Road Cycling - aero helmets

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v18000
03-10-02, 12:11 PM
Hi,

What's the deal with aero helmets in the USA racing? I think I have to wear a snell approved helmet to race, but I'm wondering what modifications I could make to my helmet to make it more aero.

Specificially I was thinking that with the help of some of my friends that work with carbon fiber a lot, I could perminantly modify one of my helmets to extend over my neck to my back, like what the pros use in Europe. Would this violate the snell safety requirments? Would this even help?

If nothing else, I was thinking of wrapping a swim cap over my helmet to block the vents.

Cheers!

MichaelW
03-10-02, 12:34 PM
Dont modify helmets. The extension may casue a rotational injury if you take a fall.

Aero helmets help when you need that last 1/100 sec on a time trial or track race. Have you optimised the rest of your riding first ? 90% of the aerodynamic drag is caused by the rider, so get low and narrow.
velo
03-10-02, 01:05 PM
If you are going to modify your regular helmet, do it with duct tape or a swim cap. The USCF will nail you eventually for doing crazy stuff to your helmet. And they won't do it softly, either. The only safe way to go is to buy a certified aero helmet (by Bell, Troxel, or the old '80s Giros) or put something over your current one.

RainmanP
03-10-02, 04:05 PM
The guy who is painting my bike does some pseudo areo helmets for people. He basically takes someones older helmet, shrink wraps it with a special plastic, then paints it up nice. Voila, aero helmet. No modifications or anything, just covers the vents to make a smooth surface.