Aero Helmet vs. Road Helmet
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
The aero helmet isnt gonna save you much time. Especially when you consider the expense. I think all the certified TT helmets are at least $100. When that helmet saves you 5 seconds for a 40k, I dont see the benefit.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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iainbanks1 posted 2 years ago.
I agree with triguy98, it will be very insignificant in terms of time improvement particularly if you haven't been tested to make sure the helmet, bike and rider are all in alignment. Not that long ago I heard (can't remember where) that aero helmets can actually make you slower if you don't ride "properly" with them (i.e., if you have your head down, they basically stick up in the air and produce loads more drag).
It would make you look "pro" though :D
[COLOR=Navy]"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
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jalyon posted 1 year ago.
New data is starting to show that aero helmets are absolutely worth it. MIT wind tunnel tests have the numbers that an aero helmet can save you just as much time over a 40k ride as a set of aero wheels. So for 1/10 of the price, it's absolutely worth it. They also did a few tests w/ aerodynamics when a rider's head drops, and the aero helmets are still faster than normal ones.
(source of info is Tri-Talk Podcasts episodes 29 and 30 and the 12/19/06 Triathlete Magazine podcast.)
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UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Yeah...the aero benefit is somewhere around 8%....30 to 60 seconds over a 40k. Riding with the helmet "properly" isn't hard. Just keep the tail about an inch or two over your back and don't move your head around a lot....pretty easy to do. Obviously, going to a wind tunnel is going optimize everything, but the same can be said with aerobars and everyone uses those without going to a wind tunnel. However, just like aero wheels, the benefit only occurs when you're going fast, so it's not as significant unless you're spending most of your time over 25 mph or so (about 23-24 odo avg at LEAST). Aero helmets don't have that magic "feel" that discs and such do, but times speak for themselves. As far as getting them inexpensively, it's not easy to do. I got a pro deal on my LAS Chrono and still paid like $130 or something like that. If you're going to get one though, you might as well get the full benefit and get a nice one with ear covers and a full tail like the LAS, Giro Advantage, LG rocket (not chrono), Bell Meteor II (IMO, the coolest...you'll have to have it shipped from overseas probably), etc.
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
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glbrum posted 1 year ago.
Wear it properly, like already said, and it will be as beneficial as aero wheels. And a fraction of the cost, too.
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Iron Man posted 1 year ago.
in some spare time at uni i have put my aero helmet in the wind tunnel, i agree with the data that says the helmet can save you as much time as the wheels, try on a few before you buy, just to get head sizing right. i got mine for a steal at totalcycling.com
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
Hey everyone, I'm considering getting an aero TT helmet for this season...you see I've caught the aerodynamic bug after getting some HED 3 wheels. I currently have a Giro Atmos and of course, it has been great, but I can't help wonder about a TT helmet. Anyone out there use one? If so, which brand/model? If I get one I'd like to keep it inexpensive.
If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.