Helmet ventilation

[stormi]

OK,.. so we all want a helmet that breathes that we don't suffocate in.  How's this for a switch?

My Zox helmet breathes a little too much.  When I left for work today, I had two contacts.  When I arrived, I had one.  During the ride, my eyes were watering like my dog's when he sticks his head out the window on the highway.  I like ventilation as much as the next person, but at +8C (allegedly) it's a little chilly in there.

Any suggestions on how to "fix" this?  I'd rather not buy a new helmet yet, I've only had this one about 8 months, and almost none of that was riding time.   Of note is that I don't remember this bein a particular problem last year, so I'm thinking something else has changed ( and yes, I've checked that all of the vents are closed.)

[Old_n_Slow]

I don't know from Zox, but my guess is your getting wind blasts from under the chin bar area, possibly from a stuffed collar or scarf you've added for colder weather riding. My Shoeis have a chin curtain to close off this area, designed mostly to cut down noise, but it also stops the "air bleeds" that usually tickle your nose to distraction. If you don't have one for the Zox, it's easy to make your own.

[Pidgey]

Consider the Proline Windjammer, I use one in the coldest part of the season, (which so far has been the whole season) helps keep drafts out and the neck and chin a bit warmer.

http://www.proline-sports.co.uk/acatalog/UK_Wind_jammer_21.html

[Vidrazor]

Duct tape. 

[pmackie]

My HJC FG-12 came with a chin dam as well. Works REALLY well in the cold weather, but causes a little more fogging on the glasses as well.

There was a discussion here on the board last year about an aftermarket system that some liked, IIRC...

[stormi]

You know,.. it occurs to me that my chin flapper thing is missing.  I lost it this weekend after a particularly bad day with the 919 (manifesting intermittent "battery" issues, and me with nothing but gravelly roads for blocks.)  I will see if Joe can order me another one.  I had no idea it would do so much, I thought it was just a hindrance for being able to scratch my nose when it invariably gets itchy when I ride. 

[PitterB4]

I've always thought that windjammer thing looked like a good idea.  I've had that problem too.  A lot actually. I recently switched contact brands....  and the problem totally went away.  FWIW, I'm wearing Acuvu Oasys

[stormi]

Duct tape. 

You know,.. you're the 3rd person today to suggest that.    It's tempting.  But wouldn't you think that if I duct taped the contacts in, that my visibility might be worse for it?

[stormi]

Consider the Proline Windjammer, I use one in the coldest part of the season, (which so far has been the whole season) helps keep drafts out and the neck and chin a bit warmer.

http://www.proline-sports.co.uk/acatalog/UK_Wind_jammer_21.html

Where did you get yours at?  (since you're in alberta.)

[stormi]

I've always thought that windjammer thing looked like a good idea.  I've had that problem too.  A lot actually. I recently switched contact brands....  and the problem totally went away.  FWIW, I'm wearing Acuvu Oasys

Well, I couldn't remember what I was wearing, so I went and found the packages ( since I obviously need one now anyway )

The left eye,... the "suddenly nekkid" one is a Frequency 55 from CooperVision, and the still clad eye was wearing a Ocufilcon D Versaflex UV Toric lens, for astigmatism.  Maybe my slightly square eyeball was all that was keeping it in? 

Both eyes had tears streaming all the way to my chin, so perhaps it was luck that I didn't lose the right one.  I rode home with the right eye half closed, just in case. 

So on that note:

What do you all do so you have good vision when you ride?  Contacts and sunglasses?  prescription glasses?  prescription sunglasses?

What sort of glasses?  light bendable frame? ridgid frame?  I'm going to have to get a new pair of glasses if I'm going to be launching contacts, I might as well get some that actually work with a helmet. The last pair, one of those pairs with no screws, and you can practically tie them in knots?  No good in a helmet.  Half the time they're sitting 30 degrees off level in my helmet, and I'm trying not to hurl in my helmet, from the skewed vision.

[Vidrazor]

>>What sort of glasses?  light bendable frame? ridgid frame?<<

While I don't wear prescriptions, I do use sunglasses, and wire-frame types are about the only thing I can imagine will feel comfortable with a full face helmet. Anything larger will either feel constricted or will eventually create a "hole, where they venture in towards your ears.

O.T.: Eyeglass frame are the biggest racket going. It's unbelievable the kinds of prices charged for a piece of plastic or metal. Total scam. It amazes me that the prescription itself costs less than the damn frames.

Back to your issue, have you considered a windshield on the bike? If you have a small one, they don't really do jack, IMHO. I use a windshield proper, a National Cycle Plexistar II:



That will definitely keep the wind off you. Helps in cold and wet weather too. Protects you also from debris (like pebbles and rocks) all the way out to your hands. Comes off in a jiffy too, in case you want the "wind in your contacts" feel. 

Just a thought. 

[Barbarian]

Two years ago I picked up a pair of prescription sunglasses (RayBans), and wondered why the *(&^)@@ I hadn't done it a decade or two ago. I always used to rely on clip-on sunglasses, but never again.

My glasses are plastic fronts with metal arms -- not what I'd call wire frames though. More chunky NYC sophisticate :)

Whenever I check out new helmets, I always make sure they can accommodate my glasses -- which is why I don't wear Shark helmets.

[Pidgey]

Consider the Proline Windjammer, I use one in the coldest part of the season, (which so far has been the whole season) helps keep drafts out and the neck and chin a bit warmer.

http://www.proline-sports.co.uk/acatalog/UK_Wind_jammer_21.html

Where did you get yours at?  (since you're in alberta.)

Ordered it online, it took about 2 weeks to come from the U.K.

[andrewsw]

My prescription glasses are fairly chunky plastic-framed Ray-Bans with transitions (color-changing) lenses. They are awesome. I was a little worried about the transitions being a nuisance, but they work great. They darken up fairly quickly, but behind the face shield, it's slowed down a little bit. I never even notice the transition and now only need the one pair of glasses.

When I bought them (upgrading from 10 yr old crappy wireframes) I brought my helmet to the shop with me. After my wife and I narrowed down the choices, I tried them all with my helmet. The thicker frames are great, very stable in the helmet. They do impair my peripheral just a bit, but it's really only an issue in a serious head-turning, look over your shoulder situation.

[pmackie]

I wear presciption glasses, using "Flexon" type wire frames and have no issues with them fitting inside my HJC FG-12, CL-15 or CS-12 helmets.

BUT...my latest frames, the ones my wife liked, are shallower top to bottom, in the latest style. ie only about 3.5 cm high. I have found that this is TOO NARROW. On the bandit, I have a slight forward lean angle, and I'm trying to look through the top of the frames.

SO... I have to ride with my old Flexon wire frames, with are closer to 4.5 cm high.

If you getting glasses, think about how you will be sitting on the bike, and make sure you get lens that are big enough.