Why not wear it? Who cares what anyone else thinks. Aero is aero regardless of distance.
BTW, I LIKE being THAT girl.

I recently did a very short duathlon (2, 10, 2), and my one of my favorite parts was when I passed several people with aero helmets. Although I think the top finishers, who I was nowhere close to passing, also had aero helmets.

You are racing yourself and the helmet gives you the edge. No reason at all to leave it at home.

If you accept the premise that an aero helmet is faster, and you want to go as fast as possible, I see no reason not to use it. I just don't get the mentality that says you should intentionally use slower equipment in a race when you already have the tools on hand to go faster. Who cares if someone on a fat-tire mountain bike passes you? They were clearly going to pass you anyway.

Use it.

Even though my comments seem to deter MOP/BOP racers not to wear them, I actually encourage it! When I am sucking wind on the bike and pass someone with an expensive aero helmet when I am wearing my cheap helmet I got with my cheap mountain bike makes me feel oh so good!

I agree, its a fine line, but I think it comes down to return on investment. Is a aero helmet REALLY worth the $200 bucks if you are a MOP/BOP athlete. A tri bike obviously is worth it based on the amount of minutes saved for the amount of $$, but an aero helmet, I dunno... I mean how much time do they save you in the first place? I am in the top 3-5 in my age group (20-24) in races I do, no aero helmet, no plans to get one., and consistently pass dudes w/ aeros and discs and I just laugh. Its the athlete, not the gear.

However, since you already have one, it might as well be used if it shaves off 5 secs, it could be the difference between some goodies and not...

Id say to each their own. I've seen fools on $10,000 bikes that are suffering hardcore in Olympic distance tris, and then I've seen dudes at HIMs wearing sandles... yes actually sandles, who friggin own the bike and the run. It's like the perfect example of America... but as for buying stuff, I suppose if you need the financial investment to keep you dedicated, so it goes. For me it's lookin in the mirror every morning.

In the end its up to you, and dont give a crap what other people think unless they're your sponsor. In which case, wear what THEY want you to wear.

just my .02

This isn't a debate of if it's worth it or not for the money as some people are looking at it. The helmet is already owned...so wear it.

If I'm a MOP/BOPer who owns good equipment, I'm going to use it...why would you leave it at home an opt for lesser equipment in a RACE when it isn't going to cost you any extra $$$. That's stupid.

Plus, as is the case with most MOPers...I'm not going for the podium in my AG when I race...if I happen to hit it then bonus, but if I'm improving my times...then I'm ecstatic b/c it's all about self-improvement. And, all else being equal, faster equipment leads to faster times.
Wear it proudly

I think it's funny to see some of the hypocrisy. Some of the people who answer the question..."I'm a newb and don't know what to wear at my first tri," answer with "No one will care what you look like, wear what works for you." Then they turn around and say "don't wear/use upgraded equipment unless your fast enough to back it up" on this thread.

If you already own it, it'd be foolish not to use it!

Righto... next year at IMCa I'm definitely gonna plop down some cheese for a helmet... might even rent some wheels. I have fun little competition going on with a friend that's also doing the race, I beat him last year but since I moved to MN I don't get the full year of outside riding and mountains to ride in. Should be interested. I'll need every second I can get!

Deat Star Aero Helmet

This makes me realize that if I ever get an aero helmet, I want it in black. With a black mirrored visor.

no, I had considered it, but I am signed up for Jeff and Brede's in 2 weeks- the budget and time constraints only allow for one race a month- let me know if you have anything else coming up in the Houston area

Yeah. Definitely.

Me: "I'm doing a triathlon"
Them: "Well, it's not a real triathlon, is it?"(looking at my gut while they say it).

That's what's so funny. People who are into triathlons are never surprised when I tell them that I do them too. They're always like "that's awesome" and stuff. Then, when people who don't really know much about it hear that I'm into them, they're like "whatever". I've never found a more supportive group than among triathletes.

If you have the aero helmet, use it.
However if you use the aero helmet at a sprint you better finish up front.

I suck on the bike and during one of my first handful of sprint tri's I passed a guy all decked out with matching tri top and bottom, a Felt tri bike with Zipp wheels, and an aero helmet.

I had a Trek road bike and a $18 Bell helmet I got from Wal-Mart.

Basically if you are gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk
(or swim the swim, bike the bike, and run the run in this case) ;-)

RV are you poking fun? You know how serious I am!! ;-)

Actually what I was saying is;
'go ahead and wear your fancy gear, but if you aren't in the top 10% I will laugh at you'

;-)

Check my bike times, I need to work on my bike more.
So I am not bragging. I am a middle of the pack cyclist on a good day.

The guy I passed was 24 and losing in the 20-25 age bracket.
He looked like he just had some money to spend on expensive toys.

I found it amusing at the time.