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.
The shield is kept secure with a magnetic anchor attachment and it can also be stored in a flipped-up position. There’s a new MIPS iteration that’s more comfortable than the original version and the helmet has a compact shape that fends off the weather without overheating. We found the fitting system to be effective and comfortable with a good amount of adjustability. Bell’s XR helmet is aimed at cyclists who like to ride both on and off-road and require a helmet to cover both terrains. We found the Protone to be one of the most comfortable helmets we’d ever tested, and indeed one of the lightest, beating the Giro Synthe by 20g (0.7oz).
Kask uses its Ergo Fit retention system, which allows wide vertical and circumference adjustment of the rear of the cradle, allowing two sizes to suit most head sizes, and there is a comfortable synthetic leather chin strap. Rather than an additional layer like MIPS, Kask uses the WG11 protocol to test its helmets for rotational impact protection. genesis bike For those going on gravel and long tours on their bike, a chromoly steel frame mountain bike might be something to look into. Being resistant to fatigue and easy to repair, these can handle long-term rides with a fair amount of weight. These bike frames are mainly available from custom frame builders and therefore have a large price tag.
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.
The cons of these cables, however, are that they’re exposed to environmental conditions, which makes them vulnerable to rust. They also tend to stretch with extended amounts of use and require constant adjustments to combat this. Because of these factors, for mountain biking, which involves lots of braking, mechanical disc brakes are only found on very entry level price points, with most mountain bikes relying on the superior performance of hydraulic disc brakes. You are going to be wearing the helmet a lot, potentially for many hours at a time, so it’s imperative that the fit suits your particular head shape, no matter what a review says.
Although we couldn’t test the aerodynamic qualities of this against other helmets, it did feel fast when putting our head down and throughout the test loops we did. Kask designed the Sintesi to be a single, mid-priced helmet that worked as well for recreational road cyclists, commuters and gravel riders. Fit adjustment is via a 360° nylon string retention, operated by a rear dial which is easy to adjust and very effective. To keep the weight to a minimum, there’s only a little adjustment on the straps, with a single slide adjuster on the chin buckle. We did find this a bit restrictive but appreciated that the helmet is offered in two widths, which helped us dial in the fit a little more. Despite its undeniable aero aesthetic, the Ballista can still be used as an everyday road helmet thanks to good ventilation and easy BOA adjustment.
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.
“It will be similar to what we do in Maydena, where the whole area will be under our lease and under our responsibility. So we’ll manage the trail development, the trail maintenance, and the general operation of the park, including safety management and putting on bike patrol,” he says. The key change going forward is that rather than splitting management between two entities to run the park day to day and then having more outside contractors come in to build new trails, Elevation Parks will be in charge of everything.
There’s a very deep, wide visor, so you get a really good view of the road and behind you as you ride and it curves in to hug the sides of your face. The pointy shape is pure time trial, so it won’t be much use on the Sunday club run, but it certainly looks fast. The MET Rivale MIPS combines aero and ventilation features for an all-road road helmet.