Good stuff! My club branded Pactimo Flyte Suit has become my go to kit for randonneuring even though I bought it with racing in mind. It's surprisingly comfortable and practical with its standard three back pockets. I'm usually the only one that would show up at the start of a brevet in aero kit (icluding aero socks and helmet!) and on an aero bike, often with aerobars, eschewing flappy vests, handlebar boxes, and round steel tubes. For that, I will make no apologies. Side note, I just got transferred to Japan. In fact, my bike should be delivered today! I can't wait to get out and explore. Hopefully the whole riding on the left thing is an easy transition for me.
Nice! Custom skin suits can look pretty good too. I've been laughed at by other riders during brevets, but I understand their perspective, even while disagreeing. I enjoy a sensible chuckle at the procession of unzipped Rapha vests flapping in the wind too. Enjoy the riding in Japan! Look forward to hearing how it goes. I've done some touring over there (Hokkaido) and the left side driving takes only a day or two to adjust to. Japan has amazing countryside for cycling and lovely city bike paths for cruising. They have an active randonneuring scene too. Whereabouts will you land?
@overbikedrandonneuring Yokosuka. Think I'll reach out to the Kanagawa chapter of Audax Japan and see what they have. I hope the language barrier isn't too difficult to overcome. I brought my gravel bike over. It's set up for road right now. Not the fastest bike I own, but it will do epic stuff and just about anything.
@@matthewnormand2041 Right on! I used the audax club's routes to plan my tour around Hokkaido and they were top notch. A friend who lives there rides with locals a lot, but I'm sure there are some expat cycling groups too. Be sure to get a proper bike bag for train travel. Rinkōbukuro (輪行袋), or rinko for short. Etiquette for stuff like that is no joke.
10 minutes saved per 100 k, I’ll have to try. I have 2 road skin suits that I have never worn as a randonneur. As a female I don’t have the same issues with showing every contour as you guys! Cheers!
Go for it! Nothing to lose using retired kit. Sewing with lycra is kind of a pain. Proper needles, thread, and machine settings, plus many pins help a lot. Still, it should be a fun, simple project.
I trust you implicitly. I always learn something. However, some things I already knew … “we all look ridiculous”! One caveat may be riding fast enough so that the skinsuit benefits can be realized. I‘m not a randonneur yet, so I don’t know the average speed of a mediocre randonneur on the mythical average course. By the way, how fast were you going at the end of the video? Credit the skinsuit, no doubt!
Thank you for the kind words. I think of 'is it worth it' from the opposite perspective. If my overall setup is fast, my mediocre power will propel me to speeds where aerodynamics matter, further incentivizing effort towards an even more efficient setup. Also, headwinds are very common: net wind speed is higher than moving speed. I've never cycled in a tailwind though, just had strong legs sometimes. Local hills get me to 70+kph on the descents regularly. Lots of potential energy built up by dragging 100kg of bike and rider up a mountain I guess. My nerves are the main speed limiter. You'll only find me in an aero tuck on shallow descents.
I've been interested in trying a speed suit for a while, but haven't found one with the right combination of features-long sleeves for sun protection (I don't ride in short sleeves anymore) and back pockets. And yeah, most of the speed suits out there are very plain.
The Black Bibs long sleeve road suit has pockets, although the sleeves fit a bit loose and the fabric is too thick for summer long sleeves. Some lighter colors would be nice for summer riding and visibility too.
Cheers, thank you for the kind words. Do you have any stylistic ideas? I've considered a pastiche of classic cycling jerseys (50's-70's) as a possibility.
For the type of bike you are riding, I would expect you to be in a bib jersey combo, or a skin suit. I wouldn't bat an eye seeing that, as it's to be expected imo. If it were a more casual bike, than probably a bib jersey combo, or less isn't uncommon. I myself have attire for pretty much every occasion, and enjoy them all. I couldn't care less about what other people think about it.
Thanks to Marvel and Detective Comics, we all know that skin-tight clothing is something superheroes wear! We're in good company, disregard the prudes. The main downside, besides more complicated nature breaks, are IMHO pretty low collars, which isn't beneficial for colder temperatures. (I'm only a recreational cyclist)
You might benefit from lighter weight fabrics and a faux-jersey style suit then. If they have stock, Ale may be a good source for those, although I haven't tried them yet.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Alé are good, but the best I've used are Northwave Blade jerseys (mesh on the front and back panels) I'll probably have a custom suit made with the aforementioned jersey. Ps. I love your channel and content 👌🏽
Funny you mention that, I was looking for color inspiration for the skin suit design while traveling. At an antique mall last week I stumbled across a lovely coffee cup whose palette should result in a pleasant but interesting skin suit that isn't too dark. I'll keep you posted.
@@rdx913 I use a very light aero road helmet. TT/Tri specific helmets have some qualities that preclude them from my curiosity for ultra distance use. For one, they are mostly designed for specific head positions that are more in line with the torso than most of us can sustain for 16+ hours. Much of there effectiveness may be lost when upright. They are typically quite heavy as well, which can strain the neck muscles. With my recent suspected Shermer's neck, I will be trying to keep helmets under 250g. Ventilation and managing body temps are often a limiting factor on long events too, as overheating affects heart rate, sweat rate, and hydration. These are often stuffy. The new POC is interesting though. Halfway between road aero and TT. I expect similar designs will be right around the corner that might sway me from my HJC Furion. The skin suit design is done now BTW. I'll be announcing it when my samples arrive and are checked over. Starlight Ultimate short sleeve with some fetching colors. Cheers!
I got a skin suit in 03’, best thing ever. It was custom and expensive! It’s nice to see prices be reasonable now.
Good stuff! My club branded Pactimo Flyte Suit has become my go to kit for randonneuring even though I bought it with racing in mind. It's surprisingly comfortable and practical with its standard three back pockets. I'm usually the only one that would show up at the start of a brevet in aero kit (icluding aero socks and helmet!) and on an aero bike, often with aerobars, eschewing flappy vests, handlebar boxes, and round steel tubes. For that, I will make no apologies.
Side note, I just got transferred to Japan. In fact, my bike should be delivered today! I can't wait to get out and explore. Hopefully the whole riding on the left thing is an easy transition for me.
Nice! Custom skin suits can look pretty good too. I've been laughed at by other riders during brevets, but I understand their perspective, even while disagreeing. I enjoy a sensible chuckle at the procession of unzipped Rapha vests flapping in the wind too.
Enjoy the riding in Japan! Look forward to hearing how it goes. I've done some touring over there (Hokkaido) and the left side driving takes only a day or two to adjust to. Japan has amazing countryside for cycling and lovely city bike paths for cruising. They have an active randonneuring scene too. Whereabouts will you land?
@overbikedrandonneuring Yokosuka. Think I'll reach out to the Kanagawa chapter of Audax Japan and see what they have. I hope the language barrier isn't too difficult to overcome. I brought my gravel bike over. It's set up for road right now. Not the fastest bike I own, but it will do epic stuff and just about anything.
@@matthewnormand2041 Right on! I used the audax club's routes to plan my tour around Hokkaido and they were top notch. A friend who lives there rides with locals a lot, but I'm sure there are some expat cycling groups too. Be sure to get a proper bike bag for train travel. Rinkōbukuro (輪行袋), or rinko for short. Etiquette for stuff like that is no joke.
I use a road skinsuit for randos. Too ashamed to wear the extreme TT ones. But I agree it’s a good idea.
Right on! Happy to hear I'm not alone. The TT ones don't have pockets anyway.
10 minutes saved per 100 k, I’ll have to try. I have 2 road skin suits that I have never worn as a randonneur. As a female I don’t have the same issues with showing every contour as you guys! Cheers!
I'd love to hear your feedback after giving it a try. Do you normally ride in race-fit clothes?
Nice video! Consider me convinced :)
Hmmm.. a diy skinsuit... I do have a short lying around and an old jersey with a broken zipper... might as well try...
Go for it! Nothing to lose using retired kit. Sewing with lycra is kind of a pain. Proper needles, thread, and machine settings, plus many pins help a lot. Still, it should be a fun, simple project.
I trust you implicitly. I always learn something. However, some things I already knew … “we all look ridiculous”!
One caveat may be riding fast enough so that the skinsuit benefits can be realized. I‘m not a randonneur yet, so I don’t know the average speed of a mediocre randonneur on the mythical average course.
By the way, how fast were you going at the end of the video? Credit the skinsuit, no doubt!
Thank you for the kind words. I think of 'is it worth it' from the opposite perspective. If my overall setup is fast, my mediocre power will propel me to speeds where aerodynamics matter, further incentivizing effort towards an even more efficient setup. Also, headwinds are very common: net wind speed is higher than moving speed. I've never cycled in a tailwind though, just had strong legs sometimes.
Local hills get me to 70+kph on the descents regularly. Lots of potential energy built up by dragging 100kg of bike and rider up a mountain I guess. My nerves are the main speed limiter. You'll only find me in an aero tuck on shallow descents.
I've been interested in trying a speed suit for a while, but haven't found one with the right combination of features-long sleeves for sun protection (I don't ride in short sleeves anymore) and back pockets. And yeah, most of the speed suits out there are very plain.
The Black Bibs long sleeve road suit has pockets, although the sleeves fit a bit loose and the fabric is too thick for summer long sleeves. Some lighter colors would be nice for summer riding and visibility too.
If you design a skin suit I would definitely buy a few!
Cheers, thank you for the kind words. Do you have any stylistic ideas? I've considered a pastiche of classic cycling jerseys (50's-70's) as a possibility.
For the type of bike you are riding, I would expect you to be in a bib jersey combo, or a skin suit. I wouldn't bat an eye seeing that, as it's to be expected imo. If it were a more casual bike, than probably a bib jersey combo, or less isn't uncommon. I myself have attire for pretty much every occasion, and enjoy them all. I couldn't care less about what other people think about it.
Thanks to Marvel and Detective Comics, we all know that skin-tight clothing is something superheroes wear! We're in good company, disregard the prudes.
The main downside, besides more complicated nature breaks, are IMHO pretty low collars, which isn't beneficial for colder temperatures. (I'm only a recreational cyclist)
Great vlog. I'm considering the skinsuit. Here in South East Asia it may get me some unwanted attention from fruitckaes though.
You might benefit from lighter weight fabrics and a faux-jersey style suit then. If they have stock, Ale may be a good source for those, although I haven't tried them yet.
@@overbikedrandonneuring Alé are good, but the best I've used are Northwave Blade jerseys (mesh on the front and back panels) I'll probably have a custom suit made with the aforementioned jersey. Ps. I love your channel and content 👌🏽
Of course mate you look naked !
Sexy !
Did you ever design a skin suit? Asking for a friend. My only preference is that it be not black or dark, as color can play a big difference in heat.
Funny you mention that, I was looking for color inspiration for the skin suit design while traveling. At an antique mall last week I stumbled across a lovely coffee cup whose palette should result in a pleasant but interesting skin suit that isn't too dark. I'll keep you posted.
Do you ever use aero helmets? I was contemplating buying a long tail aero helmet
@@rdx913 I use a very light aero road helmet. TT/Tri specific helmets have some qualities that preclude them from my curiosity for ultra distance use. For one, they are mostly designed for specific head positions that are more in line with the torso than most of us can sustain for 16+ hours. Much of there effectiveness may be lost when upright. They are typically quite heavy as well, which can strain the neck muscles. With my recent suspected Shermer's neck, I will be trying to keep helmets under 250g. Ventilation and managing body temps are often a limiting factor on long events too, as overheating affects heart rate, sweat rate, and hydration. These are often stuffy. The new POC is interesting though. Halfway between road aero and TT. I expect similar designs will be right around the corner that might sway me from my HJC Furion.
The skin suit design is done now BTW. I'll be announcing it when my samples arrive and are checked over. Starlight Ultimate short sleeve with some fetching colors. Cheers!
@@overbikedrandonneuring thanks for the thorough response. Are you referring to the POC Procen Air?
I can’t wait to see the new skin suits!
@@rdx913 Yeah, that's the one. I hope to see other brands take on the concept.
On the track where they could make a difference, yeah... For 5w saved on the road, no way in hell.
Skin suit is the best