The cycling world has become infatuated with aerodynamics. One particular brand even goes as far as to state that aero is everything. While that might not technically be 100 per cent accurate, an aerodynamic helmet certainly has its benefits, a notion reiterated by the fact that the majority of the WorldTour peloton utilise aero helmets for all but the hilliest of days.
The benefits provided by aero helmets have long been explored by time trialists, a discipline where innovation is rife and every possible time-saving measure crucial. However, over the past decade, the marginal-gains mentality has seen it filter onto the road, in turn leading to the creation of the aero road helmet.
In that time, the aero road helmet has fast become a common sight on the heads of road cyclists of all abilities, as riders are sold on the prospect of higher speeds for fewer watts – cycling’s holy grail if you will.
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The aero road helmet is easily distinguishable by its profile, often featuring a smooth frontal area with a decreased quantity of air vents. Occasionally the rear will extend to guide the passing air beyond the rear of the head with minimal turbulence.
With the reasonably large frontal area of a cycling helmet it makes sense that the easier it can slice through the air, the higher the speed and less power output required. This is where a breakaway specialist might see the attraction and, of course, a time trialist, for whom that extra half a kilometre per hour could mean the difference between winning and losing.
This is also particularly attractive to cyclists who want to save as much energy as possible, such as sportive riders who have long distances to cover, sprinters who need the energy for that final huge effort, and even commuters who just want to get to work feeling fresher.
Attributes worth considering when buying an aero helmet
Safety
Speed
Comfort
Weight
Ventilation
Aesthetics
Best for safety:
S-Works Evade II MIPS ANGi
- RRP: £230.00
- Aero claim: 50 seconds at 40kph over a standard road helmet
- Frontal vents: 10
- Safety: MIPS and ANGi
- Retention: Magnetic buckle, micro-dial adjustment
- Sizes: 51cm to 63cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 269g (medium)
- Pro team: Bora-Hansgrohe, Deceuninck-Quickstep, Boels Dolmans
Bontrager XXX Wavecel
- RRP: £199.99
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 7
- Safety: WaveCel
- Retention: Boa dial adjustment
- Sizes: 51cm to 63cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 352g (medium)
- Pro team: Trek-Segafredo Men, Trek-Segafredo Women
Best for ventilation:
Kask Protone
- RRP: £199.99 / US$249.00 / AU$365.00
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 12
- Safety: In moulding EPS Foam
- Retention: Octo fit, rubberised micro dial
- Sizes: 52cm - 62cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 215g (medium)
- Pro teams: Team Ineos
POC Ventral Spin
- RRP: £270.00 / US$290 / AU$495.00
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 5
- Safety: SPIN
- Retention: Dial adjustment
- Sizes: 50cm to 61cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 248g (medium)
- Pro team: EF Education First
Best multi-purpose
Giro Vanquish MIPS
- RRP: £219.99 / $280.00 / AU$429.99
- Aero claim: 12 seconds faster than Ballista in a 40km TT at 400 watts
- Frontal vents: 4
- Safety: MIPS
- Retention: Roc Loc micro-dial adjustment
- Sizes: 51cm to 63cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 300g (medium) 52g visor.
- Pro team: Groupama FDJ, Canyon Sram
Lazer Bullet 2.0 MIPS
- RRP: £219.99 / US$269.95 / AU$449.00
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: Four plus 'Airslide' sliding vent
- Safety: MIPS
- Retention: Advanced Turnfit system
- Sizes: 50cm to 61cm in XS / S / M / L
- Weight: 315g (small)
- Pro team: Jumbo Visma, Sunweb, Corendon Circus, Madison Genesis
Other great aero helmets
Kask Utopia
- RRP: £219.00 / US$270.00 / AU$395.00
- Aero claim: 6w at 50kph over best rival
- Frontal vents: 6
- Safety: In moulding EPS Foam
- Retention: Octo fit, rubberised micro dial
- Sizes: 50cm to 62cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 235g (medium)
- Pro teams: Team Ineos
Abus Gamechanger
- RRP: £189.00 / US$235.00 / AU$369.00
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 7
- Safety: EPS Foam
- Retention: Micro dial
- Sizes: 51cm to 62cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 270g (medium)
- Pro teams: Movistar
Met Manta
- RRP: £180.00 / US$225.00 / AU$349.00
- Aero claim: 10 watts at 50kph
- Frontal vents: 7
- Safety: None
- Retention: MET’s Safe-T Advanced micrometrical fit system
- Sizes: 52cm to 62cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 200g (medium)
- Pro teams: UAE Team Emirates, Drops
Bontrager Ballista MIPS
- RRP: £129.99 / US$199.99 / AU$229.99
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 3
- Safety: MIPS
- Retention: Small Boa dial adjustment
- Sizes: 51cm to 66cm in S / M / L / XL
- Weight: 265g (medium)
- Pro teams: Trek Segafredo, Trek Segafredo women’s
Giant Pursuit MIPS
- RRP: £189.99 / US$263.00 / AU$ n/a
- Aero claim: None
- Frontal vents: 8
- Safety: MIPS
- Retention: Cinch Pro
- Sizes: 51cm to 63cm in S / M / L
- Weight: 320g (medium)
- Pro teams: CCC Team, CCC-Liv Women’s Team
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-aero-helmets-for-cycling-2019
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