As a 35 year old recreational cyclist covering around 4,000 miles per year, mainly on the road I had the desire to take my road cycling to another level of speed and decided to invest in a time trial bicycle, (Specialized Transition for Triathlon/Time Trial) and wow what a difference in average speeds compared to my regular road bike! I had heard and read lot’s about the benefits of an aero helmet, (the Specialized website has an interesting article about drag) and thought after considerable investment in the bike an aero helmet was needed to complete the package.
I chose the Giro Advantage 2 because I already use Giro atmos and Giro Ionis helmets and have found their fit to be fine for my head. The Advantage has a very snug fit compared to my regular helmets, (I wear a size medium for all of the above). I would suggest if you can to, “try before you buy”. Riding with the helmet is more like wearing a regular crash helmet from a noise point of view as it does muffle sound although you can still hear traffic! Ventilation is reduced, but I have not found this a major issue as riding with higher average speeds does keep a good air flow though the helmet, but this is not a hot and hilly choice of lid.
The big question, “is it faster”? Well as we all know the only real way to go quicker is hard work, but I do think it makes a small difference when you are flat out and every second counts. A well fitting position on the bike is crucial to get the best airflow over the helmet and should be checked when buying, you don’t want a large gap between the back of the helmet and your back. Overall I can recommend the Giro as a nicely finished lid for maximizing speed for a relatively modest outlay, I paid £100 and if it’s good enough for Lance…
