The reality is that modern aero helmets make use of exhaust ports to speed up the flow of air through a helmet by carefully managing the flow. As you, for example, climb a hill at slow speeds, there’s not enough air flow to evacuate heat. I often get asked which helmet has the most genesis bike secure hold on a pair of sunglasses when stashed on top. Now I have an answer and it’s the Sweet Protection Falconer 2Vi Mips. When designing this helmet, Sweet Protection wasn’t working in a vacuum. Instead, the brand actively considered how the helmet interacted with sunglasses.
That means, this is a great helmet but it could likely benefit even more from a focused design that offered an aero version and a climbers version. It’s important to understand that there is no definitive answer about how to make a safe helmet. Different brands have different strategies that aim to do the same thing. Lazer’s approach is to build blocks into the part of the EPS foam that sits closests to the cyclist’s head. During an impact the blocks break or compress to allow movement and absorb energy. If you’re looking for that bike park feel with a touch of Arkansas tech, drop into Atonement.
Some people will not buy a helmet without MIPS and there may be good reasons to make that choice. The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel starts with a very capable all-around option. Wavecel technology is yet another way to handle energy dissipation and rotational impact, and it scores well with Virginia Tech. When things wear out, both the cradle and all the pads are replaceable. Those are all good features, but with the Circuit you also get magnetic mounts for lights. It might not be the cheapest, but you can use the Circuit Wavecel for gravel, road, and commuting duties.
After living in Colorado and Utah, Ingram now resides and trains in Arkansas while also working in the bike industry as a dealer sales rep. Over ten years the range expanded beyond commuter bikes to include road, mountain, cyclo-cross, gravel, kids and fat bikes. The manifest will not be 100% accurate but is used as a representation of the overall contents of the pallet and should be used as a close guide.
The matte black finish with neon accents is sure to turn heads on any trail. It’s aero optimised but isn’t going genesis bike to compete with the best aero helmets. It’s also lightweight and even beats the Giro Aries on that score.