I have an old LG Rocket I bought used from ST several years back. Only aero lid I’ve ever used. Never Chung tested or anything, just assumed it was faster than a road helmet.
It doesn’t get the most gentle treatment and has a fair amount of electrical tape holding cracks together around the ear flaps. The tail also plucks the material on my new sleeved kit a bit if I’m not careful.
I will replace it at some point this year. Just wondering the benefit of doing it now. I have a 70.3 and maybe two shorter races left. I’ll likely go around 21 for the half and 23 for the others, if that matters.
With the understanding that these are just ballpark figures, what time savings might come from a P-09 or Aerohead relative to the Rocket over a non-flat 70.3? Also, any big safety concerns with the Rocket being over a decade old in terms of the foam or design? The Aerohead has the MIPS advantage, but any beyond that?
For safety, generally there seems a lack of much real assessment as to how helmets deteriorate over time.
The only info rhat was ebem half scientific was a few years ago by Met.
I recall they came up with something like 7or 8 years (or obvs a crash, which ever 1st).
Unless from the 80s the foam is supposed to be UV stabilised.
Myself… i get a bit nervous beyond about 5 years. And I’m pretty careful with the helmet in transit etc.
For MIPS… I’m yet to be convinced.
Fine the test dummies show improvement - but the tests never seem to reflect the benefit of hair and skin which also gives a lot of shear / movement - put your hand on your head and feel it move w.r.t. your skull. If that moves 10mm and MIPS say 5, the claims made seem overly stated vs a neigh on rigid test head.
I have no idea about time savings for those helmets, but I have both of them. Started with the Aerohead and really like every aspect of it except the weight. During a 70.3, my neck would get really sore after 2 hours (I have neck issues).
I bought a P-09 a few months ago because of it’s lighter weight. I did a 75 mile ride last weekend with it and my neck held up much better. The Aerohead will be for shorter distance events and the P-09 for 70.3+.
If you aren’t worried about the weight, the Aerohead is a better helmet IMO. The magnetic flip around visor is very nice and works well. Huge field of vision and keeps the wind off the eyes very well. Plus, you can order a clear shield for those overcast days, to go along with the tinted shield that comes with it. For my head, the shape is very comfortable also.
The P-09 is lighter, but I don’t use the built in flip-up visor because it lets so much wind blow into my eyes. So I use sunglasses with this helmet. The fit isn’t as nice either, at least for the shape of my head. There’s a high spot in the helmet above / behind my ears. I fixed that by sanding down the styrofoam a little in those spots, so that problem has been solved.
If you want a newer but less expensive aero helmet, check out the Giro Advantage 2. My wife picked one up for $70 new.
Interesting - I see what you mean about the natural movement! 10-15 years does seem a bit long in the tooth for a helmet.
Yeah, it looks like the P-09 is about 3/4 the weight of the Aerohead.
It is hard to find good info on what difference the different ones make. Obviously those two are the ones folks like Jim and Desert Dude see the general best results with, and also it is obviously individual to some degree.
Still, it would be nice to have a ballpark about the P-09 compared to my Rocket or the Advantage 2.