Does wearing a bike helmet make you more aero? I have heard that it can, even the most basic & simple ones can too. Doesn't the shape of a helmet channel air around the head causing less resistance & drag?

A head alone is smoother than most bike helmets. Only some of the more extreme elongated TT helmets might be better. The channels on most helmets divert air that would normally flow around the helmet and direct that air against the scalp. That stream of air then has to turn again and exit the rear of the helmet. Any time smooth air flow is shifted drag increases. That and the helmet makes for a larger cross-section that has to be pushed thru the air then a bare skull. Laarger holes in the helmet and larger flow channels may reduce drag and protection at the same time.

The biggest aero advantage I've gotten, aside from my body position on the bike, has been from wearing a Camelbak (the Rogue model to be exact). It took a 45+mph downhill to see that benefit though.

Consult this guy's chart

http://damonrinard.com/aero/aerodynamics.htm

He doesn't have firm numbers on head vs. helmet, but it's all I could ever find.

The roadies would probably be a better group to ask on this.

I can't say I agree it makes you more aero. Well, maybe time trial helmets might? But, I do think helmet design neutralizes their effects on aerodynamics.

Pointy heads are more areo, so, unless you've already got one, get out the grinding wheel or sandpaper.

If you want aero, stay away from a certified helmet. Shave your head or wear shower cap. Shave your legs, wear a ruberized lycra suit and, by all means, get disc wheels. Remove your water bottles, pump and just about everything else and have a support vehicle follow you (better yet, draft behind the support vehicle).

Consult this guy's chart

http://damonrinard.com/aero/aerodynamics.htm

He doesn't have firm numbers on head vs. helmet, but it's all I could ever find...

The geek in me loves that page. The shopping list shows an "aerodynamic advantage" of 5.2% for a Bell Stratos helmet but that seems to be compared to a helmetless rider with hair. The text claims that the Bell Stratos increases aero drag by approximately 1.3 % over a bald head. My favorite line, though, is: "So far no measurements have been published concerning the influence of beards."

Hair seems to be a real drag. Short hair worsens it around 4.6% and long hair around 8.6%.

What practical use any of this information is to the average commuter or transportation cyclist is a complete mystery.

Pointy heads are more areo, so, unless you've already got one, get out the grinding wheel or sandpaper.

I was going to comment on the SHAPE of the point on your head.... ya beat me too it!

At the speeds I ride at Aero isn't a factor:p (let it all hang out baby!:roflmao: )

Aaron:)

If you want aero, stay away from a certified helmet. Shave your head or wear shower cap. Shave your legs, wear a ruberized lycra suit and, by all means, get disc wheels. Remove your water bottles, pump and just about everything else and have a support vehicle follow you (better yet, draft behind the support vehicle).
Don't forget that there is the disadvantage of a helmet's dreaded EXTRA WEIGHT:eek: . Don't know if any Areo Advantage:rolleyes: can overcome the horror of additional grams to be toted on the man-machine vehicle.

Does wearing a bike helmet make you more aero? I have heard that it can, even the most basic & simple ones can too. Doesn't the shape of a helmet channel air around the head causing less resistance & drag?

Tangentially related:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=906997;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;guest=8830468
1) "A non-aero helmet creates four times the drag of a non-aero wheelset. So you can spend $2000 on a wheelset, or spend $200 on a helmet and be faster."

PS: Your sig has a typo.

131545181201519 should be 13154518120151819 (unless you're using a variant similar to 'politico' instead of 'politician')

Does wearing a bike helmet make you more aero? I have heard that it can, even the most basic & simple ones can too. Doesn't the shape of a helmet channel air around the head causing less resistance & drag?
A helmet would have to be smooth and streamlined to accomplish this. The effect is insignificant to anyone except a professional time trialist. Since I worry as much about helmet aerodynamics as I do about air turbulence induced by spokes, I wear a highly protective Giro Xen helmet and ride on rugged, reliable, economical 32- or 36-spoke wheels.

Consult this guy's chart

http://damonrinard.com/aero/aerodynamics.htm

He doesn't have firm numbers on head vs. helmet, but it's all I could ever find.

The roadies would probably be a better group to ask on this.

Today's data shows water bottle on seat tube is more aero than without water bottle. Also front aero wheels have improved. A HED 3 or Zipp 808 would give much better performance.

I don't know the link off hand and am too lazy to find it.
But there is a group of people (cyclists) at MIT working on all sorts of stuff like this. I remember reading once where an aero helmet lessens the drag more than aero wheels. So best bang for the buck is to get a more aero helmet than the much much more pricy wheels.
Some of their wind tunnel info was downright interesting too, such as how moving the water bottle by only an inch lessened drab by 3%.

Some of their wind tunnel info was downright interesting too, such as how moving the water bottle by only an inch lessened drab by 3%.

You'd think you'd get a better result by painting the water bottle pretty colors to reduce the drab factor. :p :D

If you wear an aero TT helmet. Pretty sure that hair creates significant drag. If it were more aero, then we would be seeing more cars and planes with bear skin rugs stapled to them.

If you wear an aero TT helmet. Pretty sure that hair creates significant drag. If it were more aero, then we would be seeing more cars and planes with bear skin rugs stapled to them.

I see plenty of hummers on the road, so I don't think most motor vehicles were designed to be maximally aero.

I see plenty of hummers on the road, so I don't think most motor vehicles were designed to be maximally aero.

That is why I mentioned planes.... How about race cars? Hairy Formula One?

That is why I mentioned planes.... How about race cars? Hairy Formula One?
http://www.mutantreviewers.com/rdumb4.jpg
I'd like to see a Formula One car take on this beast.