Interesting thread, I am just training for my first tri me triathlon in 6 weeks. Having not cycled more than a couple of times in the 20 years since I got a car my bottom was pretty sore the first few times but it does seem to be less so, the LBS advised on posture on the bike which helped a lot but he did also advise decent shorts. I have a Craft Tri suit and have been training in that as I build fitness but when I start going for longer rides I may well invest in a decent pair of shorts.