Aero Helmet opinions?

[kams]

Got my race wheels all rented and set this afternoon - fun! As I was talking to the shop owner, though, he sort of confused me about aero helmets.

Here's the deal: I have been planning on buying the giro air attack (link): not the typical aero design, but 11% increase in aerodynamics but is also ultra lightweight and cooling. So, I thought it would be a perfect option for a long, hot, Houston day. I also keep reading that the long tail is sort of out-of-date now, particularly for amateurs, as the head position has to be just right to get an aero benefit. He suggested the stubby tail (LG specifically: link), and mentioned that the cooling effect of a helmet is nowhere near as important as cooling your core. 

Any opinions/suggestions/recommendations?

[zoidberg]

I have an opinion about coffee and chocolate. That opinion is that very soon we will be enjoying it.

[kams]

Mar 15, 2014 15:49:53 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

I have an opinion about coffee and chocolate. That opinion is that very soon we will be enjoying it.

My favorite opinion of the day!  <) <)

[zoidberg]

You have no idea how much I am looking forward to this week.

[joenali]

I didn't read any if your links. But I feel like I saw very few people with aero helmets at Whistler . Maybe because it was so hilly? Why do you want one?

That's all I've got! Lol!

[kams]

Mar 15, 2014 15:59:59 GMT -5 joenali said:

I didn't read any if your links. But I feel like I saw very few people with aero helmets at Whistler . Maybe because it was so hilly? Why do you want one?

That's all I've got! Lol!

Relatively flat, some wind, cheapest speed you can buy. I can't tell you with certainty of course, but I think it was helpful for me in Boulder (I borrowed a friends). All of my local friends that raced Whistler wore theirs - I know this because they posted the dorkiest picture of them all standing around the day before with their aero helmets on . I've never heard anyone say it's better to NOT have one, at least for any of the races I've done.

[sadlebred]

The stubby tail is the modern aero helmet. The Air Attack is a regular helmet. It's not in the same category as the aero helmets.

[kams]

Mar 15, 2014 16:44:56 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

The stubby tail is the modern aero helmet. The Air Attack is a regular helmet. It's not in the same category as the aero helmets.

ok - yeah that is what he was saying. For some reason the air attack came up in some search I did, and I just dubbed it a more modern aero in my mind and never really thought otherwise. I needed to hear this from you - thanks!

ETA: trisports.com has it listed in aero helmets - I think that's why I was thinking that

[sadlebred]

Mar 15, 2014 16:54:23 GMT -5 kams said:

Mar 15, 2014 16:44:56 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

The stubby tail is the modern aero helmet. The Air Attack is a regular helmet. It's not in the same category as the aero helmets.

ok - yeah that is what he was saying. For some reason the air attack came up in some search I did, and I just dubbed it a more modern aero in my mind and never really thought otherwise. I needed to hear this from you - thanks!

It may be billed as more aero than other helmets, but it's not a true "aero" helmet.

Go look at photos from last year's Tour De France on the archives at cyclingnews.com. You'll see 75-80% of the riders wearing a stubby tail helmet. The long "cam tail" helmets went out of style a few years ago.

[gumi]

I personally much like the first helmet better.
Here is something to remember as well: the benefits from the helmet don't really become noticeable until you are hitting speeds around 22mph.

I use a giro, similar to the one you posted. It is lightweight and cooling and I love it. Maybe I will go aero eventually, I teeter on 22mph now when I race (short distances, mind you), and it would because I thought the extra 30 seconds I would gain (theoretically) was worth it. I think positioning of the helmet affects whether or not it is effective, so I would also probably work with my bike fitter. I never trust a bike store trying to sell you a product that they have.

ETA: I really like the first helmet and if I did not have my giro already, I would buy it.  This is why I should not click on links!

[kams]

Mar 15, 2014 17:50:09 GMT -5 gumi said:

I personally much like the first helmet better.
Here is something to remember as well: the benefits from the helmet don't really become noticeable until you are hitting speeds around 22mph.

I use a giro, similar to the one you posted. It is lightweight and cooling and I love it. Maybe I will go aero eventually, I teeter on 22mph now when I race (short distances, mind you), and it would because I thought the extra 30 seconds I would gain (theoretically) was worth it. I think positioning of the helmet affects whether or not it is effective, so I would also probably work with my bike fitter. I never trust a bike store trying to sell you a product that they have.

ETA: I really like the first helmet and if I did not have my giro already, I would buy it.  This is why I should not click on links!

Ha! I was hoping you would have some input.

It is seriously so light and so pretty!!

[gumi]

Mar 15, 2014 18:19:11 GMT -5 kams said:

Mar 15, 2014 17:50:09 GMT -5 gumi said:

I personally much like the first helmet better.
Here is something to remember as well: the benefits from the helmet don't really become noticeable until you are hitting speeds around 22mph.

I use a giro, similar to the one you posted. It is lightweight and cooling and I love it. Maybe I will go aero eventually, I teeter on 22mph now when I race (short distances, mind you), and it would because I thought the extra 30 seconds I would gain (theoretically) was worth it. I think positioning of the helmet affects whether or not it is effective, so I would also probably work with my bike fitter. I never trust a bike store trying to sell you a product that they have.

ETA: I really like the first helmet and if I did not have my giro already, I would buy it.  This is why I should not click on links!

Ha! I was hoping you would have some input.

It is seriously so light and so pretty!!

I think I would also be a little self conscious at races.  I am not even sure why.  Maybe like I would worry I wouldn't be perceived "good" enough for such a helmet? There is always those people who have really fancy bikes and  helmets but they wobble and go slow.  LOL.  I am sure you and I would not be categorized in that group, but people always have to judge.  I usually dont care what people think -- but transition always intimidates me.

[katandkevin]

I am not a big fan of aero helmets because I think they look dorky and I will never get the speed benefits from them. That said, I would get a helmet with the most cooling possible, it could either be a totally comfortable day or a completely brutal one like last year.

[kams]

Mar 15, 2014 18:59:47 GMT -5 gumi said:

Mar 15, 2014 18:19:11 GMT -5 kams said:

Ha! I was hoping you would have some input.

It is seriously so light and so pretty!!

I think I would also be a little self conscious at races.  I am not even sure why.  Maybe like I would worry I wouldn't be perceived "good" enough for such a helmet? There is always those people who have really fancy bikes and  helmets but they wobble and go slow.  LOL.  I am sure you and I would not be categorized in that group, but people always have to judge.  I usually dont care what people think -- but transition always intimidates me.

Yes, I get that - but I don't think you qualify as someone who buys gear beyond her fitness. I mean really!

I am concerned about that too, to a point, which is why I really like the air attack. But, I'm not sure that that is worth the $ over my basic road helmet. Idk.

[kams]

You know, I think I'll just leave it. 5 minutes makes, like 0 difference to me in 112 miles.

The only people I ever ride with are a bunch of guys that are such tri-geeks. I think I lose touch sometimes