when will we see MTB downhillers wearing skinsuits?

[G00SE]

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.

 

Even if it does make a difference, you have to find a balance between safety and performance.

Taking a big spill in a skin suit vs. wearing protective gear will result in quite different recovery times.

And... skin suit + 510's + full face = retarded

[DR ◣◢]

Agree. Condoms are best left for bedrooms and brothels.

 

Ill stick to my guns about the baggies vs lycra on something with so many variables that come into play.

 

In a velodrome or on a tt a skin suit and aero helmet will make a difference because you have to be aerodynamic and all that **** to get an advantage. Hell, some oaks even remove a ball to become lighter .

 

Downhill however is not the place for it to make a difference.

[Kranky]

How about some skinny jeans at least? It's cool enough for the skateboarders, who all used to wear insane baggies

[Tumbleweed]

How about some skinny jeans at least? It's cool enough for the skateboarders, who all used to wear insane baggies

 

[brad890]

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

 

imagine falling in a rock garden at 50km/h period skin suit or american football lol

[Padawan]

How about NOOOO!!

[Nofearnofun]

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

 

I do recall Sam Hill calling another team "skin suit wearing f@gots" in 2002/2004 (I could be horribly wrong with the timeline). And look what we have in this vid

[nigelhicks]

The issue raised its head in 2008 at Canberra where Tracey Moseley wore a skinsuit during the final round of the World Cup and beat Rachel Atherton by like 6 seconds ...

 

Rachel came up on the podium with "Skinsuits SUCK" written on her arms!

Bit of a poor show if you ask me

 

http://dirt.mpora.com/old_images/news/CA08_04335flipperoz.jpg

 

 

But the main issue began way back in the late 90's when all the Dh riders wore Skin suits at every race ... Palmer came in with his MX gear (which all the riders scorned at at the time) and annihilated everyone!

 

Slowly more riders began to adopt the gear as the DH culture grew into a more "Badass" theme.

 

Skinsuits were then only really used at Worlds up until 2008 when the UCI Banned them altogether. The main idea from the riders was that they looked GAY! which they did! ... Prime example - Phillipe Perakas

 

http://mercurypress.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gifhttp://14bikeco.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/8024b0dd.jpg

 

Granted this was in 1993 or so - but Sam Hill doesnt look much better in 2008

 

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2008/08/30/samhill-280-75.jpg

 

So the UCI decided to ban Skin suits for a number of reasons -

 

1. National riders who did not have access to suits for world champs would be at a disadvantage

2. It was awkward to fit proper protective clothing under the kit

3. it looked Crap

 

It was all therefore down to the riders pushing for the UCI to change the rules to ban them

['Dale]

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

 

:lol:

[Guest Omega Man]

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.

 

The oke that won (Gee Atherton) was also wearing a skin suit. So was the guy that came 2nd which incidentally was Steve Peat. Sam Hill came 3rd. He made 6 seconds cos he has huge skill and testes.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Omega Man

[deanbean]

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.

Still, the girls can wear them

[NicoBoshoff]

I get banning it for safety reasons, but banning something that gives you a competitive edge because of how it looks? Come on!

 

That's the same image driven bull that punk rockers suffered from in the early 2000's when Blink-182 and the whole pop-punk scene exploded. Suddenly "real" punk rockers were crying because melody and songs about your GF had no place in real hardcore punk scenes.

 

I know, because I was one of the punks that freaked out at hearing Blink being called a punk band. But then again, I was still at school and got to be childish about trivial crud.

 

Same with the metal scene blah blah blah.

 

If someone wants to ride his bike down the side of a mountain at breakneck speeds in lycra, so what. That's his problem.

 

If your actual problem with it is that you're scared of being associated with that person, well I guess we can all only hope that you grow up some day.

 

If there are actual, objective reasons for banning it (safety, unfair imbalances ito access to the edge etc.), then fine ban it. But to ban it merely to protect the image of the sport (read "image of some riders with low self-esteem") is completely irrational.

[deanbean]

 

If there are actual, objective reasons for banning it (safety, unfair imbalances ito access to the edge etc.), then fine ban it. But to ban it merely to protect the image of the sport (read "image of some riders with low self-esteem") is completely irrational.

Since when has UCI been rational

[Guest Omega Man]

Since when has UCI been rational

True. I say as long as you stay between the tape ride whatever you want to ride. Wear whatever you want to wear. Of course I'm not the UCI.

[J0KER]

uhm

Edited May 30, 2013 by J0KER

[VicanZA]

It was banned as a result of having to hide the "awkward boner"