when will we see MTB downhillers wearing skinsuits?

[MAK]

With downhill races being won or lost by thousands of a second, when will we see downhillers wearing aerodynamic clothing over their body protection, to gain that extra advantage.

 

Years ago the 100 metre athletics started seeing bodysuits rather than those old school flapping vests/shorts, and even now the road pros in long races are wearing skinsuits for the fractional decrease in drag, to help in the final sprint.

 

Greg Lemond proved the effectiveness of aerodynamics in the 80s by winning the tour.

 

Remember the less the friction the further you go.......

[NotSoBigBen]

I thought they used to but are no longer allowed in the rules? I'm not a downhiller so might be talking trash though

[Pieta Stumpy]

Although I would pay to see a TT helmet flying past me on the downhill, I do not think it will happen anytime soon...

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/uci-ban-skinsuits-and-open-face-helmets-for-mountain-bike-competition-19021/

[Baaisikilist]

They used to wear em.

[NotSoBigBen]

They used to wear em.

 

I said that

[Flowta]

I thought they used to but are no longer allowed in the rules? I'm not a downhiller so might be talking trash though

 

Yup UCI made skin tight clothing illegal in downhill

[MAK]

OK, so that answers my question - thanks. Now was the rule put their for the competitors safety, ie to make them use parachutes to reduce top speed, or for another reason.

[jcmeyerSS]

Damn but the UCI is a bunch of boring old farts. The website is so full of things they banned. Any time something new comes out its their automatic response.

[Helpmytrap]

OK, so that answers my question - thanks. Now was the rule put their for the competitors safety, ie to make them use parachutes to reduce top speed, or for another reason.

I think they banned it soon after one of the World Cups

Check below, Sam Hill had opened up a gap of more than 6sec in a skin suit, and then fell, and came second.

 

PS, I don't actually know when and why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGtgBCvJa8

Edited May 28, 2013 by Helpmytrap

[SomeBloke]

OK, so that answers my question - thanks. Now was the rule put their for the competitors safety, ie to make them use parachutes to reduce top speed, or for another reason.

 

For spectator safety. If they want to see budgies they can go hang out at Vida.

[Nicholas F]

... Imagine falling on a rock garden at 50 k/ph, in skinsuit

[DR ◣◢]

 

 

For spectator safety. If they want to see budgies they can go hang out at Vida.

 

Thank you. Its downhill, not the flippen double wide epic!

 

Can Lycra just die already...

[Robodog]

 

I think they banned it soon after one of the World Cups

Check below, Sam Hill had opened up a gap of more than 6sec in a skin suit, and then fell, and came second.

 

PS, I don't actually know when and why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGtgBCvJa8

 

That run by Sam is one of my all time favourite DH vids to watch (and not because of the budgie smuggling). Pure genius the way he carried immense speed through those gnarly sections. And then that last corner... Eish!

 

[niterider]

It was banned because it looks stupid. There was consensus that the guys didn't really want to look like tools doing what they loved, and a ruling was the only way to ensure that everyone dressed properly, consistently.

[MAK]

So the rule was created to prevent a competitor who didn't mind looking stupid, winning a race by a large margin.

[DR ◣◢]

A skin suit will make zero difference on a downhill race. Too many factors that come into play.

 

The split seconds that win races are calculated risks. Not dressing up like a homo.

Things like time in the air, inside vs outside line, getting a good push out the start gate etc all determine a win.

 

Please leave downhill be. Its one of the very few aspects of this sport is still awesome.