The combat to make the wildest-looking aero TT helmet goes robust within the professional peloton, and Ekoi’s new Pure Aero is a robust contender. And one you possibly can already purchase now. With an nearly comically outsized cowl and visor, the Pure Aero guarantees pure aerodynamic good points 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 12 months – 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 may truly be UCI unlawful? In the end the UCI assessed extra of what helmet makers may and couldn’t do, and the floodgates had been opened.
The Ekoi R&D group 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 12 months of R&D and testing, Ekoi used AI to check all different helmets on the market, to create a brand new design, after which turned to CFD to refine what would turn out to be the Pure Aero helmet.
Ekoi says they’d three objectives after they got down to create their all-new Pure Aero TT helmet. They wanted to optimize consolation & ergonomics so riders may 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 little bit perception into how one aero helmet might 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 manner, Ekoi leveraged CFD improvement to check how airflow shifted over totally different physique sorts.
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. another helmet available on the market. For a financial savings of 13W at 50 km/h race common speeds.
- standard aerodynamic polycarbonate shell over EPS foam building
- Smoke-tinted polycarbonate lens/visor (VLT 22%): for sunny or barely overcast circumstances
- 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 measurement 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 straight from Ekoi.
For now, the helmet is available in only one broadly adjustable measurement (55-60cm) and in six colour choices. You get to select from a white or black important shell, with crimson, blue, or holographic silver racing stripes. After which it will get easy white or black Ekoi logos.
First raced eventually summer time’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.
