We posted our aero test of the new Rudy Project WingDream on our Fast or Fiction YouTube channel. 5 athletes were tested using their own aero helmets against the WingDream (because those helmets had already tested fastest for them). The results speak for themselves. They’re not a surprise as the design was a collaboration with SwissSide, who certainly know their stuff and have their hand in many new aero-related products you might not realize.
I’m aero testing today (just like everyday, I guess), but will try to answer questions when I can.
We had some of our usual test riders, but also a few new ones including Danielle Lewis.
Results:
Tony (vs Wing Helmet) - 7.4 watt drop in drag
Christina (vs Giro Aerohead) - 9.8 watt drop in drag
Scott (vs Kask Mistral) - 4.9 watt drop in drag
Adam (Aerohead Ultimate) - tied (3 separate tests on 3 separate days, though the WingDream was too small for him and sat up high on his head)
Danielle Lewis (vs Wing) - 12.2 watt drop in drag (geez)
The athletes generally liked the helmet. Tony raced Santa Cruz 70.3 with it. These new designs look odd, but are easier to put on because they don’t need to be pulled over the ears, have great visibility due to the wide field of view, and have plenty of ventilation. No one liked the new clasping system. Rudy Project says they’ll be released in North America in December. I think they’re available in other areas (Australia) now.
As always, this was a completely independent test. Not paid, not sponsored. Rudy Project did send the helmet for us to test (we usually buy the products ourselves) with the understanding we’d post the results no matter what. They didn’t even get a preview of the video. They’re finding out it’s out at the same time all of you are.
I have a couple questions on the visor. Are there magnets in the crown, like the Wing helmet, to stow the visor up top if you need it off but want it handy?
Any chance you’ll do a comparison to visor on vs off? I’ve heard elsewhere that the WingDream really needs the visor on to work, but I’m curious just how bad it is without it.
I will probably test this visor myself this coming spring but since its essentially all about the visor I can’t imagine riding without it is a good option.
And I am glad I am not the only one unable to get a hold of Jim
I feel like if I make the trip to NZ to watch my athletes race I should bring my aero testing sensors and help people make smart race day decisions around helmets, calf sleeves, bottle placement etc
Okay, so I’m embarrassed to admit that I thought the new forum had a cool feature where I could answer the email I get when someone posts on a thread and it would post here.
Yes, on the magnets. In fact, the delay on the North American release is they’re strengthening the magnets. I’ve also been told they’re changing the shape of the shield which I believe to be a mistake. We’ll see.
I’m sure at some point we’ll test someone without the shield, but I can’t imagine any of these new helmets would fair well without them. I wouldn’t go out of my way to test it, that’s for sure.
Hmm, that’s concerning about changing the shape of the shield. I’d worry a late change like this is for manufacturability over aero. Damn. I was ready to plunk down my cash as soon as they are available.
The shield change, from what I understand, is to allow clearance for BTA’s. I don’t think that’s necessary, but they had some feedback from an athlete or two that had issues. So, if they do make a shield change, we can assume it will be shorter. Obviously, will do a retest or to if there’s a significant difference.
I was part of the development of this helmet, so will give a bit of input from my side.
Firstly, the helmet was developed in coorporation between Rudy Project and Team Bahrain-Victorious (not SwissSide). I was the leader on Team Bahrain-Victorious’ side of that coorporation and was involved from the start of the project.
There was a question of why this is marketed as a TT helmet and the reason is that this was developed to work best in what I would call a modern TT position used by most (fast) professional bike riders. It’s not to say it won’t work for a triathlete, but there’s a bigger range of positions (from top pro to BOP AG’er) and (like with any helmet) this will not work equally well on all. When making the general shape of the helmet it was a priority to not lock the design into one very specific position/rider, but it is still optimized for what you could call a modern TT position.
After finishing the development we have tested it in even more positions (even on a road bike position) and actually found that it performs really well in most instances - even ones it wasn’t specifially designed for - but of course still have positions/riders where it excels.
Regarding the change of visor, it will likely be made a little bit shorter in order to make it easier to drink from a bottle without having the bottle interfere with the visor. I personally tested this slightly shorter visor and found no aerodynamic difference to the original/taller one.
Regarding general sizing, both sizes are the same size outer shell so it’s only the inside that has a different size. So choose the size that fits your head and don’t worry about a difference in aerodynamics
In rough terms, I have data on the helmet on about a dozen riders, mostly from the team but also a few others. Compared to the previous Rudy (The Wing) the worst I have seen the new helmet perform have been equal to it and the best have been an improvement around 0.010 m² in terms of CdA. Average likely somewhere in the middle.
I have limited data with sunglasses and no visor since it was developed to be used with the visor (again, it’s developed with TT’s in mind primarily). What I have of data suggests it’s not a big deficit, though - from equal performance to just around 0.002 m² or so slower - again, this is likely also to be somewhat dependent on rider and position.
We are in the Era of the fast helmets. The new Rudy, the Sweet Redeemer, the Aerohead II etc. Lots of options with some big claims of improvements. With the wider acceptance of aero sensors, 2025 should be full of a lot of fun head to head data.
