View Single Post
Old 04-06-18 | 02:45 PM
  #139  
OBoile
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 375
Originally Posted by mcours2006
If we're talking about how or why (tighter-fitting) cycling-specific clothing is superior to loose-fitting (cycling or non-cycling specific clothing), it's not because it's become the norm. It's become the norm because it's superior. Close to your skin means that any sweat will come to the surface and evaporate, keeping you cool (or warm) under any condition. There's a slight aerodynamic advantage to be gained. The constant flap-flap-flapping of loose clothing, even if it wasn't an aero drag, is a nuisance.

But wear what you want. You don't need anyone else's approval to do it. Who cares what some small-minded stranger on the internet thinks?!
It's actually fairly significant. Cycling Weekly did a test comparing how much power it took to ride at 40kph between t-shirt and shorts, typical cycling kit, and a skinsuit. The difference was pretty large (285 watts for t-shirt and shorts vs 257 for a regular cycling kit and 252 for a skinsuit). So basically you're looking at a 10% savings in energy.

OBoile is offline