Since 1993, Scotland’s Endura has been making high performance cycling clothing with a heavy focus on research and innovation to find the best possible fabrics and technologies. As clothing sponsor of the Movistar team, Endura has worked extensively with team riders and various research companies to develop new race kits that will save watts and hopefully shave seconds in the Tour de France’s time trial events.
The new chronosuits will be worn by the team in the Tour’s first time trial on Saturday, July 4th and in the stage nine team time trial. Endura’s high-tech speed suits are definitely race-proven, having recently won National Time Trial titles in Spain, Italy and the UK, plus taking the hot seat at last year’s Commonwealth games’ TT event. Check out all the details of team Movistar’s new duds after the jump…
To help their riders slice through the wind, Team Movistar’s new suits were developed in collaboration with Simon Smart of aerodynamics experts Drag2Zero, and wind tunnel tested at Mercedes AMG’s Petronas F1 facility. These tests helped produce wind-tricking garments that reduce air turbulence around the rider’s body, thereby decreasing drag.
Despite living in the cool climate of Scotland where in their own words “It’s a good summer’s day if the outside world reaches room temperature” Endura has also made efforts to produce cooler race kits. They were the first manufacturer to utilize Scholler Technologies’ coldblack technology in their sublimation printed clothing, which keeps dark colored garments from attracting excess heat. The coldblack textile treatment is employed on Team Movistar’s new jerseys and bibshorts.
The lucky members of Team Movistar will also benefit from something riders of all levels could potentially enjoy- custom fitted chamois pads. If you’re into skiing, you’ve probably heard about boot fitting services… How’d you like the equivalent attention given to your most sensitive parts? Check out the above video for a glimpse at the process.
Between Endura and bike fit experts gebioMized, the two companies developed a pad fit system that matches the chamois padding to each rider’s unique body shape. Team riders were analyzed using a pressure mapping saddle pad, with the rider sitting in all three handlebar positions to determine where pressure points existed throughout pedal strokes.
The data collected led to the development of Continuously Variable Profile (CVP) technology that provides selective padding only where it’s needed, minimizing peak pressure points for top-notch comfort. The personalized construction also allows any unnecessary material to be removed for reduced friction or bunching and better moisture management. The pros always get to try this stuff first but it definitely begs the question, is custom chamois fitting something we might see in our LBS one day?
