I’ve been considering buying a Kav Rhoan. The idea of a helmet made specifically for one’s head is compelling, and seems like the benefits to safety and aero could be more than marketing fluff. Also from a value perspective, it comes in less expensive than the higher end Kask and POC models that seem to be everywhere.
However, I’ve not seen any on the road, and it seems there’s really not been any reviews or content made around the new Rhoan model.
I’m curious to hear about anyone’s opinions and experience with KAV, and specifically the new Rhoan model.
Styling has improved significantly over the previous gen ones I’ve owned by being slimmer it seems and with color contrast options (Portola and the one before that
Weight seems to be reducing as well. Previous gens were heavy.
I bought one 7/4. Still hasn’t arrived yet. I can update when I get it, but not sure when that will be. I think they’re transitioning their print shop from CA to NY or something like that.
I’m likely to get one. However, I have to point out that they don’t have any track record of aero products. Perhaps they generally copied the silhouette of the Evade?
I sit in between two sizes - I usually take a medium, but I have to cut the straps very short. Smalls are just a bit too small. It’s likely I’d benefit from a Kav because they’d be able to make me a smaller helmet than my current medium Evade.
I also bought one recently, 7/15. Received a fit cap too, used it to adjust the printed cap a bit and sent revisions back to KAV.
I had looked into these helmets before, but the review by James Huang gave me the confidence to order one. And now seeing behind the curtain on his Substack makes me feel even better about getting one.
I’ve worn Poc helmets for years but their inclusion of MIPS (from their proprietary SPIN) has changed the fit to the point where I can’t really wear them anymore. Thus the KAV.
I understand that they don’t have any specific published aero claims, but it makes sense to me that if both the inner and outer of the helmet are specifically printed to minimize the amount of frontal area required to pass a given safety standard, it should also mean that the aerodynamic performance is a relative improvement over an off the shelf helmet that may be bulkier.
I was somewhat surprised to learn that it’s very common amongst pros for them to wear helmets that have been modified to allow the use of a smaller helmet for improved aerodynamics, or to make the helmet more comfortable that they would otherwise not get along well with. Coming from the world of motorsports, the idea of taking a dremel to the EPS liner of a helmet is unthinkable.
I live in the same City as their California facility and I see lots of KAV helmets on the road. I have one of their early models before the technology to scan your head with your phone. I sat down in their lobby while someone took measurements. I was planning on getting the Rhoan but the reason I haven’t has nothing to do with aero performance. I can’t decide on a color scheme! It’s a double-edged sword being able to choose colors for each panel because indecisive people like me can never pull the trigger.
I ordered mine early September, they told me mid Oct. Nothing yet.
While I’m still excited about the end product, and really like what they’re doing in the market - the overall customer experience / fulfillment process is very opaque. Given that this is a premium product, I expected a lot more by way of overall communication, solid expectations, updates, etc.
Kav - once you have what sounds like your production stuff squared away, I’d offer that it’s time to bring your customer service levels up a notch.
I received mine about a week ago, and have used it 2-3 times. Firstly, regarding KAV, I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt. They got a lot of media, then they got a lot of orders, and they stood up a new factory in a different state (is my understanding). So I think they’re putting all their resources into getting production up, orders out the door, and haven’t done a good job commuicating as a result. I’d like to think that’ll get squared away in the coming months.
A few points after a few uses:
My current helmet is a Specialized Prevail 3. This Rhoan is about 55 g heavier on my scale. It’s noticeable, but not a big deal.
I was shocked to find that only 3 things on the whole product are not 3D printed: the fabric strap, the buckle and part of the knob mechanism in the back. The latter two seem to be off-the-shelf injection molded plastic parts. Everything else is 3D printed, including the “pads”, which is super cool. They basically print, using flexible filament, fabric-like panels. They then glue those inside, but since they have no stretch they almost work like springs to provide the right amount of float of the helmet off your head. Works really well.
One exception, the only thing I don’t like so far, is the front “pad”. It is uncomfortable and doesn’t do anything with sweat. It kind of feels like a “Chinese finger trap” on your forehead…when you slide the helmet on it feels fine, even a little soft and springy. But then when you pull up on the helmet, or simply slide it around a little to get it in the right position, it locks against your forehead and digs in. It kinda hurts, but it’s only while you are first putting it on and sliding it around to get the right position. So overall, I’d classify that an annoyance, and something they can (and surely will) improve on.
The other issue is sweat. It’s been 59-62 deg F on my few rides, so definitely cool, and I’ve only been out about an hour each ride. I’ve been getting a few drips of sweat onto my sunglasses, which drives me crazy! With a “normal” helmet, that only happens when temps are in the 90s or higher, and I’m riding for a long time; i.e. normal fabric pads absorb the sweat and dry it, so it’s not an issue. With the Rhoan, I’m definitely nervous for summer next year. This could be a deal breaker if I constantly have sweat running into my eyes/sunglasses. (And I have zero interest in any sort of headband or similar item I have to wear on my head.)
Let me know if anyone has any specific questions, wants pictures, etc.
Appreciate the fu post here. You’re right regarding some leniency during their growth. All sounds pretty good, tho I worry about that sweat situation - I’m bib shorts and ss jersey down to 55… Could you glue a reg pad in for absorb?
I would think so. I may try that. They design the custom sizing with some flexibility, so there’s room for a skull cap or something. I’ve certainly got plenty of spare pads from other helmets lying around.
In reading this article, there was a recommendation of this product to solve exactly this issue with the Spec Evade 3 helmet… I might try it if I have this issue with my upcoming Kav.
This review on amazon has a valid point: “the correct position to divert sweat will interfere with your helmet and to get it out of the way of your helmet will interfere with your cycling glasses or be too low.” I’m not optimistic…
I’m sorry, but I’m adding more commentary here in addition to my discussion with Dave below. Again, I ordered early September, and they said I’d have my helmet in mid October.
I started emailing them on September 10 to check on status and see if expediting could happen. They were pretty responsive at first with the note that the print queue couldn’t handle expediting, but could do expedited shipping. Email communications 9/15 to 9/18, after my initial 9/10 email.
I emailed again on 10/20, as there had been nothing by way of updates. No response, emailed again 10/29 saying ‘hey, I dropped 3 bills here…’ Just received a response today 10/30 saying that my helmet was moving up the queue and expected to ship out in approximately 3 weeks, with the note “I apologize that we were slightly off target with the ETA - it’s been a learning curve understanding production delays.” We’re pretty much double the original timeline with this.
As I stated elsewhere here - this has all been very opaque, and therefore pretty frustrating. I ran a custom design & manufacturing firm (artaic.com), and now a creative services agency (proportiondesign.com). From this experience, I can say that with premium and/or custom products, communication, especially in the realm of setting expectations, is absolutely essential. You can’t just expect your premium positioning to be fully dependent upon the product. You have to be forward with all of the customer experience. And its on you to communicate any production facility considerations beforehand.
Business is difficult. This thread, and others around the internet, are difficult. I don’t want to write this stuff, and I usually don’t. I usually just bear it. But this effects me in a realm that I’m passionate about (my valuable cycling time & money associated), and Kav needs to understand they have entered a market with an extremely passionate target audience, where everything I’ve noted throughout this thread is especially pertinent.
We all want you to succeed Kav. Your product is getting solid reviews. Your business on the other hand…
