I really like mine. The hole in the top of the helmet comes in handy for pooring water in on hot days. Came in handy for the hot desert to help keep my head cool.
I'm new to triathlons this year and am starting from zero in purchasing gear. I've considered going straight to an aero helmet but one thing I wonder is if anyone feels like it's over the top to wear an aero helmet on normal daily training rides. It would definitely look normal at a triathlon but seems like it would be out of place riding around neighborhoods. Does anyone else think this or am I just caring too much about how it looks?
@Allen: Start with a good basic road helmet, then reward yourself with an Aero helmet later. A regular helmet will be much cooler to train in and better protection too. Chrissie Wellington won tons of IMs without wearing an Aero lid.
@ Allen - I know I look like a full fledged tri-geek when I wear the aero helmet on a training ride. So I only do that a few times a year -- typically during a race rehearsal or on a day that I am going to crank. If you are blowing folks doors off they are less likely to make fun of you!
The other factor is that I'm still a newbie so I would look even more like a spaz wearing an aero helmet and going 16 mph
Maybe I'll go with a road helmet this year since my goal is just to finish the IMCDA within the 17 hours. Then in future seasons when I'm faster and my goals are more aggressive I will consider getting an aero helmet for races.
Allen - I have both, and wear the aero helmet for race rehearsals and races, but, the regulr road helmet IS cooler temp-wise, not to mention daily wear and tear. You don't want to be scratching up your nice aero race helmet with a bunch of daily use! Keep it pretty and shiny for race day!
This is NOT on topic, but I will throw out one more recommendation since you said you are new to triathlon (welcome to the club!). Have 2 pairs of running shoes that you alternate and you will lengthen the life of both pairs and will maintain the bouncy response of each longer as well. It took me a while to learn this!
@Allen: Another point is that an Aero helmet can actually *slow* you down if you keep looking down or to the side. The tail then get a lot of wind and drags. Until you are really solid in the aero position and don't move your head around, go with a road helmet.
You do not want to do all your training in an aero bucket for a few reasons. That they tend to be not as comfortable is a big one. Another to consider is safety. Nothing definitive but some of the data suggests that a long tail is not what you want sticking out the back of your head when it hits the ground. I understand that it can cause your head/neck to snap around in ways that can be bad when you hit the deck.
I also advise having both helmets...but even though you are going to ride the road helmet 90% of the time, it doesn't have to be a major investment.
You don't have to drop a bejillion on a road helmet. Just get a good basic one from one of the major manufacturers. (e.g, a $40 Giro) As long as it fits, all the road helmets should protect you very, very similarly. The added expense on a $150 road helmet (besides just charging more because they can) is supposedly on R&D (etc) into finding the absolutely lightest, most breeziest etc etc etc design possible. You don't care about that. Just get something that fits, has some decent venting, and is a color you like.
On another note, I hate to openly disagree with other members, but I think Elly is incorrect. I am pretty sure that the data out there suggest that it doesn't matter where your head is pointed - in general, an aero helmet is better than a road helmet. People think that looking down with an aero helmet is bad (because the tail sticks up), but in fact there are data showing that for some people/fits, this is teh BEST position in terms of speed. [However, no one says you should really look that way....look at the road! there was even a recent thread on this point here in EN.]
I cannot be as certain about looking around sideways...but you'll find quickly that you don't need to do that much anyway.
Finally, on your comment about being a newbie and all... Not using an aero helmet is a perfectly reasonable decision... but don't do it because you don't think it will help you. Even though you are going slower, because you are on the road LONGER, the math works out that you save more minutes by wearing it than speed demons going 25 mph.
@ William: No problem! I was just repeating what I had heard in an interview with Chissie Wellington. The article by John Cobb in ST confirms what you're saying.
Allen - I wouldn't worry about how fast you go as a criteria whether to get an aero helmet. Free speed is just as valuable to someone who is slower (like me). Also, if you look around you can bet aero helments at pretty reasonable prices.
@Allen - concur with the comments above. Get a decent daily use roadie helmet that fits you well. An expensive helmet that fits poorly will not serve you as well in a wreck as a "cheap" one that fits well. From my experience that wreck is generally a "when" not an "if". And isn't that really the whole point of a helmet? For racing and RR's, go with the aero lid. Again, find one that fits well. The difference between one helmet and another is almost negligible but what happens to your speed and RPE when your head is on fire from a raging hotspot? If you're in pain, regardless of source, you will likely slow down.
Funny, you'll notice a trend throughout the haus: Fit, fit, fit. Goggles and wetsuit? Those that fit you the best. Bike - get it professionally fitted. Running shoes - the coolest looking shoes suck when they give you blisters at mile 7. All of these are the accessories that allow you to express your fitness on the course. Optimally they are extensions of you and the only way they can be that is if they fit perfectly.
@ All - Thanks for the advice. I'm going with your suggestion and planning to get a roadie helmet now and will eventually get an aero helmet just for races. I tried a bunch on at various cycle shops today and am leaning toward a Giro Ionos as it seemed to fit my head best.
Comments
I will have to add one of these to the list. Thanks for the feedback.
I really like mine. The hole in the top of the helmet comes in handy for pooring water in on hot days. Came in handy for the hot desert to help keep my head cool.
@Allen: Start with a good basic road helmet, then reward yourself with an Aero helmet later. A regular helmet will be much cooler to train in and better protection too. Chrissie Wellington won tons of IMs without wearing an Aero lid.
The other factor is that I'm still a newbie so I would look even more like a spaz wearing an aero helmet and going 16 mph
Maybe I'll go with a road helmet this year since my goal is just to finish the IMCDA within the 17 hours. Then in future seasons when I'm faster and my goals are more aggressive I will consider getting an aero helmet for races.
This is NOT on topic, but I will throw out one more recommendation since you said you are new to triathlon (welcome to the club!). Have 2 pairs of running shoes that you alternate and you will lengthen the life of both pairs and will maintain the bouncy response of each longer as well. It took me a while to learn this!
I also advise having both helmets...but even though you are going to ride the road helmet 90% of the time, it doesn't have to be a major investment.
You don't have to drop a bejillion on a road helmet. Just get a good basic one from one of the major manufacturers. (e.g, a $40 Giro) As long as it fits, all the road helmets should protect you very, very similarly. The added expense on a $150 road helmet (besides just charging more because they can) is supposedly on R&D (etc) into finding the absolutely lightest, most breeziest etc etc etc design possible. You don't care about that. Just get something that fits, has some decent venting, and is a color you like.
On another note, I hate to openly disagree with other members, but I think Elly is incorrect. I am pretty sure that the data out there suggest that it doesn't matter where your head is pointed - in general, an aero helmet is better than a road helmet. People think that looking down with an aero helmet is bad (because the tail sticks up), but in fact there are data showing that for some people/fits, this is teh BEST position in terms of speed. [However, no one says you should really look that way....look at the road! there was even a recent thread on this point here in EN.]
I cannot be as certain about looking around sideways...but you'll find quickly that you don't need to do that much anyway.
Finally, on your comment about being a newbie and all... Not using an aero helmet is a perfectly reasonable decision... but don't do it because you don't think it will help you. Even though you are going slower, because you are on the road LONGER, the math works out that you save more minutes by wearing it than speed demons going 25 mph.
@ William: No problem! I was just repeating what I had heard in an interview with Chissie Wellington. The article by John Cobb in ST confirms what you're saying.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadi...lmets.html
Very, very interesting.
I agree with what others said, you'll probably only want an aero lid for limited use. They are not often that comfy, are loud, hot, etc.
But they are great for race day. I have a Rudy Project Wingspan & like it quite a bit. Light, good ventilation, short tail.
I'd get a Specialized TT2 if my back was 100% flat and I could keep my head up all race long, but no dice.
Research shows that an aero helmet is faster even when riding head down, esp a short tail.
Funny, you'll notice a trend throughout the haus: Fit, fit, fit. Goggles and wetsuit? Those that fit you the best. Bike - get it professionally fitted. Running shoes - the coolest looking shoes suck when they give you blisters at mile 7. All of these are the accessories that allow you to express your fitness on the course. Optimally they are extensions of you and the only way they can be that is if they fit perfectly.