Saving Seconds

Takes Years

Marginal gains are real. Their value is always individual; but there is no denying their existence. Back in 1989, after three weeks of hard racing, Greg Lemond won the Tour de France by just eight seconds. In 2020, for the first time ever, all three grand tours were won by a margin of less than one minute.

While most of us will never race a grand tour, small gains can make all the difference each time we ride. Fundamental to finding performance gains, no matter whether you are competing or out with friends on the weekend group ride, is how to control aerodynamics.

Your own physical training plays the largest part, but to find the marginal gains, optimizing kit is vital.

Approximately 75% of the air resistance you face as a cyclist faces comes from your own body: any small change to your kit can help performance. Our aero initiative takes our history and focus on aerodynamics further in order to optimize kit fully for ultimate performance, no matter where you ride.

In the product development process, we work to solve the problems that cost you time and sap your speed. From extensive CFD testing and analysis of our helmets to find the optimum shape for airflow and cooling, to choosing fabrics based on their aerodynamic and performance credentials, each piece of kit we develop is formed to allow each of us to ride to the best of our abilities.

SAVING SECONDS, OR EVEN MILLISECONDS, TAKES YEARS: NOT ONLY PHYSICAL TRAINING BUT YEARS OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, ANALYSIS AND SEVERAL PRODUCT ITERATIONS AND REFINEMENTS.

After years of working with World Tour teams, we have learnt where to focus to improve aerodynamic efficiency. We see that while certain things may be more aerodynamic in the short term, if certain positions cannot be held, they become a hindrance.

The Tempor, first released in 2012, is regularly recognised as the fastest helmet there is. But its performance demands that a certain position is held: move from that and the aerodynamic advantage is reduced. Developed specifically for Swedish time trial specialist Gustav Larsson ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the helmet is shaped for a very specific position on the bike. Other helmets are less dependent on body position, but how you sit on the bike is always important.

While the Tempor is regularly proven to work for the pros, we wanted to create products that allow everyone to be the best they can.

Throughout our history we have worked to ensure that even the helmets that are for more general, less specialist styles of riding give exceptional aerodynamic performance in a usable way. Continuing in the footsteps of the Octal Aero, the helmets built on the Ventral platform all give proven aerodynamic performance yet do not compromise your performance every time you change your body position.

Even sunglasses can play a part in your performance: their shape and size can have a measurable impact on your aerodynamics. Studying this led us to create the Propel, the sunglasses shaped to allow air to find the smoothest path around a rider’s face and give each rider a marginal gain.

To some, aero is everything. But when it comes to kit, we believe other factors are just as important for you to be able to perform at your very best. Fit, comfort, freedom of movement, as well as weather protection and breathability, all play important roles in how well you will be able to perform when it really matters.

Channelled fabrics are used to support improved airflow and in theory allow you to cut through air more easily. Giving performance without compromise, the kit is developed with the knowledge that aero is not the only thing that affects performance.

Raceday apparel might be for competition, but it could be for any day you need to find your best. The kit supports you on the days you need it the most; whether that is in a race or trying to keep a higher pace with your group on a weekend ride.