By using its Air Cage design, its been able to strip down the usual foam bridges to help increase ventilation by almost 25% when compared the Prevail 2. But despite the minimal look of the Air Cage, safety isn’t compromised. Essentially the cage design acts like a suspension bridge, distributing genesis bicycles the forces of an impact across the entire helmet. While seemingly superficial, anyone who has ridden with an aero lid will know the challenge of trying to stow sunglasses when they’re not on your face. The fully wrapped EPS POC Ventral SPIN however includes sunglass grippers.
With the competition so hot, the drive to create the best road helmet, best commuting helmet, or best aero helmet for racing is constantly pushing innovation. In collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we have rated bike helmets using the STAR evaluation system. Our impact tests evaluate a helmet’s ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head resulting from a range of head impacts a cyclist might experience.
There’s also a 10 gram weight, saving to be had on a like for like size, with the brand putting this weight saving is down to the Helios Spherical helmet having less technical ventilation structure than the Aether. Personally found it a barely noticeable difference having ridden both helmets, with the two equally as comfortable. It has Smith’s VaporFit retention system, which can be adjusted vertically and horizontally to allow for a snuggly fit for all head shapes, which is a rare feature especially in aero focused helmet options. Its large air ports mean that it also doesn’t take the usual guise of an aero helmet, which tend to have a more solid appearance. The POC Ventral SPIN helmet could probably sit in a few of the best road bike helmet categories due to its crossover credentials. The semi-aero lid did suffer a little with breathability however, and while the ventilation was very good, on the hottest of riding days it could have done with the ability to suck even more cool air in.
The MET Rivale MIPS combines aerodynamics with good ventilation and a low weight for a great all-rounder package. Online selling fees, listing creation, disassembly, packing, shipping time and cost, insurance, price negotiation, time investment, return management, tire kickers, low-ball offers. Item may not have original parts, parts included may be damaged and non-functional. In terms of drivetrain, the Liv Tempt 4 is a 2×7 drivetrain with relatively fewer speed options. In addition, the relatively narrow tires of the Huffy Marker Women’s Mountain Bike 26×2.13″ performed better on flat trails, but were more difficult to control on wet, muddy terrain.
The inner shell extends further down the back of the head than regular road lids, something which gravel riders will appreciate. The Prevail 3 also uses MIPS AirNode, which integrates the MIPS system, designed to protect against rotational forces during a crash, directly into the helmet padding. The result is not only a reduction in weight but also an aid to improved ventilation, as the air has one less layer to move through. Specialized’s updated S-Works Prevail 3 helmet is designed to be both airer and safer than the outgoing model. Given that the previous Prevail was the US brand’s most heavily vented lid, it was quite the challenge. However, after riding the helmet, we believe that Specialized has succeeded.
Packaged in a really sleek looking design, with lots of colours to choose from, it’s really easy to wear for any style of riding making it all-round the best road bike helmet out there. During the review period, we found this helmet to be exceptional in its ventilation ability and at the cutting edge for safety features. 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 its steel frame and carbon fork, asymmetrical chainstays and 650b wheels with gargantuan 50c tyres, it’s perfect if you want a bike that will take you anywhere, but don’t want a mountain bike. The Croix de Fer is probably Genesis’ flagship bike, much loved by adventurers and commuters alike. It’s the ultimate all-round all-terrain machine, with a hardy steel frameset, disc brakes, relaxed geometry and mounts for all the additional fittings you might need.