I just read this on cyclingnews.com Is there going to be a wave of more legal aero TT helmets available to us? Each team has a helmet sponsor, are the big names going to be joining Lous Garneau and Limar in making TT helmets that are legal to use? This can be interesting… Hardshell helmets in TT
Following confirmation that the mandatory helmet rule will become fully effective for 2004, the UCI also announced during the opening days of competition at the World Championships in Hamilton that hardshell protective helmets will be required in time trial events as well as on the road. Thus far riders have been permitted to use helmets which serve no purpose other than aerodynamics in time trials, but beginning next year rigid, more functional headgear will become mandatory. This rule will apply to both road time trials and timed events on the track such as the pursuit.
They’re listing an availability date of October '03 - different from the March 03 date in the above message. I get the feeling that this is a a product that Limar has been keeping “in their hip pocket” just in case the UCI decided to rule this way.
Yeah, I think that everyone is going to try to come out with a protective helmet. Many will simply be aero vacuum-formed shapes on the outside of an existing foam frame. I’d imagine that the manufacturers will base them on some of their cheaper helmets, as they have fewer vents and generally tend to be thinner.
Here’s a short track speedskating helmet that would adapt rather well . . .