Triathlon - Get better tires or Aero Helmet?

I use my road bike for triathlons and I commute on it too. It's got tough but relatively heavy tires on it (260 grams) and they've got a pretty low tpi so the ride is not the best. They're probably good for another year so I don't NEED new tires right now.

I can get some Hutchinson Fusion 2 Ultra's for about $30 a piece. Sounds like they've got reasonable flat protection so I could ride them every day. They're also quite a bit lighter at about 220 grams.

An aero helmet would cost more, look geeky, and I could only (would only) wear it for races. But if it's got some real benefits, I'd consider it. Also are there aero helmets that maybe have a less substantial tail (not quite as geeky looking) but still have some benefits? They Rudy Project Syton's look a little more normal, -at least in the pictures I've seen.

Thanks !

Well racing is usually not about look. I have heard from some wind tunnel test that an aero helmet is up to four times as aerodynamic as a set of Zipp race wheels. The new tires though would be nice. if you can swing both that would be best. Could you provide details on what low tpi means (numbers please)?

From my experience buying new tires and re-lubing everything was a huge difference, and the addition of an aero helmet was not quite as big, but still a difference.

I'm new to Tri and a Clydesdale 240#-250#. I've been riding on Hutchinson Fusion Comp (210gr) as both training tires and event tires. They seem durable and in my limited experience fast.

An aero helmet would cost more, look geeky, and I could only (would only) wear it for races. But if it's got some real benefits, I'd consider it. Also are there aero helmets that maybe have a less substantial tail (not quite as geeky looking) but still have some benefits? They Rudy Project Syton's look a little more normal, -at least in the pictures I've seen.

Thanks !

This ain't a fashion show--it's aerodynamics. The Syton looks "more normal" because they also appear to be some of the least aerodynamic.

A good aero helmet is a good bang for the buck, but if you're riding a road bike you'll see far less benefit if you're not already in an optimally aero position.

This ain't a fashion show--it's aerodynamics. The Syton looks "more normal" because they also appear to be some of the least aerodynamic.

A good aero helmet is a good bang for the buck, but if you're riding a road bike you'll see far less benefit if you're not already in an optimally aero position.

That's a good point. The bike does have aero bars but I doubt my position is optimal and I'm sure there's a limit to how close to optimal I can get on that bike.

The fashion issue I could deal with if the benefits are there, but on the other hand I don't want to overlook something as basic as tires. I'm not really a weight weenie but from what I understand, saving weight on wheels and tires helps more than saving weight in other places.

There's a limit to how much money I can comfortably spend on this hobby so for this season I doubt that both new tires and a new helmet are in the picture. Mostly as far as equipment goes, I've stuck to things that will have benefits outside of triathlons as well as when I'm competing. I've already spent some money on a better but still durable wheelset for example. An aero helmet would be a departure from that practice, - but again, if the benefits are there...

Well racing is usually not about look. I have heard from some wind tunnel test that an aero helmet is up to four times as aerodynamic as a set of Zipp race wheels. The new tires though would be nice. if you can swing both that would be best. Could you provide details on what low tpi means (numbers please)?

From my experience buying new tires and re-lubing everything was a huge difference, and the addition of an aero helmet was not quite as big, but still a difference.

My currents tires are 50 tpi. Seems like most decent ones are over 100. I think it effects ride quality more than speed though.

My currents tires are 50 tpi. Seems like most decent ones are over 100. I think it effects ride quality more than speed though.

Probably the best race tire that can be had fairly cheap (places like PBK etc) is the Michelin Pro3 Race. Just a great all around tire with a nice supple ride, and very fast rolling.

Continental GP4000's are very nice too, but tend to be more expensive and for some reason the ride just isn't as smooth to me as the Pro3's. A little bit better tread life on these, though.

If you really want to do it up, the Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX is one of the fastest rolling clinchers out there, but expect to pay a lot more and lose some durability vs. the Michelin.

I haven't personally ridden them, but Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comps are supposed to be a hell of a tire too.

Could you provide details on what low tpi means (numbers please)?

Threads per inch. Cheap tires have a low TPI, like the $10 performance tire has a whole 26 tpi. Good tire have high tpi. The Schwalbe Ultremo R - the next tire I want to try - has 127 tpi. As does the Michelin PR3 and Hutchinson Fusion 2. Higher tpi = thinner & more flexible tire fabric. Thinner fabric usually = lighter tire and lower rolling resistance. BUT thinner fabric = easier to damage.
Specialized Armadillo tires have 60 tpi for damage resistance.

In the grand scheme of things, USUALLY rolling resistance doesn't mean as much as air resistance. It depends on your speed though. If your going to average 5mph over an oly course, rolling resistance means more. If your going to go over 10 mph, air resistance means more, as rolling resistance is constant and is a function of contact patch, tire compound/tpi, and weight, where air resistance isn't, it's a geometric function of cD, frontal area and air speed. Technically yaw angle plays a part too.

CN: if you have to get only one thing, get the helmet before upgrading tires unless you need new tires.