Just bought Giro Air Attack Shield, wanted to get my fellow Slowtwitchers opinion on this…
How ventilated is it?How does it compare to true teardrop aero helmets?Would you recommend something else?
I look forward to hearing your opinions.
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I don’t think you’re going to like the results of this post.
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It’s very ventilated. The first time I road with it, I noticed a difference. At times my eyes even dry out because of all the ventilation.
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Can’t say.
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I like my air attack shield, it fits my head very well. Heavier that regular road helmets on par with an aero helmet.
Hope this helps.
I have used it a few times and never felt overheated. I did not notice any lack of airflow.
I do not think it compares favorably too more traditional “teardrop” shaped aero helmet. In fact, I would guess it is only marginally better than a regular road helmet. That being said, it is comfortable and the shield is great to have especially in the rain.
There are far better options if you are willing to purchase another helmet or can exchange yours.
I think someone here referred to this helmet as nothing more than a fancy salad bowl.
What others would you recommend?
Rudy or Bell Javelin
They are both low cost and (I believe) far better aerodynamically.
I love mine. I would say it is adequately ventilated. As for aero:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiyl79dTsg
If this is indicative of aero road helmets vs. full TT helmets, you save 20 seconds per 40 km with the TT helmet, assuming good position. Turn your head or look down enough and the aero road might actually save you time. For me, my neck gets sore with a Full TT helmet even over 1/2 iron distance. So for me, the aero road helmet is faster than TT.
No data to back this up but here is what i do and why. Sprint and Olympic distance I wear a Javelin because I’m comfortable holding tucked in aero position for the duration of the ride. Long distance HIM and IM I wear the air attack shield because I know I will be moving my head around and will spend periods with my head down.
How does it compare to true teardrop aero helmets?The AA is not great at all as an aero road helmet. return it and get an evade if you want to go the aero road helmet route
The AA is not great at all as an aero road helmet. return it and get an evade if you want to go the aero road helmet route
Giro Synthe. Tested better than the Evade in this Lava test for the “head up” position. And the Attack is, according to at least one other magazine test, better than the Evade in the “head down” position.
The Synthe is also the most comfortable road helmet I’ve worn, bar none. Though that stuff can be individual.
Maybe the Evade is a good compromise if you switch head positions between those two a lot like your Chris Froome stem-staring type, because I think it’s the best “average” between the two.
Only the Evade is vomit-inducingly ugly, and cosmetics are very important in road cycling.
I have had my air attack shield for the past 2 seasons and have worn it for all of my rides. I did not find it too hot. I love the visor while on my tri bike. I think it gives me better visibility then my sunglasses while in the aerobars. I did get the synthe this year. I only used it a few times but like it. I was looking for a more normal looking daily ride. Both are equally comfortable. For tri or tt I’ll still use my air attack with shield but otherwise probably my synthe. I had a selector but found it hot and cumbersome so I returned it. Maybe one day I’ll check out the kask or new trek snub tail
as most others have said, it is terrible compared to pure aero helmets, and it does not perform well, repeatedly, relative to the Evade (if there are other major aero road helmets, i’m not recalling them at the moment).
if you are picking between the AA or a standard road helmet, then you made a good choice.
if you are picking between the AA and the Evade, it’s quite possible you’ve made the wrong choice (but you’d have to test to be certain).
if you are picking between the AA and a true aero helmet, it is almost certain you made the wrong choice (but you’d have to test to be certain).
I think one other point to mention…
I was recently in the market for a new road helmet. I wanted the evade, but with a $150 spread in price between the evade and AA I chose the AA. Maybe I didn’t know where to shop for the evade, but it seems like a sub $200 price is tough to come by.
It’s true that Air Attacks are available all over the place now for less than $150 (sometimes under $100 for the non-visor version). So for a budget aero road helmet they are not a bad choice. I use one for winter training as it has less ventilation, which in the cold is not a bad thing.
Looks like those figures maybe girl’s own Which I am sure some people have questioned. I have been waiting for a few more independent test on the synthe, kask’s 2 aero offerings and the bell star pro.
Looks like those figures maybe girl’s own Which I am sure some people have questioned. I have been waiting for a few more independent test on the synthe, kask’s 2 aero offerings and the bell star pro.
I don’t know, I’ve heard several people say about full-up TT helmets that just pick the one that looks best because there’s so much variability between people in wind tunnel testing that you’re not going to know which is best without actual wind tunnel testing on yourself.
And road helmets probably have even more variability because the position isn’t going to be anywhere near as static as a TT position.
I got the Synthe because it looks good!
so is the giro synthe considered an aero helmet? or road helmet?
so is the giro synthe considered an aero helmet? or road helmet?
It is an aero road helmet.
brandonberm,
How do you like the shield? I passed on the shield and bought the Giro AA because I wear glasses and wondered about double glare, double glass.
Have been happy with my AA. Light, aero, no problem with cooling and much quieter than my road helmet.
Wearing the AA while training doesn’t stand out like a “true” aero helmet would and I prefer using just one helmet.
True, but often results show a helmet that works well for most people. Like I think the Specialized sworks th helmet from what I have read.