this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2025
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At the pro level, adding 100 watts to your apparel just won't work.
For commuters, reducing comfort, increasing sweat, and spending more just doesn't fly. It's hard enough to get people to wear helmets.
Same as above for recreational riders.
I say that as someone who wore full on motorcycle equipment while riding an e-scooter that could go 50km/h, but I kept it legal at under 25 km/h. Overkill to the max.
It's challenging enough to dress comfortably and without sweating too much while cycling normally. I can't imagine adding an armored jacket or pants to the mix. MTB and downhill riders do wear stuff like that, though.
If safety equipment was mandatory at the pro level like it is on MTB, everyone would have that added increase. More research and development would go into lighter, breathable, rip proof fabric and lightweight, aerodynamic hard protection. Sure, time would go down, but I don’t see why you should sacrifice safety and health for a few seconds off your times.
The downside to time cost is nobody will every break the records of old. (though we also know that in the past drugs, blood doping, and other things that are not allowed was done so breaking records may not be possible anyway)
Na there will be a beast in 15 years that'll come out of nowhere to smash it with pads on and set a new standard.