Sometimes, I think just looking fast makes you faster…like a placebo effect. (I shave my legs but does it really really make me that much faster or does it just look faster? Or maybe I just like the feel of it when I get into bed at night? Nice crisp cool sheets on my bare skin…wait, what?). And the Wing57 by Rudy Project looks freaking fast. Especially when compared to the Rudy Project Wingspan, my previous aero helmet. The lines of the Wing57 are cleaner, simpler. There’s no ridge at the top, which as I understand it, helps with crosswinds. The Wing57 is shorter, which in the world of aerodynamics, well according to the rest of the web, is better. Umm, yeah.
Here’s what I know for sure. The Wing57 has better sizing options than it’s Rudy Project forehelmet (you know, a forefather for a helmet would be forehelmet, right? Ok, maybe not.). Anyway, the Wingspan came in one size and I got a monster melon so it always felt a little snug, which left me uncomfortable and frankly a little self-conscious. Big head in a little helmet. Big head in a little helmet. The Wing57 comes in two sizes. Small/medium. And large. Because of this before I even got it, it was already winning in my book. When I received it, I was pleased to find a ton of different straps and dials so you can fit it to perfection…even with my giant Irish head. When it came, I couldn’t wait to try it on. I even tested it at work and suffered the quizzical glances of coworkers. Whatever dudes, I’m aerodynamic.
The road test was equally as pleasing. Air seemed to circulate much better in the Wing57 vs the Wingspan. I actually didn’t feel like my scalp was suffocating. In fact, it feels like there’s a breeze funneled right around the sides and the top. Like a little mini air conditioner. Very nice.
Comfort is nice, but what about speed, you say (although if you're not comfortable how fast can you really go...hmmm?). That for me is a little harder to substantiate. You could do the same race and have a different time just based on conditions. So it’s hard to tell. But since getting my hands on and head under the Wing57, I’ve gone from averaging low 24 mph to high 24 mph during races…and even averaged 25 mph in my last Olympic. Am I in better shape? Maybe. Were there better conditions? I don’t know about that. I would say it feels faster and definitely lighter (and definitely definitely looks faster). But that’s my gut and not science.
Two little annoyances though...the spoiler thing, which Rudy Project calls the JetStream is held on by a magnet that seems weaker than a refrigerator magnet…or rather seemed. I say "seemed" because It’s gone. It fell off when I turned my head abruptly while racing this past weekend (it was either the JetStream or get hit by a truck). It was the third time I raced with it and the third time I thought I lost it. This time is for reals though – an offering to the roads of New Jersey. Godspeed little JetStream. Godspeed. To be honest, I don't know how important this piece. My first car was a Ford Escort (yeah, that guy). It had a spoiler, it definitely did not make it faster.
The visor…although cool, really stinking cool (and has some aerodynamic savings), doesn’t quite snap in all of the way. It almost snaps in. Almost. In the back of my mind I’m worried it’s going to pop out, but that’s probably just me.
Overall, three races in, I'm keen to the Wing57. I think I'll keep it!