http://velonews.com/tech/report/articles/8015.0.html
Don’t expect to see those aero’ lids at the local shop
Dear Lennard,
I know the discussion of time trial helmets comes up every year and this year it is no different. How are the racers at the Tour de Georgia allowed to wear time trial helmets that are not certified by the stricter standards required in the U.S.? I noticed the racers during the time trial were wearing helmets usually only seen on the European racing scene. One particular thing I noticed was Floyd Landis wearing a Specialized helmet - this makes the matter more confusing as it suggests that certain helmets from Europe were used while others weren’t. Can you sort all of this out?
Jacob
Dear Jacob,
That Specialized helmet, as well as most, if not all, of the TT helmets used in the 2004 Tour, pass at least an equivalent standard to the Snell standard used in the USA. In order to be UCI-approved, they have to pass the European safety standards, and some (those planning to be sold in the USA) also applied for and passed the Snell standard. The Specialized TT helmet used in the Tour by Domina Vacanze and in the Tour of Georgia by Floyd Landis had Snell stickers. However, on April 26, Snell decided to no longer certify TT helmets due to the protruding tail. So as of Tuesday, April 26, the day you sent me this question, Specialized no longer has any plans to sell that helmet in the USA. I imagine the same is true for Bell, Giro, etc., as they could sell it without the sticker, but that would defeat the whole purpose.
Lennard