Taping the vents on your helmet

zionvier - 2009-08-27 11:33 AM Ok, so this might sound odd.  But I just finished reading the "Speed for Sale" article mentioned in another thread: http://www.biketechreview.com/reviews/speed_for_sale.htm

It got me thinking.  Combined with a little NASCAR knowledge being half-originally from "Race City USA" and having a lot of friends on race teams and such I was wondering if anyone has considered taping the vents on their helmets closed to cheaply improve the aerodynamics.  I know a TT helmet would be superior and isn't THAT expensive.

NASCAR cars tape their front vents closed with duct tape.  They adjust how much ventilation to allow through to the radiator by removing pieces depending on track temperature, air temperature, etc.  Could this same philosophy be used on standard bike helmets for some?

You probably would want all the ventilation you can get if it's 100 degrees out, but what about the days when it's cloudy and cool out?  Would tape on the helmet present some kind of safety concern with how it would crack in the event of a wreck?

An even more outrageous idea is the thought of those old helmet covers, like a really cheap BELL from Walmart, but using an old swim cap if it could stretch that big.

Just a though... I'm sure it would get some looks... but could it be "free speed" if it's not a safety concern?

Daremo - 2009-08-27 1:53 PM Unless I am mistaken, it is illegal ........... not that people don't do it, just that they shouldn't be doing it ........

the bear - 2009-08-27 2:56 PM

That's a new one on me. Do you have a specific rule that they're alledgedly breaking?

Daremo - 2009-08-27 11:53 AM Unless I am mistaken, it is illegal ........... not that people don't do it, just that they shouldn't be doing it ........

Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets
or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Helmets manufactured
prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of the American National Standard Institute
(ANSI Z-90.4) or the Snell Memorial Foundation (Protective Headgear for Bicycle Users) and which is clearly
labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Removal of a helmet cover, if required for that helmet
to meet such safety standards, or the addition of elastic to the helmet strap shall constitute an impermissible
alteration in violation of this Section. Any violation of this Section 5.9A(a) shall result in disqualification.

JC5066 - 2009-08-27 1:58 PM

I imagine by modifying the helmet is no long certified.  By not being a certified helmet, would it not be illegal?

tkd.teacher - 2009-08-27 1:59 PM

The "undamaged and unaltered" verbiage in 5.9A(a)?



John

the bear - 2009-08-27 12:59 PM

I don't agree with either of those statements, especially when you're talking about a mere piece of tape.

the bear - 2009-08-27 2:59 PM

I don't agree with either of those statements, especially when you're talking about a mere piece of tape.

Daremo - 2009-08-27 2:02 PM Aren't you the one that pointed out that my cutting of the bike number to make it fit on the bike better is illegal?  Just as arbitrary of a modification.

(Who says rules have to make sense?)

Daremo - 2009-08-27 2:02 PM

Aren't you the one that pointed out that my cutting of the bike number to make it fit on the bike better is illegal?  Just as arbitrary of a modification.

(Who says rules have to make sense?)

running2far - 2009-08-27 2:03 PM Technically, putting a helmet bike sticker/number would be altering the helmet. I'm attending an officials clinic this weekend. I'll ask.

running2far - 2009-08-27 12:03 PM Technically, putting a helmet bike sticker/number would be altering the helmet. I'm attending an officials clinic this weekend. I'll ask.

the bear - 2009-08-27 12:06 PM

If nothing else, the one thing you should learn at this clinic is how to use common sense in the interpretation of the rules.

I would bet good money that no one there will tell you that this is a penalizeable punishable (?) infraction of the rules.

tkd.teacher - 2009-08-27 2:08 PM

Technically, yes. But, it does not alter it in regards to function.

Taping over the vents improves the performance of the helmet by increasing the aerodynamics of said helmet.

I sent an email to Charlie Crawford asking, so we'll see what he says as well.

John

roch1009 - 2009-08-27 3:08 PM

If I put a tablecloth on a table, am I altering the table?

Daremo - 2009-08-27 12:39 PM I know for a fact at one race I did last year that the officials were checking aero helmets not only to make sure they are approved for use in the states but to also make sure people had not taped off the cavity that is in the back (which in the Tour with the new Giro helmet it was a pre-made enclosure which gets around that).

JC5066 - 2009-08-27 3:39 PM

Yes you are.

If it's cloth table, a playing card would no long slide easily across the table.

It's all a matter of perspective.