Aerodynamic Tri Suit?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m looking for a new tri suit and I’ve been reading how much effect the aerodynamics of your suit can have on your bike times.

Eg:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2010/04/biggest-bang-for-your-buck-in-time-trial-equipment/

So I thought, if I’m buying a new suit then I might as well get the most aerodynamic one I can.

But I don’t see many options out there. I see speed suits designed for swimming but that’s not so important to me (here in NorCal, all the swims are wetsuit-legal).

Then I see full body speed suits designed for time trial events - but they would be impractical for a triathlon.

Any recommend a good suit designed for triathlon with good aerodynamics?

Maybe a swimming speed suit is also a good option for the bike??

Thanks

2

Pearl Izumi Octane Tri Suit
Castelli T1 Stealth

I own both of these. The Octane is illegal to wear in an IRONMAN branded race if it’s not wetsuit legal.

Depending on the race and temperature, I will either wear the Octane or I will wear my regular tri suit and put the T1 Stealth on in transition

3

PI roctane?

4

Thanks for the tips!

What’s that the PI Octane suit like to swim in, especially when worn under a wetsuit?

I have a small shoulder issue which has necessitated me spending big bucks on a high end wetsuit with great shoulder flexibility (a Roka Maverick Pro)

I’d hate to see that flexibility compromised by wearing a short sleeve trisuit under it.

Thanks!

5

It is not illegal to use the PI Octane in a WTC event, it is merely illegal to use it over your shoulders in the swim if it is not underneath a full-sleeved wetsuit.

6

oops. I see where I worded that wrong. Yeah, you can wear it in WTC race under a wetsuit if it’s wetsuit legal but if it’s not wetsuit legal, you have to roll the sleeves down and wear a speedsuit

7

It is not illegal to use the PI Octane in a WTC event, it is merely illegal to use it over your shoulders in the swim if it is not underneath a full-sleeved wetsuit.

^^this, sort of. If it is a non wetsuit legal swim, I roll mine down to the waist under my speed suit. Then I just pull it up as I run to transition. In wetsuit legal swims I swim with it on completely. I wear a Roka Maverick Pro sleeveless wetsuit over it. It looks a bit funny to have your upper arms covered in a sleeveless suit, but it’s not illegal and it is perfectly comfortable. I’ve asked officials at every race I’ve done to make sure. Was fine at Syracuse, Timberman, and 70.3 Worlds this year.

8

Semantics ha, you are clearly an engineer! Nothing illegal about WEARING the Octane and USING it, just can’t be up on your shoulders during the swim.

9

just can’t be up on your shoulders during the swim.

It can be on your shoulders. It’s even possible to roll the sleeves up and have them stay on the shoulders with those volleyball velcro things. Digs into the armpit though.

“When the use of wetsuits is forbidden, clothing covering any part of the arms below the shoulders and clothing covering any of the leg below the knee is deemed illegal equipment and is not permitted.”