Product Reviews
BODY GLIDE LIQUIFIED POWDER
($8;
bodyglide.com)
PREMISE: The Body Glide you know and love — the one that prevents wetsuit, sports bra and skin-on-skin chafe — in a form that goes on as a liquidy powder.
TESTERS SAY: The powder, which has a light feel and has a mild smell, has staying power; both testers found it lasted during their long workouts (the longest clocked in at 3.5 hours). One small quibble is that you have to wash your hands after you use it, which means it isn’t ideal for application in a transition area. Brianna, a devoted Body Glide user, has definitely converted to the powder for her feet. “It rocked for hot spots and chafed areas on my feet,” she says, “But I’m not sure how well it would work next to my wetsuit.” Katie agreed: she will use the powder form for her lower half, and will stick to the Body Glide stick for her upper half. “I also like that each application is a fresh batch; sometimes the stick gets a little mucked up,” she adds.
RATING: 4.75
TYR CARBON CLOTHING
($110 for women’s tank; $120 for men’s tank; $120 for shorts;
tyr.com)
PREMISE: Made of carbon, a compression nylon/spandex blend that feels a little like paper to the touch, this TYR line of race-ready clothes has been scientifically tested and found, according to TYR, to lower body temperature and heart rate, reduce lactic acid build up and help you breathe more efficiently. The innovative, stretchy fabric also dries faster than you can say “T1” and offers SPF 50 protection.
TESTERS SAY: A home run. “It looked sleek and fast,” says Andrea, while Scott thought the cut and shape were “perfect. “The shorts provide consistent support without being restrictive or having pinch points,” he says, noting the novel silicone beaded grippers on the bottom of the shorts. Both loved the hi-tech material. “It absorbs very little water, so you feel fast in the water and out of it,” says Scott, who was a little dubious of the performance claims when he first read about them. “After using the clothes, I actually can’t rule out the possibility that at least some of the benefits are true,” he says. One thing he is sure of: he loves the chamois. “It is impeccably comfortable for biking, yet barely noticeable for swimming or running,” he says, noting how it stretches so there is, “never any tugging or awkward fit.” Andrea found it equally as comfortable. Perhaps the ultimate recommendation is that both testers were put off by the high prices, but after testing them, would buy them for themselves. “These are the fastest triathlon clothes I have ever worn,” says Scott. “The fit, comfort and looks of this set up make it a good value,” echoes Andrea.
RATING: 5
BLUE TRIAD SP
($2,700;
rideblue.com)
PREMISE: A high-performance, carbon fiber racing bike with a price that won’t make you wince. The geometry is tuned for speed, but the carbon frame, fork and two-position seat post smooth the ride. Reliable Shimano 105 components, including a 10-speed cassette and 59/39 front chain rings, combine for all the gearing you need for slow, long grinds up hills and 35-mph stretches with a howling tailwind. The American Victory wheels are perfect for many training miles, but true speed demons might want to upgrade to lighter and more aerodynamic hoops for race day.
TESTER SAYS: “A sleek and attention-grabbing bike!” says Natalie, who settled into the ride after a few miles on the new steed, “I was surprised at how fast I adjusted to it.” The XS frame fit her 5-foot-5 body, which is long on legs and short in the torso, very well. The carbon frame handles nicely, providing both stability and security. “It didn’t wobble when I got out of the saddle to push,” she says. She wasn’t as crazy about the shifters, which lagged a little compared to her experience on other bikes, and the design of the handlebars. “They’re not a good fit for this bike,” she says, adding that the brake bars are also positioned a bit oddly. “Even a rider with a longer torso and reach would have a tough time reaching them, I think,” she says. Still, it’s a great choice for an experienced amateur or beginner pro. “It’s a really good, solid bike,” she says.
RATING: 4
RATING KEY
1-5
1 = Lowest rating
5 = Highest rating
102 USA TRIATHLON SUMMER 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144