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2009-02-26 8:12 AM

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Subject: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
I was listening to a podcast last night while riding my trainer and heard someone state that an aero helmet provides 4 times the aerodynamic benefit of aero wheels. Seems like a lot. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?


2009-02-26 8:14 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
Not sure if 4 times is exact..but yes..it is true
2009-02-26 8:16 AM
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2009-02-26 8:17 AM
in reply to: #1982921

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
No it's not 4 times as aero..or no it's not MORE aero?
2009-02-26 8:33 AM
in reply to: #1982914

Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

I've read that if your body position is off, an aero helmet can make no difference at all.

Seriously, don't get sucked into the "Aero Hype".  Aside from working on your aero body position,  aero wheels and an aero helmet will only gain you seconds ; whereas training smart and consistently and focusing on your nutrition to shed pounds of unwanted body fat will yield you huge chunks of minutes.   

2009-02-26 8:34 AM
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Edited by JeepFleeb 2009-02-26 8:35 AM


2009-02-26 8:40 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
I figured the statement was too broad to be correct. My thought was that the benefit of wheels would be more constant for different riders, whereas a helmet could either help or hurt (at many degrees in between) depending on the specific rider's position.

And don't worry, I'm not worried about any of this for my own performance. I am not fast enough to be really concerned with aero stuff. Work and time in the saddle is all that will help me now. I just find it interesting and thought the statement sounded a little peculiar.

Thanks for the input.
2009-02-26 10:22 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
I think from what I read on this subject I think the podcaster was trying to equate aero time savings with dollars spent. An aero helmet will give you some benefit for 100-200$ while a new wheelset might give you a little more benefit but cost 800-1200$. Of course I cant fathom spending more on wheels and a helmet than I did on my bike. My fatter wallet is less aero but I am cool with that.
2009-02-26 11:06 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

For those of us who spend most of our time in aeroposition staring down at our front wheel, aerohelmets aren't all that aero.... I'll be getting wheels before the helmet.

Brian

2009-02-26 11:09 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
Aero wheels make you look cool.
Aero helmet makes you look like an alien.

BTW, I have both :p



.
2009-02-26 11:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
famelec - 2009-02-26 11:06 AM

For those of us who spend most of our time in aeroposition staring down at our front wheel, aerohelmets aren't all that aero.... I'll be getting wheels before the helmet.

Brian

If you're spending most of your time in aeroposition staring down at your front wheel, you may want to get a better fit before you get the wheels.



2009-02-26 11:40 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

Wheels will always provide benefit. Helmet might provide benefit as long as you don't look left, right, down or behind you.

 

2009-02-26 11:41 AM
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2009-02-26 11:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

joker70 - 2009-02-26 12:09 PM Aero wheels make you look cool. Aero helmet makes you look like an alien. BTW, I have both :p .

 

So you look like a really cool alien?  LOL

2009-02-26 11:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
the bear - 2009-02-26 10:20 AM
If you're spending most of your time in aeroposition staring down at your front wheel, you may want to get a better fit before you get the wheels.



A lot of the ToC TT riders were doing it. Sometimes their aero helmet tails looked like sails. They probably have a pretty good fit but the aggressive positions set in the wind tunnel may have been overcome by fatigue.
2009-02-26 11:49 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

I'd get aero wheels, but I'd be a lot less aero with the bike embedded in my anatomy, once my wife figured out how much they cost. 

 



2009-02-26 11:56 AM
in reply to: #1983587

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
breckview - 2009-02-26 11:48 AM
the bear - 2009-02-26 10:20 AM If you're spending most of your time in aeroposition staring down at your front wheel, you may want to get a better fit before you get the wheels.

 

A lot of the ToC TT riders were doing it. Sometimes their aero helmet tails looked like sails. They probably have a pretty good fit but the aggressive positions set in the wind tunnel may have been overcome by fatigue.

Exactly. If you can't hold your head up to see then our fit may be too aggressive, or just wrong.

Kind of scary to realize you're on the same course with people staring at their front wheel and not what or who is in front of them. But I guess there are plenty of other things to be scared about if you really knew.

2009-02-26 11:59 AM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

I find it interesting that the two BTers I know who have had wind tunnel tested were more aero in their regular helmets than aero helmets.

It says to me position is critical for aero helmets to be helpful. Those guys on the tours doing TT most all have wind tunnel testing and their  TT position is something they ride less than an hour not like us doing HIM or IMs.

I have an aero helmet wore it for a couple of races that I had done in the past. My power was higher or the same with the aero helmets but I was slower so I no longer use it. It seems I fit with the two BTers faster in regular helmets confirmed by wind tunnel testing.

2009-02-26 12:09 PM
in reply to: #1983507

over a barrier
Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
famelec - 2009-02-26 11:06 AM

For those of us who spend most of our time in aeroposition staring down at our front wheel, aerohelmets aren't all that aero.... I'll be getting wheels before the helmet.

Brian



That is actually false. The Garmin riders specifically look down (when its safe) to fill the gap in the chest cavity. Its been proven faster in their wind tunnell work. Unfortunetly we don't have someone talking through radio telling us to look up....Dr Lim said its a thirty watt savings by tucking your head down he was a guest speaker in Chicago this fall.

Edited to add: Lim was speaking at VQ in chicago on 10/1/08

My notes from the event:

1. After wind tunnel testing, Garm-Chip found out they could save 30 watts by filling the hole in the TT position. You stick you head straight down and look at the top tube. Watch for future TT's and the riders with their heads down and aero helmets pointing up (during straight sections). He talked about the trust level, and the riders have no idea where they are going. Their radio unit keeps them from ending up in a ditch. Look for a new TT position for VDV, they'll be in the wind tunnel for a week in Nov. They want him riding in the new position all winter to improve power in that position.


Edited by running2far 2009-02-26 12:14 PM
2009-02-26 12:28 PM
in reply to: #1983653

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

I've just recently taken it to a whole nother level...

I"ve put an aero helmet on my aero wheels...

2009-02-26 12:42 PM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
I've ridden with an aero helmet once. I found that it helped me to keep my head in a better position. It had a longer tail and I knew that if it touched my back, then I was in the right position and if I couldn't feel it, I needed to put my head up more. It was the best TT, I ever did.


2009-02-26 12:51 PM
in reply to: #1982914

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Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
with aero wheels, aren't you getting the benefit from the wheels being lighter, thus less overall bike weight, as well as less umm. . something to do with physics? (momentum to keep spinning? i can't think right now)
2009-02-26 12:56 PM
in reply to: #1983783

over a barrier
Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels
ultrahip_00 - 2009-02-26 12:51 PM

with aero wheels, aren't you getting the benefit from the wheels being lighter, thus less overall bike weight, as well as less umm. . something to do with physics? (momentum to keep spinning? i can't think right now)


The deep carbon dish (50mm 'deep' 80 mm 'deep') is reducing air turbulence over the spokes/wheel. So the deeper the dish the less turbulence. That is why the disc is faster. No spokes.
2009-02-26 12:58 PM
in reply to: #1983783

Pro
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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

ultrahip_00 - 2009-02-26 10:51 AM with aero wheels, aren't you getting the benefit from the wheels being lighter, thus less overall bike weight, as well as less umm. . something to do with physics? (momentum to keep spinning? i can't think right now)

In general, I don't think aero wheels are lighter.

2009-02-26 1:05 PM
in reply to: #1983571

Elite
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Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Aero helmet v. aero wheels

bachorb - 2009-02-26 12:41 PM Did you know that in certain cultures an aero helmet is considered a sign of virility?

only when worn as a codpiece

 

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