helmet and aero screen?

[james2009]

wanting a bit of advice, is it the done thing/needed for road use to use a full face helmet with an aero screen, looking at my first caterham and would prefer it to have an aero screen, i know they can be swapped with a full screen, but i just want to see what other owners do.

many thanks

James

[Sam_68]

I wear a helmet for long trips (mainly to avoid deafness) and in cold weather, just goggles the rest of the time.

Depends how much of a wuss you are, though - you do get the occasional bumble bee or stone thrown up that smarts a bit if you're only wearing goggles.

[samurikid]

Dont wear a helmet now, but in the past used to wear a full face helmet and then pretend to take a phone call - watch your mirrors when you do that - quite funny - but drive for 2 hours and look at the rubbish that is on it, and think of your hair, I mean - You're worth it!

[Sam_68]

samurikid said:

...drive for 2 hours and look at the rubbish that is on it, and think of your hair, I mean - You're worth it!

That's a fair point. I've got very short-cropped hair so I'm ok, but split ends aside, if you've got longer hair wasps can get tangled in it, and if they do so at 70 mph they tend to get a bit pissed off...

[Murph7355]

I wear a full face helmet.

Doesn't matter how much people tell me they're not needed, it would only take one stone making it through the airflow to seriously ruin my views of my car or worse.

The amount of times my screen used to take stones has turned me into a "wuss" evidently

[james2009]

thanks for the advice, it kind of confirmed my thoughts. i am going to have a look at an ex academy car at caterham south in the next few days and if i go for it would be removing the full cage and fitting an aero screen when it all warms up a bit, any advice on the ex academy cars, seems low mileage at 3000 and i have been assured that body work is all a ok and that mechanically it is 100%

http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/preowned/pre...

any ideas what the squre plate is in the second picture in the passenger foot well is for/covering up?

thanks again

James

Edited by james2009 on Thursday 1st January 23:00

[peter-2006]

thats lead to bring it up to the min. weight for the race regs.

[Vladimir]

Aeroscreens are ace, I use a lid when going on a 'journey' taking in motorways etc or if I want to be naughty and travel really quickley. Love going out with just eyewear though, really adds to the overall experience - wasps/bee's/flies etc really do hurst when hit at speed though.

The Academy car looks great - would be an ace introduction to the marque.! Good luck.

[casbar]

I've got Brooklands screens which offer slightly more protection than the aero. But generally, just wear goggles or Wileys with impact resistant glass in. Unless its cold or raining then its helmet time.

I do have intercom, so if wearing helmet can listen to music etc, but generally only use car on the track these days

[james2009]

thanks for the help on this, i have been lurking on the forum for a while but getting closer to purchase so i was after a bit of advice, it seems like a really good community on here.

thanks again

James

[Murph7355]

tbh if you're aiming to fit an aeroscreen, I'd leave the roll cage on. Makes the car much, much stiffer (which is good) and much, much safer (also good).

A 120bhp K-series with a 5spd (if the gearbox is unmodified) won't seem that quick though IMO. Not sure on pricing, but would imagine you could get a more "suitable" car for that sort of money, even if it's a bit older (something like an SL perhaps).

[casbar]

If like Murph suggests you get a car with a roll cage, then I would wear a helmet on the road, lots more metal to bang your head on. Although much safer.

[fergus]

Murph7355 said:

I'd leave the roll cage on. Makes the car much, much stiffer (which is good) and much, much safer (also good).

You'd be surprised at the relatively large lack of stiffness of the cars w/o a cage. Phil Squance at Caged showed me his FEA package's analysis of a pre-MIG chassis w/ and w/o a cage. You'd be stunned at the difference in the torsional and longitudinal planes....

[Murph7355]

fergus said:

...You'd be stunned at the difference in the torsional and longitudinal planes....

Indeed.

You can actually feel it in the car very clearly - and that despite the std car feeling quite stiff.

[james2009]

so keep the full cage on then? wont it be a little odd with the aero screen, i just want the car for road use so was still going to have a roll bar but not the full cage as it seemed a little OTT, you guys know a lot better than me though.

James

[Murph7355]

james2009 said:

...but not the full cage as it seemed a little OTT...

OTT? In a 7? Not possible

Edited by Murph7355 on Friday 2nd January 22:35

[Krismuss]

I bought my first CAT this summer and it came with a full cage & aeroscreen (exactly s Murph's above) which I didn't want and was convinced my first project would be to strip it off & fit a screen & weather gear.

However, I was surprised how secure you feel with the full cage and the aeroscreen does a great job of deflecting air too. Usual 'get up' is a set of Wileys (essential) and a beanie hat and with the colder weather a scarf or snood too, though a near zero degree blat last week inc. 20 miles or so on the M25 was probably too much (not much skin left on my nose!).

I do wonder weather I'd prefer a more sensible arrangement (i.e. screen, weather gear & heater) but for the time being I'm having great fun as it is and can't wait till it warms up a bit.

Chris

[james2009]

murph, that looks fantsatic, i geuss there is so much personalisation that you can have with 7s i was struggling to visualise what it would look like with that set up.

cant wait till monday!

james

[jimmyslr]

Mine looks v similar to Murph's, albeit a slightly less bright hue in a silver. Cages and aero are great combo. I always, always wear a crash hat these days. I have been clouted a number of times by grit, wildlife, rain drops, hail... It hurts a lot and some of the hits the helmet has taken made me very glad I was wearing it.

[Matt W]

James,

See the photo below of an ex academy car with cage and aero:



I think I've seen the car that you are going to look at. If I remember rightly there was some damage down by the lower wishbone at the front, possibly on both sides. I may thinking of the wrong car but just have a look - if it is the one I'm thinking of it will be quite obvious. It's not necessarily an issue but might warrant a question or two.