Aero gains matter at every speed. The often quoted breakpoint for aero is aero vs weight. I don’t know if the spirit of gravel would look kindly on those who decide to wear nothing.
There’s certainly times during riding where I consider stripping off my skinsuit and asking my support car to drive it to the top of the climb. They keep saying that donning and doffing the suit is more time than if I just kept riding. Plus think how much more you would have to shave.
I never seem to pee in long races
This must be dependent on the brand, because my Castelli skin suit is super easy to pull down and pee. It actually has more give than my bibs and I much prefer it.
Most modern design skinsuits don’t have this issue….at the least the ones that have a full zipper that disconnects at the bottom. The zipper portion of the top is them semi-separate from the bottom, making….ahem….access much easier.
The zipper for the Rule28 doesn’t disconnect, but I didn’t have an issue. There’s a little bit of a “hunch” taking a leak, but the fabric had enough stretch it wasn’t a consideration for me. (Again, I haven’t used my gravel suit yet, but the Road Race Suit looks to be identical in most ways except the bladder pocket)
I do like the Gobik I have better here with the disconnecting design though.
It does for the gravel suit.
I’m 6’1" @ 165-170lbs, what size would you recommend for the gravel suit?
I’d recommend the medium for you
@Rule28 what is your thoughts on the aero benefits of your skinsuits at lower than Dylan Johnson speeds? If someone is going 20-25 km/h they won’t get as many watt savings, but they’ll be saving some watts for a longer period?
What about a lower avg speed (for something like Leadville). Unless DJ is going to let me bungee cord onto his bike, I suspect I’ll be going a lot slower and fighting for the 12 hour finish.
Below 25kph it’s hard to see much benefit when it comes to aero kit. But the answer we always give is that you have to wear something so it may as well be aero kit.
Having said that, for something like Leadville it wouldn’t be worth trading out a current non aero kit for a new aero kit unless you really don’t mind spending the money for a very slim benefit. If your budget is limited then it would be better spent optimising your drive chain and tyre setup.
Our Gravel Suit does have some advantages besides the aero though that would potentially make it worth your while.
The reservoir pocket would allow you to ditch the backpack, so you’ll be lighter and more comfortable.
The chamois we use is also a gravel specific one designed for long rides over bumpy terrain so this will provide more protection too.
@Rule28 I appreciate the honesty! Maybe with TR I’ll get faster, though I doubt I’d be able to avg 25km/h at Leadville. Though, I guess if we subtract the hike a bike sections maybe…
You don’t need to average it to get benefits. Whenever you’re over a certain mph (downhill, flats) you’ll see a marginal gain. When you’re not, you won’t, but there’s no downside.
@MI-XC beat me to it, but It’s not about averaging 25km/h, you’d need to be going under 7 hours to average that.
Plenty of sections like the road, pipeline, many of the downhills where you’re going faster.
Edit: Marginal gains are exactly that - marginal. But if you have to wear something anyways, why not take them, along with the bladder sleeve, and a kit that’s arguably more comfortable and cooler.
Interesting, and good points! I hadn’t considered that.
All of this.
How many suits would we need to buy for a group buy?
Custom design starts at a minimum of 5. We’d need to check what we could do in terms of a discount for TR members to but stock kit as individuals but would be 10%+ off.
Thanks, it all helps. I appreciate you being on the forum and discussing with us also.
My rule 28 gravel suit came in and I’m super happy with it. I’m 5’9 and 157 lbs and went with a medium and it’s very tight. I do have a lot of upper body muscle for a cyclist, though. I also ordered the arm sleeves and the mediums will have to go back and I’ll try a large. Overall it is very well made. Just did a 30 min spin with it for a quick check before a planned 5 hr ride tomorrow. Also pumped that I ordered it last weekend and it arrived today (in Texas). It was a day ahead of schedules which is perfect considering my ride tomorrow.
That aside, what bladders and length hose are everyone using? The hose on my 2.5L camelback is too long. Sits about at my waist. The camelback bladder itself seemed a bit big but maybe just because I was trying it empty. It looks like I may just have to use my wife’s little 1.5L bladder tomorrow as it has a short hose.
Can’t you just hack your hose to the length you want?
I haven’t tried my suit yet w/ a bladder, but did take it for a test spin last month when I was in Taipei…loved the fit and comfort.
We are about the same size weight, but I went with a small (but sounds like I don’t have the upper body build you do)