When Clothing Becomes a Weapon

When we develop kit for pro riders, it is a genuine arms race to find the final marginal gains. Everyone is already riding top-tuned bikes, fitted in speedsuits, aero socks, and aero helmets. At that level, the differences are small, yet still decisive.

However, it is a completely different story at the club level and on local roads. Here, choosing the right kit can give you an advantage that feels almost unfair. You can easily pick up 30, 40, or even 80 watts simply because you put some thought into it - and your riding buddies didn't.

Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X) wins the first spring classic of the year, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025, ahead of Jasper Philipsen, among others. Source: Gettysport.

1. Garment Fit Is Everything

Your clothing needs to fit properly - neither too tight nor too loose. If a jersey is too tight, the fabric stretches, degrading its aerodynamic properties. If it fits too loosely, creasing or flapping in the wind, it will cost you speed.

If your jersey fits poorly, switching to a jersey with aero fabrics will certainly help - but you will gain even more watts simply by choosing the correct size of your current model, or ideally, an aero-optimized jersey that fits correctly.

A jersey with the right fit almost always beats a poorly fitting one, regardless of the material used. That is precisely why we originally removed the zipper on our TEMPO! ONE Jersey, as our testing proved the jersey fit better across a wide range of riders without it. Those learnings have been carried over into our TEMPO! TWO Jersey with a zipper, which now combines optimal fit and aerodynamics with a practical zip.

By choosing a jersey that both fits well and is aerodynamically optimized, you can often save double-digit watts when battling for bragging rights at 35 km/h against a friend whose jersey is flapping in the wind and bunching up.

In bad weather, the difference grows even further. On our TEMPO! PRO Cycling Jacket, we see double-digit watt differences depending on fit - and up to an 80-watt difference compared to a loose rain jacket that wasn't designed with aerodynamics in mind.

Uno-X Women's Pro Team before the start of the world-famous classic, Strade Bianche. Source: SL Media.

2. Choose Kit Matched to Your Speed

Once your clothing fits perfectly, the next step is selecting fabrics tailored to your riding speed.

We test and research textiles that perform differently at different speeds. You might assume that the fastest jersey at 55 km/h would also be the fastest at 35 km/h - but it isn't that simple. The reality is far more complex, and this is where it gets a bit nerdy.

Every fabric performs differently depending on your speed. This is because the surface structure of the material determines how effectively airflow is guided around your body at various velocities. The goal of performance cycling kit is to create the most optimal airflow around you as a rider. That airflow behaves differently depending on your jersey's fabric, whether you are traveling at 35 km/h or 55 km/h, sprinting, climbing, or riding in a crosswind.

The new TEMPO! Pro Jersey combines insights from working with Uno-X Mobility, daily testing in the TEMPO! Wind Tunnel, and premium fabrics into a jersey that performs at the very top of the WorldTour peloton.

When developing kit, we select materials targeted at specific speeds. For example, our TEMPO! Jerseys are categorized by speed, and you get the greatest advantage by choosing clothing that matches the speed you typically ride:

• Tempo! PRO Jersey: +38 km/h

• Tempo! ONE Jersey: 32–40 km/h

• Tempo! TWO Jersey: Under 34 km/h

This speed shouldn't necessarily be calculated from your overall average speed, but rather the speed you need to sustain during longer efforts and critical race moments.

3. Think Aero Ahead of Your Rivals

Aerodynamics are relative and personal. If your clubmates are riding in oversized gilets and you choose a tight-fitting vest - or even better, a TEMPO! Shield Torso beneath your jersey - you already hold a significant advantage.

It isn't about choosing a specific aero sock that saves a single watt. It is about choosing to wear aero socks in the first place, while others are still riding in standard socks.

The same applies to your overall kit selection. If you are already thinking aerodynamically when getting dressed, you can gain substantial watts using your existing wardrobe compared to those who just grab the first item out of the closet.

Most importantly: right now, you are a first-mover. Simply by reading this and thinking about aero efficiency, you are already ahead. Aerodynamics aren't just for the WorldTour - they are for you, beating your friends, and your personal goals.

How We Test in the TEMPO! Wind Tunnel

Step behind the scenes in FUSION's wind tunnel with Sebastian Ryttersgaard, our Wind Tunnel Operator, and get an inside look at the scientific foundation behind our testing, research, and product development in the TEMPO! Wind Tunnel.