Aero road helmets are a trend we're seeing more and more of these days, as the focus for marginal gains moves from weight to aerodynamics. Casco were one of the first manufacturers to introduce such a helmet, their distinctive Speedtime helmet being a staple on the track. The Speedster helmet we've got here looks to take some of that knowhow and translate it to a more realistic price point (relatively, of course).
In common with some other aero helmets (Giro Air Attack for example), the Speedster is designed to be used with an integrated visor, which both improves airflow as well as providing for a better field of vision. The attachment to the helmet is via a simple clip on each side, and is really easy to use if you need to remove the visor for cleaning, for example. The visor is attached to the clips by elastic which means that it can also be lifted up onto the helmet, useful for when climbing at low speeds to stop sweat fouling the lens, or when putting the helmet on and taking it off.
"I am the Law"
The lens itself is a high quality item which wraps around the whole of the frontal section of the helmet. The test model came fitted with the grey lens, the most reflective available, but clear and orange (low light) lenses are also available to purchase separately for £50. Additionally, the helmet is available with no visor at all for £100.
When it comes to aero helmets, the difficulty is in balancing the competing interests of low drag and adequate ventilation. Compared to other similar helmets, the Speedster has quite a lot of vents, which makes it look almost like a 'normal' helmet (if you take the visor off). The result is that ventilation is good and shouldn't be an issue except in the hottest conditions. For the UK, I would be happy with wearing the Speedster all year round.
The key to the Speedster's aerodynamic slipperiness apparently comes down to its ventless side panels and the 'adaptive' (though they looked pretty fixed to me) vents at the rear. The intention is to provide direct channels for the air to flow front to back through the helmet, while minimising the intake/expulsion of air from the sides which would increase drag.
Whereas the difference in speed between a normal road helmet and a full-on TT helmet is noticeable – often a good couple of kph – the comparison of the Speedster to a standard helmet is much more subtle. Without the controlled setting of a wind tunnel or covered track, it's difficult to quantify the reduction in drag, though I think it's safe to say that the Speedster will be faster, even if by a small amount.
The Speedster employs a fairly standard looking retention system that makes use of a dial to tighten or loosen the cradle. The dial is big enough to handle with gloves on, and has a nice, positive click action to let you know exactly what's happening back there. Casco have also seen fit to include quite a thick bit of padding back there, which certainly helps in the comfort stakes. The system has 3cm of vertical adjustability in 1cm increments, which is just about acceptable for a top end lid. Those who like to position the cradle low on the back of the head might find the Speedster a bit limiting in this regard.
One of the unique features of the Speedster, and indeed, many of Casco's other helmets is that it uses a clippie thing (that's a technical term) instead of a more usual buckle. Instead of joining beneath the chin, the clip attaches to the metal loop which is used to connect the forward and rearward sections of strapping, placing it directly beneath your left ear. The result is that the section of strapping under the chin is free from any protrusions that could cause discomfort, and a further bit of foam padding has been added to reduce potential chafing even further.
At first, this fixing system felt very fiddly and difficult to operate without resorting to using both hands, but eventually the technique required for single handed operation became more natural. It's probably a stretch to say that this system is any better than a bog-standard buckle, it's just different.
One disappointing thing about the straps is that the positioning of the webbing around the ears is non-adjustable. In my case, the straps were perfect and lay flat against my head, but it would still be nice to have some adjustability here, for those with different head shapes and/or preferences.
Out on the road, the first thing that strikes you is the feel of having an integrated visor, and in particular, the quality of the lens used. There is virtually no optical distortion which makes for a very clear and crisp view ahead. This is accentuated by the fact that there are no sunglass frames to get in the way, so peripheral vision, and vision up the road when in a more tucked position, is excellent. Despite using the darkest grey lens on some decidedly overcast days, I never felt like I was missing any road detail, such was the clarity of the optics.
One potential source of concern, which was voiced by a number of riders, was the issue of having the lens fog up. In my time testing the Speedster, fogging was only an issue on one occasion, when climbing very slowly on a humid day, and even then it wasn't a problem at all. I suspect this is because the lens sits quite some way in front of the face, which allows plenty of space for air to circulate behind it.
The distance between lens and cheek has another, possibly unintended, benefit too, which only became apparent after taking the Speedster for a slide along some asphalt at 50 kph. The helmet itself did its job, soaking up the impact (and cracking in the process) and preventing me from anything worse than a mild concussion, while the damage to the visor indicates that without it, I would've done quite a bit of damage to my face also. As it was, I walked away with only a few scratches on my lip and cheek.
Undoubtedly, some people will find the idea of wearing an aero helmet with integrated visor out on a training ride ridiculous, and in the past, I'd be one of the first to agree with them. However, having experienced the quality of the optics and the unlimited peripheral vision it offers, in addition to the extra safety, I'd be quite happy to suffer the sniggers of my fellow cyclists and wear the Speedster all the time. If I hadn't destroyed it, that is.
Verdict
The integrated visor is the stand-out feature, but the Speedster also offers up a well-ventilated and reasonably light helmet, at a price point cheaper than most of the competition.
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Casco Speedster
Size tested: White, Medium
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Speedster is designed as an aero road helmet, therefore suited to faster races and perhaps the odd time trial. That said, it performs well in the day to day too, making if perfectly acceptable as a training lid.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
- 27 vents total
- "Adaptive" rear vents to improve airflow at different head angles
- Casco-LOC retention system
- Integrated Class 1 visor (grey, orange or clear), which can be removed of flipped up in use
- 310g claimed weight (medium)
- Available in medium (54-58cm) and large (58-62cm) sizes
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Generally very good, though the reflective piping could have been neater.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Though the aerodynamic benefits are marginal over a standard helmet, comfort, weight and ventilation are all pretty good which means that there's no real compromise to be made. The visor optics were excellent and offered great peripheral vision.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Didn't really have the helmet long enough to test this as I crashed and wrote it off quite early in the test period.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
At 310g it's not super heavy, especially considering the integrated visor.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Generally good, but it could've used a bit more vertical adjustability in the retention system.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
One of the cheapest aero road helmets around, and considering the visor is included, looks to be quite good value.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well - the Speedster felt no different from a standard helmet when just riding around, whilst still offering some aero benefits. The optics of the integrated visor are excellent.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The integrated visor.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Limited vertical adjustability of retention system.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Overall rating: 8/10
Age: 22Height: 190cmWeight: 69kg
I usually ride: Canondale EVO RedMy best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 yearsI ride: Every dayI would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, mtb,
FAQs
Are Casco helmets good? ›
Casco bike helmets have an unmistakable, modern design, offer a lot of comfort, a very good helmet climate and above all, a lot of safety. Practical detailed solutions and clever accessories not only make the rider look stylish, but also enjoy his high-quality CASCO bike helmet for a long time.
How much faster is aero helmet? ›Specialized compared the performance of its Prevail standard road helmet, Evade aero road helmet (below) and S-Works TT helmet in the Win Tunnel and concluded that switching from the Prevail to the Evade would save you 40 seconds over 40km (25 miles).
How many watts do you save with aero helmet? ›| UPGRADE | COMPARED TO | ESTIMATED POWER SAVINGS1 |
|---|---|---|
| Time Trial Helmet | Standard road helmet | 11.5 watts |
| Shaved Legs | Unshaved legs | 10 watts |
| 3-Spoke Wheel (back wheel, 0 yaw) | Disk wheel (back wheel, 0 yaw) | 5 watts |
| Road Aero Helmet | Standard road helmet | 3.5 watts |
Giro has revealed the new Eclipse Spherical aero road helmet, which is claimed to be the fastest road helmet the brand has ever tested. Giro also says it doesn't compromise on protection, heat management or comfort.
What does Casco mean? ›: a long almost rectangular barge or lighter sometimes with sails used in the Philippines.
How do you say Casco in English? ›- helmet, the ~ Noun.
- casque, the ~ Noun.
- headpiece, the ~ Noun.
- steel cap, the ~ Noun.
- tin hat, the ~ Noun.
Clearly an aero helmet does make you faster by a measurable amount, but it's not quite free speed because the reduced ventilation means you pay in heat build-up. Unless you live in a cold climate, we would probably not recommend an aero helmet for use as your sole, everyday lid.
At what speed does aerodynamics matter on a bike? ›At what speeds do aerodynamics make a difference on a bicycle? At speeds over 10 mph (16 kph), aerodynamic (aero) drag becomes the dominant force of resistance, with no wind on flat terrain: At 18 mph (29 kph) it becomes 80% of the resistance. 25 mph (40 kph) it becomes 90% of the dominant force.
How much faster will aero wheels make me? ›Using aero wheels has been found to reduce a cyclist's CdA by 3-5%, so if you generate 350W of power, using aero wheels could see your speed on the flat rise from 44.6kmh to 45.4kmh, an increase of 1.63%.
How much does an aero helmet help in an Ironman? ›Aero helmets typically save 30-60 seconds for every hour of riding. The actual time saved for a triathlete depends on how well the helmet smooths the airflow from the helmet to the middle of the back.
How much faster is a time trial helmet? ›
Results. As you may have expected the time trial helmet is significantly faster. If travelling at 25mph for 60 minutes there is a saving of 8.5 watts, which in real terms would equate to a substantial saving of 49 seconds.
How much difference does an aero jersey make? ›A tight fitting aero cycling jersey manufactured with the right fabrics can lessen the aero-drag with about 6% compared to lose fitting cycling jerseys. Add to that the fact also your aero shorts can decrease the drag with more or less 5% and you know aero cycling clothing can have a huge influence on your performance.
Do you need an aero helmet for Ironman? ›The short answer is no.
How important is MIPS? ›MIPS is about safety pure and simple. Reducing rotational force, MIPS helmets lessen the chance of concussion, more so than non-MIPS helmets, and other brain injuries.
What are aero road helmets? ›Aero Helmet Vs Road Helmet: Which Is Faster For Race Day? - YouTube
Where does the word Casco come from? ›From the verb cascar (“to split”), from Latin quassō (“shake, strike”).
Is Casco a Scrabble word? ›CASCO is a valid scrabble word.
What does Casco mean in insurance? ›What is Casco Insurance? Casco Insurance covers expenses that arise due to an involuntary crash or collision in any motor vehicle. It also covers theft, fire, hail, earthquakes, flooding and acts of terror.
How do you say swimming in Spanish? ›The Spanish word for swimming is la natación - YouTube
What's the English of Balon? ›ball; football; soccer; football game; balloon.
What do we say Bate in English? ›
Definition of bate
(Entry 1 of 2) transitive verb. 1 : to reduce the force or intensity of : restrain waited with bated breath. 2 : to take away : deduct That grave and orderly senior was not going to bate a jot of his dignity …— George Eliot.
A bike helmet is required in most races, and a regular bike helmet will work just fine. of a bike helmet. No helmet, no race. You don't need one of those space-age aero helmets.
How much does a helmet cost? ›A standard full face motorcycle helmet might cost $450, while a half helmet may be $150. Most youth motorcycle helmet prices usually start around $100.
Will helmet meaning? ›Meaning:Desiring peace; Determined protector; Helmet, protection.
Why do bikers lean forward? ›This is done so that the cyclist will present less surface area to the wind, and therefore there will be less drag. The "flat back" is most easily achieved when the saddle (the seat) is higher than the handlebars. To my knowledge, placing more weight on the front wheel is mostly incidental here.
What is the most aero position on a road bike? ›But the most aerodynamically efficient posture was actually hands on hoods, arms bent with forearms parallel to the ground. In that position, the rider needed to produce 372 watts, a 13.4 percent reduction from the first hands-on-hoods posture.
How can I make my road bike more aerodynamic? ›How To Get More Aero On Your Road Bike – With Zipp - YouTube
How much faster is aero bike than road bike? ›With an aero bike, you'll simply be able to go faster than you would with a non-aero bike. The 150-Watt rider riding during a windy day now finishes 6.5 minutes faster on an aero bike (8.4 minutes with no drafting) and is 83.3 seconds per hour faster (93.6 seconds with no drafting).
Are 50mm wheels faster? ›50mm is going to be a bit faster for a novice rider, wanting to get up a group in chaingangs etc. Average speeds can increase 2-3mph over box-section wheels. Good for bunch riding and fast stage racing for all levels. 60mm is the way to go for smooth rolling roads where outright speed is paramount.
Are aero bikes really faster? ›Basically, it makes no difference. Even on a 10 per cent hill, travelling at a pretty brisk 15kph (a feat that requires our 70kg cyclist to put out around 350 watts), that 2kg will only save you around 9 watts. You can use a power vs speed calculator to try the maths out for yourself.
How many watts does a skin suit save? ›
As you'd expect, the skinsuit was faster than the bib shorts and jersey set-up. On both the road bike and time trial bike the skinsuit had a saving of around five watts, which over a 25-mile time trial ridden at 25 mph equates to 21 seconds and 28 seconds respectively.
What helmet do triathletes wear? ›Time trial helmets are often used in triathlon to decrease wind resistance while riding in the aero position. Also called an aero helmet, these racing helmets offer a sleek design that allows the rider to be more aerodynamic, in turn potentially improving performance.
How much time do aero bars save? ›This means that the true saving of aerobars compared to a similar aero position on a bike without them is about 1:15mins.
How many watts do Velotoze save? ›Sitting on the cheaper end of the 'components that make you more aero' scale, shoe covers, such as Velotoze, will save an 85kg rider, riding at 40kph with a 300w power output, 1.4 watts.
How many watts does a disc wheel save? ›A standard front wheel costs about 30-40 watts at 20 mph, while a good aero 3-4 spoke wheel will only cost 15-25 watts, and a full disc wheel will cost you just 5-10 watts. In other words, you can save 10% of your power depending where you upgrade your wheels.
How do road bikes save Watts? ›- Hair-Be-Gone. No beard = 0.25W Saving. ...
- Under Pressure. Tyres at 109 psi instead of 73 psi = 5W per tyre saving. ...
- Bin the Bag. No Saddle Bag = 0.5W saving. ...
- In the Eye. Glasses = 1W saving. ...
- Lid on It. ...
- Smooth Operator. ...
- Sit there and shut up. ...
- Get your Lube on.
The studies show that at ALL speeds, aerodynamic drag is reduced when wearing aero-cycle clothing, meaning you will go faster, so the answer is yes.
Are rim brakes more aero? ›A bike with rim brakes is typically lighter than the same bike with disc brakes. Bikes with rim brakes tend to be more aerodynamic. Installing and setting up rim brakes is much easier than disc brakes. (However, if you have your disc brakes set up correctly, switching wheels becomes easier.)
How do cyclists reduce drag? ›- Get yourself an aerodynamic bike. ...
- Aerodynamic cycling helmets also help. ...
- Cyclists can even wear aerodynamically designed clothing. ...
- The wheels of a bike can also be designed to reduce drag. ...
- Cycling posture is one of the best ways to reduce drag on a bicycle.
Mips, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, uses a slip plane designed to manage energy from rotational and angular impacts.
Is MIPS worth the extra money? ›
MIPS helmets provide an extra degree of safety for all bike riders. So if you're ready to replace your old helmet, the extra $20 or so to upgrade from a non-MIPS to MIPS-equipped model is well-worth the price. At the moment, MIPS technology is available in select helmets from Giro, Bell, POC, Scott, and Lazer.
Is MIPS really better? ›All we know is a MIPS equipped helmet is at least 10% better at handling rotational impact than the non-MIPS verision. That's all MIPS will say. But it's even more complicated than that. Some helmets are inherently better at dissipating rotational impacts than others, even before the MIPS liner.
How much better is a MIPS helmet? ›After a series of falls and tests at an angle of 45°, the study concluded that MIPS technology was able to reduce serious brain damage and injury by about 42%. SPIN, on the other hand, performed even better and it was able to increase the protection by about 54%.
Which type of helmet is best? ›| S No. | Helmet Brands List | Best Selling Helmets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steelbird | Steelbird SBA-7 7Wings ISI Certified Flip-Up Helmet for Men and Women |
| 2 | Studds | Studds Ninja Elite With Carbon Strip |
| 3 | Vega | Vega Crux Open Face Black Helmet - M |
| 4 | Royal Enfield | Royal Enfield MLG ABS Open Face |
An expensive helmet will perform better in many different areas compared to a cheaper helmet, which may do well only in one area and lack in others. A more expensive helmet may also not wear out as quickly, which means it may be able to keep you safer for longer.
Why Arai helmets are so expensive? ›Arai uses a single-piece inner shell, but it's made up of multiple densities for structural integrity… but of course, this is more expensive to make. The cost to produce any helmet is of course going to be passed on to the customer, and some of the top brands – like Arai and Shoei for instance – are hand made in Japan.
Which helmet shell is best? ›Carbon/Kevlar helmets are the pinnacle of current helmet technology. These are remarkably tough shells that are close to indestructible. Making them is highly labor intensive, and as a result these helmets command a particularly high price.
Which type of helmet is not allowed? ›A helmet must have a minimum thickness of 20-25 mm with high-quality foam. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) mandated all helmets to have the ISI mark. Retailing helmets without this mark is considered a legal offense and must be immediately stopped.
Does a half helmet protect you? ›A half-size helmet simply covers and protects the top of a rider's head. Also known as brain-buckets, half-helmets don't protect ears, face, or chin. Nor do they have face-shields to protect faces and eyes from debris. They are lighter and provide more airflow than any other helmet, but lack serious protection.
Do motorcycle helmets really expire? ›Helmets have a limited lifespan because the resin and other materials used in the manufacturing process over time can be effected by your body fluids, hair oils, ultraviolet light and normal wear and tear. It is prudent advice to replace your helmet 5 years after purchase or 7 years after the production date.
Why are road bike helmets so expensive? ›
The more expensive helmets are generally sculpted and designed to have more ventilation, be lighter, be more adjustable, be more comfortable, but ultimately, do you trust them to do the job. I wear a helmet because when I race I have to and when I commute I'm under personal pressure to wear one.
Do helmet brands matter? ›Some helmet brands offer the basic functionality of just protecting the head, using average quality materials and really cheap price points. On the other hand, there are some premium brands that protect your head, offer complete comfort to riders, have huge feature lists and exotic materials that would impress NASA.
What is the rarest helmet? ›The Arai RX-7V RC Carbon is the most exclusive helmet of the market.
What is the most expensive brand of helmet? ›AGV Helmets
Having been signed by 12 motorcycling World Champions, a “Stop-Cancer” AGV #Corsa helmet has been auctioned off for a record-breaking €255,000, all of which will be donated to charity and in doing so becomes the most expensive helmet in the world.
Like most major helmet manufacturers, Arai subscribes to the Snell Memorial Foundation benchmark of five years as the suggested usable lifespan of a motorcycle helmet.
How often should you replace your helmet? ›The Consumer Product Safety Commission, for example, advises that unless manufacturers recommend otherwise, you should get a new helmet every five to 10 years.
Which is stronger polycarbonate or carbon fiber? ›Polycarbonate vs Fiberglass vs Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet ...
What does DOT stand for on a helmet? ›To help protect the lives of motorcycle riders, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.