There should be a way to customize an aero helmet, at least to some degree. Maybe 3-4 different types that would have different angles on the tail to fit different “neck-types”. It can’t be any more difficult than producing differenet sizes. Or is it?
Or maybe something like icehockey helmets have, that kan be adjusted with two screws on the inside.
I’ve seen pictures where guys used a little cardboard & fiberglass to add to the tail of an aero helmet to better fit the profile of the back. I can’t remember where but I recall seeing one (maybe biketechreview) where a guy took a LG Crono and when he was done it looked almost just like a Rocket.
I agree with you though, it doesn’t seem like it would be that hard to have a customizable helmet tail.
Hello JkLundin and All,
Should be easy to create a helmet fairing that lies smoothly on your back … IF the vendors could profit from the changes.
It appears that helmet testing is expensive and untested consumer modifications are illegal - so best to find a current approved helmet that works best for you.
Here is a list to pick from: http://www.helmets.org/helmet07.htm
http://www.helmets.org/links.htm
Background:
UCI Rules state:
Section 2: bicycles Preamble Bicycles shall comply with the spirit and principle of cycling as a sport. The spirit presupposes that cyclists will compete in competitions on an equal footing. The principle asserts the primacy of man
over machine.
My Comment: Might be best (and adhere to the premise of man against man) if everybody had to wear the same round safe helmet. This would help the slower riders more than the fast ones. (And also if everybody had to ride the same bicycle - although I think the advances in bicycles are fun (and profitable).)
USAT Rule: k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable
time penalty.
Aero helmets are an exception to the ‘no fairing’ rule.
USAT Rule: (f) No additional equipment, whether it is worn under the competitor’s clothing, over the competitors clothing, or is otherwise attached to the athlete’s body, which has the effect of reducing wind resistance is permitted. An exception is the use of safety helmets as described in Section 5.9. Such helmets may have the effect of reducing
the wind resistance of the head only.
Testing Shows Aero Helmets are a Problem:
The adverse effect of this aerodynamic shape is that the wedge at the back of the helmet tends to deflect and rotate the helmet on the head when impact occurs there. Any impact at the front or sides of the streamlined helmet is no different from other helmet shapes, but any impact on the rear wedge tends to rotate the helmet on the head, probably deflecting the helmet to expose the bare head to impact, and at worst ejecting the helmet completely from the head.
http://www.helmets.org/hurtmemo.htm
Possible Solutions:
The tail of the helmet could be frangible - like a lizard tail - and break off in a crash (rather than either twisting your neck or yanking off your helmet entirely. Or perhaps the tail of the helmet could be made of sponge rubber or similar material that would lay flat to your back or be attached to your back with velcro.
It might be of some aero benefit to have the tail swivel so that it would move in a cross wind like Davy Crockett’s coonskin cap tail.
Or the cyclist shirt could have a fairing or fuselage form that meets the helmet smoothly like some motorcycle leathers.
What do you think?
Cheers,
Neal
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Other miscellaneous notes:
USAT
** 5.9 Helmets.** (a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Helmets manufactured prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of (i) the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z-90.4), (ii) The Snell Memorial Foundation (Protective Headgear for Bicycle Users), or (iii) ASTM F-1446 or F-1447, and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Removal of helmet cover, if required for that helmet to meet such safety standards, shall constitute an impermissible alteration in violation of this Section 5.9(a). Any violation of this Section 5.9(a) shall result in
disqualification.
USAT k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable
time penalty. ** UCI CYCLING REGULATIONS** E0107 GENERAL ORGANISATION OF CYCLING AS A SPORT **65 1.3.024 **Any device, added or blended into the structure, that is destined to decrease, or which has the effect of decreasing, resistance to air penetration or artificially to accelerate propulsion, such as a protective screen, fuselage form of fairing or the like, shall be prohibited. A protective screen shall be defined as a fixed component that serves as a windscreen or windbreak designed to protect another fixed element of the bicycle in order to reduce its wind resistance. A fuselage form shall be defined as an extension or streamlining of a section. This shall be tolerated
as long as the ratio between the length L and the diameter D does not exceed 3.
3. Each rider shall be responsible for: - ensuring that the helmet is approved in compliance with an official security standard and that the helmet can be identified as approved; - wearing the helmet in accordance with the security regulations in order to ensure full protection, including but not limited to a correct adjustment on the head as well as a correct adjustment of the chin strap; - avoiding any manipulation which could compromise the protective characteristics of the helmet and not wearing a helmet which has been undergone manipulation or an incident which might have compromised its protective characteristics; - using only an approved helmet that has not suffered any accident or shock; - using only a helmet that has not been altered or had any element added or removed in
terms of design or form.