…we know they look cool but is there any aero data that they actually work better than the LG Prologue or even taping over the holes on a regular helmet?
Bump. So are they for show or do they really go?
Winner number 2 of the “suck it up and train with Faris with your man-bra” award.
Seriously man, what are you worrying about aero helmets. At your speed (or 99.999%) of the guys on this forum including myself, the difference between an aero helmet and a regular one is the difference between sitting up and sailing in the wind vs staying aero into a headwind. Better yet, go faster in T2, train hard, rest well, race with heart 
Hey Dev, I plan to stay in the bars as long as possible and to have a fast T2. I have a feeling that the times I sit up (turns, etc) will be the same wheter my helmet is standard or aero.
All of my races this season I have worn a LG prologue for 2 reasons: Logically it seems like it will probably help, same reason I have used a disc (cover) and aero front wheel. I picked it up on ebay dirt-cheap. The prologues that were used last year by poeple who upgraded to newer models this year have to go somewhere.
Fair enough. I have to play the hard old school role of, “no point spending piles of money on gear if your body and brain are doing stupid things out on the race course” . There is lots of free speed to be gained without spending money:-). But if you have optimized your execution, then go for it.
I don’t remember where I read it (I will google it), but I read that an aero helmet will decrease your cda by 3%-10%. I have to look it up to backup this data. While we’re at it, we might as well just ride 32 spoke wheels w/out aero bars. In terms of the cost of the upgrade for the percentage improvement it gives, I would be willing to say the aero helmet is one of the most cost effective upgrades, right behind the disc cover.
I agree with you that too many people try and buy speed. I’m all about free speed when available and finding good deals on equipment.
I have tried to maximize my free speed by really working on getting as aero as possible with my body position. I’m amazed at the number of people who refuse to try a little bit lower and/or more narrow.
I’m all into “cheap upgrades” like the disc cover, powertap on ebay, aero helmet on ebay etc.
Equipment is an arms race. Most people do this sport for a variety of reasons, but one is to race as fast as our bodies and personal circumstances and genetics will let us. The execution that I refer to (brain over body) is something that we all can truly strive to improve (I know I can). This comes for free.
My main point is that people jump ahead and worry too much about “purchased speed”,when they are giving away “free speed”
Watching the Kona coverage, did you all see Badman’s trick to ensure she stays down and aero ? Get rid of the base bar. Aerobars only. Now that has to take some serious guts. No possible way to sit up or stand out of the saddle. It shows us the attention to details it takes to be a champion.
Oh yeah, she was wearing an aero helmet, but that lady already optimized all the free speed possible on the bike. If anyone, male or female, she has it down to a fine art form.
I agree.
Watching the Kona coverage, did you all see Badman’s trick to ensure she stays down and aero ? Get rid of the base bar. Aerobars only. Now that has to take some serious guts. No possible way to sit up or stand out of the saddle. It shows us the attention to details it takes to be a champion.
Oh yeah, she was wearing an aero helmet, but that lady already optimized all the free speed possible on the bike. If anyone, male or female, she has it down to a fine art form.
Thats nuts…do you have any photos? Was she using the brake lever system that can come on the aero bar?
They’re fast. Seriously fast. But there is a variance based on your position. A smooth transition to the back is going to help… That is the reason for the extra build-up you see on Basso & Zabriskie’s Meteors.
She had some kind of a twist brake system on the aerobar. Very clean and one more element of an aero set up in addition to her already “bolted to the aero bars” body position. I think there were pics or links to pics on another thread from race day.