TDF helmets without vents

[Trunnions]

I ride in the tropics, just a baseball cap to keep the sun off my bonce.

When the sun is hiding, I go bare-headed, and can feel the difference immediately. My blood doesn't heat up so much and my times get better.

Wearing a baseball cap slows me down, so I'm sure a plastic dome, or polystyrene basket would also slow me down.

My training ride is a quiet mountain with the same profile as Alpe d'Huez.

Traffic is not a danger.

 

[taiwan]

Yep they're modelling commuter helmets. Someone has to pay for pro cycling though.

I can understand sprinters wearing the ventless helmets because they are going for the win in these flat stages and when they are sprinting at high speeds, aerodynamics are even more important. But does Bradley Wiggins seriously think that wearing that helmet on flat stages will save his legs for mountains? It won't make any difference at all.

They get told: "Wear this." They wear it.

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

Not necessarily true.

 

[taiwan]

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

Not necessarily true.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

I can understand sprinters wearing the ventless helmets because they are going for the win in these flat stages and when they are sprinting at high speeds, aerodynamics are even more important. But does Bradley Wiggins seriously think that wearing that helmet on flat stages will save his legs for mountains? It won't make any difference at all.

 

[Trunnions]

Not necessarily true.

E$$ential I'd say!

 

[Izzy eviel]

They look hideous and the really bad news for us normal cyclists is that they will replace the more traditional helmets in the shops.

I might start stocking up now.

 

[will10]

I thought Bavarian Rider of all people would "get it". Or perhaps he knows less about Tony Martin's prep than he lets on.

 

[Trunnions]

They look hideous and the really bad news for us normal cyclists is that they will replace the more traditional helmets in the shops.

I might start stocking up now.

I don't wear any helmet, except to race, but I much prefer the new design to the standard lentil-head job. Better in a cool climate too.

 

[Trunnions]

Sagan has a new helmet too...

 

[Cancellator]

Can't believe how many people are complaining about such a thing. No one will force YOU to wear it. Also, maybe you should try it yourself before you say how good or bad the ventilation is.

 

[Arnout]

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.

And not in the peloton, but alone against the wind I guess. So the vast majority of time the advantage will not be the same.

 

[LaFlorecita]

And not in the peloton, but alone against the wind I guess. So the vast majority of time the advantage will not be the same.

My point exactly.

 

[max_powers]

Is it within the rules for a racer to snap on a cover during the race?

Those air grabbing water bottles are next to change

 

[lostintime]

To each their own ... they gotta do something to sell more helmets ...lol. And who better to use than the pros.

As far as "energy savings" .... uh .. ok. In a wind tunnel, maybe. But what about the effect of your head overheating on your riding ? You cannot "measure" that! And as mentioned, in a pack aerodynamics are moot. Why doesn't everyone wear a TT helmet then, if they're so special ? ... exactly. It's call engineering sales. Ventless noggins have been around since helmets began .... but now all of the sudden ... it's a new idea ? :

 

[The_Z_man]

Is it within the rules for a racer to snap on a cover during the race?

Those air grabbing water bottles are next to change

I believe the cover must be part of the helmet. You can't use a cloth cover, like back in the '80's. The Worlds last year is where this really came to the fore. Cav wore a special Specialized helmet with no vents, and Sky had those helmets with no vents all year.

 

[ggusta]

I can understand sprinters wearing the ventless helmets because they are going for the win in these flat stages and when they are sprinting at high speeds, aerodynamics are even more important. But does Bradley Wiggins seriously think that wearing that helmet on flat stages will save his legs for mountains? It won't make any difference at all.

It's all in their heads.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

 

[hughmoore]

I can understand sprinters wearing the ventless helmets because they are going for the win in these flat stages and when they are sprinting at high speeds, aerodynamics are even more important. But does Bradley Wiggins seriously think that wearing that helmet on flat stages will save his legs for mountains? It won't make any difference at all.

I would have thought Wiggo side burns would slow him down more than those vented helmets.



Hugh

 

[avanti]

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

I understand the yellow helmet for the leading team is mandatory.

 

[ElChingon]

I don't understand those helmets anymore than those sunglasses with the thick frames that limit your field of vision. I won't go into those huge wris****ches when they have a cycle puter

 

[pedaling squares]

Did you say wris****ch? Word filter for the win!

 

[Parera]

Personally I would use everything aero possible for riding a Grand Tour. That's a lot of kcals over three weeks, even a few percentage points from equipment knocking down energy expenditures will make a difference.

 

[Franklin]

Personally I would use everything aero possible for riding a Grand Tour. That's a lot of kcals over three weeks, even a few percentage points from equipment knocking down energy expenditures will make a difference.

How dare you be pragmatic!

Fashion! Looks! That's how you win the TdF!

 

[Cancellator]

Why doesn't everyone wear a TT helmet then, if they're so special ? ... exactly. It's call engineering sales.

Although I agree that the main point of the riders wearing these new aero lids is to sell helmets, the TT helmet argument doesn't make any sense. The tailed TT helmet only works in the ultra-flat back position on a TT bike, otherwise it will slow you down compared with a road helmet. And no one likes to ride in that position for 6 hours...

 

[jamiephillips]

I understand the yellow helmet for the leading team is mandatory.

This is true but until this year a different colured number on the back of the riders jersey was enough. Do we really need to know who is leading the team classification at all times?
Mandatory yes. A bit silly looking? also yes.

(edit, if it were mandatory to wear a road cone on your head it would still look ridiculous.)

 

[William H]

I don't think they look any worse than normal helmets.