This year, I’m likely making the big change from wearing cotton no-show socks and a two-piece tri kit (I used to put on the top separately after my swims in T1) to tall aero socks and a one piece kit.
I also have literally never cleaned my chain or drive train a day in my life until a month or two ago. Now I have lube and chain cleaner!
Can I expect to be at least marginally faster on my bike or is this all wishful thinking? I’ve continued my training regimen as I have in previous years, so no real changes there.
This year, I’m likely making the big change from wearing cotton no-show socks and a two-piece tri kit (I used to put on the top separately after my swims in T1) to tall aero socks and a one piece kit…
…Can I expect to be at least marginally faster on my bike or is this all wishful thinking? I’ve continued my training regimen as I have in previous years, so no real changes there.
Kit is possibly/probably, especially if going from sleeveless to sleeved.
Socks - well that’s tested hit and miss in all my testing. For instance I’ve never met a pair of fast socks that have tested faster than bare legs on me. Yet I’ve seen others any socks were faster. others have been sock A is faster than B while others find B is faster than A
This year, I’m likely making the big change from wearing cotton no-show socks and a two-piece tri kit (I used to put on the top separately after my swims in T1) to tall aero socks and a one piece kit…
…Can I expect to be at least marginally faster on my bike or is this all wishful thinking? I’ve continued my training regimen as I have in previous years, so no real changes there.
Kit is possibly/probably, especially if going from sleeveless to sleeved.
Socks - well that’s tested hit and miss in all my testing. For instance I’ve never met a pair of fast socks that have tested faster than bare legs on me. Yet I’ve seen others any socks were faster. others have been sock A is faster than B while others find B is faster than A
Did you see any pattern regarding cyclists’ body types and socks aero testing? Large and short calves vs thin and long for example?
Did you see any pattern regarding cyclists’ body types and socks aero testing? Large and short calves vs thin and long for example?
Hmmmm good question. haven’t really thought about if there is a trend or not.
I’ve gotten great results with aero calf guards (45sec/40km), and was surprised that Ruth Astle (who has thick calves similar to mine) tested and saw no benefit. I haven’t seen a pattern, but it’s science and will be repeatable…we just haven’t id’d the right variables yet.
I do find it interesting that ALL of the top pro cyclists in TTs and hour record attempts use aero socks. Most of the top pro teams do wind tunnel testing (at least for their A riders), and no one seems to fit the zero benefit case. CFD is good enough these days that we should be able to get some rules of thumb if someone wants to invest the time/effort.