Advantage 2 / Rudy Project Wingspan - Have you tried both?

Canadian · December 27, 2010, 9:49pm

I’m returning my Giro A2 because the ears cracked. I could easily get another Giro A2 but was considering a Rudy Project Wingspan.

I read through many past posts on the topic but still have a couple of questions…

I’m a medium in a Giro A2. Will the S/M Wingspan fit?
If you have tried both, what helmet did you like better?
Do Oakley Jawbones fit under the helmet?

Thanks,

drewmc3656 · December 27, 2010, 10:15pm

I have tried both. First aero helmet was the A 2 & now I have a Wingspan. To answer your questions:

Yes. I went from a M A2 to the S/M Wingspan and it fits great.
I much prefer the Wingspan. It feels noticeably cooler and lighter to me. The fit is also more comfortable for me. Plus, the Wingspan comes with nice extras, like a carrying bag and the interchangeable vent covers.
Yes, but the A2 was a much tighter fit with them. I had to put my helmet on, then glasses with the A2. No getting them on once the helmet is on, and they always wanted to fall off when taking the helmet off. Much easier fit with the Wingspan.

Canadian · December 27, 2010, 11:14pm

Great answer. Thank you!

simpy16 · December 27, 2010, 11:21pm

I have also tried both when I was looking and went with the wingspan even though it was over two times more expensive.

Fits better for me than the giro. My radar that are much wider than jawbones fit great under the wingspan but was a tough proposition with the giro. I also like the extras and the multiple venting options. And I can vogue that it will save your noggin in a crash, dented the foam and plastic but nothing to my skull!

Ordering a new one for this year.

draketriathlon · December 27, 2010, 11:25pm

I had an Wingspan, if you tuck your head it is not the helmet for you since both the back vents will be straight up in the wind making it pretty much as bad as using a road helmet.

Former_User · December 27, 2010, 11:30pm

Are you sure you can get a S/M Rudy Project? Every time I’ve looked, it was “Unisizing.” One size fits all. And the problem … NO IT DOESN’T!!!

Will your Jawbones fit? The way my Rudy Project Wingspan fit, the Jawbones and several ham bones would easily fit under those ear flaps.

I regard the Wingspan as an aero disaster, but that’s just my opinion. Mine didn’t fit me anything like John Cobb’s fit him.

I’ve been in the wind tunnel with the A2 (at the A2 tunnel, coincidentally). It wasn’t the best helmet for me, but it wasn’t bad. The Wingspan wasn’t out at the time, but I have every confidence that it would have tested substantially worse than the A2 for me.

You do understand that a tighter, closer-fitting helmet will generally be faster, right? You do understand that?

If your only concerns are comfort and air flow, stick with a road helmet. If you want to reduce aerodynamic drag and go faster, a big, fat, comfy, highly-ventilated “aero” helmet is … well … STUPID!!!

Cobble · December 28, 2010, 1:31am

Are you sure you can get a S/M Rudy Project? Every time I’ve looked, it was “Unisizing.” One size fits all. And the problem … NO IT DOESN’T!!!

Will your Jawbones fit? The way my Rudy Project Wingspan fit, the Jawbones and several ham bones would easily fit under those ear flaps.

I regard the Wingspan as an aero disaster, but that’s just my opinion. Mine didn’t fit me anything like John Cobb’s fit him.

I’ve been in the wind tunnel with the A2 (at the A2 tunnel, coincidentally). It wasn’t the best helmet for me, but it wasn’t bad. The Wingspan wasn’t out at the time, but I have every confidence that it would have tested substantially worse than the A2 for me.

You do understand that a tighter, closer-fitting helmet will generally be faster, right? You do understand that?

If your only concerns are comfort and air flow, stick with a road helmet. If you want to reduce aerodynamic drag and go faster, a big, fat, comfy, highly-ventilated “aero” helmet is … well … STUPID!!!Now where’s the data to support this strong opinion?

Herbert · December 28, 2010, 1:45am

My problem with the Rudy (as nice as it is) is that my head is too big for the larger one.

Former_User · December 28, 2010, 1:55am

Now where’s the data to support this strong opinion?

Was there some part of, “but that’s just my opinion” that you didn’t understand?

$300 for a “one size fits all” helmet that doesn’t fit MOST people. Ridiculous. I raced it several times. It was AWFUL! It might be good for the few people it fits, but fit is everything in a TT helmet. At $300, I felt supremely ripped off.

I note that they’ve recently stopped calling it “unisizing” as they called it previously. Now there’s just one size available which they call S/M. Again, ridiculous.

BeeSeeBee · December 28, 2010, 5:04am

Probably. The Medium Advantage 2 fit well enough. Giro helmets usually produce two slight pressure points on my head, the Advantage was no exception (Prolight being the only exception), but something I was willing to overlook if it seemed like a better overall helmet.
I tend to tuck, and the Advantage tail seemed a bit too raised in the air. No testing, just an observation from riding a quick bit with each. I suppose you could tape up the vents if that were a concern.
Not sure, don’t have them. There is quite a bit of room between the ear flaps and your skull, so I can’t imagine it being a problem.

I think the helmet runs a bit on the small size. My head at the brow is 55cm, yet I only get about three clicks on the adjustment dial before it starts getting too tight (all pads in).

I’ve never seen the pamphlet that comes with the Wingspan posted anywhere, but it gives a bit more information than the few graphs and videos that are out there. So I scanned and uploaded it below.

On page 9 it addresses the wide ear flaps thing.

Canadian · December 28, 2010, 5:21pm

Probably. The Medium Advantage 2 fit well enough. Giro helmets usually produce two slight pressure points on my head, the Advantage was no exception (Prolight being the only exception), but something I was willing to overlook if it seemed like a better overall helmet.
I tend to tuck, and the Advantage tail seemed a bit too raised in the air. No testing, just an observation from riding a quick bit with each. I suppose you could tape up the vents if that were a concern.
Not sure, don’t have them. There is quite a bit of room between the ear flaps and your skull, so I can’t imagine it being a problem.

I think the helmet runs a bit on the small size. My head at the brow is 55cm, yet I only get about three clicks on the adjustment dial before it starts getting too tight (all pads in).

I’ve never seen the pamphlet that comes with the Wingspan posted anywhere, but it gives a bit more information than the few graphs and videos that are out there. So I scanned and uploaded it below.

On page 9 it addresses the wide ear flaps thing.

Wow! Thanks for up loading that. Much appreciated.

sesel · December 28, 2010, 7:00pm

Yup, I’m size medium in Giro and found the Wingspan to fit well.
Without doubt the Wingspan. The Giro was a PITA to get on and like with yours, the ear pieces cracked. Wingspan is lighter and more roomy around the ears, with a shorter tail, which I like. Best thing is the user configurable vents. I don’t think there’s a better aero helmet for hot races.
Jawbones work really well. I used them with the Wingspan in Kona this year and it was an awesome combo.

Hope that helps.

Canadian · December 28, 2010, 7:24pm

Awesome! Thank you.

QuintanaRooster · December 28, 2010, 7:49pm

I believe the Wingspan is on sale for 1/2 off at www.e-rudy.com until 1/3/11. I ordered one before Christmas. I had narrowed it down to between the Wingspan and the Giro Adv 2. When I went to a bike shop to try on the Giro, I noticed it was cracked in front of the ear flaps. Having read this same complaint over and over, I opted to spend a little more and get the Wingspan. I wear a size medium in Giro Adv 2, Bell Sweep, and Giro Pneumo and the Wingspan in the one size available fit me.

MHG · December 28, 2010, 8:25pm

I had a medium A2 and the S/M Wingspan fits fine.
I like the Wingspan much better. I like the ventilation options, and the shape much better (shorter tail). The ear flaps were also cracking on my A2. On the A2 the ear flaps made a very close seal with my ears, so my ability to hear the traffic and fellow racers was reduced. Wingspan is much lighter and I can hear traffic fine, and I will wear it much more often than my A2 which was reserved only for races.

As far as aerodynamics go, I expect that RP has done their research with John Cobb’s assistance. A suspect that there is some variation between riders as far as which helmet is the most aerodynamic for their particular riding position.

As far as cost goes, I ordered mine at the 1/2 price E rudy deal. Free shipping to Canada also as I remember.

Best of luck- Mike

Azr43l · December 28, 2010, 9:29pm

Wooohooo! Thanks for posting about the 50% off sale, I snagged a Wingspan.

tricop503 · December 28, 2010, 9:38pm

I ordered a yellow FLUO wingspan for $163.50 with the 50% off deal. Enter DOYOUFLUO in the box for promo codes.

Canadian · December 29, 2010, 9:47pm

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I purchased a new Wingspan at 50% off. Can’t wait to get it.

sesel · December 29, 2010, 9:49pm

Good call. Enjoy!

Azr43l · January 8, 2011, 12:22am

Well, so much for my high hopes. The fit on this helmet is terrible for me. I had hoped psycholist just had an abnornally shaped head, but alas, I’ve got the same problem as him. This thing is made for round heads. My head’s 58cm and at the upper end of the recommended fit range for the Wingspan (59cm). I have a narrower and more squarey head shape and the front of the helmet creates significant pressure points on my forehead yet is loose as can be on the sides.

I went and tried the Advantage 2 and it fit like a glove. Not surprising, my current helmet is a Prolight, which fits great. I did notice the Advantage’s earflaps are pretty snug when putting the helmet on, but once it’s on, it’s ok. Guess I have to be careful about not cracking the earflaps.

Oh well, I love the price at 50% off, design, features and customization that’s possible with the Wingspan, but if the glove doesn’t fit…