Question:
1.I have always used a QR sleeveless myself, but I know many people who have
fullsuits. I may also be in the market for a fullsuit, and so I have been
asking around. The best advice I have heard comes from a GREAT swimmer
Steve Tarpanian. He is the coach of Total Training. He said he tried out
both and thought the Ironman was definitely superior. But I think there
is a caveat. The Ironman is probably better than the regular QR. Compare
it to the hydrophobic and the difference is less. Now who will be able to
really benefit from the difference?? Top swimmers like Steve will, but
probably not most athletes. What does it all mean. If you are a very
strong swimmer spend the $ on the Ironman, but if you are not buy the much
less expensive regular QR because the Ironman and the hydrophobic will not
help you. Plus it has got to be pretty embarrassing coming out of the
water in the middle of the pack with the most expensive wetsuit in the
race.
Answer:1.I don't usually get involved in this discussion, however I'm feeling
ornery today, and will respond knowing full well i'm making an ass of
myself.
the german ironman was probably the best grouping of the world's top
athletes this year, in races which allowed wetsuits. the other race of
note was mrs. t's, as it more of the world's top short course athletes
than any other. as i consider these races, i can't think of too many
athletes who were *not* wearing qr hydrophobics. i can think of a lot of
top pros, in fact most of the ones i know-- and know of-- who *were*
wearing them. which is neither here nor there, except that we don't pay
any of them. none are under contract to us, except spencer smith, who
gets paid chiefly to ride our bike.
so why do all these athletes swim in our hydrophobic for no money? i
suspect that steve tarpanian is very knowledgeable, although i'm not
familiar with whom he is. but if most of the world's best athletes are
using our wetsuits for no money because I'm a great guy, then i must be a
lot more pleasant than i thought i was. maybe they're all blowing smoke
up my arse when they say they can't afford *not* to swim in the hydro
(even if we don't pay), but i don't exactly know what their motivation
would be, since qr is not a profit center for them.
2.I remember reading a british triathlon magaizine the other day that
had a comparison of wetsuits and it didn't even mention QR though it
rated the Ironman highly (I think it's pick was something called an
'Aquaman'). Guess exposure of QR in some countries is a little slim.
I have never tried either wetsuit so can't comment on the suits
themselves.
