The actual tri suits dry out super fast on the bike as long as it fits you well, so there shouldn't be much chafing. That said, you can always use Body Glide on areas you are worried about chafing. For my first sprint tri, I didn't want to invest in a tri suit so I wore my swimsuit in the water then put on tri shorts over my swimsuit for the bike and run. The swimsuit takes longer to dry out than the tri suits do. After my first sprint, I decided I wanted to stick with triathlons, so I invested in tri tops and more tri shorts. You can adjust a two piece tri suit more to prevent chafing more than you can adjust the one piece tri suits.

Good luck!

I'd go tri suit. They dry out within the time you're in T1 usually, they have a pad for the bike, and they're pretty much designed for this. You can do shorter races in a bathing suit, but I hurt just thinking about that. What ever you do wear whatever you plan to bike and run in into the water. There is no reason to change clothes in transition. Plus changing wet compression clothing/putting on compression clothing while your skin is wet is a pain in the *kitten*.

I agree. I have a tri suit and love it. I shopped around for a deal on one, as they can be quite expensive! On the three I've done, the suit has been dry so quickly that I never even noticed it being wet. I would hate to have on a wet bathing suit and have to add another step to my transition. Good luck!

Go with the trisuit, it's worth it. Just be sure to get a 2 piece - too many issues with a one piece.

I disagree. Mine is a one piece and I love it. I haven't had any issues at all. Now, if you think you'll stop during the race to use a porta potty...maybe...but I don't do that!

So much good advice! One more question....I'm looking on ebay at used ones since I have limited $$$ to spend. Do they tend to fit small? I wear a 12-14 now, so I assume I would order a large. Good assumption?

I'm a size 6 and I have a medium. I think they differ by brand, but I would go for a large as a 12. Good luck!