Giro has just released yesterday a new helmet to basically a new category in helmets. You can think of the Giro Air Attack a cross between a regular road helmet but with aero features or vice versa. Just like bike manufacturers that have come out with aero road bikes in recent years it appears Giro is creating a new trend in the helmet industry. Giro claims that in wind tunnel testing, the Air Attack was 12 percent faster than its Aeon, and 12 percent slower than its Selector TT helmet. It’s more ventilated then a TT helmet but less ventilated than a road helmet. Sounds like a middle of the line for those who can’t decide but a great move by Giro.
If keeping cool in time trial helmets has been an issue, then the Lazer Tardiz may be the right aero helmet for you. Their innovative Aquavent is a ventilation port on the top surface of the helmet where you can use your bottle to deliver water into the port to reduce overheating, which then is filtered down along perforated EVA padding around the head. Front vents helps keep the rider cool while rear vents allow for heated air to escape. It’s also the first time trial helmet with multiple surface treatments. Smooth front glass meets the least amount of resistance for optimal airflow and their Rollsys fit system provides a comfortable 360 degree fit.
Giro’s successor to the Advantage is their Selector aero helmet. It features a built-in visor and an interchangeable lower section so that low drag is offered to all riders based on their riding position by minimizing the gap between the bottom of the helmet and the top of the rider’s back. The company also integrated a form fitted visor to maintain an aerodynamic shape and upper vents for breathability and to minimize fogging. Results from wind tunnel testing produced the Selector’s enclosed tail, which has shown to be faster than an open tail. Weight is approximately 385g for the S/M size.
Low drag, a wide field of vision, an integrated visor, and a fully adjustable fit are guaranteed in this coming-soon helmet by Scott. The Split was used by GreenEDGE WorldTour team on their way to team time trial victory on the opening stage of the 2012 Tirenno-Adriatico and hopefully will be available to the mass public early next year. Extensive wind tunnel testing was performed to optimize the helmet’s shape with regards to aerodynamics and rider comfort. Be on the look out for this one.
Italian helmet manufacturer, KASK, welcomes a new aerodynamic helmet to their 2012 line, the K.31 Crono. This time trial helmet was built to be the best with comfort, fit, design and manufacture (a good portion of their products are hand-made and all built in Italy). The helmet incorporates a unique up-and-down size hinged adjustment system to comfortably cradle the nape of the neck, providing the ultimate fit in terms of precision, comfort and security. The tail of the K.31 Crono forms a vertical fin, like the tail of an aircraft, to reduce drag as the rider lowers their head. And in unfortunate incidents, the strengthening frame helps prevent the helmet from shattering into pieces. Ventilated, non-stick pads keep you cool and the chin pad is made of anti-allergic leather.
Your head needs protection when you’re on the bike, but you want a helmet that improves your time as much as possible, right? The Louis Garneau Vorttice Black Knight Helmet has dimpled technology on the front of the helmet to keep air flow close and what they call a ”Vortex Generator” at the top, so that the flowing air gets accelerated and can glide along to the end of the helmet and eliminate air disturbances. Go fast, keep your head cool and the precious contents inside your head safe.
