Just wanted to say that I love my new wetsuit! Went with the black pearl bottom and the first wave top. Got it wednesday before LP and within 2 minutes on thursday am knew I would be swimming in it on Sunday. Being able to have different size top and bottoms made all the difference for me.
Only issue I have with your stuff is why side pockets rather than back pockets in the race tops? Like to put stuff in the back pockets so I have not been racing in my new one.
Oh and the pad in the new shorts is much better than last years, which was better than all of the others. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your input. FYI, all our 2008 Tri Tops will have 3 back pockets. While I was the first to put those side pockets on a top and call it a tri jersey, I have personally never used the pockets. With the more traditional 3 back pockets, I will actually train in the tri jersey! Keep an eye out for them in late 2007 early 2008!
Another vote for De Soto. They went above and beyond for me with customer service. Just got my replacement shorts this week which I was not expecting from them. Amazing customer service!!!
can you explain the advantages/disadvantages of the Liftoil speedsuit? Recently, someone posted that, according to you, there is no advantage to weraing this over a tri outfit, it’s meant to be worn by itself. Also, in a non wetsuit race, is there a real benefit to an average to above average swimmer?
Sorry I have not been on ST much lately. Just been busy getting ready for Interbike.
It is looking like the 2008 Forza Tri Jersey made of Skin Cooler with 3-pockets will be available sometime as early as mid-october. I will post it on the forum as soon as I get a more accurate date.
Very happy to hear that the pockets will be moved. Used the Forza skin cooler tri top for the bike at IMWI this year and loved it, except for the side pockets, which were a hassle.
Used the low-cut tri short for the run. Still my favorite tri short with the absolute perfect fit!
One question, for Emilio or anyone: I use the Vuelo tri jersey for training. I have 2 of them – the graphite and the aqua. On both of them, the white “liquid mesh” around the arms is really, really nasty. Looks like it is stained from my sunscreen b/c it has turned yellow/brown all the way around the arm opening (the mesh that goes over the arm, not the fabric in the armpit area). The “mesh” get really nasty, really quickly and does not seem to come clean. Anyone else experience this and have a method for getting it clean again?
I threw out the graphite Vuelo jersey b/c is was so nasty. The aqua is getting close.
Yeah the service is great, but have you noticed the prices climbing a lot at MEC over the last few years? Crazy now… I was there on Sat just before closing (while out riding) and dropped $150 before I realized it. Since they don’t take AMEX, my Visa statement is almost all MEC. Hell, half of my non-training wardrobe is now MEC. Damn, I am such a slave…
Back to the original topic - Emilio was great when I was ordering speedtube(s). I tried both the 5mm and the 2mm version, and he was more than happy to take the one I liked least back, no questions asked. Funny thing, I ended up keeping both I liked them so much! He’s been a great supporter of the ST Chicks and makes wicked awesome margaritas…
I was racing a 1/2 IM two weeks ago and on the bike I came up on someone weating a tri-suit with the pockets in the back. I asked him who made it and he said Desoto. I told him I thought it was the coolest idea I’d ever seen! If you make one in black, I’ll buy it!
I have noticed that I’ve “lost” a lot of money to the co-op…
I don’t know if their prices are inflating or if it’s just that everything has been going up over the years and they kept their prices artificially low… With the introduction of more “branded” stuff (esp their new partneship with Patagonia) the prices have been escalating on certain softgoods for sure. Gear prices however, remain pretty constant IMO.
A healthy chunk of my work clothing comes from the North Face Sample Sale… ;-p
And just to keep this on topic, yeah - Emilio rocks. Answered my email within 1/2 an hour.
I bought a 1-piece tri-suit from you this year and I LOVE IT! The single most comfortable outfit I have ever worn on the bike. Even for 112 miles. I also bought the matching bra and was amazed that I finished the IM with not a single mark on my body from the tri-suit or bra. I’m usually bleeding around most of the seams even after a half. I recommend your products to everyone who asks.
Sorry it took a few days to reply, but I have been busy getting ready for Interbike.
There is no disadvantage of the Liftfoil Speedsuit except that it has no pad, but that will change for 2008. Yes, the 2008 model we are showing at Interbike will have a floating pad. So you will be able to swim, bike and run in this baby.
Regarding wearing stuff under the suit, whether this works depends on how much water the stuff you are wearing underneath absorbs. So best way to see if it works is to test it in training.
Same with whether the Liftfoil benefits an average swimmer. We have found that it does as have the many happy owners of the Liftfoil.
But form your own opinion…buy one and if you are not convinced you can return it. All my dealers know our guarantee…so you have nothing to loose but the time to test it for yourself.
Nice of you to notice that important little detail. It must always be carried in the left hand. It starts with good tequila, it ends with lime juice and the only thing in between is Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
Another very satisfied De Soto customer here. I have never had anything but good experiences with their products or their customer service. When I ordered my wife’s wetsuit the top didn’t fit right so I called to see if I could exchange it for a different size. De Soto shipped the new top out before I even had a chance to get the one I was returning in the mail.
A few weeks ago I sent a wetsuit back to be repaired. They repaired it for free and had it back to me within days. This is the kind of service that makes lifelong customers. I will continue to recommend De Soto to anyone who asks (even if they don’t ask!).
