Sky aero helmets

cframe
cframe Posts: 171
edited May 2010 in Pro race
Did anyone else notice the kinda-non-aero-looking aero helmets sky were sporting in the ITT and TTT so far at the Giro? http://www.teamsky.com/gallery/0,27401, ... ml#photo=1

A new approach to aero rather than having a long tail? Better in crosswinds maybe?
How's that for a slice of fried gold?

Comments

  • Rodrego Hernandez
    Rodrego Hernandez Posts: 1,436
    Re-sprayed BC track helmets.
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    Bell and Giro's TT helmets were a lot shorter at the '09 TdF too -.

    Apparently the Casc track helmet used by Hoy, Pendleton and many others (almost a sphere it looks like) is most aero of all (not sure how they measure the figures.
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • ju5t1n
    ju5t1n Posts: 2,028
    I read somewhere that the long pointy areo helmets can actually slow you down unless you keep your head still - which is tricky in a TTT when you’ve got to keep an eye on others in your team
  • zammmmo
    zammmmo Posts: 315
    Given that Boardman sported something similar in the TDF TTs in the mid 90s, I'm surprised (if these smaller aero helmets are faster for some people or for certain conditions of use) they haven't caught on more now that most people use pointy helmets. Marketing?
  • tarquin_foxglove
    tarquin_foxglove Posts: 554
    ju5t1n wrote:
    I read somewhere that the long pointy areo helmets can actually slow you down unless you keep your head still - which is tricky in a TTT when you’ve got to keep an eye on others in your team

    That's what I'd read somewhere as well.

    Like this they are a benefit...
    070929-163920-400-0071.jpg

    Like this a hindrance....
    2373472153_d705640b53.jpg
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    You only have to look at amateur TT's in this country to see the amount of people with all the aero gear and not a clue of how to use it. Most of them look like they are doing an impression of Jaws with their helmets! That position above is superb - it should be illegal to sell TT bikes and aero gears to anyone who can't replicate it :wink:
  • timoid.
    timoid. Posts: 3,133
    How feckin big is the front ring on the top picture above. Another for the big ring blog methinks! Hard bstard.
    It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.
  • LangerDan
    LangerDan Posts: 6,132
    Timoid. wrote:
    How feckin big is the front ring on the top picture above. Another for the big ring blog methinks! Hard bstard.

    +1
    .His saddle has broken off and is lodged in his chuff, yet he's still going.
    'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Timoid. wrote:
    How feckin big is the front ring on the top picture above. Another for the big ring blog methinks! Hard bstard.

    Jeez, I hadn't noticed that chainring (don't know how as it might be the only man made object visible from the moon :shock: ). Anyone know who it is? It looks a bit like Boardman but can't recall him ever being a big gear person and the kit doesn't look familiar. :?
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    My God... its like a 70 tooth chain ring ... he is harder than nails :lol::lol::lol: Its so big he needs a medium cage rear derailleur... And how could he get a chain long enough?!
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  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Pross wrote:
    Timoid. wrote:
    How feckin big is the front ring on the top picture above. Another for the big ring blog methinks! Hard bstard.

    Jeez, I hadn't noticed that chainring (don't know how as it might be the only man made object visible from the moon :shock: ). Anyone know who it is? It looks a bit like Boardman but can't recall him ever being a big gear person and the kit doesn't look familiar. :?

    Internet sleuthing leads me to belive it is a man by the name of Nik Bowdler. I hadn't heard of him until five minutes ago, but may be a familiar name to some of you.

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/345741/bowdler-makes-his-mark-on-the-bbar.html

    It's a 77 tooth chainring!
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    edited May 2010
    I'm guessing his cadence isn't particularly quick. I think we need Giantassquatch or whatever he was called to explain to him how he'd go much quicker spinning on a compact! :lol:

    Just read in the article he rides at 65rpm. According to Sheldon Brown a gear of 77 x 11 at 60rpm would give you 32.7mph :shock:
  • zammmmo
    zammmmo Posts: 315
    Uhhhh....yes...it is Nik....and yes, he is fast, very fast.
  • cframe
    cframe Posts: 171
    Ahh, I'd kinda forgotten about having to keep your head up with a great big fin sticking out the back of it!

    I've read a few articles saying that possibly the bigger aero difference is to have a helmet with no vents in it because of the amount of turbulence they cause
    How's that for a slice of fried gold?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    cframe wrote:
    Ahh, I'd kinda forgotten about having to keep your head up with a great big fin sticking out the back of it!

    I've read a few articles saying that possibly the bigger aero difference is to have a helmet with no vents in it because of the amount of turbulence they cause

    Probably - in the Tours of Oman and Qatar where no aero gear was allowed Sky taped up the vents on their road helmets!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I saw that pic in the comic and was about to take the pee out of the HUUUUUUUUGE chainring, but he is a very fast bugger. He'd prob go quicker without the drag off that chainring..... ;-)

    I like the Sky helmet - I could go for one of those.

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