Should I get a skinsuit?
02-20-18, 10:06 AM
#1
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Should I get a skinsuit?
I've never owned one. But I note that I can have a team skinsuit for half the price of a race jersey and race bibs. I'm thinking why not?
02-20-18, 11:56 AM
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A true skinsuit if for time trials and individual events on the track.
If you're talking about the hybrid/two-piece suit with pockets on the back for road-racing/crits, that's a different thing. It's basically a pair of shorts and a jersey sewn together. I think they can be nice if they fit you; but the whole reason for them is to be more form-fitting and aerodynamic. If they don't fit well, they won't do you much good.
In our team kits, I wear large bibs and x-large jersey. The two-piece road skinsuit doesn't fit me very well since you can't mix and match the sizing like you can with separates.
If you're talking about the hybrid/two-piece suit with pockets on the back for road-racing/crits, that's a different thing. It's basically a pair of shorts and a jersey sewn together. I think they can be nice if they fit you; but the whole reason for them is to be more form-fitting and aerodynamic. If they don't fit well, they won't do you much good.
In our team kits, I wear large bibs and x-large jersey. The two-piece road skinsuit doesn't fit me very well since you can't mix and match the sizing like you can with separates.
02-20-18, 12:36 PM
#7
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I use a skinsuit for crits always. Don't need pockets when all your stuff is near by. You can put gels under the grippers on your legs.
The hybrid ones with pockets are actually pretty good for road races too, IMO. Our current team kit sponsor doesn't make one, but my previous team's had some and they were really nice. Definitely a bit more form fitting than standard kit.
The hybrid ones with pockets are actually pretty good for road races too, IMO. Our current team kit sponsor doesn't make one, but my previous team's had some and they were really nice. Definitely a bit more form fitting than standard kit.
02-20-18, 12:53 PM
#8
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As others have said - there's a skinsuit (no pockets) and a speedsuit (with pockets). A skinsuit is great for TTs and crits (or other shorter events where you don't need to carry stuff with you in a pocket). It comes down to how much you're use it.
02-20-18, 01:02 PM
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There are those tweener suits like the Castelli SANREMO with full front zippers too.
02-20-18, 01:17 PM
#10
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I find the tweener suits really comfortable, especially in the hot weather (no double layers anywhere or straps). Voler's fits me really well & like the Sanremo has a full front zipper.
02-20-18, 01:21 PM
#11
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There's also the thing where (real) skinsuits make you feel faster, and hence make you faster!
Fwiw I hate the hybrid skinsuits, at least the one my team has. Fabric is too thick, weird fit, and the two pockets aren't enough for a big RR if I need an extra bottle.
Fwiw I hate the hybrid skinsuits, at least the one my team has. Fabric is too thick, weird fit, and the two pockets aren't enough for a big RR if I need an extra bottle.
02-20-18, 01:47 PM
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FWIW, I just in the past couple months bought a Galibier to do ITT in this year.
Shipping was a bit long from the UK. But the Brit time trial guys on their forum suggested it as a skinsuit on a budget lower than Castelli stuff.
Shipping was a bit long from the UK. But the Brit time trial guys on their forum suggested it as a skinsuit on a budget lower than Castelli stuff.
02-20-18, 06:07 PM
#13
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the ones this year are the same fabric though? I love the speedsuit! The skinsuit makes me look way too fat. Not sure I can ever wear it again.
02-20-18, 08:32 PM
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I wear a long sleeve skinsuit for crits unless it's 1800 degrees.
For time trials I typically don't give a **** and just wear shorts and a jersey.
Wish we had a speedsuit!
For time trials I typically don't give a **** and just wear shorts and a jersey.
Wish we had a speedsuit!
02-20-18, 11:55 PM
#15
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I got a shortsleeve. And I'm going to wear it whenever I feel like. Including on group rides. And to bed. And on campouts.
02-21-18, 11:20 AM
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I have a skinsuit and speedsuits (San Remo). If it wasn't for having to carry an inhaler in my back pocket, I'd probably use a skinsuit most races.
Supposedly the San Remo saves 15 watts at 40 kph, and you can add about 5 watts to skinsuit. For me, its noticeable.
Supposedly the San Remo saves 15 watts at 40 kph, and you can add about 5 watts to skinsuit. For me, its noticeable.
02-21-18, 06:50 PM
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02-21-18, 07:03 PM
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Supposedly faster now, though most racers don't line up in standard kits anymore. Most drag is from the body and not the bike so the big savings makes sense.
https://blog.castelli-cycling.com/20...ng-innovation/
https://blog.castelli-cycling.com/20...ng-innovation/
About six years ago, the Sanremo Speedsuit was the fastest option out there for road racing, offering significant time savings through aerodynamics: 15 watts at 40 km/h. But then in 2014, we developed a faster back/shoulder construction technique with the Aero Race 5.0 jersey, so we updated the Sanremo 3.2 Speedsuit and produced a savings of 24 watts compared to a standard cycling jersey. That savings, of 24 watts at 40 km/h, equates to roughly 90 seconds saved over a 60-minute effort.
02-21-18, 07:21 PM
#24
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Sounds like marketing b.s. I just can't imagine that a speedsuit is 24 watts faster than a jersey and shorts unless that jersey and shorts are flapping all over the place. My jersey and shorts are skin tight. Only difference between them and my skinsuit is a bit of fabric around the collar bone and a weird scrunch around the breast bone when I'm hunched over.
Seems to be the common kit arrangement in my races (hardly anyone has speedsuits around here).
I mean, again, I race crits in a longsleeve skinsuit, so I'm buying into the "there's a difference" idea, i Just find that large a difference pretty hard to swallow.
If I take all the wattage savings as marketed that a skinsuit and my helmet and my bike and wheels and everything else are supposed to give I should go as fast as someone with 100+ extra watts or so!
Seems to be the common kit arrangement in my races (hardly anyone has speedsuits around here).
I mean, again, I race crits in a longsleeve skinsuit, so I'm buying into the "there's a difference" idea, i Just find that large a difference pretty hard to swallow.
If I take all the wattage savings as marketed that a skinsuit and my helmet and my bike and wheels and everything else are supposed to give I should go as fast as someone with 100+ extra watts or so!
02-22-18, 08:32 PM
#25
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If you can fit a skinsuit without looking ridiculous (like me) then you might as well get one.
The fact that you would basically save it/them for races would help do some conditioned response, so putting it on will get you amped up.
Me, I look like I'm pregnant when I'm breathing hard so my optimistically purchased skinsuits are saved for the trainer.
The fact that you would basically save it/them for races would help do some conditioned response, so putting it on will get you amped up.
Me, I look like I'm pregnant when I'm breathing hard so my optimistically purchased skinsuits are saved for the trainer.
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"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
