TDF helmets without vents

[B_Ugli]

On yesterdays stage I noticed that a large proportion of teams are going for crash hats with either a couple of vents (Rabobank) or all the vents covered up (Sky). I dont see the point for aerodynamics in a road stage and to me they look stupid especially the pudding basins sported by Rabobank.

 

[Netserk]

Please ban them! They are f'ugly!

 

[taiwan]

Are they intended to improve aerodynamics?

 

[WillemS]

I dont see the point for aerodynamics in a road stage and to me they look stupid especially the pudding basins sported by Rabobank.

Based on what? You thinking they're ugly? Because aerodynamics don't matter for road cyclists? Why?

People don't like change, but get used to it quite quickly. In the past, non-woolen cycling shirts were blasphemy, as were non-black shoes. About a year ago, someone was complaining about skin suits and, now we have another change, immediately people are complaining.

Of course aerodynamics matter, we can all pretend that it doesn't, so we can look at the familiar helmets we've just got used to, but it does. Like with any innovation in cycling, in isolation, the gain is negligible, but all innovations together make a huge difference.

Stop whining, get used to it, and enjoy cycling.

 

[RownhamHill]

This whole thing baffles me. For me, traditional cycling helmets have to be just about the ugliest piece of sports ware in the history of sporting ware - great if you want to look like an extra in a pet shop boys video, circa 1993, but pretty much rediculous in any other circumstance. So adding or taking away vents, or changing the shape slightly, is not a deal breaker in my mind.

 

[personal]

No ventilation during summer is big no-no for me.

 

[Cancellator]

No ventilation during summer is big no-no for me.

Apparently the Air Attack (sported by Renshaw) has efficient internal channels that keep your head cool without that many vents. I think it's a good idea for aero, but it just looks like a skate/commuter lid, kind of out of place in the pro peloton. I wonder how it looks with the eye shield - maybe Renshaw will wear it one day.

If everyone wore them it wouldn't look weird. I have never seen a cycle helmet that ACTUALLY looks good (maybe the track sprinter ones), you just get used to them...

 

[jamiephillips]

The yellow helmets that Sky are wearing look a bit silly, especially when Wiggins matched one up with a green jersey the other day!

 

[taiwan]

IMHO it's a gimmick, which comes from Sky using track helmets in TTs. Looking at a good picture of the Giro helmet, you'd realy struggle to differentiate it from a 'skate lid'. Commuters wear those, so that's the market. No way it can be as well ventilated as a heavily vented helmet.

pic

 

[Cancellator]

IMHO it's a gimmick, which comes from Sky using track helmets in TTs. Looking at a good picture of the Giro helmet, you'd realy struggle to differentiate it from a 'skate lid'. In summary: $$$.

https://default.secure.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11141%7C000007ad1%7C33f6_tdf12-Tankink-New-Giro-Helmet-4.jpg

Just like I said. However, if the skate lid is actually faster, they will wear the skate lid and that's it. They're all ugly anyway.

Companies need to come up with new stuff, even if it's not essentially needed. Otherwise, what would they do?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Horrendous. In my opinion everyone wearing either a helmet with closed vents or one of those "pudding basins" as TS calls them should be banned. I'm so glad Alberto no longer has a personal sponsor contract with Giro, because I seriously don't want to see Alberto riding around with one of those pot helmets on his head.

 

[taiwan]

IDK why Sky use normal helmets with the vents blocked though. I thought that was just for the classics when the weather was cold.

 

[personal]

Apparently the Air Attack (sported by Renshaw) has efficient internal channels that keep your head cool without that many vents. ...

I fint that hard to believe.

 

[Gloin22]

On Eurosport they mentioned close helmets save your 4W of energy during the stage.

 

[Arnout]

On Eurosport they mentioned close helmets save your 4W of energy during the stage.

Well that's hardly worth it.

That said, normal helmets are not good-looking either. I long for the day helmets will not be compulsory anymore. Let's start with uphill finishes.

 

[B_Ugli]

Basically what they are are all moving towards is something like this:

 

[goggalor]

I'd rather push 4 W extra than look like a tosser to be honest.

From Adam Hansen's twitter:

 

[jsem94]

Seriously, who cares if it's ugly.

 

[jens_attacks]

it's getting ridiculous with those helmets...helmets on the mountains in july,now these...ridiculous

 

[Bavarianrider]

Sorry, those helmets have absolutely no benefit at all.
If a guy like Wiggins wears them all this shows is how stupid he is.

 

[iZnoGouD]

like 400 to 404 instant power? that's a lot then

 

[LaFlorecita]

I read that it gains them 17 seconds over 40 km in comparison with normal helmets. But I assume that is tested in the wind tunnel which obviously isn't the same as in a real race.

 

[Gloin22]

Sorry, those helmets have absolutely no benefit at all.
If a guy like Wiggins wears them all this shows is how stupid he is.

If he wears it ( and many others too ) - there has to be some benefit.

They tested them scientifically - did you ?

Did you ever ride profesionally to be soo sure there's no gain in them ?

They might look ugly, but there has to be some gain - because many wear them and not just Wiggins.

 

[Bavarianrider]

If he wears it ( and many others too ) - there has to be some benefit.

They tested them scientifically - did you ?

Did you ever ride profesionally to be soo sure there's no gain in them ?

They might look ugly, but there has to be some gain - because many wear them and not just Wiggins.

Well at best it saves him like 2 or 3 watts. That's nothing and doesn't have any effect at all. The damages of the reduced cooling are much higher.

 

[Gloin22]

Well at best it saves him like 2 or 3 watts. That's nothing and doesn't have any effect at all. The damages of the reduced cooling are much higher.

If that was true- they wouldn't be wearing them.