Judging by the length of your responses it sure sounds like you care.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2bO-xlHzA...EiselBongo.gif

I want to see a website comparing aero/drag savings of helmets before purchasing my next one. They do it for wheels, how can one find this info for helmets? If a few watts can be saved at 20mph just like wheels can save energy, it seems like a good idea to buy a helmet first to get some speed benefits.

I think the Giro air attack isn't the most attractive look, but I agree that it looks best in black. Best, of course is a relative term.

I'd say it's pretty solid. What is less clear is who really benefits from such small improvements in aerodynamics. Anyway....

DSpace@MIT: Benchmark of aerodynamic cycling helmets using a refined wind tunnel test protocol for helmet drag research
Gear Face-Off: Aero Helmet Vs. Aero Wheels | ACTIVE

"Most people don't realize that a nonaero helmet creates four times the drag of a nonaero wheelset. So you can spend two thousand dollars on a wheelset, or spend two hundred on a helmet and be faster. How you put your race number on matters more than having an aero wheel; today, we glued on our numbers to get them to fit flatter. Then there's water bottle placement: On a round-tubed frame, having a bottle on your seat tube is more aerodynamic than not having one at all, and it's much more aero than putting it on the down tube. And wearing gloves in a time trial will slow you down more than using a nonaero front wheel."

Cycling Innovation: MIT on Aerodynamics | Bicycling Magazine

I use my air attack shield each time I ride. Today was the first warm day though and I gotta be honest it kinda sucked. Might pull out the atmosphere for the warmer months.

They seem to be riding time trial bikes though which changes things a bit. A full blown TT helmet saves about twice as many watts at 30mph as an aero road helmet. Here's the LG Course data. I'm pretty sure the other aero road helmet is the Giro Air Attack. A Cda of .005 is equal to ~5 watts. You can see you're only saving ~3-4 watts up to 25mph but it gets up as high as ~8 watts in the 27-32mph range. A $2k set of Zipp 404 FC wheels will only save you 10-12w compared to a good set of aero aluminum wheels at 30mph.

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdn...rt-567x600.gif

Similar. I'd get one, if I could afford both it, and also a Catlike Whisper, or similar, to have one for cool winter rides and one with ventilation for the 90-100deg temps I'm going to be riding in from now til September.

I also liked the design of this helmet (CASCO). It was actually my first choice but not too much color options. Only if it didn't have red in it then I would have considered. The design is tight!

Cool Casco
 

The Casco Speedairo and the Speedster look sharp, for USA dealers, I could only find one track cycling outfit up north.
Wish I could try one on. Are there anymore US Casco dealers in the southeast USA?
LBS has the Air Attack, think it's a medium, will go check it out next week or so.
Would prefer to have the Cascos in hand with the Air Atteck to compare all three helmets before buying.

Didn't know they had another model (Speedster). It's not on their website yet but did a google. Looks equally nice as well...and cheaper too!

The Giro AA is ugly and warmer than almost every normal helmet on the market.

2 of my friends have them, and neither wears it in warm weather.

Helmets are for sissies...


:innocent:

Oops. I meant to say helements.

Can't get over how stupid the BMC guy's helmet looks when seen next to the Garmin guy. This could easily be an ad for the Air Attack.

I didn't get my Air Attack to be aero, but because for me it's the cooler option on hot days. How? With it I don't have to wear the stupid little UV proof helmet liner to keep my balding noggin from getting a checkered sunburn.

Head Scratcher
 

Hey jan, I was going to ask just that, I get sunburned with my Bell Sweep and was wondering if the Air Attack was better in that regard. Another notch for the AA.

I use the air attack as my everyday helmet and have no problems. Even with SoCal weather. Although most of my rides are above 20mph average speed. The key to the air attack ventilation is movement, the faster you go the more it vents.

I know it has been hinted at, but I was at REI and both the AirAttack and the Reverb were out. The vents are different, but the profile was nearly identical. I was left wondering how much better (aero) an Air Attack would be than a taped Reverb. I live in a pretty hot climate, but we have fairly cool winters too. I have a selector for TT riding, and I'm not really a sprinter.

So the Air Attack isn't suited for my riding, as I live in a fairly warm region, and in the winter the venting doesn't matter much. I have a Genesis that has been as good as anything can in 90+ temps, and the aerocover is great in the winter. The AA is inherently not suited for me, but what is the aero justification over something like the Reverb? After wearing the cover on the Genesis, there aren't many situations where that narrow ventilation difference (poor on an AirAttack VS none on a taped Reverb) would really help. It is too bad we don't all have wind tunnels.

I'm calling out all of the people with power meters and money to burn. Try out a taped Reverb and an AirAttack and let us know.

^^That makes no sense.

I've had no problems with the Attack in hot weather as air is forced through the helmet with pretty good effect. In fact, I can't wear it in the winter as there is a spot above both temples that gets so cold that I can't take it. :)

I have a Black Air Attack helmet. I've worn it in mid 90 degree weather and can't tell a difference between it and my Giro Atmos. As far as looks, I'm going to up the ante because I'm planning on getting the reissue Oakley Eyeshades.

I got a plain black one and it's been fine for me in typical S. Florida heat and humidity and it's pretty light, too.

I tried on an Air Attack once (new) and the store manager gave me a deal on it. If I had money, I would've bought it. I'm growing more accustom to semi-aero helmets, but there are a few I wouldn't put on my head unless I somehow went Pro (POC, although their new aero helmet is good looking).

For some reason, I want a lot of the new helmets. IMHO the Miximo, Evade, McLaren Aero, Kask's Mojito and Infinity and Rudy Project's latest aero helmet all look great. I'm excited to see what Bell releases. I tried on a Specialized Prevail once and it felt horrendously. I'm afraid the Evade would fit the same, which is a shame, because I think it's the best looking semi-aero helmet on the market today. I'm ranting now. /end

Protect your noggin. If you want to save a little watts doing so, do it, but just be sure to protect your noggin.

LOL...truer words were never spoken.

Funny Finney:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=383584

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=383583

Didn't do his leg much good, did it?