AERO ON THE CHEAP

Withwindtunnelaccessand £5,000skinsuitsanemailaway, Editor Simon instead in of free speed on a budget

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One of the things I missed most through the summer of 2020 was evening races. I’ve always been a fan, from Crystal Palace crits and midweek track leagues at Herne Hill when I was younger to my club’s evening TTs in recent years. There’s something special about riding to and from a race on a warm summer evening with my friends, getting home just after dark with aching legs and a big appetite.

Having missed a whole season, I resolved to ride as many as I could this year. That goal gave me a reason to train and would help me in a bid to log more miles for this year’s CW5000 challenge.

In the past I’d always ridden my club’s evening TTs on my road bike. If I could be bothered I’d chuck on my old Assos skinsuit and on occasion even clip on some mini TT extensions. But most of the time I’d just try and get my elbows in, my head down and pedal as fast as I could.

Then early in 2021 Nopinz got in touch to offer a Pro 1-speedsuit to review. At £139, they’re nowhere near the most advanced on the market, but it’s certainly the slipperiest bit of kit I’ve worn. It got me thinking: how aero could I get? Without knowing my coeffiient of aerodynamic drag (CdA), could I get it any lower? Could I get fast enough to post PBs on my regular circuits, and even beat some of my clubmates who for years have regularly got the better of me?