Triathlon - do you guys use TT helmets

I've only done 2 Triathlons now both sprints. And it occurred to me I don't recall seeing others use a TT helmet. The data shows a tremendous aero advantage from these. I bought a TT helmet before the State TT this year, so I used it in the sprint I just did (figured I needed to amortize the purchase). I felt a little silly looking like Darth Vader, but I need all the help I can get.

Do you guys use TT helmets? Do people not use them because of the Heat factor?

I use a Prologue and will be getting either a Rocket or Giro Advantage II next year. I think my prologue helps a little bit, but it's big up front, not super comfortable and the tail is akward but it's faster than my training helmet.

I think people don't use them because of skepticism and they are just now getting popular. I would imagine that in the next 2 years a lot more triathletes will begin using them.

I've got a Prologue as well and have worn it in a few races. I haven't found it too hot, but summer morning temperatures around Seattle are quite comfortable.

Last Christmas Mrs. Bruin wanted to buy me something cycling related and since I have just about everything else, I asked for a TT helmet. I got a Rudy Project and I like it but I don't think it's a HUGE advantage.

I've seen wind tunnel data that looks good (i.e. MIT) and others that say it's not so good ...especially when you have wind that is not coming directly into your face (I think this came from Discovery Channel's tests). In the real world, I believe it offers a small advantage.

The heat factor is one thing to consider...I wore mine in the Honu Half IM in Kona this year and at one point I was really hot so I dumped water over my head only to remember that I didn't have any vents (what a jackass :) ) I ended up squirting water into the front vent and it helped a little.

It's more in your body than trying to take off second by second by spending tons of money on stuff you don't need.

It's more in your body than trying to take off second by second by spending tons of money on stuff you don't need.

This assumes that training, and equipment are mutually exclusive. Obviously there is more payback to training than there is to shaving off a tiny bit of aerodynamic drag. However, if you're already training as much as you can, or are willing to , and you can afford it, why not buy the best equipment to make the most of the fitness you do have?



Only if you're using equipment purchases as an attempt to substitute for training do I see the point.

It's more in your body than trying to take off second by second by spending tons of money on stuff you don't need.

What are you tryin' to say? :)

As an aside...yes I'm a bit larger than the average triathlete (but less so than I was two years ago) BUT my tri bike was 100% worth the money in that it instantly made me 1.5 mph faster over a 40K time trial than I was on my roadie...I'm positive that I would not have been able to achieve this by just clipping aero bars on my roadie.

That's a big time savings over that distance not to mention Half IM (or full if I ever get there).

What are you tryin' to say? :)

He's trying to say that he's a troll.

I bought a TT helmet before the State TT this year.

Which helmet did you buy?

As yet I haven't been racing with an aero helmet. Not because of heat etc, but because of the difficulty in getting one!

Australia has tough helmet certification. This combined with the lower volume of sales for aero helmets means no helmet manufacturers have submitted any aero models for testing and certification.

Cycling Australia enforce helmets must meet the ANSI standard, Triathlon Australia now allow helmets approved by other international Triathlon Associations, but is still a grey area as most race directors have in their rules ANSI tested helmets only.

They are even with this issue, we are starting to see aero helmets in races.

PS If anyone knows where to buy a Louis Garneau Rocket helmet (Medium) online at a good price it would be much appreciated. Or would it be better to wait till the end of the year and check out the new Giro Advantage 2 helmet which will also be CPSC approved?

I thought that all triathlons required ANSI and I assumed that the aero helmets people were using were ANSI qualified too? Never looked into it that much.

Seth556, "Feeling" fast has alot to do with it for some people. Thnx Thnx GW.

Giro Advantage 2 will be cheaper than the Rocket, though I don't know if it will be as aerodynamic. I really wouldn't order a helmet online. When the Giro Advantage 2 comes out, I'm going to my LBS with my bike and seeing how all of them (they carry the Rudy, the Rocket and are playing favor cards to get the Giro) fit my position and my head.

Secondly, Seth556 is no troll he's honest. He pointed out to CJbruin that his FA(frontal area) is a big limiting factor in speed. I don't agree with Seth556's assesment that it is "tons of money", a good tri bike and helmet are money well spent.

I thought that all triathlons required ANSI and I assumed that the aero helmets people were using were ANSI qualified too? Never looked into it that much.

Sorry, wrong standard... I mean't Australian / New Zealand standards AS/NZS 2063...

Which helmet did you buy?



Louis Garneau Rocket. I probably would have bought a Giro, but they were just becoming available in the US at the time, and I couldn't find my size. It seems fine. I would skip the visor though.

I use the rocket for tris and tt's (unless its a 100+ then i will take any extra ventilation I can get). Some other might not agree with this but I have had trouble getting the rocket on in a hurry because it sits over your ears and tapers in, you have to flex it a little to get it on. This added step is the only reason I could see not wearing one but it hasn't stopped me.

I have an old Giro aero helmet, but it doesn't meet the safety standards of today. It's similar to the one that Greg Lemond wore in his TT. The one that I have is Red not Yellow.

I'm just saying for the average person a tt helmet isn't going to make any big change in your speeds. Yeah there is a point where it is nicer to have one but for most people you just don't need it. Also it is nice to have a tt bike because thats one of the things that will make a lot bigger difference than something like a helmet.

Giro Advantage 2 will be cheaper than the Rocket, though I don't know if it will be as aerodynamic. I really wouldn't order a helmet online.

I would rather not buy online, but the models I am interested in are not available in my country!

I'm just saying for the average person a tt helmet isn't going to make any big change in your speeds. Yeah there is a point where it is nicer to have one but for most people you just don't need it. Also it is nice to have a tt bike because thats one of the things that will make a lot bigger difference than something like a helmet.

And your basis for this concluson is? As far as bike aerodynamics go, rider position is the absolute most important factor. The next biggest thing, andthe biggest bang for the buck is a TT helemt. It's essentially the only legal fairing.

As for a TT bike, to the extent it allows an aerodynamic riding postion its important. But the aerodynamics of the bike itself is way down on the list of importance (well below helmet, and wheels.)

In the road bike forum, you indicated you've only been riding for a year, and in 2 threads you've opined that people with fancy equipment aggravate you. So my questions are 1) do you own a TT bike, 2) do you own a TT helmet, 3) in your year of riding how many TT's have you done. 3) have you done a Tri ( I've done only 2 so I try to resist posting here except about bikes, because I think my TT experience gives me something to add thats relevant) 4) can you point us to any relevant information or experience to support your opinion. Sorry if this is harsh, but your posts in the 2 threads indicate you have no experience or perspective, and perhaps you could consider listening until you have a relevant experience to add.

Merlin, I don't use one, but at the sprint events I did this year the upper echelon athletes were using them.

And Seth, thanks again for another spellbinding diatribe, I didn't get enough of it over on the Roadbike forum. Turd.

FYI, I noticed all the people "flying" by me at my latest tri were wearing aero type helmets. Couldn't read the brands...all I saw was ========= and almost crashed from the jetwash. The other people who passed me "at a reasonable speed" were wearing regular helmets.

I'm waiting to buy one until they come out in gold to match my rims.

I would think event distance would have an effect on it. If, god forbid, I ever did an Ironman, and probably even a half inronman, I don't think I'd use the TT helmet. 1) because of the heat over time, and 2) my bike speed would be lower so that there would be less advantage, at least on a mph basis. 25-26mph in a srpint distance is getting into territory where aerodynamics are really significant. 20 mph over a longer distance, less so.

Hey Jaybird I always think it of, the fast and the slow have the good equiptment and then just a few average people don't.

Is it just me, or is everyone confused by seths last post??

Ok, well TT helmets have been proven to reduce your 40km TT results by upwards of 2-3 minutes. Which is huge. If you do the same course in the same time after adding a TT helmet, you are reducing the wattage output that you need to maintain that speed. So think about it in terms of triathlon, less wattage needed, less fatigue, faster run time, faster race.

All kinds of people say that work on the engine, its all the person riding it. I agree, but if you can esentially get something like a 2 minute drop for $100 one time fee. Then sign me up. People are way to quick to say that you dont need it, yada yada, work on the engine, blah blah. Yet they are the ones that seem to be middle to back of the pack. This year I got down to a 39.85km/h 30kmTT. I think that without a dought if I had a TT helmet on, I woulda broken the magic 40km/h mark.

^^^^^
and why cant we "work on the engine" with a TT helmet/aero wheels/aero goodies it just seems like free speed to me(or energy savings). I dont understand the mentality why tranning and upgrade have to be taken as one or the other and not both.

My bad I edited my post. It was just too late at night and that pain pill was really having an effect on me.

My bad I edited my post. It was just too late at night and that pain pill was really having an effect on me.

I don't think that was what Batman was implying.

i just ordered mine, LG Chrono. Awesome price, it's gonna be my only helmet.

i just ordered mine, LG Chrono. Awesome price, it's gonna be my only helmet.

Might reconsider that only helmet bit. TT helmets tend to be pretty hot. I don't think you'll like training in it much. (Not to mention the dork effect).

i think the helmet is the least likely element to fulfill the "dork effect" in a riding outfit.

i think the helmet is the least likely element to fulfill the "dork effect" in a riding outfit.

Well, if you're ok with looking like Rick Moranis, that's your choice.

honey i shrunk my 15k time!!?!?

honey i shrunk my 15k time!!?!?

Spaceballs

well i just got the helmet, looks sweet and a lot lighter than i thought it was gonna be...lets see how it works out.

i just ordered mine, LG Chrono. Awesome price, it's gonna be my only helmet.


you can get a training helmet with some vents for like $20 at Target, walmart, sport authority, dicks, etc...

What are you tryin' to say? :)

As an aside...yes I'm a bit larger than the average triathlete (but less so than I was two years ago) BUT my tri bike was 100% worth the money in that it instantly made me 1.5 mph faster over a 40K time trial than I was on my roadie...I'm positive that I would not have been able to achieve this by just clipping aero bars on my roadie.

That's a big time savings over that distance not to mention Half IM (or full if I ever get there).

Damn I love big beautifull athletes...I only weigh 230 but when I first started doing endurance training after college I was 290...As a former offensive lineman its good to see some big athletes out there, hopefully your beating some of those skinny asses

My downfall is the run, I'm just a average distance runner but at least I don't look like some skinny guy running to the finish line...

well it's fine, did an hour ride with 3:00PM miami Fl heat and lived to tell about it