Road Bike Racing - skinsuit in a crit

I've noticed that many riders wear skinsuits in crits...
do you? explain

aero?

aero?

Yes. No need for pockets.

I would if I had one. I don't...so, I don't.

well, if you do happen to see a guy in a skinsuit, better watch him as he could be liable to go off the front. ;)

-Bullseye

Always.

Hi,

Yes, as long as it's less than 1-1/2 hours and I haven't ridden a crit longer than that in over 15 years. ;)

Why? Because I feel (and hopefully look) faster. :D Also short crits don't require any food or goo in pockets.

Always wear a jersey and bibs in a road race regardless of length. Just call me a traditionalist. :rolleyes:

I'm a friggin Cat 5. I'd be better off wearing spray on bed liner.

Always. Feels faser, more comrotable in and out of the saddle.

I'm a friggin Cat 5. I'd be better off wearing spray on bed liner.

:roflmao:

Even if I had a skinsuit I wouldn't where one until I was fast enough (and consistent enough) to be finishing in the top 10 every race.

always.

Throw on the fast wheels, contort yourself into the skinsuit and you're away.

If you ride to most crits, just wear a jersey over the top for wallet, phone, keys etc.

I have a skinsuit. However, I don't wear it in crits because it would cost too much to replace if I crashed and ruined it. I do use it for TT, and duathlons.

I do use it for TT, and duathlons.


people crash in these too...

a mate of mine was world duathlon champ a couple of times and sez some of those blokes are the worst bike handlers going around. Plus they set up into positions that make bike control marginal.

Nah, a bit expensive for this poor racer.

I would if I had one. This fall when we place our team order I will definitely be ordering one. I also wish we could get long sleeve skinsuits because of the large number of cross races I do. Unfortunately not many riders on my team race cross so it's not really an option.

I'm with snicklefritz...they cost too much to replace if I crash.

Plus the regular jersey might afford just slightly more protection :P

I'm with snicklefritz...they cost too much to replace if I crash.

Plus the regular jersey might afford just slightly more protection :P

The old school trick for crash protection is a tee shirt with the sleeves cut off underneath. Cuts down on the road rash to shoulders & back.

I use my skinsuit for TT's and Track pretty much exclusively. I used it for a hilly road race so I could have a little more of an advantage than anyone else on the main downhill, but it didn't help because I was still new with mass-starts.

Yes. No need for pockets.

+1 Always in crits and any race under 2 hours.
I just feel faster in it.

+1 Always in crits and any race under 2 hours.
I just feel faster in it.

you don't need to be any faster. lol. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

We are still waiting for the showdown between you and Vino.

Our team has an unoffical 10% or less bodyfat rule for the wearing of these things. :p

It really should be in the USCF rulebook too.

I would if I had one. I don't...so, I don't.

ditto

+ 1 with cmh and Snuffleupagus

I always wear the skin suit for crits.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/MDcatV/RestonIMG_12141.jpg

If you do, make sure you use spray-on adhesive for your race number and make sure your lycra shoe covers match your team kit. Don't bother if it starts with the number '5' - save your money for a bigger training log book. But if you really want to know, wear it out in traffic and if any Mexican guys whistle at you, it's a "sausage suit" and you're better off with black shorts, hairy legs and a Camelback.

i geuss if you have one, go ahead.

but to get one for just crits would be kinda silly IMO. in most cases you will only be out in the wind for a a few minutes of the total race anyway, not having pockets inst going to do much then..

i geuss if you have one, go ahead.

but to get one for just crits would be kinda silly IMO. in most cases you will only be out in the wind for a a few minutes of the total race anyway, not having pockets inst going to do much then..


A few minutes? You must have some pretty easy racing.

A few minutes? You must have some pretty easy racing.

My goal is to be in the wind as much as possible in a crit. If I'm hitting the front, that means I'm in a break, and breaks are good for the soul. And the bank account.

A few minutes? You must have some pretty easy racing.

+1

Wassup with that?? :/

yes. jerseys tend to ride up around the waist, but that may be more common for women than men.

A few minutes? You must have some pretty easy racing.


i've never been in a crit where a braek stuck, so i try to surf in the top 1/3rd, only pulling once in a while to feel out the field and waiting for the sprint. I wont claim to be a master of riding in crits, but would you say drafting as much is possible is bad strategy?

i've done collegiate c's and cat 4-5, so nothing too intense. its mostly dodging the sketch balls, getting primes and waiting for the sprint...

i think its overkill to wear one for an aero-advantage at this level, but those of you at higher levels needn't listen to me.

i've never been in a crit were a brake stuck, so i try to surf in the top 1/3rd. only pulling once in a while and waiting for the sprint. I wont claim to be a master of riding in crits, but would you say conserving energy and drafting as much is possible is bad strategy?


No, it's not bad strategy sometimes, but how will you ever learn your limits, if you aren't attacking during those lower cat years.

The guys that improve fastest in the early years, are the ones that shut off their minds and go for broke always.

**** yeah, skinsuits, booties, disc wheels whatever it dosnt matter your going to look cooler.

My goal is to be in the wind as much as possible in a crit. If I'm hitting the front, that means I'm in a break, and breaks are good for the soul. And the bank account.

+1000

I have an old skinsuit in the closet. If I wear it, will it mark me as someone to watch ?? Maybe I should just wear a t-shirt and sneak into the front for the sprint.