I really haven't seen any non-promotional reviews (and even those are scarce), so putting this out there.
I think this could have been my favorite non-scorching weather helmet, but there's definitely some issues that keep it from being 5/5 stars.
Took this out on a 2hr ride @ around 78deg F / 25.5 C for a test ride.
Pros
- More airflow that I thought it would have. Except on climbs where I wasn't moving as fast, it seemed to provide enough airflow around the temples to cool me off. I definitely wouldn't choose this on a 90+F day though.
- Riding Safety in mind.
- INCLUDED interchangeable reflector/light for the rear. Giro and MET charge extra for their light.
- Straps are reflective on the outside
- Looks – pretty much the reason I bought it. Some like it, some don't – but I dig the aero look with spoiler/fin on the back. I also didn't want white straps for dirt reasons
- Retention system / Fit – I have a rounder head and I get some shifting/tilting on some helmets despite cranking them down. This is probably the best fitting helmet I've owned. However, I think the sizing is slightly off – I have a ~23" / 58cm head so went with the medium (56-59cm). It was too small, so exchanged for a L (59-61cm) and it fit perfectly. That is also a reallly small range for sizing or am I wrong there? Anyway, go larger IMO.
- Minor – but the helmet bag is the best I've seen. It's mesh one side and like microfiber on the other, and has a detachable clip so you could clip it to a a duffle or backpack. I've had the SW Evade bag, Sweet Protection one, etc.
Cons
- Sunglass Retention – after coming from a Sweet Protection Falconer Aero (which has very good sunglass retention vents), these don't work at all. They are much too narrow and therefore unusable.
- Reflector/Light attachment. Basically, these use barbs to stick in. They stick fine now, but I'm legitimately concerned if you keep swapping, the barbs will open up the hole more and lose retention. They used a sweet magnet cap on the light charger, why not do a sweet magnetic attachment system (which I think MET does…but have no experience with that). They give you extra barbs, so this makes me think this will be a wear item.
- Also, the light has a male connector, so useless you rig up an extension cable, you'd need to take it off to plug into a usb charger. I'm probably going to rig up an extension cable of some sort.
- Aero Data – there is none. For an aero helmet, I thought they'd at least give some marketing hype like a few watts faster than some unnamed competitor. But nothing. I'll be a little disappointed if there's an independent test and it's a dog.
Any questions, let me know.
by FeedZoneAttacker