Aero Helmet In Kona
For all those people out there who have raced in Kona...
I just got a shiny new Lazer Tardiz aero helmet and have been dying to race in it. I'm doing the 70.3 in Hawaii June 5th which was going to be my first race in it. Then I started reading that people think it's too hot there to wear an aero helmet. So I would like the opinions and personal experiences of those who have raced in Kona. Good idea? or bad?
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I suggest trying but helmets out on a the same day (the hotter the better) and see if you notice a difference.
Other suggestions would be to get a cap for under the helmet and keep it wet. DeSoto makes one designed just for this purpose.
BTW, I like your goals ;-)
I specifically bought the Lazer to try and avoid problems in Kona.
First time I raced there, I wore a regular helmet, the Giro Pneumo. I had no problems with dehydration or being too warm, and had a good race (set a marathon PR for the IM!)
Second time I went, I brought the Giro, and a Spiuk aero helmet. Despite experiencing wind effects and heat effects when I wore the Spiuk in practice, I went ahead and used in in the race. I did not have a good race, due to many factors, including getting too hot under the helmet. Also, I went through a big internal debate before going, about whether I should even take the Spiuk, due to all the space it takes in luggage. Since I made the effort to take it, I decided I should use it, which turned out to be a "stupid" reason.
The Lazer has a removable black plastic tab on tap, so you can ride with a hole in your helmet through which you can pour water. I'm going to take it and a regular helmet back to Kona this year, and will hope to make a "smart" decision this time, based on what I experience during practice rides.
While the winners, Alexander and Wellington, both wore regular helmets last year, there are other successful racers who use aero helmet at Kona. As Matt says, you've got to find out what works for you, and experiment with different helmets. And, try some cooling measures out on the Queen K when you get there, to see what works, including pouring water through that hole!
Uh, yeah, about those goals ...
I have not raced in Kona (yet) so I can't speak as to how the cross winds may effect wearing an aero helmet, but regarding the heat I have raced in my aero helmet in two different Ironmans that had temperatures in the 90s (one dry, one humid) and I don't think it affected me. Although I had problems on the run at both races, I don't attribute either to overheating on the bike.
In one race I bonked at mile 22 (my legs quit working until I downed about 5 cups of Coke) and the second race I did overheat at mile 23 of the run, but I attribute this overheating to the fact it was 100 degrees on the run course and not my choice of helmets.
I would advise trying both helmets on a hot day as may simply come down to comfort.
P