Helmet Shapes

[sidevalve]

Ok, just looking at a few cycle helmets [Let's not have yet another yea or nay debate here - if you don't use one fine]. Anyhow wondering what is the point of the fancy aero shapes that seem pretty common now ? I mean on the track fine, every tiny bit of help is worth it, but out in the real world ? I mean really ? Is it just a fashion thing for those with a little too much cash to waste, or is there a real [and I do mean real, not imagined] advantage ? Should those who don't use a helmet cultivate a slick hairstyle ? Is their a market for a cycling focused hair oil ?

 

[Rob3rt]

Ok, just looking at a few cycle helmets [Let's not have yet another yea or nay debate here - if you don't use one fine]. Anyhow wondering what is the point of the fancy aero shapes that seem pretty common now ? I mean on the track fine, every tiny bit of help is worth it, but out in the real world ? I mean really ? Is it just a fashion thing for those with a little too much cash to waste, or is there a real [and I do mean real, not imagined] advantage ? Should those who don't use a helmet cultivate a slick hairstyle ? Is their a market for a cycling focused hair oil ?

The time or energy savings of an aerodynamic helmet are very much real. Note the context in which these helmets have been designed to be used is a race context...

 

[Drago]

Perhaps if you ride in a perfect track stance with your head in the correct position to smooth the transition of the laminar flow onto your back.

On the road, on a typical road bike in a non-optimum position, where you won't be wearing skin tight cling film, where you're as likely to be looking left or right as straight ahead, forget it.

 

[Hyslop]

And if you enjoy a bit of wind get a Catlike!

 

[Sittingduck]

There's been a spate of people in the training group purchasing S Works aero helmets. Loads of them have them now but it's a pricey bit of kit (something like 150 notes). I think there's definitely a trend towards more aero and less holy headwear. Apparently it does save a fair few watts but obviously it's more noticable if you're riding at a sporting pace>

 

[Deleted member 35268]

You need some cooling on your helmet for summer @Fnaar

 

[paddypete]

Ok, just looking at a few cycle helmets [Let's not have yet another yea or nay debate here - if you don't use one fine]. Anyhow wondering what is the point of the fancy aero shapes that seem pretty common now ? I mean on the track fine, every tiny bit of help is worth it, but out in the real world ? I mean really ? Is it just a fashion thing for those with a little too much cash to waste, or is there a real [and I do mean real, not imagined] advantage ? Should those who don't use a helmet cultivate a slick hairstyle ? Is their a market for a cycling focused hair oil ?

i wear a skate helmet,much sronger,and cooler looking,

 

[Drago]

i wear a skate helmet,much sronger,and cooler looking,

You wear a helmet intended for a fish? How is that cool?

 

[ufkacbln]

There is some concern thatthese aerodynamic shapes and angles have sharp points called "snag points"

They can catch and arrest the moveement of the helmet imposing stresses on the helmet and the fixing system, in some cases causing the helmet to be ejected from the head.

There is also an argument that by arresting a helmet that is sliding along a road, they may caause rotational or other injury as the linear motion is converted or arrested.

Rounder, Smoother, Safer is the motto of the scientists doing the research on these.

 

[Rob3rt]

Perhaps if you ride in a perfect track stance with your head in the correct position to smooth the transition of the laminar flow onto your back.

On the road, on a typical road bike in a non-optimum position, where you won't be wearing skin tight cling film, where you're as likely to be looking left or right as straight ahead, forget it.

Are you refering to full blown time trial lids or the new breed of aero road helmets.

Similar question to @Cunobelin, since many of the latest aero road helmets are devoid of sharp angles and protrusions (the Specialized Evade excepted).

 

[ChrisEyles]

In the real world, I suspect it doesn't matter one little bit, since there is an awful lot most of us could do to go faster before getting down to head gear. Plus even if it does get you back five minutes earlier from a long ride it's not going to make it any more or less enjoyable

However, if you're entering a race, TT, or want to achieve some time/speed based goal, and it seems worth the money, go for it!

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

I have an aero helmet (casco speedster) that I have been using on the road since January. To be honest I got it just because it has a visor. I like the visor, especially when it is raining or snowing. In better weather conditions I can just take the visor off. Mine cost a lot less than other helmets I have used in the past. At the end of the day it is a helmet and is as good as any other, but has extra properties that other helmets dont have.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I saw a fellow in an aero helmet yesterday, but he was commuting.

 

[ufkacbln]

I saw a fellow in an aero helmet yesterday, but he was commuting.

I use a Specialized Evade which is a racing helmet, but has the attributes of the "Rounder Smoother Safer " design

My "Spare" is a Giro Aspect - again a smoothe rounded design

 

[paddypete]

There is some concern thatthese aerodynamic shapes and angles have sharp points called "snag points"

They can catch and arrest the moveement of the helmet imposing stresses on the helmet and the fixing system, in some cases causing the helmet to be ejected from the head.

There is also an argument that by arresting a helmet that is sliding along a road, they may caause rotational or other injury as the linear motion is converted or arrested.

Rounder, Smoother, Safer is the motto of the scientists doing the research on these.

yes a skate helmet