"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Skinsuit, LS or SS

Alright wind tunnel gurus, what's faster, Long sleeved or or Short sleeved skinsuit? Assume that the weather is such that I could go either way as far as temperature is concerned.

Thanks,
B.

I'm fairly certain its long sleeve, but if you want to be sure, google time trial world championships and look at the images, it will probably give you the answer there.

As far as I know, it's long-sleeved. Most people would say that more skin covered by lycra is better. The key, of course, is fit--you don't want ripples in your arms or anywhere in your suit. For that reason, short-sleeve suits are a lot easier to fit different body sizes. The negative of long-sleeve skinsuits is that they can feel warm in certain climates. Many pros will actually start with a long-sleeve skinsuit and cut the sleeves near the elbow to get the most aero effect while keeping the lower arm bare for "cooling."

With that said, I really don't think the difference is that significant. It is much easier to find a well-fitting short-sleeve skinsuit than a long one and it will be a lot more versatile for most riders.

Long sleeve usually, though the advantage isn't much.

Long sleeve usually, though the advantage isn't much.
It might be for me and my hairy arms. :D

Alright wind tunnel gurus, what's faster, Long sleeved or or Short sleeved skinsuit? Assume that the weather is such that I could go either way as far as temperature is concerned.

Thanks,
B.

long sleeve.

Long sleeve usually, though the advantage isn't much.

for mortals: correct.

for pros: incorrect.

Old school Mike Burroughs says long sleeves have wrinkles and not to use them. He's the only person I know of who is an advocate against their use.

O'Donnell has spent more time in the tunnel than Armstrong. He says long sleeve. If he were here he'd mock the question.

awesome, thanks for the replies.

Now I just hope I'm in a category that allows me to purchase a skinsuit.

Now I just hope I'm in a category that allows me to purchase a skinsuit.

??

Old school Mike Burroughs says long sleeves have wrinkles and not to use them. He's the only person I know of who is an advocate against their use.
I don't see any wrinkles on the ones I've seen.

I'm surprised nobody has asked if they make the sleeves with dimples yet :D

Long sleeves. Go!

I don't see any wrinkles on the ones I've seen.

I'm surprised nobody has asked if they make the sleeves with dimples yet :D


ummmm

Here is my skinsuit for nest season.... :thumb:
http://www.champ-sys.com/blank_no_title.asp?SPID=83439&Title=Speed+Suit+long+sleeve&OrgID=1521

Old school Mike Burroughs says long sleeves have wrinkles and not to use them. He's the only person I know of who is an advocate against their use.

and he's remarkably incorrect.

can't speak from personal experience, merely echoing what a friend of mine who knows more about apparel technology than anyone on this forum.

fwiw - these two are wearing the results of a project that he lead, several year ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00780/chris_hoy_victoria__780826c.jpg

O'Donnell has spent more time in the tunnel than Armstrong. He says long sleeve. If he were here he'd mock the question.

:lol:

Long Sleeve skin suits are hotter than hell in the summer. Get a short sleeve and shave your arms.

Long Sleeve skin suits are hotter than hell in the summer. Get a short sleeve and shave your arms.

is the wrong answer.

is the wrong answer.

Good call. I wore my LS SS in Ohio in August. Mine actually cools you a little.

Good call. I wore my LS SS in Ohio in August. Mine actually cools you a little.
I've got the same skinsuit as you, the ChampSys longsleeve, and I've NEVER had a problem with it being hot, and I've raced it on some HOT days.
I like that new ChampSys skinsuit, I know Pearl Izumi and Louis Garnea are doing the same type thing now.

Well the one I was wearing is Verge and it is a little toasty. Although I do see how a LS skin suite could easily be designed to be cool.

Is it cheaper to go SS skinsuit and armwarmers?

Look at me, pinching pennies, bwahahahahaha!

And, shaving your arms is really ****ing ghey.

^^ But then so is pink lycra. This whole sport is an exercise in being comfortable looking like an idiot.

and he's remarkably incorrect.

can't speak from personal experience, merely echoing what a friend of mine who knows more about apparel technology than anyone on this forum.

fwiw - these two are wearing the results of a project that he lead, several year ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00780/chris_hoy_victoria__780826c.jpg

Yeah. Though I'd posit Hoy in a skin suit like that is more about intimidation than aerodynamic advantage. That's some scary looking ****. That guy can crush souls with a glance.

And, shaving your arms is really ****ing ghey.

And practical when you rip half the skin off your forearm.

Yeah. Though I'd posit Hoy in a skin suit like that is more about intimidation than aerodynamic advantage. That's some scary looking ****. That guy can crush souls with a glance.

you should see his father. same face, with about 150 lbs of beer and chips on top.

I don't see any wrinkles on the ones I've seen.

I'm surprised nobody has asked if they make the sleeves with dimples yet :D


I thing TEAM DISCOVERY skin suits do actually:)

Discovery Team skin suit

The arms are dimpled (like the modern Zipp wheels) to decrease wind resistance.

I don't worry too much about aero benefits, but when racing on the track or in crits, I prefer the longsleeve. Makes me feel like I'm more protected even though I'm probably not.

I have two, long and short sleeved. I'm yet to wear the short-sleeved.