"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - UCI legal to tape over helmet vents for a TT?

Is it? I don't want to be up in the start house tomorrow scrambling to rip tape off my helmet.

Why would it not be? Does UCI ban helmets without holes?

You're doing a UCI race tomorow?

Do it. The whole modified helmets rule really only applies to structural integrity. If you've ever looked, at just about every Track World Cup event, the French team has a cover on their MET helmets for the sprints as well as most rider using tradition, non-Casco helmets. Whoever happens to be using a regular road TT helmet usually tapes the vents too.

Verdict? You're free to move about.

You're doing a UCI race tomorow?

Sorry, USCF.

Sorry, USCF.

Well, then you're SOL.

Well, then you're SOL.

o_0

Explanation plz?

o_0

Explanation plz?

a joke

We JUST did this thread like 5 mins ago.

It is not illegal to cover vent holes. It "is" "illegal" to make ur own TT helmet.

Also, UCI is wrong and USCF is wrong.

Its... USAC. haha.

Anyways... I used to prod the guys a little when they'd show up with tape on their helmets... asking them... hey is that legal? You know... any time officials address you personally (if you don't know them) its sort of shocking.

But the BEST response I heard was this guy instead of stumbling for some rule answer he just said "my head is cold".

Just think up something to give the official a laugh... you'll be fine.

Ok thanks for the help everyone.

But the BEST response I heard was this guy instead of stumbling for some rule answer he just said "my head is cold".

Just think up something to give the official a laugh... you'll be fine.

I trained and then raced with taped up vents for much of the early season last year. It really does keep you warm. This year I put a cycling cap under my helmet, cleaning packing tape adhesive off of your helmet is a huge pain. Also, months old tape on a helmet looks super gross.

I trained and then raced with taped up vents for much of the early season last year. It really does keep you warm. This year I put a cycling cap under my helmet, cleaning packing tape adhesive off of your helmet is a huge pain. Also, months old tape on a helmet looks super gross.

I think sheldon brown used to do this... I dunno if it was for warmth or to keep Igor from flying away.

How much do you stand to gain from taping the vent holes? (Serious question, not being facetious).

If you are in a UCI race tomorrow have you director sportif answer the question for you.

If you are in a UCI race tomorrow have you director sportif answer the question for you.

Seriously.

If you're good enough for this to be a serious question, someone else will find out for you, and tell you.

I was actually under the impression that it was illegal from a UCI standpoint. 1.3.031 part 3, last bit:
[Each rider shall be responsible for] using only a helmet that has not been altered or had any element added or removed in terms of design or form.

The only reason why I remember that is because I feel like it was enforced at some race somewhere for some reason or something (real useful, I know). Most likely, you could get away with it though. Especially for a lesser USAC race. One thing I do find interesting is that the rules also state that rain capes can only be transparent or made to look like the jersey, but I seem to remember lots of black capes in the ToC...

How much do you stand to gain from taping the vent holes? (Serious question, not being facetious).
If you're using a TT helmet? Miniscule.
If you're using a regular vented road helmet? Pretty sizeable.

For a TT helmet it's possible to just use electrical tape over the vents, but with a road helmet, I prefer to use that plastic shrink wrap to insulate windows in the winter. Cut off a piece, warm your helmet with a hot blow drier (heatgun, FTW), apply the plastic on top of the helmet and heat that until it shrinks in place. Cut excess with a sharp flt razor blade.

It's alright to leave the rear vents exposed.