Chin bar instead of strap fastening: Canyon wants to revolutionise the road bike helmet

What Canyon is showing with its new helmets has never been seen before. Cyclists in Germany have been wearing hard-shell helmets since the 1920s. We have all been familiar with the classic fastening system since childhood: adjustable straps on two sides, a click mechanism for closing. Not so with the new head protectors from Koblenz: Disruptr CFR and Stingr CFR come with a chin bar that is said to have numerous advantages over the conventional strap fastening.

Canyon Disruptr & Stingr CFR: The most important facts

• Weight (Disruptr): 276 grams (weighed weight, size M)
• Weight (Stingr): 279 grams (weighed weight, size M)
• Colours (Disruptr): White, black, grey
• Colours (Stingr): White, black
• Sizes: S (51-55cm), M (55-59cm), L (59-63cm)
• Price (Disruptr/Stingr): 299,95 Euro
• Country of production: China
• Special features: HighBar closure, MIPS, port for magnetic light (Disruptr)

As with the recently introduced shoes for road, gravel and mountain bikes the mail order company drew on the expertise of specialists during the development phase. The result should be "the fastest and safest helmet on the planet", says Stan Mavis, who heads up the accessories division at Canyon. The cooperation with HighBar is particularly evident in both high-end helmets, as the Disruptr and Stingr share the US company's distinctive fastening system.

To close the MIPS helmet, a plastic strap is folded under the chin from above past the face and fixed in place with a rotating mechanism. The width can also be adjusted as usual at the back of the head using a dial. "You have to get used to the fastener, but you will quickly notice the advantages," said Mavis in an interview with TOUR. Canyon is the first manufacturer to utilise the system. Other well-known brands are set to follow in the coming months.

Aero development with SwissSide

A key advantage over helmets with conventional straps is said to be better aerodynamics. In collaboration with the experts from SwissSide, Canyon reports a saving of seven watts at 50 km/h. At even higher speeds, such as those encountered on rapid descents, the aerodynamically optimised Stingr is even said to provide an advantage of up to 20 watts. Canyon used the GST wind tunnel, where TOUR has also been carrying out its tests for more than ten years, to collect data.

Better cooling is also promised, as the HighBar strap does not rest on the temples. The system is said to be around five degrees Celsius cooler than helmets with straps. The cooling effect is supported by "ventilation systems (...) that are cooler than those of the competition. The fixed mono strap also reduces noise by a maximum of 7.5 decibels. However, this should not really be noticeable, as whispering is comparable to around 30 decibels.

Disruptr and Stingr in a hands-on test

We have not yet been able to test the extent to which the aero advantage applies in the wind tunnel. We also lack valid data from our own measurements on the cooling function of the two helmets. However, after trying them on for the first time, we can confirm Mavis' statement: The handling with the HighBar strap takes a lot of getting used to, but thanks to the dial it works quite simply and quickly. Both the Disruptr and Stingr fit the head perfectly.

The unpleasant feeling of the plastic headband on the chin is worthy of criticism; for men, the hard plastic can press on the Adam's apple depending on the position of the head. The system should not even be considered for (long) beard wearers. In terms of weight, the two models are among the lighter models with MIPS technology at around 280 grams.

New technology at a high price

Like the high-end bikes from the Koblenz-based company, the new helmets also carry the CFR (Canyon Factory Racing) tuning label - and are aimed at ambitious cyclists with a price tag of €299.95. The compact Disruptr offers large ventilation slots, has a reflective element on the back and can be retrofitted with a magnetic rear light. Like comparable aero helmets, the Stingr is elongated and has four ventilation openings at the front.