Aerodynamic helmets

[Buddfox]

If you get a chance, go back and review on ITV player some of the early editions of the highlights. I forget which episode it is (I recognise this is unhelpful) but Boulting and Boardman did a series of pieces from the University of Southampton wind tunnel on the advantage to be gained from various things, including drafting and equipment (the piece on the impact of cabling I thought was very interesting).

Boardman explains that some people don't do it for the simple reasons of tradition. Bizarre I know.

 

[Rob3rt]

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?

Not everyone gains equally from them. Much like a TT helmet, the position your head is placed in relation to your body will effect the degree of benefit (or indeed if there is a benefit at all). The basis of the short tailed helmets like the Bambino are to counter the detrimental effect a long tail has when you move your head out of the ideal position, but it still depends on how your head is placed as to how much and if you will benefit. I gained time in TT's by switching from the deep fairing to the shallow fairing on my Giro Selector, that is the same helmet, just changed how my head sits (lower) and how the helmet transitions to my back!

If you get a chance, go back and review on ITV player some of the early editions of the highlights. I forget which episode it is (I recognise this is unhelpful) but Boulting and Boardman did a series of pieces from the University of Southampton wind tunnel on the advantage to be gained from various things, including drafting and equipment (the piece on the impact of cabling I thought was very interesting).

Boardman explains that some people don't do it for the simple reasons of tradition. Bizarre I know.

I might watch that back, cable routing is something I am looking at on my TT bike, tidying up the cables is free and any suggested W savings (even if exaggerated) is of interest! Basically cylinders are very bad aerodynamically.

 

[MisterStan]

If you get a chance, go back and review on ITV player some of the early editions of the highlights. I forget which episode it is (I recognise this is unhelpful) but Boulting and Boardman did a series of pieces from the University of Southampton wind tunnel on the advantage to be gained from various things, including drafting and equipment (the piece on the impact of cabling I thought was very interesting).

Boardman explains that some people don't do it for the simple reasons of tradition. Bizarre I know.

Available on the ITV website for those who are interested.

 

[zizou]

The new Specialized aero helmet (the Evade) has alot more vents than the likes of the Giro Air Attack. It is hard to judge as there has been no independent testing of these things but there is probably a performance balance to be struck between aero and ventilation when the temperatures reach a certain level. Incidentally Kittel has won stages this year wearing both his aero and normal helmet.

 

[Rob3rt]

The new Specialized aero helmet (the Evade) has alot more vents than the likes of the Giro Air Attack. It is hard to judge as there has been no independent testing of these things but there is probably a performance balance to be struck between aero and ventilation when the temperatures reach a certain level. Incidentally Kittel has won stages this year wearing both his aero and normal helmet.

I would agree with that, this Saturday I raced in my Giro Selector, it certainly was not pleasant and I suffered in the heat! I would have given up 10-20 seconds of aero savings in order to be cooler and would have probably made back the time and maybe even bagged a net gain by not having to drink so much anyway.