{"id":48363,"date":"2023-04-19T19:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T17:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=724532"},"modified":"2023-04-19T19:35:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T17:35:42","slug":"first-look-aero-baselayers-are-the-latest-marginal-gain","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/first-look-aero-baselayers-are-the-latest-marginal-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"First look | Aero baselayers are the latest marginal gain"},"content":{"rendered":"

A closer look at Rule 28’s aero crop top <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 19 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Rule 28\u2019s Aero Base Layer is exactly that \u2013 a baselayer designed to improve your aerodynamic efficiency on the bike.<\/p>\n

While leading riders and teams have frequently used aerodynamic baselayers in elite time trials<\/a> in recent years, the technology is now creeping into road racing as well.<\/p>\n

Despite sponsor commitments, Rule 28\u2019s Aero Base Layer is being worn by some of the WorldTour\u2019s<\/a> top riders, including two-time Tour de France<\/a> champion, Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n

Yet, given it\u2019s designed to be worn underneath cycling jerseys<\/a> and skinsuits, how does the Rule 28 Aero Base Layer manage to affect the airflow over a rider? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

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Tadej Poga\u010dar and a number of other WorldTour pros have been spotted wearing Rule 28\u2019s new Aero Base Layer on a number of occasions this season.<\/span><\/figcaption> ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT\/AFP via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Boundary layer manipulation<\/h2>\n

Similar to the dimples on a golf ball, the Rule 28 Aero Base Layer is designed to manipulate the boundary layer of airflow around parts of the rider\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

In this case, the striped fabric ridges on the sleeves bulge through the fabric of your skinsuit or jersey and \u2018trip\u2019 the airflow from laminar (smooth) to turbulent (messy).<\/p>\n

This creates a turbulent boundary layer of airflow around the rider\u2019s arm, which reduces the size of the low-pressure wake behind the arm. In turn, this reduces your aerodynamic drag.<\/p>\n

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Rule 28\u2019s Aero Base Layer uses striped sleeves to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of your arms.<\/span><\/figcaption> Yogamaya von Bromley \/ BikeRadar<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s much the same concept as with aero socks<\/a> or other pieces of aerodynamic cycling kit.<\/p>\n

The Nopinz Flow skinsuit<\/a>, for example, uses a number of different textured fabrics to produce similar effects.<\/p>\n

That Nopinz has recently announced its Hypersonic range \u2013 an updated skinsuit based around an \u2018aero base layer plus skinsuit\u2019 concept \u2013 would appear to confirm Rule 28 is on to something.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Aero Base Layer works using the same principles as aero socks \u2013 by generating a turbulent boundary layer of airflow that reduces aerodynamic drag.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rule 28<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As you may have guessed, the type of fabric used on the sleeve worn over the baselayer is crucial to maximising the gains from this effect.<\/p>\n

Given this, Rule 28 has also designed a new skinsuit \u2013 the Neo Suit 1.1 \u2013 that\u2019s designed to be worn in tandem with the baselayer.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Rule 28\u2019s Neo Suit 1.1 is designed to be worn in tandem with the Aero Base Layer to maximise its effects.<\/span><\/figcaption> Yogamaya von Bromley \/ BikeRadar<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Compared to most skinsuits, the fabric on the sleeves of the Neo Suit 1.1 is noticeably thinner.<\/p>\n

This enables the ridges on the sleeves of the baselayer to bulge through and create the desired surface roughness.<\/p>\n

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\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The ridges on the baselayer bulge through the fabric on the sleeves of the Neo Suit, creating the desired level of surface roughness to reduce drag.<\/span><\/figcaption> Yogamaya von Bromley \/ BikeRadar<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In terms of jerseys and other skinsuits, Rule 28 told us it believes anything with mesh or light textures on the sleeves should also work well with the Aero Base Layer (in theory, specific combinations would need to be tested properly to be sure).<\/p>\n

This is because these would allow the baselayer to manipulate the surface of the fabric sitting on top of it as intended.<\/p>\n

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The baselayer can also be paired with standard cycling jerseys, though it will only work at its best with garments that have thin sleeves.<\/span><\/figcaption> Yogamaya von Bromley \/ BikeRadar<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In contrast, Rule 28 says sleeves with striped aero fabrics will likely interfere with the baselayer stripes and could even be more draggy as a result.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re unlikely to see a drag reduction from wearing it beneath a thick winter cycling jacket<\/a>, either.<\/p>\n

What are the gains?<\/h3>\n

In order to test the effectiveness of the Aero Base Layer and Neo Suit, Rule 28 tested both against its previous flagship skinsuit, the TT Skinsuit 1.0 (which used a striped fabric on the sleeves and shoulders), at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub wind tunnel.<\/p>\n

This is the same facility we recently used to test the best-value aero upgrades<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It was tested at speeds from 35 through to 60kph, and at 0 and 5 degrees of yaw.<\/p>\n

At 45kph (a speed typical of both pro road races and amateur time trials<\/a>), the Neo Suit paired with the Aero Base Layer saved 2.8 watts at 0 degrees of yaw, and 7.5 watts at 5 degrees of yaw.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
\ufeffYAW 0<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Speed<\/b><\/td>35kph<\/td>40kph<\/td>45kph<\/td>50kph<\/td>55kph<\/td>60kph<\/td> <\/tr>
R28 2021 TT Suit<\/b> (watts)<\/td>133.3<\/td>194.7<\/td>272.3<\/td>371.6<\/td>494.4<\/td>637.4<\/td> <\/tr>
R28 Neo Suit + Aero Base Layer<\/b> (watts)<\/td>129.7<\/td>190.6<\/td>269.5<\/td>365<\/td>487.4<\/td>617.1<\/td> <\/tr>
YAW 5<\/b><\/td> <\/tr>
Speed<\/b><\/td>35kph<\/td>40kph<\/td>45kph<\/td>50kph<\/td>55kph<\/td>60kph<\/td> <\/tr>
R28 2021 TT Suit<\/b> (watts)<\/td>136.1<\/td>197.2<\/td>275.4<\/td>369.4<\/td>490.3<\/td>629.7<\/td> <\/tr>
R28 Neo Suit + Aero Base Layer<\/b> (watts)<\/td>133.7<\/td>193.6<\/td>267.9<\/td>362.4<\/td>473.5<\/td>607.6<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>