for the run which you wouldn't have in a singlet. I've had no problems with wet shorts after the swim, they dry quickly once you get the wind on them and frankly if you are hydrating enough, there's a good chance you'll piss in them later on anyway.
I went with full changes for my first IM but have been using the above system ever since and it's the best solution I've found*.
*apart from the time I forgot to take my bike shorts off until about 5km into the run and had to carry them for the rest of the run lap until I could throw them over the fence into transition on the next lap!!