aerohelmets, do they make you faster?

[RoadRaven]

Aerobars will make the largest difference, aerohelmets next.

Hmmm... I gots the tri spokes... I gots the bladed seat post... I dont wear the gloves... I gots a pocket-less tight jersey... I gots the aero bars... I gots the bar end shifters... I gots the bull horns....

I STILL NEEDS THE HELMET

* Rave starts throwing toys outta the cot!!!! *

[Zen]

Perhaps. But by what percentage?

[Eden]

Perhaps. But by what percentage?

over a 40K TT - which would take me a bit over an hour on an average rolling course, I could probably save about 3 minutes using an aero helmet. Which while this (to quote some racer, I don't remember who) certainly will not make a race horse out of a mule, will definitely make a difference when you are talking about those who are already close in time. Had I already had my aero helmet for the state TT championship this year (yeah Raven, I don't have mine yet either , but Giro FINALLY is shipping them, so I should have it soon!) I wouldn't have won, but I may have been able to move up, up to 2 places and I would have medaled! I was less than 3 minutes behind both 2nd and 3rd places. Not to mention that in some of the stage races that I do the overall placing are done by total time, so while I may not be aiming to win the TT, I would want to lose as little time as possible.
No an aero helmet isn't something your everday rider will want to wear, they are hot, heavy and aren't effective unless you are riding in an aero position, but if you TT or do tri's they are one of the pieces of equipment you will want to consider.

[ehirsch83]

They definitely make a difference! Especially when in TTs a portion of a second can make the difference between placing(so year end points,purse money for that event,etc.). I am getting one for the '08 race season, I can't wait!!( my goal is to be in the top 3 for the cat 4 women for States at the end of the year next year).

Besides being more aero, they make a whistling sound when you are out of the correct aero position, because the wind isn't going over you correctly. So they act as a constant reminder to stay in the most aero position, therefore helping you help yourself.

Definitely worth the 160 or so for one if you are going to do TTs competitively.

[OakLeaf]

Hmmm... I gots the tri spokes... I gots the bladed seat post... I dont wear the gloves... I gots a pocket-less tight jersey... I gots the aero bars... I gots the bar end shifters... I gots the bull horns....

I STILL NEEDS THE HELMET

* Rave starts throwing toys outta the cot!!!! *

You need a disc wheel, too. <g,d&r>

Oh and BTW... I once spent half of a TT with snot flapping out of my nose because I couldn't figure out whether it was more aerodynamic to leave it flap or to raise my hand and wipe it off. Does anyone know which it is?