Personally, I dig it and would try it.
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It covers the top of your ears - a non-starter for me (because it would be so uncomfortable to me and drive me nuts).
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Not an issue for Ganna of course but it opens up a potential grey-zone with the new CTT rules for the Road Bike category in UK TTs
Helmets used in Road Bike category events must not have a visor fitted, cover the ears or have a tear drop/pointy style tail
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Ear thing is a little weird but not hateful, buying it? no. But I kind of like it.
Having spent a decade as a triathlete wearing TT helmets that cover your ears I don’t see what the controversy would be. It makes sense and there’s still plenty of opening to be able to hear. I could hear just fine in my TT helmet that had fully covered ears anyway.
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Yup…legit concern. The challenge is also that how it feels trying it on is going to quite possibly be very different than how it feels after a couple of hours on the road.
One potential benefit may be reduced wind noise….no claim were made in this regard, though, but I could see where it would help. On the flip side, it could also make it worse for some riders, I’d guess.
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All of my TT lids have been full cover on the ears with the walls being somewhat pliable/flexible and then a visor for light protection… This new helmet looks like it is literally pushing the top of your ears inwards and then you have your sunglasses you have to deal with. I just think it looks uncomfortable but maybe I am a little particular with saddles and helmets.
My very light, and relatively soft glasses will occasionally bother my ears and need to be moved, can’t imagine hard plastic pushing on my ears for hours.
That’s a completely fair concern. Clearly it tucks them in a little, but it also looks like there is a lip that flairs outward with the intention of diverting the laminar flow out around your ear. E.g, it’s not about squeezing your ear in as much as possible, just enough to to tuck it out of the way.
The fit and comfort on this one looks like it’s going to be super individual and I would never buy it without trying it or if wearing things on my ears bothered me. I don’t think a light pressure on the tip of my ear would bother me, but a hard squeeze clearly would.
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I’m sort of at the point where I have “normal” road wear while out solo or group rides. Actually, while out riding solo I’m starting to wear regular t-shirts and use a burrito bag for food and supplies. Around these parts I get treated nicer (100% my opinion) and I’m aware it might be my own bias at play…
With that said, I am absolutely a slave to all things aero for races. So, if I could verify it’s really faster, I’d wear it for events.
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It’s kind of unclear to me whether this is actually applying pressure to the ears or just “hovering” over them. That probably depends on the rider’s ear size, but I’m wearing a beanie right now that’s half covering my ears and it’s not particularly uncomfortable. If this is not pushing in on them, I bet it’s not as uncomfortable as it looks (and I wonder if it might reduce the extremely loud/hearing-damaging whooshing noise on descents? Color me intrigued.
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User spdntrxi won the discussion about it on weight weenies IMO…
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I would love this personally, tinnitus is one of the reasons that has pushed me to slower gravel/MTB rides, and more indoor riding.
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Tinnitus is why I like loud noise. Nothing worse than listening to the ringing in my ears
I’m curious about this. I like the idea, especially for winter riding. I also wear headphones (ducks for cover) and wonder if this will play nice with them.
I think there will definitely be an issue with headphones like Trekz or other over-the-ear designs…but I think they will be OK with normal earbuds.
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I have terrible Tinnitus and have to wonder if it’s from years of blasting my ears with loud wind noise.
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Looks like poc are also getting into the ear hiding game:
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Man, that POC helmet just seems like it would be HOT.
As a pretty dedicated aero geek, that may be a step too far for me…
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