I am looking into getting an aero helmet but am not sure which one I should get. This is going to be a pretty open and opinionated post but I was wondering if people can help to with some information on how a few helmets perform and what one they would choose first. Also what are some things I should look for (i.e. how tail fits along my back, etc. )when trying one on.
I am interested most in the Giro Advantage 2, Lazer Tardiz, Specialized TT2, but open to other options. Thanks
How is your backline? Is it curved or flat when in aero position ? I like the laser myself but have a LG with lonish tail that I race with.
I am not sure, I will have to get on my bike and get a picture of me from the side, I know when I got fit the guy said I had a flat back so that is what I am guessing I have.
I can’t get access to the Tardiz to try it on so I am not sure what it is like compared to the Giro and Specialized both of which I have tried on.
Does the bottle hole on top of the Lazer work well at all? Is it as aero as the other helmets out there, or close enough to not make a huge difference?
I have heard that it works well. I have a limar tt helmet that I like to wear when training as it is light and has a short tail. I sometimes incorporate 10 mile rides to work into training. so I have a backpack ( zoot z-pack) and the limar fits in nicely so I can move neck a bit to make it safe to use.
The hole on top works well (used it this wknd). The helmet is super comfortable and the ventilation is very good. Only complaint is that I need to wear the helmet a little farther “back” on my head to get the tail close to my back. My head tilts down when I ride (facing slightly towards the ground), and the tail sticks up a little bit unless I shift the helmet back a little on my head. It isn’t unsafe, bit it is shifted back.
FYI, I have a huge head, and the size large is still really big on me. Also the ear flaps interfere with some glasses, so you may want to try it on with glasses.
I ordered a few helmets online, tried them on on the bike and determined which was best for me. I suggest you do the same.
Does anybody know the general fit of these three helmets as well as the spuik kronos? (Flatter back, Rounder back?) Like I said earlier I have access to the Giro and Specialized but not the Lazer or Spuik without purchasing them and then trying to dump them if they don’t work.
What kind of time advantage might I expect from wearing one of these compared to a regular helmet on a HIM course?
I wouldn’t buy a helmet with dimples - the Lazer - because that just shows they don’t know much about aerodynamics. That Lazer helmet is a POS, IMHO.
The Giro is good if you move your head a lot because it is smaller. The Spiuk is good if you have a BIG head. The Specialized is good if you have a normal sized head and you can keep it relatively still.
I love my Specialized TT2 - it is not hot and it fits well - but I realize it’s not the best for everyone.
I’ll sell you my Advantage 2. Medium…it has been used 2x & that is it–brand new besides that. What sounds good…$70 + shipping? After I wore it I didn’t like it & went back to a regular road helmet. Too bloody hot I think. PM me if you want it.
I tend to think the same as far as you about the dimples, thats why I am not interested at all in the LG.
How big of head do you need for the Spiuk?
How snug are the ear covers around your ears? When I tried a Medium Giro they would press against my ears pretty firmly, I felt like it might be a little uncomfortable for 56 miles, the large fit but I maybe had a little extra room between the covers and my ears.
You all help so much in understand what I should be looking for rather than trying to figure out how to buy all of these helmets just to test them out then having to sell or return the others.
I tend to think the same as far as you about the dimples, thats why I am not interested at all in the LG.
How big of head do you need for the Spiuk?
How snug are the ear covers around your ears? When I tried a Medium Giro they would press against my ears pretty firmly, I felt like it might be a little uncomfortable for 56 miles, the large fit but I maybe had a little extra room between the covers and my ears.
You all help so much in understand what I should be looking for rather than trying to figure out how to buy all of these helmets just to test them out then having to sell or return the others.
You don’t need a massive noggin or anything. It just only comes in one size and there is a pretty sizable gap between the ears and the sides for me. The Spiuk doesn’t have ear flaps; the helmet is firm all the way down, so nothing pushes on your ears, but it also means there is a gap. It’s a great helmet, though. I think it’s a better helmet than the Giro.
Look for minimal vents and minimal sculptural designs. Tails that limit the gap with your back as you are already aware. Really hard to go with generalizations - helmets interact with each individual differently…
I have a BIG head (size 7 7/8)! The Spiuk is too small. I bought it at the end of last season (October 2009). From the research I did, I felt it was the most aero for me. I also like the large exhaust port at the end of the tail, to help pull out air. If anyone is interested in buying it, PM me. I got it off ebay. Used 2 ties. Like new in box.
How snug are the ear covers around your ears? When I tried a Medium Giro they would press against my ears pretty firmly, I felt like it might be a little uncomfortable for 56 miles, the large fit but I maybe had a little extra room between the covers and my ears.
I tried a medium Giro on and it would not fit…not even close…I have a huge melon…
go with the giro, its probably the most cost effective of the ones listed too correct?
Has anybody tried on the Rudy Wingspan, it seems like it has a very short tail that might be better if you don’t keep your head in the same position all the time or if you have more of a rounded back, is that right? It seems rather expensive for an aero helmet even with a discount.
Has anybody tried on the Rudy Wingspan, it seems like it has a very short tail that might be better if you don’t keep your head in the same position all the time or if you have more of a rounded back, is that right? It seems rather expensive for an aero helmet even with a discount.
I have not. I tend to dislike aero helmets that come in only one size. I think that’s a fundamental flaw in design, and given how the RP appears to fit in numerous photos of it, I think it’s clear that they need a smaller size.
“…a Medium Giro they would press against my ears pretty firmly, I felt like it might be a little uncomfortable for 56 miles…”
In response to your point above. Maybe I look at this wrong but here is my take: Training I want to comfortable; for racing I can suck it up for a little bit for the sake of speed.
The helmet is for racing and to help you go faster, right? The less frontal area of the helmet, the bigger benefit you will see. So I would err on the side of a smaller helmet (provided it still provides the necessary safety coverage) to see a bigger aero benefit. You are not getting this to tour around town and look cool, it’s to go faster. So, I would get the one that’s a little smaller and uncomfortable, but faster, than one that is nice and roomy, but offers not much beneift than my everyday road helmet. It’s up to you and your pain tolerance if you can tolerate some discomfort for the sake of performance for a couple of hours.
I did notice that each of the photos the helmet sat a little different with the guys, and that some of them had a lot of room between the bottom of the helmet and the top of there back.
I think the Giro or Specialized would be your best bet. Spiuk looks nice too, but I think the Specialized would provide better ventilation. Got mine a few weeks ago, and while I haven’t used it yet, it fits very well. Think it is a tad small, so you might have to go up a size. There also seems to be tests, if you search extensively (like I did - I wouldn’t recommend it) suggesting the Specialized is the faster of the two (Giro Advantage2), and I know Jordan testified to liking it better than the Spiuk.
I totally agree with you Tom, The one thing that was hard for me to do was to get the helmet on. now it was new and maybe it would loosen up a bit but I have to really stretch it to get my head in and then I had to work at getting my ears to flip up inside the helmet. I have heard that people break the flaps or have bent them really bad because of over flexing the material, i worry that in the heat of the race I might do the same.
The specialized on the other hand seemed to be a great middle ground between the two Giro sizes.