If you look at road bike helmets and mountain bike helmets, you will notice a distinct difference between them: lack of visors on road bike helmets. So, why don’t road bike helmets have visors?
Road bike helmets don’t have visors because they create drag, slowing you down. Road cyclists strive to be aerodynamic to minimize drag in order to go faster; that’s why road bike helmets are made without visors. Visors also block your traffic view, making you susceptible to road accidents.
Road biking is speed-oriented, and so you need to ensure your bike and what you wear helps you cycle fast. This is why it is vital to comprehend why you don’ need visors on your road bike helmet.
Why Don’t Road Bike Helmets Have Visors? Visors vs Road Biking
As mentioned, a visor will create drag and slows you down, deterring your efforts of going fast on your road bike. It also blocks your field of vision, which can be detrimental since you share the road with other people.
Although road bike helmets don’t require visors, remember, they are essential for mountain bike helmets.
With that said, let us explore these reasons further.
1. Visors Generate Drag
Cyclists who love road biking enjoy riding from one location to another fast and using the shortest time achievable.
Aerodynamics are fundamental to achieve high speeds on your road bike; that’s why road bikes are designed to minimize air resistance.
Road bikers also work to make themselves highly sleek by wearing an aerodynamic helmet, tight shorts and shirts, and even positioning themselves tight and low. Road bike helmets are made to be as aerodynamic and sleek as possible to minimize drag.
You typically need to go aero when riding a road bike, so your clothing and accessories are critical.
Triathlon and time-trial road bikes helmets are even more aerodynamic than a standard road bicycle helmet.
This is because the helmet’s back is extended into a tail to get rid of the gap between the helmet’s back and your upper back and neck curve when you assume the aero riding position.
This attests to the importance of aerodynamics in road bike helmets and explains why they don’t typically have visors.
Limiting your obstacles puts you in a better position to achieve high speeds, especially since roads present many unavoidable obstacles, including cars, pedestrians, trucks, and wildlife.
With a lot working against you, don’t create more obstacles by using a helmet with a visor.
It would be best if you had a helmet made to mimic the shape of your head to let the airflow over and up the helmet, decreasing drag.
An excellent example of such a helmet is the BASE CAMP Bike Helmet, Road Bike Helmet that is aerodynamic, super ventilated, comfortable, strong, lightweight, and highly adjustable.
2.Visors Block Your Field Of View
Since you are not the only road user, you must be careful when road biking. You may have cars, trucks, or other pedestrians ahead, behind, or beside you, vehicles changing lanes, and even animals crossing the street.
You must be aware of your surroundings, anticipate what drivers will do, and make the right decisions for your safety and other road users. Despite going forward, you must pay attention to what is behind and the sides.
Getting a clear look at the road is vital because it allows you to make quick, intelligent decisions. However, since visors stick out of your helmet, they impede your ability to get a clear view of the road, preventing you from getting a long look.
A visor is beneficial when you don’t have to be aerodynamic or ride fast, which isn’t the case in road biking.
Visors protect your eyes from sun glare, provides a shade for your face, prevents sunburns, shields your face from tree branches, rocks, and weather elements, and safeguards your face from crushes.
You can protect your eyes from the sun when riding a road bike by wearing sunglasses, particularly those made to be aerodynamic. Cycling sunglasses mimic your face’s curve and offer a large visual field.
While a road bike helmet is better off without a visor, if using it makes sense for your riding style, SUNRIMOON Adult Bike Helmet is worth considering. It has adjustable sizing, magnetic goggles, a detachable visor, and it’s cool and comfortable.
Can You Add A Visor To A Road Bike Helmet?
Visors are mainly associated with mountain biking, but you can attach a visor to your road bike helmet. Your don’t have to purchase a new helmet with a visor when you have a road helmet in excellent condition, especially since bike helmet prices can be quite high.
Find a visor, ensuring it is compatible with your helmet to make sure it fits it correctly. Using epoxy, you can attach the visor with Velcro or get snap buttons to install on your road bike helmet.
Make sure the snaps’ dimensions suit the visor model you got. These snaps are easily accessible at your local stores or online.
Some road bikers prefer to use them because they protect your eyes and face from sunlight, wind, rain, flying debris, among other things present in the air.
A visor will work for you if you are not keen on going very fast, looking for the protection provided by visors, or prefer them to caps, goggles, or sunglasses. In addition, ensure the obstruction of vision does not affect your ability to navigate the road.
FAQs
1. Why Do Road Helmets Not Have Visors?
Road bikes do not have visors because they slow the rider by creating drag since they are not aerodynamic. They also compromise your vision in a critical surrounding where you are surrounded by automobiles, pedestrians, and even animals moving in various directions.
In fact, visors on road bike helmets may pose risks rather than being beneficial. Bike helmet visors work against your goals of being aerodynamic, riding fast, and staying safe on the road.
2. Do Road Bike Helmets Have Visors?
Road bike helmets do not typically have visors because they make the rider less aerodynamic, slowing them down. They also make it challenging to see what is on the road, like other road users and obstacles.
However, you can attach a visor to your road bike helmet if you want.
Final Take On Why Don’t Road Bike Helmets Have Visors?
Road bike helmets are usually designed without visors because these accessories compromise your performance and safety, which are fundamental in cycling.
Therefore, visors aren’t necessary on the open road; they are, in reality, a liability.
While visors offer the much-needed protection against the sun glare, the cost of this protection is the slowed riding speed. However, don’t forgo wearing your helmet entirely because your safety on the road depends on it.
Also Read: