A long-term favourite with excellent all-round performance, Giro’s Aether definitely deserves consideration. It is light, airy and includes MIPS along with extra reinforcement in its construction. There are loads of colour options to choose from and it’s very comfortable to wear. However, recent technological advancements mean that many helmets offer extra systems that provide even greater protection. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), for example, is designed to prevent damage caused by oblique or glancing blows that rotate the skull around the brain.
Giro claims that the Eclipse is the fastest-ever aero helmet (non TT) – which we aren’t able to verify, although our tester did achieve his fastest-ever downhill speed and upped his average overall while wearing it. We found the helmet to be really comfortable, with an unrestrictive feel and fit. We also appreciated the little details, which are sometimes missing in other helmets – here the straps fit well without flapping and there’s space to insert your sunglasses in the front vents. A dedicated TT helmet, the Codatronca proved itself to be very comfortable in use with decent ventilation. This, coupled with the stubby aero design, makes it well-suited to sporting courses that entail changes of head and body position to cope with the hills and corners whilst remaining aerodynamic. There are wide price differences between helmets, so if you are operating on a budget, then visit our best budget bike helmets page, or if you commute regularly by bike then have a look at our best commuter bike helmets article.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind in Bright, but we managed to catch up with Dirt Art and Elevation Parks Director Simon French to find out more about their role in Mystic and what’s planned for the bike park. Once you’ve decided which bike is right for you, you’ll need to factor in the size. For every sized bike there are frame measurements that are important to evaluate for proper bike fit. Mechanical disc brakes use traditional cables and cable housing that are the same used for the older type of brakes, v-brakes. However, instead of having brake pads that squeeze the rim of the tire to slow you down when you pull the brake lever, the brake pads squeeze a metal rotor mounted to the hub of the wheel. These are easier to install, adjust and replace due to the high availability of cables.
The primary function of a cycling helmet is to protect your head – and all helmets will meet the minimum standards set out by the safety authority in the country of sale. Originally from The Netherlands, Anne-Marije started bike racing in her early twenties while living in Seattle, WA alongside working as a bike messenger. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle’s hilly streets on a steel single speed, her progression in the sport was a quick one.
It’s got a rather large price tag, but it’s well in keeping with the likes of the Giro Aerohead MIPS helmet, so seems about right. On test, we found that the Sintesi provided good airflow and kept our head cool, although the 13 vents don’t offer anywhere to perch a pair of glasses. Outride provides evidence-based cycling interventions to improve social, emotional, and cognitive health.
The next big question is “what’s your budget?” As we go deeper into the specifications such as frame material and size, wheel size, and brakes, it’s important to have your price range in the back of your mind. Hardtails have a rigid frame and a single suspension fork in the front, which creates a few inches of travel. These can come with 26”, 27.5” or 29” wheel size and are available with any frame material. It’s for this ‘EPS volume loss’ reason that most helmet manufacturers will also recommend replacing a road bike helmet every three to five years. If a helmet doesn’t fit properly then it will not do the job it is designed for. Helmets are often available in different sizes relating to the circumference of your head.
Also known as 650b wheels, these have developed as a happy medium between 29 and 26 inches. These have the fast acceleration and maneuverability known to the 26-inch but also tend to be a smoother ride going over bumps like the 29-inch, though not quite as smooth. That said, this stiffness can make for a rougher ride, as it lacks the absorbency that other frames provide. Due to the lack of a rear suspension system, these are generally lighter, more affordable, and easier to maintain. But a downside to this is that your legs act as the shock absorbers for the back wheel.
While there are slightly lighter helmets, such as the Kask Protone helmet, it was still an impressively low weight at just 269g (for a size small). With the invention of mountain bikes, thrill-seekers looked to conquer trails and other natural terrains. But now, with mountain biking being enjoyed by over 40 million Americans annually, it can be hard to figure out how to get into such a popular sport.
Mountain biking is an incredibly popular sport with a lot of subcategories and intricacies, including the types of mountain bikes available. A retention system is used to adjust genesis bicycles the fit of the helmet to your specific head size. The best road bike helmets can be operated with a single hand, which is useful for making slight adjustments on the move.