So I made the mistake of checking the safety rating of my Kask Valegro helmet after the news this week of the Virginia tech star rating being adjusted .
I am now shopping for a new helmet.
Of course I want it to do everything. Specifically.
Aero-ish.
Light-ish.
Safe (I.e. scoring well on said test in this case).
Well ventilated (I suffer a lot in heat)
White
Sunglasses port
Ability to attach a helmet light through one of the top vents (I find this an important thing on rides through the night)
Currently the two on my radar closest to this are the Poc Cytal, and the Sweet Protection Falconer Aero. I think they both do more or less all these things
Any comments on those two or suggestions for alternates would be very welcome
I think well of the Giro Aries - does all of the things you describe and is the most comfortable helmet I’ve owned. The only thing I can’t personally attest to would be fitting a light into a rear vent, but I’d be pretty confident in guessing that it’s possible.
I will second the Giro Aires. It’s very cool, it looks good on me personally (i at least don’t look like Toad), it’s very light weight, and I have personally tested its ranking in the VA tech safety rating multiple times and I’m still here.
You might be lucky and multiple brands fit your head, but for me i am limited to POC and Kask in the mainstream (still existing) brands. Knowing this might help limit down your choices?
I just got a sweet protection falconer and first impressions are very good. Comfortable (on my head), decent straps, looks good. Caveat is it literally arrived today and so I’ve used it exactly once, so my opinion may change over time.
I didn’t get the aero version, mostly to save a bit of money - but as it happens, CyclingNews just released a whole load of helmet wind tunnel test results, and they found the aero covers don’t make the slightest bit of difference (technically they tested the aero version with and without the covers, but as far as I can tell, the aero version without covers is basically identical to the non-aero version).
I also recently purchased the falconer (non-aero) and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. The fit is definitely different from the bontrager helmet I’m coming from, it’s much narrower. I live in a hotter part of the US and first impressions on ventilation are very good for the falconer. The sunglass storage is also top notch and the safety scores are excellent, though I’ve not personally tested that
I have the non-aero and aero versions of the sweet protection falconer. The aero version has has two fewer vents on the top of it.
While the aero covers might not improve aerodynamics, they are really nice when it is wet or cold out.
The aero version also has the magnetic buckle which is honestly pretty nice. You just need to get the two ends close to each other and it snaps into place.
It is easily my favorite helmet, fits my egg shaped head perfectly.
I’ve found that POC Cytal helmets don’t store Oakley sunglasses.
I’ve noticed more pro riders storing glasses on their back in jersey collars these days. I suspect this is a combination of fewer helmets storing glasses well and the desire to not block vents.
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