I’ve signed up for a 25k ITT tomorrow. The weather forecast is for rain, wind, and 50•F. I’m not thrilled about the rain and temp part, but cycling is an outdoor sport (and cash incentive for top 3 places/group helps, too). So my plan is unchanged.
I’m concerned about visibility with the clear visor on my helmet. So my question is: has anyone tried to use rain-x on their LG TT helmet visor? The container cautions against using on plastic. What about the rain-x antifog on the interior of the visor?
What is your opinion on the fastest setup for a TT with the new Louis Garneau VorTTice helmet? If the conditions are perfect would the helmet be faster with the visor mounted or without? Assuming a calm day and clear skies. I’m just wondering if I should leave the visor attached or remove it. I know you are quite experienced so I appreciate any advice you pass along.
I always assume that a visor will be faster. My thoughts being an aero helmet is faster and a visor is simply more of an aero helmet shape, which removes a partial scoop from the area of your face.
That being said,* *I removed my visor at the last minute at nearly every race last year due to concerns with the heat. My Spiuk is much cooler without a visor taped on.
Can’t answer specifically for the helmet visor, but my go-to rainy race glasses have been plastic Nashbar No-Frames (amber), coated with Rain-X, both inside and out. Have done the same for the plastic amber lens in my older, interchangeable-lens glasses (also plastic). Works quite nicely, and has not caused any perceptible damage to the lenses.
Can’t answer specifically for the helmet visor, but my go-to rainy race glasses have been plastic Nashbar No-Frames (amber), coated with Rain-X, both inside and out. Have done the same for the plastic amber lens in my older, interchangeable-lens glasses (also plastic). Works quite nicely, and has not caused any perceptible damage to the lenses.
I’ve done the same w/ swim goggle anti-fog stuff, and it seems to work reasonably well. Haven’t tried Rain-X, yet.
PS - I think Oakley makes a (likely MUCH more spendy) similar product that’s specifically designed to go on glasses and such.
If you are worried about plastics, and you have a motorcycle dealership near you, go there. They will have a selection of anti-fogging anti-rain coatings designed for the plastic visors on helmets. There are some really good ones out there. Also, in a pinch, Tyr has anti-fogging for goggles that work just fine on plastic lenses (used that in a pinch one rainy Oly - worked great).
Thanks for the advice. My concern when racing is visibility: I know what commuting at 15mph in the rain is like.
I think I am gonna try rain-x on a small corner of the visor and see how it works. Rain-x is sold in packages of interior/exterior application, which I’ll just use on my car. Win/win purchase.
As far as swim-goggle anti-fog: I just do it old school with a bit of spit.
You could apply car wax instead of RainX. Car wax has less of a probability to etch/cloud the visor. Having said that, if you do decide to go the car wax route, please try it in an inconspicuous location, to find out if it does have an adverse reaction to the visor.
