HJC Ibex 3: Racing bike helmet: Light, comfortable, made for professionals

The HJC bicycle helmet range includes helmets for triathlon, racing, urban and children. The new Ibex 3 belongs to the road bike helmet category, in which HJC has 5 helmets.

With the third generation of the Ibex, the manufacturer aims to increase safety and performance with new technologies and a new design. The helmet shape is designed for an aggressive position on the bike - a good companion for competitive riding, i.e. a competition helmet.

The HJC Ibex 3 bike helmet in detail

With 18 ventilation openings and optimised airflow inside the helmet, it should be comfortable to wear, especially on hot days and during intensive training. With a weight of 240 grams, the helmet is heavier than its predecessor, but thanks to SLID technology, it should protect the brain better from rotational forces in the event of a fall. Other features include the Selfit Pro adjustment system, which is responsible for wearing comfort. Sunglasses are also provided for. If you don't want them on your nose, you can place them on the helmet. Reflective details on the straps and antibacterial fabric contribute to safety. Replacement pads and a carry bag are included in the scope of delivery.

Fit

The Selfit system is nothing new for HJC helmets and has proven its worth. Selfit Pro adds a rotary knob to the Selfit automatic adjustment system. According to the manufacturer, this allows the helmet to be adjusted even more precisely. A practical test of the HJC Ibex 3 by TOUR will show how this works in reality. Test models are already on their way to the editorial office.

Ventilation

An overheated head has never done anyone any good. This not only results in an uncomfortable feeling, but can also impair performance. So it's no wonder that helmet manufacturers are constantly working on the ventilation of their helmets. 18 ventilation openings channel the air into the front of the helmet and out again at the back. An air duct system helps to cool the head and dissipate heat.

The HJC Ibex 3 also utilises Coolpath technology, which is patented by the manufacturer. This replaces the padding in the helmet. The technology is said to help the air flow better around the head, thus increasing comfort, and it is also lighter.

Security through SLID technology

At the latest since MIPS we know that it is the rotational forces that occur in the event of a bike crash that damage the brain. Technologies such as MIPS aim to minimise these rotational forces by allowing the head to "slide" inside the helmet. There are now various approaches to protecting the brain from the forces that occur. HJC relies on SLIDE - Sliding Layer Impact Distribution, a sliding layer in the helmet that distributes the impact forces.

In practice

The Ibex 3 weighs in at 260 grams (size M). For the fitting system, HJC combines the classic adjustment wheel for head width adjustment with additional integrated springs that keep the head ring slightly under tension; plus an additional seven-way height and five-way length adjustment, this results in a very large adjustment range. This worked well in practice, with the size M fitting two testers with head circumferences of 56 and 58 centimetres very well; the tester with a head circumference of 54 centimetres also liked the fit in size S and was also pleased with the waist-friendly rear threading. There was also praise for the great workmanship, but we are currently unable to pass judgement on the ventilation, as all test rides took place during the winter. How well the in-house SLID protection system protects against head injuries remains to be seen in a later test on our helmet test bench.

Conclusion

• Very good workmanship
• Flexible customisation system
• All-round fit

Colours, sizes, price of the HJC Ibex 3

• Size S: 51-56 cm
• Size M: 55-59 cm
• Size L: 58-63 cm
• Weight: 240g (±10) - manufacturer's specification)
• Colours: White, red, pink & beige, navy, grey & yellow, dark green, black
• Price: 259 Euro

To see all the colour variants, click through the picture gallery: