Matching an Aero Bike Helmet and Cycling Sunglasses for More Speed
Choosing cycling gear based on aerodynamic efficiency is often an afterthought for many cyclists and triathletes who stand to benefit most from it. And this makes sense; after the expense of a triathlon or time-trial bike, the rest of the cycle gear — pedals, shoes, cycling helmet, cycling glasses, gloves, shorts, and jersey — is usually pieced together bit by bit, based on comfort. It shouldn’t be, as all this gear affects how fast and long an athlete can ride.
Aero cycling helmets are well-established in the triathlon and time-trial world. It’s not hard to see why. Research conducted with Rudy Project’s innovative aero helmets showed that triathletes could theoretically shave almost five minutes off their 112-mile iron-distance bike leg by wearing The Wing aero helmet with integrated visor and nearly a full minute by wearing the Nytron aero road helmet. That’s the power of an aero bike helmet.
Cycling Glasses Should Be Aero, Too
The aero approach to helmets should extend to the best cycling glasses. For obvious reasons, you want shields that complement the efficiency of a tri bike and cycle helmet. A wrap-around, single lens with full coverage will best mimic the integrated visor found on the Wing. Rudy Project’s Astral X, Kelion, and Spinshield Air sports sunglasses all fit this description. Plus, they have the added benefit of an adjustable fit thanks to flexible temple arms and nose pieces that make it easy to find a perfect, custom fit. This flexibility also lets wearers modulate airflow through the sunglasses to dissipate heat.
These sports shields fit Rudy Project’s prescription shield lenses or Rx frameless inserts as well, which opens up a new world for athletes who want the clarity of prescription cycling glasses. With Rudy Project’s prescription technology, they no longer need to fiddle with finicky contact lenses to enjoy the benefits of aero sunglasses.
The Aero Helmet - Aero Glasses Pairing
Ideally, an athlete should choose a helmet and glasses combination that comes as close as possible to mimicking the smooth bubble of helmet-to-visor that defines the front of The Wing helmet. Accordingly, the glasses should be a single lens with a lens curve roughly matching the curve of the helmet’s brim. There should be just enough space between the top of the frames and the bottom of the helmet to let heat escape from behind the lens without letting dust or debris in. For optimal aero performance, the temple arms should not stick out beyond the underside of the helmet, where they can increase drag.
Thanks to advanced design and manufacturing, Rudy Project bakes these aerodynamic pairings into its helmets and cycling sunglasses, producing superior protection and high-quality optics that boost athletic performance. The combination makes “going aero” more flexible and comfortable, resulting in a faster athlete.
