Aeroscreen - what's the appeal?
Discussion
I have tried my aero (RiF carbon) for a few weeks and not sure I get on with it. I am 5'9" and struggle with not being able to see the nearside wheel so cannot place the car as accurately as with a screen. Also, rear visibility is terrible (racetech mirrors) and I am not sure I can react as quickly as I would need to in an emergency situation.
I wear a full face helmet as I am conscious of flying debris but even with sunglasses at speeds up to 50mph, the lack of visibility hampers my confidence.
Am I alone? If so, what do I need to do? Would love to enjoy the aero experience as much as the full screen but I am not yet a convert...
I wear a full face helmet as I am conscious of flying debris but even with sunglasses at speeds up to 50mph, the lack of visibility hampers my confidence.
Am I alone? If so, what do I need to do? Would love to enjoy the aero experience as much as the full screen but I am not yet a convert...
Si, I loved it so much, I sold my windscreen and doors! That was 18 months ago now and I even took the heater out last month in preparation for the winter 
Seriously though, do you have lowered floors? My experience is slightly different to you in that although I'm also 5'9", I have the CC carbon aeroscreen which I believe is shallower than the RiF one. If you also have lowered floors I can understand why you can't see the nearside wheel. I can see my wheel fine and also having the CC mirrors rear visibility is good too. I have no experience with the Racetech ones though to compare.
Lastly, I also wear a lid in the winter but in the Summer I stick to some Dixon Tac 3 impact resistant sunglasses and a cap. Although I don't have any issues with the helmet visibility, the Dixons open everything up really nicely.
Have a look in my profile to see the aeroscreen on the car, it might be obvious if it's shallower than your RiF one.
Seriously though, do you have lowered floors? My experience is slightly different to you in that although I'm also 5'9", I have the CC carbon aeroscreen which I believe is shallower than the RiF one. If you also have lowered floors I can understand why you can't see the nearside wheel. I can see my wheel fine and also having the CC mirrors rear visibility is good too. I have no experience with the Racetech ones though to compare.
Lastly, I also wear a lid in the winter but in the Summer I stick to some Dixon Tac 3 impact resistant sunglasses and a cap. Although I don't have any issues with the helmet visibility, the Dixons open everything up really nicely.
Have a look in my profile to see the aeroscreen on the car, it might be obvious if it's shallower than your RiF one.
I don't have an Aeroscreen but I'm considering one for trackdays.
Have you thought about getting a clear one from Meteor?
http://www.meteormotorsport.com/caterham/caterham-...
That was my plan if I got one!
Have you thought about getting a clear one from Meteor?
http://www.meteormotorsport.com/caterham/caterham-...
That was my plan if I got one!
Not sure if it helps, but I have a screenless BEC - Fisher Fury.
I do use Dixon TEPS or other another ballistic-rated set of glasses for eye protection (and also, always, ear plugs; helps concentration enormously/against wind noise). I have a helmet - open-face, I really, really don't like the restricted visibility of fullface ones. That said I only really use the helmet in the cold or when expecting the possibility of rain - otherwise, mostly, in 3yrs+ / 11000miles, I've really not been hit by anything bigger/much harder than a bee (either of which really does smart above 40mph!)
For the openness, sensory involvement and road placement as a driver - no I don't miss a screen at all.
I do use Dixon TEPS or other another ballistic-rated set of glasses for eye protection (and also, always, ear plugs; helps concentration enormously/against wind noise). I have a helmet - open-face, I really, really don't like the restricted visibility of fullface ones. That said I only really use the helmet in the cold or when expecting the possibility of rain - otherwise, mostly, in 3yrs+ / 11000miles, I've really not been hit by anything bigger/much harder than a bee (either of which really does smart above 40mph!)
For the openness, sensory involvement and road placement as a driver - no I don't miss a screen at all.
As long as you are by yourself on the twisty stuff an aeroscreen or brooklands increases your 'speed' by at least 50% - this increase is negated if you look at your speedo though. I found I was having way more fun at the same speed or the same amount as previously but at a lower speed. On public roads sometimes investing in the perception of speed is much safer....
I have both but now only use the aero for track use , strange as my previous cars over the last 10 years I have never bothered with a windscreen and have always run aeroscreen , must be getting old or soft but now I much prefer being able to hold a conversation with swmbo while we are out driving ,so my car 95% of the time runs with doors and screen and dare I admit it a heater .
Thanks all. Grenpayne, I think you could be right, the Rif does look taller. Car is standard floored but maybe I have a smaller body than most! I have seen the clear aero but not sure I want to invest unless I will definitely get on with it. As the car gets used a lot on road, I dont particularly want to be hit in the face by a stone at motorway speeds hence the full face helmet...
I may take the aero off completely and see how it feels at low speed before I make a final decision...
I may take the aero off completely and see how it feels at low speed before I make a final decision...
IMHO -
For Road use - Windscreen is the way to go. Safer, better road vis, can put the roof up if needed, no need to put on a helmet etc.
For Track use - Aero is the way to go. It's miles faster round the lap without that huge wind brake at the front. I don't find vis a problem on track.
Right answer - both! I can covert from Aero to Windscreen and vice versa on my own and in a few minutes. Sometimes, I head to the track with my windscreen and convert to aero when I get there. If the weather is going to be great, I'll go aero from my garage to track as well.
For Road use - Windscreen is the way to go. Safer, better road vis, can put the roof up if needed, no need to put on a helmet etc.
For Track use - Aero is the way to go. It's miles faster round the lap without that huge wind brake at the front. I don't find vis a problem on track.
Right answer - both! I can covert from Aero to Windscreen and vice versa on my own and in a few minutes. Sometimes, I head to the track with my windscreen and convert to aero when I get there. If the weather is going to be great, I'll go aero from my garage to track as well.
subirg said:
IMHO -
For Road use - Windscreen is the way to go. Safer, better road vis, can put the roof up if needed, no need to put on a helmet etc.
For Track use - Aero is the way to go. It's miles faster round the lap without that huge wind brake at the front. I don't find vis a problem on track.
Right answer - both! I can covert from Aero to Windscreen and vice versa on my own and in a few minutes. Sometimes, I head to the track with my windscreen and convert to aero when I get there. If the weather is going to be great, I'll go aero from my garage to track as well.
This is my approach too For Road use - Windscreen is the way to go. Safer, better road vis, can put the roof up if needed, no need to put on a helmet etc.
For Track use - Aero is the way to go. It's miles faster round the lap without that huge wind brake at the front. I don't find vis a problem on track.
Right answer - both! I can covert from Aero to Windscreen and vice versa on my own and in a few minutes. Sometimes, I head to the track with my windscreen and convert to aero when I get there. If the weather is going to be great, I'll go aero from my garage to track as well.
I've been aero'd up (with Brooklands) for the last 12 years and 60,000 miles, blatting and touring, and fortunately not experienced any problems.
Decent googles (ballistic-rated) and a beanie (if cold) and baseball cap if wet with decent waterproofs. Personally I think the Brooklands offer that little extra as most stuff just gets diverted over the roll bar and you have a clear sight line along the bonnet.
Yes, we've been hit by the odd heavier insects like bees, but that's only ever been on the forehead and occassionaly get 'shot-blasted' by small bits of grit but you learn not to follow another 7 on sticky tyres too closely and you stay well back from lorries etc.
As for the weather, you'll stay a lot cooler in the summer even in the extreme heat of last month. Different proposition with rain though.... but decent weather gear and you'll be fine, oh and some half-doors.
I know it's not everybody's cup of tea for a variety of reasons. Personally I find being in a 7 with doors and windscreen does not help visibility and actually feels rather cramped.
Also, we're still able to talk to each other with the ER-20 earplugs albeit with slighty raided voices.
Just my 2p worth and each to their own etc.....
Decent googles (ballistic-rated) and a beanie (if cold) and baseball cap if wet with decent waterproofs. Personally I think the Brooklands offer that little extra as most stuff just gets diverted over the roll bar and you have a clear sight line along the bonnet.
Yes, we've been hit by the odd heavier insects like bees, but that's only ever been on the forehead and occassionaly get 'shot-blasted' by small bits of grit but you learn not to follow another 7 on sticky tyres too closely and you stay well back from lorries etc.
As for the weather, you'll stay a lot cooler in the summer even in the extreme heat of last month. Different proposition with rain though.... but decent weather gear and you'll be fine, oh and some half-doors.
I know it's not everybody's cup of tea for a variety of reasons. Personally I find being in a 7 with doors and windscreen does not help visibility and actually feels rather cramped.
Also, we're still able to talk to each other with the ER-20 earplugs albeit with slighty raided voices.
Just my 2p worth and each to their own etc.....
I've been using Aeros (Brooklands) for many, many years - and love them, and have never had a problem of any sort.
More info HERE
And a video in action HERE
I only ever use sunglasses for eye protection (clear lenses at night), and beanie/buff when cold/raining.
Never use a bash hat on the road as a) you lose touch with your surroundings, and b) looks real
to me! (personal view before anyone complains!)
More info HERE
And a video in action HERE
I only ever use sunglasses for eye protection (clear lenses at night), and beanie/buff when cold/raining.
Never use a bash hat on the road as a) you lose touch with your surroundings, and b) looks real
to me! (personal view before anyone complains!)If you drive a Se7en with a full screen but no doors, at 30mph it feels like someone is repeatedly slapping you in the face!
Add the doors and suddenly it is far too claustrophobic, just horrible.
Hence the aeroscreen - no buffeting and plenty of elbow room!
I used to be a biker so I am perfectly happy wearing a full face lid. Much better than looking like a twunt with your goggles, muffs, buffs and beanies!
Add the doors and suddenly it is far too claustrophobic, just horrible.
Hence the aeroscreen - no buffeting and plenty of elbow room!
I used to be a biker so I am perfectly happy wearing a full face lid. Much better than looking like a twunt with your goggles, muffs, buffs and beanies!
I had a RIF aeroscreen and had to change it because of the same problem with seeing the front wheels. It was the best aeroscreen for deflecting the wind though. I am 6'2" but I have a lowered floor. I now have the caterham aeroscreen and it doesn't deflect the wind quite as well but its the right height for visibility.
I had a RIF aeroscreen and had to change it because of the same problem with seeing the front wheels. It was the best aeroscreen for deflecting the wind though. I am 6'2" but I have a lowered floor. I now have the caterham aeroscreen and it doesn't deflect the wind quite as well but its the right height for visibility.
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