LIVINGSTON, Scotland (BRAIN) — Endura's new QDC (Quick Dry Cool) Drag2Zero triathlon clothing line is said to include "market leading aero concepts, cutting edge fabrics and exclusive pad technologies to live up to its ambitious label.
The line was developed with Simon Smart of Smart Aero Technology, and a selection of the world's top long distance triathletes. The company said major wind drag reductions were achieved through F1 wind tunnel sessions testing of more than 70 prototypes using countless fabrics, fine tuning garments to deliver maximum aero advantage at the speeds experienced in competitive triathlon. The company notes that with an athlete's body accounting for approximately 85 percent of the aerodynamic drag while riding, a faster suit means a faster bike split.
Jim McFarlane, the founder of Endura, said, "The aim was to create the fastest tri suit in the world without compromising comfort in any of the disciplines, and I think we have done that. The numbers out of the wind tunnel are better than we could have ever hoped when we started out on this journey and feedback from our athletes in racing has been overwhelmingly positive. All of the individual components of the suits and numerous different seam constructions have been tested in the wind tunnel in order to optimize aerodynamics at real world speeds. We have focussed on sleeved suits and a sleeved aero jersey as the sleeves we use allow for big aerodynamic improvements, as was demonstrated consistently in testing."
QDC was tested and developed with triathletes including Luke McKenzie, who holds the record for the fastest Ironman time on Australian soil, 2015 Challenge Roth winner Nils Frommhold, and multiple Ironman champions Tim Don, Iván Raña, Rachel Joyce and Beth Gerdes.
The range includes the following items: a standard aero race suit, a lightweight aero race suit using fabrics up to 40 percent lighter than the standard suit, a sleeveless aero race suit, an aero bike jersey, a sleeveless tri vest, a lightweight tri short, and calf guards. All of these are available in men and women's versions including gender-specific pads.
All items feature wind tunnel-tested surface texturing to minmise drag. The tops have a slick bonded neckline and raw edge hem finishes to eliminate chafing. 3D printed silicone grippers keep the hems in place without irritating the skin. High-wicking main body fabric with coldblack technology, UPF 50+ protection and mesh side panels manage body temperature efficiently while drying quickly.
All suits and tops boast a bonded rear pocket for race essentials, while the suits and the tri shorts also have a gel wrapper stuff pocket on the back thigh to discourage littering. The suits and the tri shorts are also equipped with a quick dry, water repellent Continuously Variable Profile (CVP) Tri pad with water expelling DisperseFoam technology. Additionally, the QDC Tri Vest and the QDC Drag2Zero Tri Shorts each feature 3D printed silicone interface grippers to bind with each other.
More information at endurasport.com.
