Aero helmet v. aero wheels (Page 2)

Unless your training wheels are clinchers and your aero wheels are carbon tubular.  My 999 set up is actually lighter than my clincher Kysriums.

As for the helmet ..... it is all about positioning.  And going "tail up" is actually supposed to be more of the way to do it.  Aside from closing up the front, it also negates the vents that all the aero helmets have and the air flows smoother around it.  I would even venture that THAT is what gives Garmin-Slipstream (Chipotle no longer is a main sponsor) the extra wattage and is why many tape over the vents (which really is not allowed in USAT stuff) and not so much the "closing up."

The best way to "close up" has been banned by the UCI - the Landis/Leipheimer "Praying Mantis" position.  In fact, every time someone comes up with a better mousetrap the worthless UCI bans it ....... (Obree's first hour record position and then the "Superman" position he came up with after that).

But those in the triathlon world have also been wind tunnel tested and wear Aero Helmets.  So I would venture to say that for a majority of those out there an Aero Helmet (assuming a good bike fit) will benefit you.  Even Crowie found out that an Aero helmet tested "significantly faster" than his road helmet but he went with the road helmet instead.

You will find outliers everywhere, but the studies have pointed in the direction that for most it will help.  And in regards to bang for the buck..definetly aero helmet over wheels.

The slower you are the  more benefit you will get from aero equipment.  But also keep in mind that an aero helmet is going to do nothing for you if you are up in the hoods because you can't keep your position.

YMMV.

I would argue the opposite. The wind tunnel tests are typically done at 25-30 mph. So if something boasts a minute savings over 25 miles, that's assuming you're riding very very fast. The slower you go the less the resistance and therefore the less the benefit. Standing still produces no benefit from the equipment.

Except....if you're slower on the bike, you spend more time getting a slightly smaller advantage. Which could, in sum, give you a greater advantage. May be a wash, though.

No, Jim's right ... the slower you are, the more advantage you get from using aero equipment (in a time saving's standpoint).

On the flip side, the faster you go, the more critical it is that you as a complete unit ARE more aero.  The power required to overcome aerodynamic drag is exponential in regard to speeds.

 You also look way cooler without a belly filling the gap between your body and the top tube.