helmets and aero bars...need advice

[hawatc]

I have 2 questions...
1. I am looking for some aero bars to add to my road bike. I have only done sprint tris in the past (have 3 more coming up in series this summer), but may one day train for longer distance. I have been told that even at the shorter sprint distance, aero bars would be beneficial. Any thoughts and most importantly, any suggestions on specific ones?

2. I do not consider myself vain; however, when looking at pics taken of me on the bike, I cannot help but notice I look like a mushroom...my helmet is huge. Are there any good helmets with decent ventilation out there to fit smaller heads??

Thanks for the help!

[SadieKate]

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ight=aero+bars

[Nanci]

http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=349

I have these Syntace C2 Clip (they don't flip up- I read a bunch of reviews on the flip up kind on roadbikereview.com and it sounds like people have trouble with them) and I love them. They come in, I think, three sizes to match your forearms.

Besides making you more aerodynamic (and this _is_ true- just by switching from hands on the hoods to aero position my speed goes up by at least 1-3 mph with no more effort- plus, I'd _die_ in strong wind if I couldn't get down in the aerobars!!!) it also gives you a chance to rest your hands on long rides, and feels good to my back to stretch out on long rides, and gives your sit bones a rest, though it does put more pressure on girlie bits.

Nanci

[colby]

http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=349

I have these Syntace C2 Clip (they don't flip up- I read a bunch of reviews on the flip up kind on roadbikereview.com and it sounds like people have trouble with them) and I love them. They come in, I think, three sizes to match your forearms.

Hey Nanci, where did you buy the Syntace aero bars? It looks challenging to find them in the US...

[Nanci]

I just Froogled them, and bought from the cheapest place. It might have been a bike shop through eBay. I'll see if I can find the e-mail receipt.

Nanci

[Cari]

2. I do not consider myself vain; however, when looking at pics taken of me on the bike, I cannot help but notice I look like a mushroom...my helmet is huge. Are there any good helmets with decent ventilation out there to fit smaller heads??

What helmet are you using right now, and in what size? Have you measured your head circumference? Usually, higher end helmets are less bulky and have more vents. Or you might be using a larger size than you need.

My size medium helmet made my head look big. Then I measured myself -- I'm on the upper end of a size small. I could make the medium fit by putting in extra pads, but it still looked funny.

It's not easy to find nice helmets in size small, but I'm really glad I made the effort. I have the Giro Atmos and the Bell Sweep XC, both in small. They're much more comfortable and proportional-looking than the mediums. The Atmos is supposed to be a higher end helmet (roadies love it), and it's certainly more expensive, but I personally prefer the shape, look and feel of the Bell Sweep -- it just fits my head better. Plus I really like having the option of the Sweep XC's removeable visor. If you don't need a visor, check out the Bell Sweep R (Road version) which costs $15 less than the XC.

[hawatc]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Both helmets I have are size small...one is Loius Garneau Grunge II, the other is a Tirreno Firenza helmet.
I will check into both the helmet and aero bar suggestions...thanks again.