Considering a new aero helmet with shield.
Any issues with fogging?
Other advantages / disadvantages when compared to aero helmet w/ sunglasses?
Thanks
I debated the same issue last year and ultimately decided to upgrade and buy a good pair of sunglasses vs the visor. My thinking was I can use the sunglasses during training (regular bike helmet and runs) as well as the run portion of races. Just keep the sunglasses on from bike to run.
The visors just aren’t that popular in races. I rarely see anyone using them and I think alot of it just comes down to comfort and flexibility. In addition, having a cool breeze in your face on the bike portion really can make up any aero benefit from having the visor vs. regular sunglasses.
I debated the same issue last year and ultimately decided to upgrade and buy a good pair of sunglasses vs the visor. My thinking was I can use the sunglasses during training (regular bike helmet and runs) as well as the run portion of races. Just keep the sunglasses on from bike to run.
The visors just aren’t that popular in races. I rarely see anyone using them and I think alot of it just comes down to comfort and flexibility. In addition, having a cool breeze in your face on the bike portion really can make up any aero benefit from having the visor vs. regular sunglasses.
I agree with most of this. The only problem I’ve been having with sunglasses is that when I’m in the aero position I have a hard time seeing more than a few feet in front of me without really straining my neck. I think if you’re gonna go with sunglasses try to find some that are rimless
The visor was an easy choice for me. If I tuck my shades under my helmet, they tend to slide forward on my nose just enough to be annoying. I end up putting them on outside of the helmet straps to keep them in place. That means I have to pull the shades off first before the helmet, then put them back on. No a real big deal, but having the visor allows me to keep my sunglasses attached to my number belt with my nutrition and cap. I just toss my helmet in the T2 sack and grab my number belt and go.
Another plus for the visor is that it opens up your sunglasses choice. You dont have to worry about having wide/tall/rimless lenses so they dont interfer with your vision in aero.
I’ve rocked a shield for 3 races now, 1 cool, 1 hot, 1 wet. The only thing I noticed was that I could tape the vents up on the top of helmet for the cool one and it kept my head toasty until I got warmed up and ripped off the tape. The visor didn’t fog in the heat and was no issue in the wet. If anything, I liked it better than sunglasses in the rain because I wasn’t getting splashed in the eyes as much.
hope that helps
I agree with most of this. The only problem I’ve been having with sunglasses is that when I’m in the aero position I have a hard time seeing more than a few feet in front of me without really straining my neck. I think if you’re gonna go with sunglasses try to find some that are rimless
Smith Optics Pivlock V90 are a good option. No rim, great coverage, kinda douchy. Bonktown has them at a good price every once in a while.
I had the same issues with visability with regular framed sunglasses. Once I switched to a pair of rimless sunglasses it was night and day difference.
I have been using a visor for years and have no plans to go back. The ease of getting it on in transition is nice as is that I feel like i see better with the visor versus sunglasses
I like the visor also… sunglasses always end up getting sweat pooled up on the inside of the lenses and completely distorting my vision. I have contacts with UV protection so I never use sunglasses when I race. One less thing to fumble around with.
I’ve used the visor for about a year now. No issues with fogging or overheating. One less thing to worry about in transition too.
I debated the same issue last year and ultimately decided to upgrade and buy a good pair of sunglasses vs the visor. My thinking was I can use the sunglasses during training (regular bike helmet and runs) as well as the run portion of races. Just keep the sunglasses on from bike to run.
The visors just aren’t that popular in races. I rarely see anyone using them and I think alot of it just comes down to comfort and flexibility. In addition, having a cool breeze in your face on the bike portion really can make up any aero benefit from having the visor vs. regular sunglasses.
I agree with most of this. The only problem I’ve been having with sunglasses is that when I’m in the aero position I have a hard time seeing more than a few feet in front of me without really straining my neck. I think if you’re gonna go with sunglasses try to find some that are rimless
I use Native Apres. They are huge (which I wanted). http://www.nativeyewear.com/style/view/36
thoughts on the jawbones for aero visibility?
Yeah I looked at those too.
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They are expensive. I wanted white and I couldnt find anything for less than $180ish.
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Compared to my Natives, I actually think the Jawbones lense is still a little smaller. Look at this head-on image of the Apres: http://www.amazon.com/Native-Eyewear-Apres-Sunglasses-Black/dp/B004AC8OPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328114247&sr=8-1
See how large the frame is?
I got my Natives for like $80. If I understand correctly, they market to outdoors activities - like hiking, fishing, etc, but they do work in high intensity sports like cycling and running. Nose pads force the frame to lay well on the nose.
Both frames though do have venting so they don’t fog while on the bike (although i do get some fogging when its less than 40 degrees and I am running up a steep hill).
I have an Advantage II that I fit a LG visor to. It works great except when the temp gets over 80 degrees then it becomes really hot. The helmet even has vents as does the visor. It also becomes a real problem if it is humid and you get caught in some rain. It will really fog up.
Glasses work fine but you can have a problem seeing over them and they do tend to slip down your nose.
I train and road race in Oakley Radar XL sunglasses that are the best that I have found as far as coverage and visibility when in the drops or aerobars. They do occasionally fog up - particularly when climbing when I’m sweating and breathing heavily and there’s less airflow around the lens because of the lower speeds.
For TTs and tris I run an LG helmet with the visor and really love this setup. Coverage is just as good as with the Oakleys but never any fogging issues. I’m sure it’s more aero as well. I think it makes transitions faster only needing to take the helmet on and off.
I hate to give away the best kept secret in cycling, but . . .
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_169399_-1_201492_10000_200442
Total aero visibility. I wear them all of the time (not just for cycling). They’re not exactly built like a tank, but if you exercise normal eyewear handling with them then you can easily buy and discard several pairs for less than a single pair of brand name specs. I’ve only gone through 3 pairs in as many years, and two of them were the end result of leaving them on my passenger seat.
All responses were helpful.
Think I’ll keep my glasses / road helmet setup for training and go with a shield / aero helmet for racing.
Seems like no fogging was reported and that was a big concern.
It has to be an advantage not to fumble w/glasses in transition as well.
Thanks all.
I debated the same issue last year and ultimately decided to upgrade and buy a good pair of sunglasses vs the visor. My thinking was I can use the sunglasses during training (regular bike helmet and runs) as well as the run portion of races. Just keep the sunglasses on from bike to run.
The visors just aren’t that popular in races. I rarely see anyone using them and I think alot of it just comes down to comfort and flexibility. In addition, having a cool breeze in your face on the bike portion really can make up any aero benefit from having the visor vs. regular sunglasses.
I agree with most of this. The only problem I’ve been having with sunglasses is that when I’m in the aero position I have a hard time seeing more than a few feet in front of me without really straining my neck. I think if you’re gonna go with sunglasses try to find some that are rimless
Old school for sure, but the best I’ve found for riding aero and still being able to see the road is Oakley M Frames. Lotsa colours, lens shapes and styles, all interchangeable and awesome for protection from bugs and wind at high speed too. The only time I have fogging issues is in winter, just above freezing, when I am riding hard then stop at a red light or something. Not even worth considering really.
I wear an aero helmet with these guys:
Rudy Project Guardyan with the strap it comes with
http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner_detail.php?group_id=1&cat_id=30&item_id=SN168606
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5993237293_5da240e839.jpg
Practically like goggles for cycling!
I can’t comment on it’s aero qualities but it works great for longer rides because you don’t come back with really dry eyes.
I have a visor, but what I quickly found during a warm race is that there’s no way to wipe any sweat off the brow before it runs down into your eyes. Ack!!!
In hindsight, it seems like a ‘Duh!’ but I was more worried about fogging (which turned out to be a non-issue) so hadn’t expected the sweat problem. It’s not like I felt as if my head was overheating in general any worse than normal, just that without the airflow on the upper part of the face my sweatband quickly gets overwhelmed unless it’s really cool out.
Went back to the glasses instead (i’m an Oakley guy).
thoughts on the jawbones for aero visibility?
I have a pair of Jawbones that I love for running. They’re terrible cycling glasses for a couple of reasons… 1) There’s a lot of frame to them and it does obscure your sight line while in the aero position and trying to look forward. Not a deal breaker but less than optimal. 2) Sweat pools on the lenses because of the swing arm part of the frame that locks around the bottom of the lens. That is a deal breaker. I wore them during an Oly last year and I could barely see through them by the end of the bike ride. I just ditched them in T2 and didn’t wear them on the run.
To the original question - I prefer a shield. The problem I had last year with the LG Vorttice is it came with a clear shield which was completely useless here in Texas (or anywhere real sunny). I wore it during my first race last year and was damn near blind the whole time. Ditched the shield and went with Oakley M frames all year with the exception of the race with the Jawbones. Thankfully, they just released a mirrored shield so I’ll be rocking that all year.