Hi all.
Just wondering on the advantages of aero calf gaurds any if anyone has much experience of them. They seem to be becoming alot more popular on the local TT/Tri scene in the UK. I know we are talking a handful of watts over a 40km TT or half iron distance bike. But are they really worth the hype or just another gimic???
a couple of watts better for me (nopinz/aerocoach trip sleeves)
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Handful? I’d take 1 watt if it was consistently shown in tests! I have never tested but whenever I do a wetsuit legal swim, I always wear calf guards, not “aero” ones but my understanding is that they a hair faster than bare, even shaven, calves. I wear them because of the bike, I realize they don’t actually help my run at all but it doesn’t seem they hurt either so whatevs.
A lot more than 1W for me. Look at the results for aero socks (https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Aero_Socks_-_Wind_Tunnel_Testing_P7068120/?search_string=aero%20socks#p7068120), and then consider that they cover less than half your lower leg, and not even the widest section. I have a local race that is run 3X every summer on the same course, so it makes a great benchmark for me. I’ve done it with and without sleeves numerous times and am consistently 60sec faster over 40k with the sleeves.
A lot more than 1W for me. Look at the results for aero socks (https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Aero_Socks_-_Wind_Tunnel_Testing_P7068120/?search_string=aero%20socks#p7068120), and then consider that they cover less than half your lower leg, and not even the widest section. I have a local race that is run 3X every summer on the same course, so it makes a great benchmark for me. I’ve done it with and without sleeves numerous times and am consistently 60sec faster over 40k with the sleeves.
Where did you purchase your sleeves?
Using CEP compression sleeves. If I were buying new today, probably go with the Drag2Zero ones. The key is having vertical ribbing to trip the boundary layer turbulent.
Personally, I don’t like running in compression sleeves, so I pull them off in T2 for 70.3+.
Is there any difference in the feel of running in the Drag2Zero ones which are designed to maximize cycling speed as opposed to others that are, theoretically designed for running but may also help cycling speed. Any thoughts??
I was just doing some more searching and found these from another UK company. A bit cheaper than Nopinz or D2zero. Less data but hard to imagine they’re not faster than nothing.
Is there any difference in the feel of running in the Drag2Zero ones which are designed to maximize cycling speed as opposed to others that are, theoretically designed for running but may also help cycling speed. Any thoughts??
The D2Z ones also claim to have compression (no mmHg rating though). They seem thinner than knit compression calf sleeves, so hopefully they are cooler; I’m hoping for the same material that’s in speedsuit sleeves, just for calves.
I’ve heard some folks say the Castelli speed socks tend to slip down on the run, so there must not be much compression there. Ideally they would make a sleeve version and add a gripper at the top.
I was just doing some more searching and found these from another UK company. A bit cheaper than Nopinz or D2zero. Less data but hard to imagine they’re not faster than nothing.
I’m using the Rule28 Calf Guards. Haven’t done any aero testing, but I believe they do help. Haven’t ever ridden faster than I do now, and they certainly didn’t hurt my running.
I prefer calf guards over full socks because a) you can wear them during the (wetsuit legal) swim and b) compression socks do not feel right when running for me. My right calf sometimes cramps, and the guards seem to help there as well. I do not really believe in compressions socks (or compression guards), but aero guards are measurable faster and seem to help a bit to keep my calfs from cramping (during the run, of al the pounding).
Had some e-mail conversation with a guy of Rule28, and I’m supposed to gain about 2 minutes of IM distance cycling and maybe a handfull of seconds during the run 
Given the price, I’d say you can’t go wrong with these!
Maybe I did play down the benefit it seems 😳. If they are making that much of a difference i can understand why the uci has a sock height rule. Looks like they will be next on the purchae list
I like the look of the Rule 28 guards.
I picked these up in the sale a while ago https://www.dalescycles.com/endura-qdc-drag2zero-tri-calf-guards they are tight with no chance of them coming down during the run.
Handful?.. my understanding is that they a hair faster than bare, even shaven, calves.
Not my understanding, not at all, from all the testing I’ve done with them on numerous triathletes & cyclists
. A bit cheaper than Nopinz or D2zero. Less data but hard to imagine they’re not faster than nothing.
And yet I’ve seen a lot of tests where “aero” socks/sleeves are slower than bare legs
Shaved, bare legs?
Handful?.. my understanding is that they a hair faster than bare, even shaven, calves.
Not my understanding, not at all, from all the testing I’ve done with them on numerous triathletes & cyclists
Interesting, well I was just going off what I hear around so I could be wrong! I am curious to know if those bare calves were always shaven as the main reason I wear the sleeves is to avoid shaving my legs…
Is there any difference in the feel of running in the Drag2Zero ones which are designed to maximize cycling speed as opposed to others that are, theoretically designed for running but may also help cycling speed. Any thoughts??
I had sized down on a pair - the D2Z sizing suggested I wear a large, but I’ve never worn anything but small / medium in anything, so i thought I would go medium. They were fine to ride and brick run in a few race rehearsals, so I thought good to go, and raced a full with them, end-to-end. What ended up happening during the run was the gradual swelling of my legs really pushed my calves out to jumbo size, and what was a comfortable calf guard size for 112b and about 16 miles of running turned into the equivalent of razor wire along the top for the last 10miles. They were so tight that they ended up cutting perfect horizontal lines into the skin along the circumference of my upper calves.
follow their sizing guide. A nice piece of gear once you get past any user error.
I’m using the Rule28 Calf Guards.
Sizing is by length rather than circumference. How do they fit? I have very large calves…
I’m using the Rule28 Calf Guards.
Sizing is by length rather than circumference. How do they fit? I have very large calves…
I measured length and the fit was perfect. My calves are bigger than average, but not hulk-like Bigger calves would fit as well I think
Thanks. Is it very light stretching material or more substantial/firmer?