Hi folks, I’m looking to get in the market for a true aero helmet for 70.3 Jones Beach in September this year. I’m trying to choose between the Rudy Project Wing, the Giro Aerohead, and the POC Procen which is supposed to become available for purchase in Sept. Right now, my bike PR is a 2:23 from 70.3 Eagleman two years ago with 207W at 68kg, and my target race power for this year is 240W which I’m hoping to be in the 2:10-2:15 with. I’ve been riding with a secondhand S-Works Evade since I tend to run hot, but the new Procen looks like it should have pretty solid cooling capability given the massive vent at the front.
Any thoughts on waiting for the new helmet or just going with a proven existing helmet?
It’s still hard to beat the aerohead, very, very hard.
I’m hearing rumors of a new Rudy that is doing very, very well compared to the wing and the Wing is a HUGE step up from their previous helmets.
I used an Aerohead for a few years and recently switched to the Wing. I have no idea which is more aero but I can point to a few practical considerations. The Aerohead is heavier than the Wing, enough that I stopped using the Aerohead on anything longer than Olympic distance.
The other main thing that I didn’t like about the Aerohead is the lack of forward visibility while in aero. The helmet has a pointy front end, presumably to help split the air. However, that point blocked my forward vision quite a bit when in aero. My TT position is fairly flat, so this may not bother someone who is more upright than me. The Wing has much better forward visibility.
If you decide to go with a Wing, err on the side of ordering a larger helmet. They run a little small.
I feel sorry for people who use Aerohead. It’s damn heavy, it will kill your neck in long rides. Rudy The Wing is badass on the other hand. I haven’t found any helmet better than that. If you’ve tried other helmets and like more than The Wing, please let me know.
Sorry, just checked and I got that backwards. The Rudy Wing tends to run a little small. I wore a medium in the Aerohead and wear a size large in the Wing.
I have had 6-7 drop-shaped aero helmets over the last 13-14 years; Specialized, S-works, Bell, Rudy, Giro.
In terms of weight, comfort, fit - the MET Drone is the best (by far) I have ever owned. Also tests very fasts and you see it on a big amount of top-pros
How it fits your fit on the bike is really what is most important, IMO.
AERO head is FKing BRICK!!!
If they can make a lit version, it will be the best/cheap/aero helmet ever.
I’ve actually never noticed the ‘heavy’ weight of the Aerohead, even with hours riding in aero position. Sure, it may be heavier than other helmets, but it’s def not so bad that it’s a no-go. I honestly would have never even noticed the extra weight untilI saw it mentioned here.
My size L aerohead is 530g and the rest of my lineup is either 400ish or under. I can tell the different during a full.
I’m sure Id tell the difference if I had other lighter helmets to compare to.
But at least for me, it’s not a problem regarding neck strength. It’s way harder just to get use to the aero position in the first place, than dealing with the helmet itself. (I don’t find it any harder to stay aero with the aerohead vs my regular road nonaero helmets.)
AERO head is FKing BRICK!!!
If they can make a lit version, it will be the best/cheap/aero helmet ever.
I’ve actually never noticed the ‘heavy’ weight of the Aerohead, even with hours riding in aero position. Sure, it may be heavier than other helmets, but it’s def not so bad that it’s a no-go. I honestly would have never even noticed the extra weight untilI saw it mentioned here.
Once you try something else, you will never go back to Aerohead. It’s damn heavy and disgrace of all aero helmets.
AERO head is FKing BRICK!!!
If they can make a lit version, it will be the best/cheap/aero helmet ever.
I’ve actually never noticed the ‘heavy’ weight of the Aerohead, even with hours riding in aero position. Sure, it may be heavier than other helmets, but it’s def not so bad that it’s a no-go. I honestly would have never even noticed the extra weight untilI saw it mentioned here.
Once you try something else, you will never go back to Aerohead. It’s damn heavy and disgrace of all aero helmets.
I’ll literally wear a brick if it made me go realistically faster!
AERO head is FKing BRICK!!!
If they can make a lit version, it will be the best/cheap/aero helmet ever.
I’ve actually never noticed the ‘heavy’ weight of the Aerohead, even with hours riding in aero position. Sure, it may be heavier than other helmets, but it’s def not so bad that it’s a no-go. I honestly would have never even noticed the extra weight untilI saw it mentioned here.
Once you try something else, you will never go back to Aerohead. It’s damn heavy and disgrace of all aero helmets.
I’ll literally wear a brick if it made me go realistically faster!
Ok but you choose a lighter brick if it’s equally as fast (or possibly faster). As noted, this will always be rider-specific but if you aren’t going to test, might as well use one of the fastest testing g helmets that’s also light. I enjoyed the switch to the Wing. I didn’t hate the Aerohead but like the Wing better.
I think pro triathletes do exact the opposite. Looking at the PTO race female, most of them wearing a helmet that is one size larger than normal. To cover the shoulders I suppose.
I think pro triathletes do exact the opposite. Looking at the PTO race female, most of them wearing a helmet that is one size larger than normal. To cover the shoulders I suppose.
This is assuming that you have your head low enough to cover your shoulders. Most Ag’s have their heads way up in the wind where a wide helmet will do nothing but slow them down. It’s the same thing that happened with the POC Tempor, amazing in TP/IP, terrible in amateur use.
Ok but you choose a lighter brick if it’s equally as fast (or possibly faster). As noted, this will always be rider-specific but if you aren’t going to test, might as well use one of the fastest testing g helmets that’s also light…
If you play the averages on this:
Switching to the Aerohead gives you a 90% chance on the low side and maybe as much as 95% chance it’ll be faster than whatever you’re switching from.
Switching to the Rudy Wing is a 50% chance on the low side and maybe a 60% chance on the high side it’ll be faster than whatever you’re switching from.
When I think about which helmet I recommend when someone consults I take into account where they place, goals/aspirations. The closer they are to the front of their AG or the race overall or a pro or those are their realistic goals I recommend the Aerohead if they aren’t testing. But, if they have tried the aerohead than it’s the Poc cerebral or the Rudy choose whichever fits best, costs less and you can find although I’d say the POC has maybe a 10% increase in chance to work better than the Rudy.