helmet aero dynamic drag

"Otofreq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well designed helmets reportedly can reduce aero dynamic drag for an upright rider, in the optimal
"aero tuck" position, by as much as 2%. Given the different seating positions of the recumbent
rider, will a helmet offer plus or minus areo dynamic drag benefit? Just curious.

Only if you wear a visor on it.

"Mack Mad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Otofreq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well designed helmets reportedly can reduce aero dynamic drag for an upright rider, in the
optimal "aero tuck" position, by as much as 2%. Given the different seating positions of the
recumbent rider, will a helmet offer plus or minus areo dynamic drag benefit? Just curious.

Only if you wear a visor on it.

Actually, due to the unique seating position of most bents, the proper way to wear aero helmets is
actually backwards. This allows laminar flow over the bulbous lump of the pedalers head and can
actually give up to 10% reduction in drag..the trickypart is seeing out the back of the helmet.....

Scott...

"S. Anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Actually, due to the unique seating position of most bents, the proper way to wear aero helmets is
actually backwards. This allows laminar flow over the bulbous lump of the pedalers head and can
actually give up to 10% reduction in drag..the trickypart is seeing out the back of the

helmet.....

Hi Scott:

Can you cite your source for this information?

Thanks,

Jim

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"Jim Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Hi Scott:

Can you cite your source for this information?

Thanks,

Jim

Sorry Jim, no source...but it must be true!! Just imagine!! Duck bill pointed forward... ;-)
Actually, what brought this tongue-in-cheek comment on was the memory, oh so long ago, of two newish
bicyclists strolling into my store wearing their new aero helmets backwards, they thought they were
sun visors...just got a bit of a giggle..the idea of the aero helmet being to smooth flow over the
head and down the back..since on the bent you're already half lying down, I had this image of
smoothing the airflow over the stomach/chest and the head...heehee...

Cheers,

Scott..

I surmised as much. To solve the problem of seeing out the back of the helmet, I bored two peek holes with my new Sears power drill that I got for Christmas. The holes allow me to see ok but bugs kept flying into my eyes. The solution was simple. I inserted two shot glasses into the newly bored holes. The world looks upside down but now I can read the small print on the front brake pads. There will need to be some refinement. Any suggestions?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by S. Anderson
"Mack Mad" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Otofreq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well designed helmets reportedly can reduce aero dynamic drag for an upright rider, in the
optimal "aero tuck" position, by as much as 2%. Given the different seating positions of the
recumbent rider, will a helmet offer plus or minus areo dynamic drag benefit? Just curious.

Actually, due to the unique seating position of most bents, the proper way to wear aero helmets is
actually backwards. This allows laminar flow over the bulbous lump of the pedalers head and can
actually give up to 10% reduction in drag..the trickypart is seeing out the back of the helmet.....

Scott...

Otofreq said:

eyes. The solution was simple. I inserted two shot glasses into the newly bored holes. The world
looks upside down but now I can read the small print on the front brake pads. There will need to
be some refinement. Any suggestions?

Add tequila to the shot glasses. In addition to righting your currently-upside-down vision, it will
also remove the plastic taste from the shot glasses.

[I almost spit out my beer as I re-read Otofreq's message before clicking send...funnier the second
time around, maybe.]

--
Rick Onanian

What usually passes for a recumbent bike is actually semi recumbent, as the rider is still
seated upright.

The word recumbent means lying down.

Just thought that might stir things up a bit ;-3)

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

Chris-<< What usually passes for a recumbent bike is actually semi recumbent, as the rider is still
seated upright.

The word recumbent means lying down. >><BR><BR>

Yep, just mount your eyeballs on the bottom of your feet....

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris Zacho "Th
[B]What usually passes for a recumbent bike is actually semi recumbent, as the rider is still
seated upright.

The word recumbent means lying down.

Just thought that might stir things up a bit ;-3)

Well thanks Chris. I would remind you that "lying down" does not necessarily mean lying flat. Lying flat, while comfortable, affords an obstructed view for most riders ( unless you are Quasimido). Anyway, I think your question really belongs in the "rec.bicycles.etymology" forum.

So, apparently the question of aero dynamic drag as pertains to helmets worn upon the head of "semi recumbent" riders is too esoteric. Thanks anyway.

(Qui si parla Campagnolo) said:

Chris-<< What usually passes for a recumbent bike is actually semi recumbent, as the rider is still
seated upright.

The word recumbent means lying down. >><BR><BR>

Yep, just mount your eyeballs on the bottom of your feet....

I guess you could use a periscope, length dependent on the size of the gut...

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles habcycles.comhabcycles.comOpen ↗ Home of the $695 ti frame