TEAM CLOTHING REVIEW BY OUR PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB, JOHN DRAKE
Following on from clothing ‘various cuts’ article in the website I thought it would be useful based upon my experience to provide an insight.
Whilst owning several skinsuits in the traditional Club colours I wished to have on that was more co-ordinated colour wise to my track cycling bike which is of a black and orange colour scheme – the green, white and blue was a conflict to this.
Therefore I purchased the alternative Club colour scheme based on orange and black, the item being purchased the Apex summer skinsuit with the longer leg length for taller riders and in a XL sizing not the L for the Champs Systems website stated this outfit is a tight fit.
On arrival, collected at the Club committee night from our kit coordinator Laura, and checked out at home the measurements when laid out alongside an existing skinsuit seemed a lot smaller / tighter. But the fabric types used are thinner and stretchier in width and longitudinal planes.
On trying for the first time it felt tight across the chest and also in the body length so some concern was raised as to the feel of the fit when the skinsuit was being worn for actual riding at the track and especially so when leant forward to the bars – would I speak octaves higher?
The skinsuit was first used on the 14th September, I rode my regular velodrome SQT session with the new skinsuit on and has subsequently been ridden on the 21st of September SQT.
I can say that contrary to my pre ride concerns in regards to the tightness of the fit ‘feel’ I would say that it is the best skinsuit fit and ‘feel’ that I have ever had, and I have numerous skinsuits from different suppliers.
The fabrics do act as a ‘skin’ suit and move with your body stretching and flexing has your body moves and never once feeling tight even though the skinsuit is a stretching operation to put on. Additionally it breathes exceptionally well and wicks away the moisture far far better than any other skinsuit I have and on a par with some of the top Castelli kit that I have. My undervest (an undervest should always be worn when riding the track for if you come off you will slide along the track or down the banking and there will be friction rub from your outer wear and the subsequent heat generation, wearing an undervest with short sleeves means that the contact points will have the benefit of fabric-on-fabric sliding not fabric- on skin so burns are vastly reduced) was completely dry at the completion of the SQT which is a first.
Having referred to any Italian maker, Castelli, I feel that the sizing of the skinsuit is along the Italian sizing experience in that it is on the small size and therefore purchasing one size up from normal would be advisable.
For those who are constantly in the search for speed through marginal gains I would recommend this skinsuit for the seams are very flat so smoothing the air flow, the legs and arm sections are an ‘elastic material’ that is cut to length and does not require any end seams so again aiding air flow. The materials use for the upper body are of a ‘dimpled finish’ so promoted to aid airflow.
The kit gets positive comments as to its finish the next test is its durability through track use and additionally washing etc this will expose any weakness in colour retention and manufacture failures.
Having been worn for two track SQT’s it has been washed twice and I can advise that there was zero colour ‘leaching’ or any loss in the stretchability to become a second skin when worn, nor was there any loosening up of the fabric and feeling looser.
At this second track SQT the skinsuit still attracts positive comments and inspection & questions by other riders.
This my insight to the Apex summer skinsuit – note I cannot comment on the likes of rear pockets accessibility for I specified without them likewise due to my track racing career being over I cannot comment on the impact of the NoPinz race number pocket and the ‘breathing’ influence to the suit for again I did not specify, if purchasing this skinsuit I would without reservation say ‘buy with the NoPinz’ for the fabric is not one for taking safety pins.
Myself the current President and Pete Deary a Club past President and long term member at the velodrome. Pete in a Club short sleeve top not the skinsuit.
Great write up John
Thought it would be useful in case you are considering a purchase of one of the skin / speed suits for an update on my experience.
This is being posted as the velodrome is in its last week of track opening ( and I had my last SQT session on Tuesday morning) due to the substantial works being carried out with a re-opening scheduled for August 2022.
The Champion Systems speedsuit has been used practically every week since the original report ( 6th October) and during that time it has not developed any faults or niggles and still retains the original ‘stretch’ , colour strength and comfort.
All I can add is that this is a worthwhile buy and one that is of top quality and comfort construction.
As per original report I would strongly advise if procuring for any racing were numbers must be displayed get the NoPinz pocket version.