exxxviii wrote:
Emilio wrote:
In short races (Sprint - Olympic) where wetsuits are not permitted: I wear the Liftfoil Speed Trisuit the entire race. In longer races (70.3 - Ironman) where wetsuits are not permitted I wear the Riviera Tri bibs only under the Liftfoil above and then I remove the Liftfoil and don a Riviera Tri Top.
Thanks a ton for your participation here. It has been very helpful for me. I just did my first HIM last month, and I got hooked. I raced in a basic pair of shorts and De Soto sleeveless shirt. I wrecked my tri shorts, so I need to replace them.
I also got sunburned in the race, so I figure that a sleeved shirt would work better for me than sleeveless (quicker sunscreen application). Also, I figure a leeved shirt would make me faster on the bike. And a proper sleeved top could also speed me up in a non-wetsuit race. And finally, a one-piece would make me faster on the swim and bike than a two-piece.
You personal preferences above seem to lean toward a sleevess bib in the water then cover with a sleeved shirt for the bike and run. I had assumed that your sleeved Riveria one-piece would be the fastest overall for the swim and bike.
Ideally, I would like to buy one tri suit that would be great for races of all distance from sprint to HIM. At a glance, I am guessing that the Liftfoil may not be as comfortable for the longer HIM and IM events, but it is awesome for Olympics and shorter. Then, I am guessing that the Riveria one-piece lines give you good speed and comfort in general for all distances, but not the swim buoyancy speed advantage.
The Liftfoil is comfortable for all distances, it just does not have pockets which one might (or might not) need for longer races, but it does have a 7mm Ceramico Pad that floats. But,actually if you are looking for best all around , the Sleeved Riviera really is it. Remember that no swim skin can offer additional flotation, but since the Sleeved Riviera is made of Liftfoil around the midsection it does offer "dynamic lift" (same principle as to why you can stand on waterskis when you are moving).
Emilio De Soto II
Maker of triathlon clothing, T1 Wetsuits, & Saddle Seat Pads and AXS since 1990
emilio@desotosport.com http://www.desotosport.com