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3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA
US
Edited Date/Time
7/29/2019 2:06pm
Help me make a quick list of what's currently on the market for recently designed concussion mitigating helmets.
6D ATR-2 (rubber cup cushions)
Bell Flex (Similar to MIPS?)
Fly Formula (Proprietary)
TLD SE-4 (MIPS)
What else is out there that I've missed?
Do these brands offer anything aimed at preventing concussions?
Airoh
Arai
Shoei
6D ATR-2 (rubber cup cushions)
Bell Flex (Similar to MIPS?)
Fly Formula (Proprietary)
TLD SE-4 (MIPS)
What else is out there that I've missed?
Do these brands offer anything aimed at preventing concussions?
Airoh
Arai
Shoei
I have a couple VFX-W now... Crashed in one, knocked myself out last night.
I like the build quality of the Shoei, but I think it's time to get into something with modern tech.
The Shop
Designed and manufactured in Italy.
RIAS - Rotation Impact Absorbing System is the revolutionary Diamond helmet technology: In addition to dissipating compression-absorbing shocks like traditional helmets (linear impact), the helmet structure combines innovative technology that dissipates the energy associated with rotational acceleration (rotational impact), reducing tension and providing additional protection for some types of impact.
This is all possible thanks to the combined work of the different layers of material used: The main inner shell in high density EPS is characterised by a very compact, rigid outer surface (in contact with the outer shell). The inner surface has large grooves that offer a dual function: they provide greater airflow and differentiate impact force dissipation, effectively as if the main layer had two different densities. Inner oscillating shell, consisting of low density polypropylene foam (PPE) to provide gradual absorption, was designed to rotate inside the helmet, working in conjunction with the Main inner shell.
This system enables multi-directional sliding that also dissipates the energy associated with rotational acceleration, so as to improve protection in case of rotational impact.
Fox also has the new V3 with fluid inside tech.
Arai has always performed better in rotational impact tests that other helmets because of the shape. Notice that an Arai is round, instead of having pointy shapes all over it. For that reason alone, the wearer's head will be less likely to be subjected to rotational impacts in the first place, and the need to reduce them is mitigated. Arai is also concerned that the physical structure of the elastomers inside a "next-gen" liner create hard points which reduce the impact absorption of the shell.
Food for thought.
Fly has a new helmet with a new way to address rotational impact called Rheon
The new Fox V3 is also getting new tech this year, a gel pack type of deal designed to mimic the fluid around your brain called Fluid Inside
LS2's Subverter has its own version of MIPS
I went the other way. Sold my 6D and bought a Shoei EVO. The 6D (like Arai) just did not fit my dome. The Bell feels like a Walmart product---cheap. And, I'm not trusting my gray matter to a company that also sells gear. Heart surgeon for hearts, helmet manufacturers for helmets...
Edit: It does
The best example, or worst, is Fly's most recent helmet. They claimed in the press release and on podcasts that the product was independently tested.
That is not the case as by definition their testing is not independent: RHEON Labs was one of the "independent" labs which tested the effectiveness of the helmet, yet RHEON was also the lab that designed the gel-like substance that goes in the helmet to supposedly mitigate concussive-blow severity.
Having a lab which has a financial stake in the helmet, and which designed components of the helmet, complete the "independent" testing, is laughable and meets the definition of conflict of interest.
I have nothing against Fly. I recently bought 2 jerseys for mountain biking which have worked out well for me. However, when a company tries to take advantage of or mislead their customers (don't mention the info-graphic they published with incorrect data), I will always speak up and point out the falsehoods.
Never take advertising at face values and do your own research.
Don't take my word for it: see their website: https://rheonlabs.com/rheon-x-fly-racing-launch-formula/
The inventor of RHEON Dr. Plant is quoted as saying "I am a motocross rider as well as being a testing and impact specialist, and I choose to wear the FLY FORMULA helmet with RHEON technology, simply because it’s safer"
Independent labs don't market or endorse the products they "test".
You're right about independent testing too. Even if the lab was a 3rd party, if Fly pays for the testing, it's not independent testing. In this case it's neither 3rd party nor independent.
Pit Row
I read through the other thread bashing Shoei because of the liners. My wife has no issues re-installing the liner in my EVO, so if she is happy---I'm happy. 😁
I thought my 6D (ATR1) was very well constructed, but it just did not feel right on my dome.
Add something useful, or go find a premix ratio thread.
Maybe the Arai does this well enough to not need gel? Maybe not? All I know is that I don't want a bike with LESS suspension travel. All this helmet technology is just suspension for your brain. They keep adding stuff to help slow down the energy before it "bottoms out" on your skull.
Michael I hope you do tell us as I genuinely appreciate some of the detailed information you provide here and on the PulpMX show when you co-host.
On the other hand, if you just come in and make a statement like that but refuse to call out a manufacturer, I feel like that's a real bummer deal.
As for me, I've been knocked out in two helmets. Both were the Shoei VFX-W model.
Both crashes were hard enough that I can't say another helmet would have prevented it.
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