Is an aero helmet worth it?

love2ride

Hi
I do 10 mile tt times of around 24 minutes on a road bike with clip ons. I am buying a tt frame and was wandering how much time an aero helmet would save over 10miles. Do you have any recommendations, firstly for quality and secondly for value.
Thanks
Will

Pokerface

It will save you at least 4 minutes in a 10 mile TT.

Because you'll be racing that much harder towards the finish so you can take it off!

Seriously though - depends how seriously you take your TT. I'm in the same boat - just bought a TT bike, got a skinsuit, shoe covers, etc. Now I need an aero helmet.

Giro and Bell will both run you around £90.

And the helmet could save you as much as 30 seconds over 10 miles over a standard helmet. Or so I've been told.

Wappygixer

I don't follow all this aero stuff to be honest.
I can just see tomany variables that can throw it all out of the window, like winds etc.
Maybe at the pro level it may help but I've seen people when I raced (well over 10 years ago) post ver yrespectable times to a 10 mile TT with just ordinary helmets.
30 seconds sounds like a lot just for a helmet though

pianoman

I very much doubt the aero helmet will give anything close to the gain you got from the tri bars. It's a law of diminishing returns.

You could always buy a Gore Helmet Cover (£20 IIRC) and stick that over the top!

HillClimber101

yes :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

an areo hat is great. feels faster. and is quieter to help you settle into a rythum but that isn't important. the speed benifit is

chriskempton

HillClimber101 wrote:

yes :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

an areo hat is great. feels faster. and is quieter to help you settle into a rythum but that isn't important. the speed benifit is

+1 worth about 20 seconds over 10 miles by my reckoning. No unwanted side effects either.

love2ride

which helmet do you guys have then?

ugo.santalucia

chriskempton wrote:

HillClimber101 wrote:

yes :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

an areo hat is great. feels faster. and is quieter to help you settle into a rythum but that isn't important. the speed benifit is

+1 worth about 20 seconds over 10 miles by my reckoning. No unwanted side effects either.

20? I would be seriously impressed if it saved 2 seconds

TarmacExpert

ugo.santalucia wrote:

20? I would be seriously impressed if it saved 2 seconds

According to the tests here, the gain at 278W is 20 seconds:
http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news ... aero-19273

Wind tunnel data
Set-up Wind Tunnel 0 CdA (m^2) Speed (km/h) at 278W Power req'd at 40km/h (W)*
Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2662 41.65 248.9
Tarmac SL2 | TT2 Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2547 42.25 239.5

41.65 kph = 23:10, 42.25 = 22:50, saving 20 seconds.

ugo.santalucia

TarmacExpert wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

20? I would be seriously impressed if it saved 2 seconds

According to the tests here, the gain at 278W is 20 seconds:
http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news ... aero-19273

Wind tunnel data
Set-up Wind Tunnel 0 CdA (m^2) Speed (km/h) at 278W Power req'd at 40km/h (W)*
Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2662 41.65 248.9
Tarmac SL2 | TT2 Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2547 42.25 239.5

41.65 kph = 23:10, 42.25 = 22:50, saving 20 seconds.

That means that if Pozzato was allowed to wear one at the Paris-Roubaix, he would have caught up Tom Boonen who was 10 seconds ahead of him at about 12 Km to the finish, considering that advantage stayed constant until pretty much the end.

I don't believe it... maths rarely apply to road cycling

SBezza

A normal road helmet has loads of vents to keep you cool, but also create a ton of drag, a aero helmet doesn't have these vents and as such you get alot less drag. The downside, is that you get hot in them, and hence why they wouldn't even be considered in a normal race.

I would have thought 20 secs is about right, though on the road the variables change all the time, so this could fluctuate. You could always ride without a helmet, even this is more aero than a road helmet.

If you are going to get a TT frame and build it up as a TT bike, might as well go the whole hog and get a skinsuit, lycra shoe covers, and aero helmet.

chriskempton

ugo.santalucia wrote:

TarmacExpert wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

20? I would be seriously impressed if it saved 2 seconds

According to the tests here, the gain at 278W is 20 seconds:
http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news ... aero-19273

Wind tunnel data
Set-up Wind Tunnel 0 CdA (m^2) Speed (km/h) at 278W Power req'd at 40km/h (W)*
Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2662 41.65 248.9
Tarmac SL2 | TT2 Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2547 42.25 239.5

41.65 kph = 23:10, 42.25 = 22:50, saving 20 seconds.

That means that if Pozzato was allowed to wear one at the Paris-Roubaix, he would have caught up Tom Boonen who was 10 seconds ahead of him at about 12 Km to the finish, considering that advantage stayed constant until pretty much the end.

I don't believe it... maths rarely apply to road cycling

Fine, don't believe it then.

I'm reporting what I find to be the difference on repeated runs over the same course with my aero helmet on and with my 'normal' helmet on. Of course wind conditions etc are different every time, but based on experience, that's my estimate.

What do you base your estimate of less than 2 seconds on? Perhaps you can contribute some experience of your own....

sub55

there is a time saving to be had using an aero helmet.

although if anybody tries to tell you what that time saving is ,in terms of seconds .
they are either ill informed or being over simplistic. all depends how quick you are anyway.

ugo.santalucia

chriskempton wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

TarmacExpert wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

20? I would be seriously impressed if it saved 2 seconds

According to the tests here, the gain at 278W is 20 seconds:
http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news ... aero-19273

Wind tunnel data
Set-up Wind Tunnel 0 CdA (m^2) Speed (km/h) at 278W Power req'd at 40km/h (W)*
Tarmac SL2 | Road Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2662 41.65 248.9
Tarmac SL2 | TT2 Helmet | Clip-on aerobars 0.2547 42.25 239.5

41.65 kph = 23:10, 42.25 = 22:50, saving 20 seconds.

That means that if Pozzato was allowed to wear one at the Paris-Roubaix, he would have caught up Tom Boonen who was 10 seconds ahead of him at about 12 Km to the finish, considering that advantage stayed constant until pretty much the end.

I don't believe it... maths rarely apply to road cycling

Fine, don't believe it then.

I'm reporting what I find to be the difference on repeated runs over the same course with my aero helmet on and with my 'normal' helmet on. Of course wind conditions etc are different every time, but based on experience, that's my estimate.

What do you base your estimate of less than 2 seconds on? Perhaps you can contribute some experience of your own....

Don't take it personally, some people don't believe in evolution, they're not necessarily right... you might be right, just I don't believe it. 20 Seconds seems a hell of a lot of time saving over 10 miles for such a small item

chriskempton

Why don't you believe it Ugo? Have you ever tried an aero helmet? They work, honest!

ugo.santalucia

chriskempton wrote:

Why don't you believe it Ugo? Have you ever tried an aero helmet? They work, honest!

I don't believe an helmet can make such a difference. I accept it does make a slight difference at certain speeds, let's say over 30-35 mph, but the everyday TTist, who struggles to get over 23-25 mph... does it get as much benefit?
Also, 99% of the times there will be some crosswind, which will probably bother you more if you're wearing the funny helmet...
20 seconds is a lot in just 10 miles... it means that if Contador had not been wearing one in Annecy he would have lost nearly one minute... I don't buy into that.

love2ride

if you dont have one then your opinions is unreliable and with no evidence to support it

chriskempton

love2ride wrote:

if you dont have one then your opinions is unreliable and with no evidence to support it

+1!

chriskempton

double post

chriskempton

ugo.santalucia wrote:

chriskempton wrote:

Why don't you believe it Ugo? Have you ever tried an aero helmet? They work, honest!

I don't believe an helmet can make such a difference. I accept it does make a slight difference at certain speeds, let's say over 30-35 mph, but the everyday TTist, who struggles to get over 23-25 mph... does it get as much benefit?
Also, 99% of the times there will be some crosswind, which will probably bother you more if you're wearing the funny helmet...
20 seconds is a lot in just 10 miles... it means that if Contador had not been wearing one in Annecy he would have lost nearly one minute... I don't buy into that.

Ugo, you're just not listening are you?

I'm an everyday TTer hence why you won't have read about me in ProCycling, or even the comic. I average about 25mph like the OP, but I certainly get into the 30-35mph bracket for some of my riding, and I certainly do experience crosswinds/headwinds and occasional tailwinds.

I've no idea what would have happened if Contador hadn't been wearing one in Annecy, but I know that an average tester like me goes faster in an aero helmet. I think that was what the OP was interested in.

SBezza

I'm an everyday TTer as well, and if I didn't get into the 30-35mph bracket during a TT I would be either very peeved, or going up quite a few hills. I average around the 26-27 mph mark, so am not too slow, but by no means one of the faster guys doing TT's.

Never had a problem with the helmet in a cross wind, deep section wheels can cause more issues TBH, and people stick with these as they are faster than box section wheels.

If you don't TT, then you will not know what differences a piece of equipment makes to the time.

love2ride

i find that easily to believe becuase even if you are going fast with a normal helmet on if you turn your head sideways, you can feel the disrupt in air flow. The guys who were pleased with yours what make and model do you have?
cheers

andy_wrx

You'll also need to wear one in an aerodynamic position - you want the tail of the helmet essentially flat along your back.

But you're like me, going for it and suffereng, sometimes looking ahead, next minute looking at the road in just front of the bike, tongue lolling-out, etc then it'll be pretty un-aero : every time you look down, that pointy tail at the back of the helmet will point up into the airstream like an airbrake...

Was it Obree who trained with a piece of elastic between the back of his jersey and the back of the helmet to get him used to keeping his head in the right position ?

Airwave

Look at F1&the shape of the bodywork it's smooth&sweeping.I know the speeds are just a little different.But the theory is the same to smooth the air flow.The area behind your head is where you get drag.You can tell when you jersy starts flapping it's disrupting the air flow.Ok it's not huge but every little helps.So yes got to be worth it,why get a TT bike then not bother to look after the details too.Your qiuck for your age anyway,you've taken a couple of mins out of me on a 25

chriskempton

I got a Bell Meteor 2 on sale from Primera Sport for £60 I think.

Ideally it's best to try some on in a shop/other people's to see which best fits the shape of your head and back (the tail needs to be a close fit to keep wind out). And also good to check the fit with your eyewear if you use it - pointy hats are tighter and cover more of your head, so a closer fit with your shades results.

ugo.santalucia

What I think is irrelevant and times on the line are what matters.

That said, if I didn't always intervene to state the opposite, you would go on agreeing with each other on the official version, which is frankly quite tedious, really...

Airwave

Just to be different then,try burying your head in a bucket sand to see if your faster or slower :roll:

SBezza

I also have a Bell Meteor 2, it was the best fitting one for me, like Chris has mentioned, it is best to go to a shop that has a few different makes, as some may not be a good fit for your shape of head.

On a TT you don't really turn your head, I take a quick glance joining a DC, or at the turn, otherwise I am always looking forward, and trying to keep my head up. I can feel when the helmet is touching my back as well, so know it is in the best position. Persoanlly I would invest in a skinsuit as well, as this is likely to give you better returns in the form of getting aero than just a helmet. Road jersey's unless really tight, act like parachutes.

chriskempton

....and lycra overshoes (for about £8) complete the outfit.

And don't wear gloves. That bit's free!

chriskempton

that should have said £8! damn smileyator....

ugo.santalucia

Airwave wrote:

Just to be different then,try burying your head in a bucket sand to see if your faster or slower :roll:

Don't get me wrong... I still don't believe a word you guys say. Don't believe Contador would have been 50 seconds slower had he worn a conventional helmet in Annecy... don't believe Pozzato would have caught Boonen had he had one at the Paris Roubaix... but then again, I am skeptic by nature. Obviously I don't have fancy maths that take into account a restricted and purposely selected number of factors to support any of my statements, which are therefore of little use.

I guess the moral is: if you want to get the quickest possible time you need one, but don't expect miracles... 50 seconds in a 25 miles TT is a miracle