Sell a lot of bikes? Then you should probably sell plenty (if not more) helmets too. Mark Sutton rounds up the market’s protective headgear options available for men, women and children…
Buffera
WITH STOWAWAY insulation ever popular with winter warriors, Buff’s new helmet liner, like other Buff garments, is a seamless tubular piece of Fast Wick Extra Plus polyester fabric with a special construction that simulates beehive cells for superb breathability, wicking and drying performance. A silver ion treatment also prevents any bacterial build up in the fabric that can cause odours. At just 27.5 cm in length it’s shorter than the Original Buff therefore avoiding any uncomfortable bulk under a helmet. Available in eight
different prints and patterns, stock lands early in March. Helmet Liner Pro Buff was previewed at Core Bike. Also on show was the
new Buff Headwear SS13 collection and the AW13- 14 apparel Collection, which is available for forward order. 01707 852244
Cube
HAVING VASTLY expanded its accessories range for 2013, Cube’s helmet line offers its dealer base everything from kids helmets, through women’s and men’s lids for budget and performance prices. Kids helmets begin at £19.99 and come in six different reflective designs, each adorning an in-mould construction body, with a ring fit system. Adult helmets cost £79.99 and come in three sizes. With carbon reinforcement and 27 strategically placed vents, Cube cuts no corners
2pure
AVAILABLE FROM 2pure, the award- winning Crane helmet is developed with the freeride cyclist in mind, in need for great ventilation and light weight. Using an EPS sandwich
construction combining one softer and one stiffer density keeps the weight low and increases energy absorbing properties. The outer stiffer liner together with the vacuum formed thicker shell (still extremely thin at one mm) makes it 50 per cent more resistant to dents when compared to normal in-mould helmets. 0844 811 2001
Madison
AS ONE of the market’s larger players in the protective gear arena, Madison has the distribution rights to Bell and Giro, themselves two of the market’s bigger fish. New from Giro is the £119.99
Amare, a versatile addition to the Women’s Series. The Amare uses the in- mould Composite Reinforcement, a breakthrough in helmet architecture that allows greater ventilation without compromising the helmet’s integrity. A Roc Loc 5 closure cradles the head and ensures a snug fit and combined with a slimline buckle and 26 wind tunnel tested vents, this is a firm favourite with the road, cross-country and cyclocross circuits.
On to Bell and the Piston, weighing in at 310 grams and costing £34.99 is one Madison is particularly pleased with this year. Punching a bit above its weight in terms of price to features, the spec sheet includes in-mould construction, an ErgoDial fit system, easy-to-adjust Cam-lock levers, built in bug nets, 15 extra-large vents, and a snap-in visor. 0208 385 3385
and even include a Fidlock magnetic closure system for convenience. 0031 103 403 500