I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
Bingo.
???
Sorry to chime in a bit late here...but what is this discussion about?
I see a lot of back and forth, what if's, by how much, on and on...about what?
In our sport (swimming) rules are in place that allow a certain type of swim suit(s)...you can choose to use them...or not. Whining because you choose not to and someone else does is a joke. Just as someone else pointed out in an earlier post about cycling, there may be some of the same crybabys out there longing for the days of steel bikes and no aerobars but who cares...the rules are the rules.
As for the who's the better athlete (regardless of the sport), the one using the approved gear or the one who isn't? In my opinion its highly unlikely that an average athlete is going to break any world records or win many races using a carbon bike or a B70...if however in a head to head race between 2 athletes who are at the exact same level of ability of course the one using technoloy will have an advantage...but nothing is a given.
Not worth it, go back to your bike forum and discuss a few grams of weight savings for the newest carbon pedals.
My, my, my, you are a judgemental fellow. The only forum I visit is this one. I don't give a hoot about the cycling sport of cheaters.
I'm feeling violated. Do you really think I would stoop so low as to....be a tri-athlete?
My personal take on the suits: I have a certain time goal for each of the events I swim. When I come within .5-1 second of reaching those goals I'll consider investing in a suit. This works out great for me because I'm still several seconds away from my goal times, and that gives me more months/years to save money to buy the suit. Also, by the time I'm ready to purchase a suit, it'll be so hydrodynamic that even the water molecules in the air will be repelled, and it'll be so slippery that you'll need special gloves (sold separately) just to put it on.
:bliss:
Your reluctance to answer the question about the bike is very telling. But, you keep preaching to us swimmers about how fast suits are bad.
I shall have patience. Why, pray tell, do you care about my steed?
I preach to "you swimmers" so that you can see the light. I once was blind.
I say we ban shaving too, that way, the least hairy, fast swimmers will win! Oh wait, I'm not fast. Never mind!:blah::blah::blah:
Let's see what other "approved" technological wonders should we try to get banned so all the purists can feel the playing field is level:
- Nike "air" shoes
- Football/soccer "cleats"
- Carbon fiber crew boats...or in any equipment
- Spoilers in NASCAR
- Gears on bikes (no need to revisit all the other stuff)
- Rubber padded paddles for table tennis
- High visibility colored tennis balls...dare I mention the raquets?
- Pads for football
- Aluminum baseball bats
- Horse shoes
- We won't get into details about golf equipment
- Plastic pieces in chess
- Sunglasses for Pro Poker
But darn those swimsuits sure do look like cheatin to me!
I'm sorry, stillwater
Apology accepted.
Why do you care about the bike I own?
And, if you knew at thing about Phelps' race with the goggle issue, that was the one individual race where he didn't achieve his pre-planned time goal and he specifically stated it was due to goggle failure
I know a couple of things about his race. He won a gold medal, with goggle faliure. If his fancy pants suit had torn I doubt he would have won.
I'll try. But it's hard. Can I just buy it?
(my 7 steeds are steel)
I just ordered my first steel mountain bike. It should be here by the end of the month!!!:):):)
I say we ban shaving too, that way, the least hairy, fast swimmers will win! Oh wait, I'm not fast. Never mind!:blah::blah::blah:
???
Sorry to chime in a bit late here...but what is this discussion about?
i thought the discussion was finally taking a turn for the better and would soon lead to agreement of the beauty and aesthetics of hand cut lug work.
(my 7 steeds are steel)
you really should go away.
Whaaaa, is that a whine? Or as my five year old says, "You go away. I was here first."
it's obvious why you don't want the goggle argument - it nullifies your entire premise.
Goggle failure didn't hamper Mr. Phelp's butterfly swim in the big show. A rip in the fancy pants tech suit might have.
Train harder, get stronger, swim better
Shoot, now you're giving great tips about athleticism and dedication to the craft. But that's hard
How about just spending money to be faster?
then buy the suit.
I shall have patience. Why, pray tell, do you care about my steed?
I preach to "you swimmers" so that you can see the light. I once was blind.
Not worth it, go back to your bike forum and discuss a few grams of weight savings for the newest carbon pedals.
