Road bike helmets in the test: It's all in the head - expensive versus cheap

Short & sweet

All 20 helmets in the test offer reasonable impact protection. Many have rotational inserts to reduce the rotational load on the head in the event of angled impacts, which improves the level of protection but does not always work equally well.

Neither protection nor comfort are closely linked to price; there are good and affordable helmets that are light, safe and well ventilated. But the final refinement costs - as always. Our profiles below show all the details.

20 road bike helmets in the TOUR test:

• Abus AirBreaker
• Abus Power Dome
• Cube Heron
• Cube Road Race
• Giro Aries Spherical
• Giro Agilis Mips
• Lazer Vento Kineticore
• Lazer Strada Kineticore
• Met Trenta 3 K Carbon
• Met Vinci Mips
• Poc Ventral Air
• Poc Omne Air Mips
• Scott Cadence Plus
• Scott Arx
• Specialised S-Works Evade 3
• Specialised Airnet Mips
• Sweet Protection Falconer 2V Mips
• Sweet Protection Seeker Mips
• Uvex Rise CC Tocsen
• Uvex Boss Race

Road bike helmets in the test - expensive versus cheap

Crashes are part of cycling. And helmets save lives. That's why cyclists rarely go topless on their bikes these days. Especially as helmets do more than just protect against accidents. They also ensure visibility, offer protection from the sun and weather and make a fashion statement. Modern helmets are lightweight, well ventilated, fit snugly to the head and, ideally, are barely noticeable. But what is the best criterion for choosing a helmet?

In the past, for example, cycle helmets could not be airy enough; 20, 30 or more air vents were not uncommon. Today, however, professional cyclists prefer relatively closed designs with few openings, as rugged helmets generate more air resistance than modern aero helmets. The differences are not great, but for professionals every detail matters.

However, the most important quality criterion for a cycle helmet is and remains its protective function - it is its original task. At first glance, there seems to be no difference here: All models in our test field from 99 to 330 euros have a sticker on the inside stating that they have passed the European safety standard EN 1078 CE.

On the one hand, that's good. On the other hand, however, as is often the case with legal standards, they lag considerably behind the state of the art. The standard label only means that a minimum level of protection is guaranteed in the event of a blunt impact from 19.5 km/h.

Deceleration values of 250 g must not be exceeded and the helmet must not break. However, racing cyclists are travelling significantly faster than 19.5 km/h, and 250 g is a very high value - our test helmets (this much can be revealed here) are more than half that, albeit with an oblique impact that cannot be compared 1:1 with the blunt impact in the ISO test.

In order to test in a differentiated manner according to the state of the art, we operate our own helmet test rig together with our sister magazine BIKE - incidentally the only publication in the world to do so - which allows us to test this shock absorption as the most important protective function of a helmet (for example to prevent skull fractures).

On the other hand, our test bench can also simulate how much strain is placed on the brain when falling onto the road at an angle - for example after flying over the handlebars. This is because massive rotational forces are at work, which often do not cause external injuries, but can cause concussions, for example.

Road bike helmets put to the test - avoiding internal injuries

The Swedish company Mips has long been committed to reducing these rotational forces in the event of an angled head impact and has therefore made decisive progress in helmet development. Different sliding layers inside the helmet are designed to ensure that the head is not abruptly subjected to a rotational movement in the event of an angled impact, which can lead to internal haemorrhaging. The spectrum of mips designs now ranges from flat plastic shells that surround the head to padded interiors whose sliding function can only be recognised on closer inspection.

We have already been able to confirm in past tests that Mips works in principle. But do the solutions, which differ greatly in detail, all work equally well? 10 of our 20 test helmets contain one of the Mips systems; Lazer and Giro have built other systems into their helmets, Kineticore (polystyrene hump) and Spherical (two separate helmet shells), which are also designed to protect against rotational forces.

We subjected two samples of each helmet, 40 models in total, to a crash test at two different locations - our measuring head therefore crashed 80 times onto the steel test surface, which is covered with coarse abrasive tape to simulate the roughness of a road. The analysis of the data shows that all 20 helmets offer reasonable impact protection.

The spectrum of acceleration peaks ranges from 80 to 120 g. We translate this into sub-scores of 1.0 to 3.0. On average, the top helmets are eight per cent ahead of the cheaper models - however, the cheaper helmets from Scott and Uvex can easily keep up with the expensive ones with scores of 1.7 for shock absorption.

The more expensive helmets are also slightly better in terms of rotational protection. The average risk of suffering a moderate concussion after an oblique impact, as in the test, falls from 22 to 17 per cent if the top model is chosen. More significant, however, is the difference between helmets with and without rotation protection - which is not found in all expensive helmets. The risk of concussion is significantly reduced with rotation protection.

However, the solutions do not all work equally well. Scott's top model, the Cadence Plus, can't clearly set itself apart from the helmets without mips, even with mips. Minimalist mips solutions such as in the top-of-the-range Cube Heron helmet work very well. The particularly elaborately designed Giro Aries Spherical, which has two helmet shells that can be moved against each other, also performs very well. The polystyrene humps in the two Lazer models ("Kineticore"), on the other hand, showed no reduction in rotation in the test. In terms of protection against concussion, they are therefore on a par with helmets that do not have any rotational components (Abus and Uvex).

Interesting realisation: Neither a high price nor a rotation protection system guarantees the ideal head protection. The individual differences between the helmet models are greater, which is why it is worth taking a closer look at the profiles.

Good and favourable is possible

None of the comfort aspects - weight, ventilation and customisability - are a question of money either. The top models in the test are not significantly better here than the economy helmets. Both the lightest (Abus Power Dome at 210 grams) and the heaviest helmet (POC Omne Air Mips at 330 grams) are among the cheapest test candidates.

The best ventilated helmet is the inexpensive Eco model from Scott, the worst ventilated helmet is a top model, the relatively closed aero helmet Falconer from Sweet Protection: even with the aero visors removed, it is particularly warm, so clearly a model for the cold half of the year. Specialized shows that it can be better. The Evade aero-top helmet has good ventilation. Large vents on the back of the helmet are effective. However, Specialized does not achieve the ventilation level of the best helmets in the test with its nozzle construction. This is probably the price for the better aerodynamics.

When choosing a helmet, you should therefore bear in mind the intended use and riding profile. Fast riding brings more air to the helmeted head than climbing next to a heated rock face. It does not seem excessive to treat yourself to two differently ventilated helmets.

Road bike helmets in the test - Pogacar's helmet wins

The particularly expensive Met Trenta 3K Carbon (330 euros), which combines the best impact protection in the test field with minimal weight (227 grams), takes the test victory in terms of marks. At least an expensive high-tech helmet makes it to first place. The helmet has also already achieved racing honours: Tadej Pogacar competed in the Tour de France 2021 and 2022 with this model.

Only narrowly beaten into second place is the much cheaper Scott ARX with a list price of 100 euros, which scores with excellent ventilation and a weight of only 234 grams, but also with a decent safety rating of 1.9.

>> Abrasions when cycling: TOUR gives tips for first aid and treatment

Third place went to the Poc Ventral Air, which costs 260 euros and also has very good cooling (safety 1.7). The top helmets Cube Heron and Met Trenta 3K Carbon are the test winners in terms of head protection with a safety score of 1.4.

>> Beyond the overall ratings, however, it is worth taking a look at the profiles below to find your individual favourite. Trying on your favourite helmet is also a must, because a helmet that doesn't fit properly is of little value. When it comes to price, internet research shows that there is plenty of room for manoeuvre. A 30 per cent discount on the list price is often possible.

The safety of helmets at a glance

The graphic shows how the helmets fared in the safety test. Sorted according to the overall safety score for rotation and acceleration/impact absorption, with the latter weighted higher. The safest helmet overall is at the bottom. Both the bars for the probability of concussion due to head rotation (black) and for impact absorption (red) should be as short as possible. By way of classification: helmets without a mips system have an average probability of concussion of 27 per cent in this test.

Road bike helmets in the test - How Mips can protect (Cube Heron)

The graphic shows the measurement results of the Cube Heron after a crash test. The six curves show what the six sensors in the helmet measured during an angled impact: three acceleration and three rotation values each. At the end of the test, two such crashes result in the totalled measured values - and thus the basis for the safety scores for acceleration/impact absorption and rotation.

Profile of the individual helmets

Abus AirBreaker

• Price250 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionItaly
• Weight (58 cm): 214 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 70 variants
• ExtrasGlasses holder, space for hair plait
• Fitnormal to narrow

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 145 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,39
• Acceleration (g): 103,5

>> Probability of concussion: 29 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,3
• Weight (20 %) - 1,0
• Headband (10 %) - 2,0
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,3

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.8

Conclusion: Lightest top helmet in the test; fits many heads; the thin straps twist under the ear; without mips only medium level of protection; airy in summer

Abus Power Dome

• Price: 120 Euro
• Country of productionItaly
• Weight (58 cm): 210 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 24 variants
• Extras: Space for Haarzopf
• Fitnormal to narrow

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 134,8 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,39
• Acceleration (g): 114,5

>> Probability of concussion: 29 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 2,0
• Weight (20 %) - 1,0
• Headband (10 %) - 2,0
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,7

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.1

ConclusionThe latest Abus model and the lightest in the test; well ventilated and easy to adjust; only average in terms of safety; the model is also available with Mips (40 euros more expensive)

Cube Heron

• Price250 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 258 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 4 variants
• ExtrasMips : Mips
• Fitnormal to wide

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 126,4 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,17
• Acceleration (g): 93,4

>> Probability of concussion: 3 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,0
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 1,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 2,3
• Weight (20 %) - 1,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,7

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,4

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.7

ConclusionTop safety and good handling; still good ventilation despite the relatively closed helmet shell

Cube Road Race

• Price: 100 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 230 grammes
• SizesS, S/M, L
• Colours: 6 variants
• ExtrasReflective material
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity141.3 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,34
• Acceleration (g): 125,9

>> Probability of concussion: 21 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,3
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 3,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,3
• Weight (20 %) - 1,3
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,7

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,7

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.0

Conclusion28 grams lighter and 150 euros cheaper than the Cube top model, but nowhere near as safe; very well ventilated; good harness system

Giro Aries Spherical

• Price320 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 267 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: Black, White
• ExtrasSpherical technology
• Fit: normal, short

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 136,6 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,18
• Acceleration (g): 101,1

>> Probability of concussion: 4 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,0
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 1,7
• Headband (10 %) - 2,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,6

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.7

ConclusionCompact, lightweight, well ventilated and the helmet shells (spherical) that move against each other protect very well against concussion; annoying: the small adjustment wheel for width adjustment

Giro Agilis Mips

• Price: 115 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 281 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• ColoursBlack, white, neon yellow
• ExtrasMips : Mips
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity138.5 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,34
• Acceleration (g): 108,2

>> Probability of concussion: 21 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,3
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,3
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 2,0
• Headband (10 %) - 2,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,3

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.0

Conclusion: Decent price-performance ratio with all-round fit and well-organised harness system; hooky headband adjustment

Lazer Vento Kineticore

• Price280 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 288 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 9 variants
• ExtrasKineticore system; goggle holder, scroll headband, LED light optional
• Fit: runs small and tight

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 134,8 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,38
• Acceleration (g): 121,0

>> Probability of concussion: 27 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 3,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 2,0
• Weight (20 %) - 2,0
• Headband (10 %) - 3,3
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,9

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.5

ConclusionSmall polystyrene blocks (Kineticore) are supposed to absorb rotational energy on impact, which could not be proven in the TOUR test; hitchy strap system; try one size larger

Lazer Strada Kineticore

• Price: 110 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 291 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 10 variants
• ExtrasKineticore system, scroll headband, LED light and Aeroshell optional
• Fit: runs small

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 139.4 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,38
• Acceleration (g): 120,0

>> Probability of concussion: 27 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 3,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 2,3
• Headband (10 %) - 3,3
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,9

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.5

ConclusionAs with the top model, the rotation protection was not verifiable; it takes some getting used to: the width adjustment roller; try a size larger

Met Trenta 3 K Carbon

• Price330 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 227 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 5 variants
• ExtrasMips : Mips
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 139.4 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,32
• Acceleration (g): 81,7

>> Probability of concussion: 18 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,0
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 1,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 1,0
• Headband (10 %) - 1,0
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,4

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.4

This makes the Met Trenta 3 K Carbon TOUR test winner

Conclusion: test winner with best overall protection; second most expensive helmet in the test; looks classy; light, good ventilation; the strap guide is a bit fiddly when first fitting, otherwise good

Met Vinci Mips

• Price: 120 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 266 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 6 variants
• ExtrasMips : Mips
• Fit: normal, short

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 120,8 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,24
• Acceleration (g): 101,0

>> Probability of concussion: 8 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,3
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 2,7
• Weight (20 %) - 1,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,0
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,0

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,9

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.7

ConclusionThird place and best safety among the favourably priced helmets; for people with a large forehead, the helmet might pinch a little at the front; not one of the best ventilated helmets in the test

Poc Ventral Air

• Price260 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 274 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 11 variants
• ExtrasMips, glasses holder, 60-day return policy
• Fitnormal, wide

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 149,6 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,28
• Acceleration (g): 92,3

>> Probability of concussion: 13 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 1,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,0
• Weight (20 %) - 2,0
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,7

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,7

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.6

Conclusion: Second place for a helmet without weaknesses; fits many heads; cools very well even in midsummer; good fitting system; customer-friendly 60-day return policy

Poc Omne Air Mips

• Price170 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 330 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 10 variants
• ExtrasMips, goggle holder, 60-day return policy
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 145,0 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,28
• Acceleration (g): 117,7

>> Probability of concussion: 13 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,3
• Weight (20 %) - 3,0
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,7

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,3

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.1

Conclusion: Very similar to its expensive brother, but moulded from denser polystyrene, therefore heavier (the heaviest helmet in the test); only medium safety; customer-friendly: 60-day return policy

Scott Cadence Plus

• Price250 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 284 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 3 variants
• ExtrasMips, reflective material
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 135,7 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,36
• Acceleration (g): 109,4

>> Probability of concussion: 24 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,3
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,3
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 2,0
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,3

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.9

Conclusion: Not top marks in terms of safety, but good and very good marks in all other categories; top ventilation; long aero shape

Scott Arx

• Price: 100 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 234 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 11 variants
• ExtrasVisor
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 150,6 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,35
• Acceleration (g): 95,9

>> Probability of concussion: 22 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,3
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 1,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,0
• Weight (20 %) - 1,3
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,9

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.5

Conclusion: The best value for money, second place in the entire test; great price-performance ratio; the "Plus" version with Mips would probably score even better in the "Safety Rotation" category

Specialised S-Works Evade 3

• Price330 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 267 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 6 variants
• ExtrasMips : Mips
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 132,0 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,30
• Acceleration (g): 101,4

>> Probability of concussion: 15 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,0
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 2,0
• Weight (20 %) - 1,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,0

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.8

ConclusionDespite the closed aero shape, well ventilated thanks to the open back; very safe compared to other aero road helmets; relatively light in its category

Specialised Airnet Mips

• Price: 135 Euro
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 324 gram
• SizesS, M, L
• Colours: 4 variants
• ExtrasMips, goggle holder, reflective material, crash sensor optional
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 139.4 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,32
• Acceleration (g): 113,8

>> Probability of concussion: 18 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,0
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,7
• Weight (20 %) - 2,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,8
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,4

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.2

Conclusion: One of the heaviest helmets in the test; good: the easy-to-adjust and operate adjustment system with straps that always fit well

Sweet Protection Falconer 2V Mips

• Price299 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 316 gram
• SizesS, M/L, L/XL
• Colours: 8 variants
• ExtrasMips, aero shells, Fidlock fastener, 30-day return policy
• Fit: normal

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 110,6 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,26
• Acceleration (g): 101,2

>> Probability of concussion: 10 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 1,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,0
• Ventilation (20 %) - 3,3
• Weight (20 %) - 2,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,0

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 1,9

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.2

Conclusion: The heaviest top helmet; the Norwegian is top in terms of fit and harness system; only moderate ventilation, therefore better on cooler days

Sweet Protection Seeker Mips

• Price: 99 Euro >> available here
• Country of productionChina
• Weight (58 cm): 321 gram
• SizesS/M, L/XL
• Colours: 9 variants
• ExtrasMips, 30 days right of return
• Fitnormal, wide

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 145,0 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,39
• Acceleration (g): 117,2

>> Probability of concussion: 29 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,3
• Weight (20 %) - 2,7
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 1,0

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,7

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.1

Conclusion: Cheapest helmet in the test; the large amount of polystyrene is not used optimally for a good crash result; the ventilation works very well; top: headband and harness system

Uvex Rise CC Tocsen

• Price: 200 Euro
• Country of production: Germany
• Weight (58 cm): 298 grammes
• SizesS/M, L/XL
• Colours: Neon yellow-silver, green-matt silver
• ExtrasTocsen crash sensor, glasses holder, ratchet fastener
• Fitfalls large, wide

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 145,9 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,38
• Acceleration (g): 111,8

>> Probability of concussion: 27 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 2,3
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,0
• Weight (20 %) - 2,3
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,3

Overall safety score (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,5

>> Overall grade (100 %) 2.0

ConclusionOnly medium protection; top ventilation; the only helmet in the test with an integrated Tocsen crash sensor as standard, which automatically alerts emergency contacts in the event of a fall

Uvex Boss Race

• Price: 100 Euro >> available here
• Country of production: Germany
• Weight (58 cm): 248 gram
• SizesS/M, L/XL
• Colours: 3 variants
• ExtrasFly screen, ratchet fastener
• Fit: runs large, very wide

Ventilation & crash test

• Cooling capacity: 145,9 Watt
• Rotation (BrIC): 0,39
• Acceleration (g): 95,8

>> Probability of concussion: 29 %

TOUR rating

• Security rotation (15 %) - 2,7
• Saf. Acceler. (25 %) - 1,7
• Ventilation (20 %) - 1,0
• Weight (20 %) - 1,3
• Headband (10 %) - 1,5
• Belt system (10 %) - 2,3

Overall safety rating (Combined safety score, acceleration weighted at 62.5 %, rotation at 37.5 %) 2,1

>> Overall grade (100 %) 1.7

ConclusionBetter than its brother, which is twice as expensive, even in terms of safety; typical Uvex: the practical ratchet fastener; for rather large heads

Road bike helmets in the test - How TOUR tests

We carried out all practical and laboratory tests on the helmets ourselves using our own equipment. We orientated ourselves less on the outdated EN test standard and more on the methods used in science and by research-based manufacturers.

Laboratory test

The safety test takes centre stage. The helmet is placed on an aluminium test head weighing 4.9 kilograms, and the straps and headband are fastened according to the real model. Butyl pads imitate the flexibility of the scalp. During the simulated fall, the helmet and head are guided on a sled and hit the ground at an angle of 45 degrees at a speed of 21 kilometres per hour. The road in the test setup is a steel surface covered with 40-grit sandpaper to imitate the roughness of the asphalt. Our approach is similar to that of the test rigs at Poc, Virginia Tech and various research institutes, which are endeavouring to develop advanced measurement methods.

The sled whizzes past the impact surface and releases the head, which bounces away after the impact. A six-component sensor in the head registers acceleration and rotation rates around the three axes in space on impact and during the subsequent flight phase. We test at least two samples of each helmet. In the first attempt, we let the helmet hit the forehead, in the second, the side. Acceleration and the rotation induced by the impact on the slope are measured and recorded. We analyse the acceleration according to the greatest resulting acceleration - this expresses how well the helmet's particularly important impact absorption works. The lower these values are, the better. The average value from four measurements is given; this is included in the final score with 25 per cent.

We convert the head rotation or rotation rate into the BrIC criterion (Brain Injury Criteria, without unit), which indicates how damaging the movement is for the brain. This method is widely used in science and allows statements to be made about the probability of internal head injuries such as concussion. The lower the BrIC values, the better. In relation to our test, the probabilities for moderate concussions range from 3 per cent for the best helmet to 29 per cent for the weakest.

For comparisonIn this test, helmets without any protection against rotation had an average probability of concussion of 27 per cent. The probability of concussion due to head rotation is included in the final score at 15 per cent. We only use the values for the forehead impact, as the side impact is comparatively harmless in this respect.

After the test, the helmets mostly show cracks and occasionally small chipped areas. Structurally, however, the helmets all remain intact and some barely show any signs of the crashes. Internally, however, they are damaged. Occasionally, we had helmets hit the same spot several times. The protective effect becomes weaker each time.

We test the ventilation of the helmets with a powerful fan that accelerates the airflow up to 30 km/h. The heated, helmeted head is exposed to the airflow and we determine the cooling performance. This accounts for 20 per cent of the final score, as does the weight of the helmet.

Practical test

We systematically evaluate the harness system and headband according to a variety of criteria in terms of function and handling, both of which account for 10 per cent of the rating. The fit, adjustment and wearing comfort are tested by several TOUR testers.