Last year I just raced in tri shorts. I’ve read a lot recently about how “slow” skin is. I’d like to get more aero on the bike so should I invest in a nice tri top or is a tri suit THAT much faster?
It kind of depends on what top you are using now and how it fits.
jaretj
It kind of depends on what top you are using now and how it fits.
jaretj
I have a Zoot tri top that I only raced in once because it fits really uncomfortably.
Every other race last season I just wore tri shorts with no top.
I don’t think you’re going to save any time, except maybe if you’re not using a wetsuit or swimskin on the swim and comparing a tri suit versus top/bottom. I think it’s more comfort.
I race in tri suits, which I prefer because they’re more comfortable for me and I don’t feel like I have to keep pulling down my top in the back for 112 miles on the bike. Downside is when I have to shit on the run, if I do, it is more annoying. Feels more streamlined imo and I use a suit for all distances.
If it fits tightly I can’t see you being significantly faster in a tri-suit.
If it’s flapping in the wind you will be losing some time. Why is it uncomfortable?
Given the same fit, and same material. The trisuit is usually faster. I suggest posting your query in the “ask us anything about aero camp thread” those guys are awesome in respect of sharing what they’ve learned. I preface this with I’ve never been in a tunnel, only what I’ve read here on ST.
I think the right choice depends a lot on your goals and the type of race you are doing.
When I race 70.3 or less, I always wear my LG tri suit. Feels great in the water if no wetsuit allowed, the pad is great on the bike, and I never notice it on the run.
If I’m doing Ironman distance, I wear a tri shorts and top. The main reason is bathroom breaks. In my LG suit, even a pee break would require me to pull it off my shoulders; so whatever nominal time it may save me because it’s more aero would be lost on an Ironman where I will certainly need a call of nature break. I race in Asia, and it seems no matter how much I drink in a 70.3, the heat and humidity take it out of me in sweat.
We have the luxury of a mobile wind tunnel down here in the Tampa Bay area and recently my coach went in to test some different helmets, bottle configurations and kit choices. He found that helmets certainly have a big aero benefit, but your kit choice was HUGE. In his TYR carbon ITU suit vs the normal tri top and ZOOT shorts that he uses for local sprints, etc, there was a 24 watt savings, or nearly 10% ftp. Tri suit is the only way to go if you want to be an aero weenie, that’s for sure.
I think the bigger difference is going to be in the water, assuming no wetsuit.
Doing mostly sprint duathlons and a few sprint tris. No long course racing at all this season
The chance of any of the tris being wetsuit legal is pretty small.
Trisuit is very comfortable to most people. In the same way bib shorts on a bike reduce friction around your midsection a trisuit reduces friction similarly. For some, including myself, it is much more comfortable than 2 pieces.
Given the same fit, and same material. The trisuit is usually faster. I suggest posting your query in the “ask us anything about aero camp thread” those guys are awesome in respect of sharing what they’ve learned. I preface this with I’ve never been in a tunnel, only what I’ve read here on ST.
I tested a tight-fitting two piece vs. a one piece at aero camp.
It provided no notable difference… for ME. It may for you, though.
My two piece is a Pearl Izumi PRO kit.
Did anyone test a 1 piece or 2 piece against shirtless?
No, but one rider did test a crop top/sports bra vs. a tri top. Tri top was actually a little slower, but I’m not sure of the fit or the brand.
I personally prefer a two piece, tri shorts and top, over a one piece tri suit. I tried both during training and was more comfortable in a short and top.
We have the luxury of a mobile wind tunnel down here in the Tampa Bay area and recently my coach went in to test some different helmets, bottle configurations and kit choices. He found that helmets certainly have a big aero benefit, but your kit choice was HUGE. In his TYR carbon ITU suit vs the normal tri top and ZOOT shorts that he uses for local sprints, etc, there was a 24 watt savings, or nearly 10% ftp. Tri suit is the only way to go if you want to be an aero weenie, that’s for sure.
I find this very hard to believe. 24 watts difference? This doesn’t pass the smell test unless the tri top and shorts are 4 sizes too big.
I could see up to 5 watts between two well fitting kits but 24 watts doesn’t pass the smell test with me either.
jaretj
I’ll get the data for you guys. It is all based on the bagginess of the neck line on the bike. Most tri tops are made to be wider across the chest so it is more comfortable and less restrictive during running. Depending on your aerobar width you can increase or decrease the amount of slack in the neckline. I ride with my bars close together (the exact width of a normal 12oz water bottle torpedo-mount) and get a considerable amount of slack in a tri top during training. However during racing, I am in a TYR carbon suit with little to no slack in the neck line, no pockets, and no gap from tri top to shorts. I did wind tunnel testing, but didn’t change outfits, rather I changed positions, stack and helmets. I will do my best to get the drag data (again, it isn’t my data) and show the results. But I completely believe this based on the flapping of my neckline during training.
Ok, my assumption was two well fitting tri suits. Since you are talking about one not so well fitting top and a really well fitting suit, if it was on a really big person i could see that much. Personally i like rear zip Tri suits so i don’t have that air scoop around the neck problem