Well, I'm no weary veteran but here's my two cents.

I prefer a two piece set up for two main reasons - 1) I'm on a limited budget and cannot afford to buy multiple suits/tops/bottoms, etc. I prefer a two piece because it's easier to rotate dirty gear or to just throw on a regular tech top of I'm not in race mode. So for me, a 2 piece (while slightly more expense at start) means less gear overall to buy.

2) I find them more comfortable and the ability to take off the top on hot days is a must for me.

I can't really answer your question of time savings but here's what I do know- Don't wear a tri-top with those big lower-back cycling pockets on the swim without something covering it. Those pockets will pop open, fill up with water and will slow you down like air brakes on a jet fighter. Either wear a wet suit or no top at all.

I own an actual one-piece tri-suit, and I curse the day I bought it. I mean, it's not bad, but it's a pain when you have to pee--which is usually a lot since you're drinking water before the race. Also: it doesn't have any pockets in the back, so you can't, for example, stick an extra water bottle in your back pockets. Granted, that's no big deal for a Sprint, but it'd be better to have a place to stick my sunglasses when it clouds over or whatever.

So: I rather strongly recommend getting a pair of tri shorts and a tank-top biking jersey that zips all the way down the front. You need the full zipper because pulling a biking jersey over your wet torso after the swim is an unnecessarily huge pain in the ass.

+ 1 with respect to what book em Danno said about a trisuit being hard to take off in case you need to pee. Regarding which is faster in the water, you might find an article somewhere online that claims a trisuit will inprove your speed in the water versus shirtless. Personally, I haven't noticed a difference.

+1 to Danno. Raced once in a onesie, hated it, sat in a bucket in the garage, cats peed on it, threw it away. An ex- got it for me anyways. Smart cat.

I have a tri suit. I didn't like the look of it, I felt like a moron in it. Race day came I had it on, I didn't notice any difference between wearing it and my normal shorts t shirts bike shorts etc;. I did notice, it was extremely comfortable, it had pockets in the back so it was extremely practical, Mine zipped up the front but those that zip the back I wouldn't worry about.
Mine fit and I think that is the key. It wont slow you if you have the right fit because your arms are completely free. It was a sprint race. For a full Iron man, I wouldn't wear it as I would take the time to change into sport specific gear I imagine, I am not looking to gain 2 to 3 mins in transition.

its whatever your comfortable with, the higher end suits are a little more stream lined

I can't speak for the tri-suits as I have never bought one, only because I have an odd shaped body where my waist and legs fit into a medium and my torso fits into large; hence, I use only a two piece tri shorts and top. No issues on the swim as the top is worn under the wet suit.

I think eveyone here is in consensus that a two-piece is the way to go because of cost, fit, biological needs, etc.

I go two piece for a number of reasons:
1. Gotta pee, one piece is a pain
2. Easier to get a good fit for most people (I'm a L top and M bottom)
3. Easier to make a top adjustment to account for weather conditions, (but I guess I could just wear a one piece and grab some arm warmers)
4. Purely a personal preference, but I feel like if I'm gonna suit up in the one piece, I better be uber-fit, and uber-fast

For sprint races in Florida, you can solve this problem very easily by just wearing tri-shorts for the entire race. What do you need a top for? You're probably not going to be out their long enough to get too much sun. If you are, just spray some waterproof SPF 50 on you before you head down to the beach. If you're worried about how not wearing a top would look, every male triathlon contestant looks ridiculous. We can deal with it, because we all look ridiculous together.

Isn't there a USAT or WTF rule that says you must wear a top? I think it's just the WTF.

[quote=jarhead]Isn't there a USAT or WTF rule that says you must wear a top? I think it's just the WTF.[/quote]

I am not SURE, but I think you mean WTC :)

[quote=jtrimom][quote=jarhead]Isn't there a USAT or WTF rule that says you must wear a top? I think it's just the WTF.[/quote]

I am not SURE, but I think you mean WTC :)
[/quote]

I don't know. I've seen some pudgey dudes that don't wear a shirt and I say WTF. I think maybe there should be WTF rules.

I think that calls for a whole other post called- WTF Rules for rules that the USAT and WTC have come up that make you go WTF, or rules that should be implemented for things you see out there that make you say WTF?

I'm not sure WTF the WTC rules are, but it can't be a USTA rule. I've been doing sprints down here in Florida for years, and most of the male racers don't wear tops.

I don't think the WTC is a rule-making body. They seem to default to USAT and ITU rules.

USAT rule 3.4(n) prohibits indecent exposure but that appears to be the only reference to what one wears. Of course, race directors are free to establish whatever rule they wish as long as it doesn't conflict with a USAT rule if they want to race to be USAT sanctioned, right?