The battle to make the wildest-looking aero TT helmet goes robust within the professional peloton, and Ekoi’s new Pure Aero is a powerful contender. And one you may already purchase now. With an nearly comically outsized cowl and visor, the Pure Aero guarantees pure aerodynamic beneficial properties with a design developed with Synthetic Intelligence. And it’s apparently already been ridden to 2 World Championship wins…
Ekoi Pure Aero TT helmet designed by AI
We’ve seen some fairly wild aero TT helmets up to now yr – kicked off by the Giro Aerohead 2.0 that gave off robust Spaceballs vibes. It additionally fueled fervent discussions about whether or not these excessive aerodynamic designs would possibly truly be UCI unlawful? In the end the UCI assessed extra of what helmet makers might and couldn’t do, and the floodgates have been opened.
The Ekoi R&D workforce described it as such a fast-moving improvement, that they needed to pull out all of the stops – even synthetic intelligence – to rapidly rethink their very own aero TT helmet design.
Growth from AI to CFD to the wind tunnel
To show across the new helmet with simply 1 yr of R&D and testing, Ekoi used AI to match all different helmets on the market, to create a brand new design, after which turned to CFD to refine what would grow to be the Pure Aero helmet.
Ekoi says that they had three targets after they got down to create their all-new Pure Aero TT helmet. They wanted to optimize consolation & ergonomics so riders might simply keep of their most aero place longer, then to make sure nice visibility whereas the rider was deep of their aero tuck, and naturally, they wished absolutely the final in aerodynamic efficiency.
Giving a bit of perception into how one aero helmet could be quickest for all riders, Ekoi created their design primarily based on 3D scans of three prime TT & triathlon athletes with significantly various physique sizes & shapes – Stéphane Rossetto, Patrick Lange & Chris Froome. That approach, Ekoi leveraged CFD improvement to check how airflow shifted over totally different physique varieties.
The result’s a large bulbous shell with a basic slim however brief tail. Then, it will get an enormous built-in visor with sides that even barely flare out on the backside to redirect air across the entrance of the rider.
Tech particulars
In the end, Ekoi claims a 6% discount of aerodynamic drag vs. some other helmet in the marketplace. For a financial savings of 13W at 50 km/h race common speeds.
typical aerodynamic polycarbonate shell over EPS foam building
Smoke-tinted polycarbonate lens/visor (VLT 22%): for sunny or barely overcast situations
air flow makes use of the massive house between the visor & rider’s face to attract air into inside air flow channels, while not having exterior vents
BOA dial match adjustment system on the again
Fidlock magnetic buckle for the chinstrap
accessible in a single M/L dimension for 55-60cm heads
415g claimed weight
Ekoi Pure Aero TT & Tri helmet – Pricing, choices & availability
The all-new Ekoi Pure Aero TT helmet sells for $395 / 350-400€ (nation dependent). And it’s accessible now instantly from Ekoi.
For now, the helmet is available in only one extensively adjustable dimension (55-60cm) and in six coloration choices. You get to choose from a white or black most important shell, with crimson, blue, or holographic silver racing stripes. After which it will get easy white or black Ekoi logos.
First raced ultimately summer season’s Tour de France, Patrick Lange wore it to his third Ironman World Championship final October in Kona. Then, in November, Jelle Geens received gold on the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
Ekoi.com
