Now the Giro Advantage 2 helmet is readily available (trisports.com and ebay has plenty of them), I was wondering what people who have them think?
Has anyone heard how aerodynamically efficient they are versus the LG or Spuik?
I tried running across the sahara in one, it was a bit hot
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If you search there have been a few threads on this in the last week. I wrote a little review of the a2/lg rocket/spiuk kronos in one of them.
I rode in mine yesterday. It’s definitely not a fast transition helmet IMHO. The straps plus tight fitting around the ears takes some adjustment as you put it on. It feels light and by the end of the ride didn’t even notice it was on. Good padding and secure fit.
Absolutely love it!!! Bought mine here in Europe before the TT season. Way big improvement over my old Louis Garneau Chrono.
I disagree with the transitions with the A2 though… I have no issue what so ever to get the helmet on and off quickly… Maybe it just fits me perfect?!
Weird. I have giro advantage I. And when I was in my LBS I tried Bell Meteor II and a limar helmet. I was in the store trying to put on each helmet as fast as possible, the personal their was quite amused,good thing they knew me and didn’t thought I was a lunatic… Anyway my result was in order of eaze: Limar, giro and Bell. The bell helmet took me over 2 minutes to put on properly. Giro I could learn to go from 30 sek to as fast as a normal helmet only. Limar didn’t give any time penalty at all, but it was way to big for me.
It must be my dumbo size ears. 
I just recieved mine this week from all3sports … it looks awesome!
It fits fine and really just like the rocket which I’ve worn a few times this year. I am quite sure it will be hugely faster … based on its cool looks. Is it really faster??? … I doubt it, but so what!
Dave
How 'bout sizing? If I wear a Med Pneumo, would I wear a Med Advantage 2?
I wear a large for all Giro’s … large for this model fits me a little tighter but I think it was meant to. I suspect if you’re a medium for pneumo that same size would work.
Dave
I wear a medium Atmos and just got a medium Advantage 2. Seem to size the same.
Took it for its maiden voyage last night. Couple short comments:
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The helmet is very loud. Incredible amount of wind noise inside the helmet. Much more than the LG Rocket.
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Very little air flow inside the helmet. It was a cool night (76-78 deg) and it got a little warm inside the helmet.
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Feels a little heavy. I know it is not, but, for some reason, if feels heavier than the LG Rocket.
Only 90 minutes in the helmet, so, no final decisions made, but, on first impressions only, so far, other than the fact that the Giro looks cooler, I like the LG Rocket better.
I have the Bell (I couldn’t wait for the Giro). Exact same helmet (they are made by the same company, Bell Sports, just different branding). I love it, but as a poster said, it’s slightly more difficult to get on due to the ear coverings. Again, it’s just a bit more difficult, but nothing severe (10 seconds, perhaps?). I wear a medium and have done a 6+ hour ride in it with no problem. It was a bit warmer than my standard Giro Pneumo, but nothing so bad that I wouldn’t wear it for IM.
I have the Bell (I couldn’t wait for the Giro). Exact same helmet (they are made by the same company, Bell Sports, just different branding).
The Bell Meteor is NOT the same helmet at the Giro A2. The Meteor is also not CPSC certified, which is required by uSAT for racing. The companies are the same, but the helmets are not. The Bell Sweep is not the same as the Giro Atmos (or Pneumo). Why would they make the TT helmets the same?
G2 arrived today.
Sits on top my head just like the Rocket. Can you say martian?
I’ll be sticking with my Rudy Syton for Lou and then take a few test spins on the G2. No need to waste my ride tomorrow testing a helmet which appears I don’t like out of the box…
Construction wise, it’s a nice helmet and the ear flaps are very flexible. I just don’t understand why they have to put 2" of foam on the top of the helmet like a construction hat. For some reason Rudy can get away with it.
Actually, they are. You are correct about the certifications being different, but as for the actual manufacturing, they are the same. I only know this becuase I was involved in a corporate buyout of Bell Sports and this was clear from the diligence. If you hold them in each hand, as I have done, you will see what I am talking about. They are identical. But as I say, you are correct that only the Bell is allowed for USAT races.
Which raises another question. If a European athlete comes here to race an IM event with a Bell or other non-CPSC certified lid, do the refs not allow them to start or tell them to get another helmet? I raced at Eagleman and no one said a word, but I was curious if the IM events are more tightly governed.
Construction methodology may be the same, but there are differences. You can see them. Of course, there are also a ton of similarities. But there are definitely some noticeable differences in the shell. How much of a difference these small things make in terms of aerodynamics, I don’t know. But it could be a lot (or none at all). You can also see some differences in the venting and the frontal profile if you look at some of the TdF head-on shots at GrahamWatson.com.
But this:
is not the same as this:
And, I have held both in my hands…
I’m with Rapp on this one.
I have a Bell Meteor, G2 (arrived today) and a Rudy Syton. Unfortunately the Bell is loaned out to a friend 500 miles away…otherwise I’d take pictures. The Bell fit much different (lower on my head) and the tail is longer/curved more towards the back.
I was pretty excited to order the G2, but now would like either the Bell to become certified or USAT to adopt a better standard (which, IMO is the best scenario).
If folks want photos…I can take some tonight. Nothing else to do.
I tried my new GA2 out today on a 102 mile ride. Not sure why it is so “tall”, it seems like it has a lot of padding on top. It looks pretty goofy on, but fairly comfortable. It seems quite a bit heavier than my Bell Sweep R. Also, it is definitely warmer than a standard vented helmet and I don’t like the ear flaps. It sure does feel faster than my Sweep R. I would recommend it.
My friend tried it out and liked it. He has the LG Rocket and said that the tail on the Rocket hits him in the middle of the back – not so with Giro.
I have heard that the aero helmet is the “best” aerodynamic innovation since the aerobar, does anyone have any links to articles/wind tunnel tests on these helmets?
I agree with you - but I had a aero-helmet before the scott aerobar was invented! It is not “new”.
Went out for a longer test ride today (around 4 hours) to get a better feel. It was cool – about 64 degrees – and started to rain a little. The ride was in SE Wisconsin. Aside from being about 10 degrees warmer, it was earily reminiscent of IMWI 2006.
Couple notes:
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Still notice a lot of wind noise inside the helmet. It is really loud compared to the LG Rocket.
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Great for cooler weather and rain. I actually really liked having the “cover.”
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Did not feel “heavy” or “thick” like it did on the first test ride. After 3.5 hours, it still felt fine.
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Looks a lot better than the Rocket.
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Still very concerned about airflow. If we get a sudden heat wave for IMMoo, it sure feels like it will be uncomfortable.
Current plan is to take the Atmos, LG Rocket, and Advantage 2 all the IMWI and make my decision at the last minute based on the weather.