"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Skinsuits...

I was looking through some pro team stuff and noticed that most teams sell skinsuits. What is the purpose of a skin suit other than the obious areo advantage. Are they used in time trial work? Do they really provide and advantage?

http://www.53x12.com/do/show?page=article&id=13
http://www.tourdefrancenews.com/tourdefrance/experts/columns/0,3489,s1-9062,00.html

just bremember one thing about skinsuits... not everyone can or should wear one.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16208&stc=1

hope you weren't reading this over breakfast.

Yuck!

http://www.jimmy-chan.com/images/tronGuy.jpg

F'n TRON!!! ahaaaaaahaa

I like that one more than Cippos various outfits...

Thanks for the info... would someone be considered over the top to wear one in a non competative time trial... I have never seen anyone wearing one and wondered why.

There's definitely a point of diminishing returns.
Science has proven that if you look like an overstuffed sausage, you'll ride slower.

Thanks for the info... would someone be considered over the top to wear one in a non competative time trial... I have never seen anyone wearing one and wondered why.

What the heck is a non-competitive time trial?

If it's a USCF sanctioned timed event, you'll see skinsuits.

Our team has skinsuits and they're not too bad. They're made by Sugoi and fit like a second skin and are quite comfortable unless it's really hot out. Racers in race shape normally don't look to goofy in them but if you're carrying some extra weight there is no place to hide it.

Can you imagine Tron Boy stopping at a convenience store during a ride, and walking inside dressed like that? :roflmao: Just imagine the looks on the cashier's and customers' faces...

A non competative time trial is a time trial where you try and beat a personal time or to test one self. Riverside Bicycle Club holds them 6 times per year for training.

I've always liked the idea of a skinsuit for general riding. It's really only one step beyond bib shorts. The thing I like about them is that you eliminate the waist-band and you have a built in jersey. I like my jerseys on the snug side and tend to like smaller or no pads in my shorts anyways. (I'm not modest either - I like my body.)

Cheers

Yeah, I can see that point - but I like my padding and I like to be able to open up the jersey all the way and have it flapping behind me going up the big climbs.... Whenever I'm suffering up a hill with the chest exposed I'm reminded of that often-seen picture of Voeckler struggling in the mountains of the 04 TdF.

That postie looks friggin sleek!

Man they should sell those!

Postie? What do you mean? Where?

I meant postie as in "Us Postal Service Cycling Team"

If you're going to wear suits like our friends in the photos, it does help to be built like Cipo.