At IM KY I noticed a “few” aero helments…(not sure what brands) but in general are they used more in TT’s and short TRI’s (Oly’s, etc;) than in an IM? Or, because I didn’t see many is it a $$$$ issue…or is it a HEAT issue? (yes I know pro’s use them, but for the average age grouper what’s the response)…
bumpty…bumpity.
Time saved is time saved, NO? Why not gain the aero benefits while you’re on the course that long??
Thats interesting because at IMLP this year it seemed like they were everywhere!!! Id say the benefit for an age grouper is generally the same as for a pro… extra little bit of speed. For ex. My best training buddy missed Kona by five seconds two years ago…Guess what he baught this season?
The shorter the course, the bigger the benefit of the aero helmet. Not in absolute terms, but - assuming exert more force on a shorter course on the bike (just as you run faster in a 10k than in a marathon), the benefits of being as aero as possible increases.
And as you pointeded out - heat is less of an issue when you are wearing the hat for about an hour rather than 4-5.
My guess is that its a heat issue and IMKY had plenty of that in store, even if it didn’t actually hit 100F on race day. As another poster pointed out, IMLP was loaded with them (in general you could expect a much cooler ride then IMKY). I held out for the 2007 model of the L.G. Rocket with more vents in it then before. So far I like the unit, but I have trouble hearing cars and the tail chews up the fabric on my shoulder blades. Tim
At IMC I sat at Yellow Lake watching everyone go by. Aero helmets were everywhere, and on almost everyone. Mind you the temp was cooler this year. Bike Barn had about 50 new Giro II and they were pretty much sold out of them by race day, or at least slim picking left in size and colours. Everyone from the top of the food chain to the bottom were wearing them, so you certainly won’t be out of place no matter where you are in the field. As for price, I know the Giro Advantage II is actually cheaper then the atmos.
Well, I was one of the “few” at IMKY with one one 
I was moderately hot in it, but not too bad. I’m a mid to back of FP cyclist at 5:29 at IMKY and a pretty average sweater.
Yes, time is time - but I think people were just a little worried about the heat.
I took my aero helmet to IMLou but ended up using the regular one because of the heat. In hindsight the bike really wasn’t that hot, so I wish I would have used it. It probably would have saved me a couple of minutes.
Rode in my aero helmet at IMLou as well…never really felt like I got much hotter than in my normal skid lid…
my .02
Paul
I think you actually have that backward. My understanding is that slower riders actually benefit more (straight up time) from aero equipment than faster ones, just because they’re on course longer. Following that logic, you should notice a huge difference over 112 miles that you wouldn’t necessarily over 20, just because the smaller % speed gain adds up more over the long course.
Although maybe I misunderstood? Someone wanna weigh in?
Yes, you misunderstood. Everything.
The SAME RIDER will benefit MORE with an AERO HAT on a SPRINT COURSE than on an IRON COURSE. It has nothing to do with SLOW RIDERS versus FAST RIDERS but with the SAME RIDER going FASTER on a SHORTER COURSE than he would go on a LONGER COURSE.
It REQUIRES FAR MORE ENERGY to overcome the wind resistance when going from 20 to 21 miles an hour than from 19 to 20 miles an hour.
No, NextMerckx has it right, you have it bass ackwards. You are correct that it takes exponentially more effort to overcome resistance the faster you go, but this is just basic math. If you are on the course for 5.5 hours, you make a larger aero gain than when you’re on it for 0:45. So yes, it takes far more energy to get slightly faster in a sprint, but for IM, you are fighting lesser resistance, but doing it for 7.5x the amount of time (= greater energy expenditure). You gain a lot more in an IM than you do in a sprint.
Here’s a tip. Post on slowtwitch, then start drinking.
This isn’t about real time savings, it’s about relative time savings. The SAME RIDER will have a greater PERCENTAGE GAIN in time with the hat in a SPRINT assuming he TRIES HARDER.
All the math we show is for the hats being tested at time savings over a 40k TT. If the same rider does a 112 ride, he’s going slower, and the advantage percentage will be lower.
fucking groupies…
I apologize for the imprecision in the post I quoted. It should read:
It’s amusing how stupid you are.
I guess we can’t accuse you of not being clever with your insults, can we?
PS - and you’re a poo head.
I went back to read that and if sarcasm could kill…