Aerodynamic helmets

[Guyincognito76]

You're going to have to excuse all the following 'technical terms'' contained in my question.

The helmets worn by professional racers: I saw a feature showing how much time you lose by wearing helmets with 'holes' in them as opposed to wearing a completely moulded lid. The only downside of wearing the more aerodynamic helmets is, I assume, that it restricts ventilation and makes you feel 'hotter' etc.

So my question is this: surely wearing the more aerodynamic helmet is detrimental to the health of the rider, so why not just ban them, and ensure that all the riders wear the more ventilated lids?

<edit> I don't mean on short TTs, obviously.

 

[Herzog]

So my question is this: surely wearing the more aerodynamic helmet is detrimental to the health of the rider, so why not just ban them, and ensure that all the riders wear the more ventilated lids?

Perhaps warmer, but I doubt detrimental to a riders health.

 

[Noodley]

surely wearing the more aerodynamic helmet is detrimental to the health of the rider

How so?

 

[Guyincognito76]

Perhaps warmer, but I doubt detrimental to a riders health.

I realise that it might not be a serious risk, and obviously you only tend to see them on the flatter stages, but why not just do away with them even if not to let the lads feel more comfortable?

 

[Herzog]

...but why not just do away with them even if not to let the lads feel more comfortable?

You don't become a professional racer to be comfortable ; anything to gain that slight advantage will be taken. From all the data available, aero helmets are supposed to save a few watts...marginal gains and all that!

 

[raindog]

Christ on a bike, the Tour is about to climb the Ventoux and you're worrying about helmet design?

 

[Noodley]

Perhaps we should also ban them falling off?

 

[Noodley]

Or tell them to stop trying so hard...

 

[Guyincognito76]

Perhaps we should also ban them falling off?

Yes! And if you disagree then you're an ambulance chaser

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Perhaps we should also ban them falling off?

Why is that also detrimental to their health?

 

[Buddfox]

I think they actually swapped them out on some stages. I think I heard a commentator saying that a rider had switched for an aero helmet with 20km to go. I'm not sure there's anything in the rules which prevents this.

 

[Herzog]

I think they actually swapped them out on some stages. I think I heard a commentator saying that a rider had switched for an aero helmet with 20km to go. I'm not sure there's anything in the rules which prevents this.

Gripel and Henderson did this the other day before an intermediate sprint in the TdF.

 

[Rob3rt]

Not sure of the gains you get from one of these newer design aero road helmets, but a typical, well fitting TT helmet is certainly not a marginal gain, it is a big gain and if one of these new road helmets gives similar gains then I think feeling a bit hot is worth it!

 

[VamP]

Seeing as the Kask Bambino 'almost' looks like a normal helmet and the gains are comparable to a traditional pointy hat, then I would say these new road helmets are probably worth a lot.

 

[Guyincognito76]

This is part of my, admittedly poorly put, question.

If all the riders swap to them and therefore no one gains, why not just do away with them?