As release from Giro this week cited how the company pioneered the aerodynamic helmet category with the original Advantage in 1985. Now Giro adds that it is redefining the category further with two new models – Aerohead Ultimate MIPS and Aerohead MIPS – billed as the brand’s ‘fastest time trial helmets ever’.
Already raced to victory in the Tour de France and UCI Track World Cups, the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS features the fastest helmet shape Giro has ever tested, plus MIPS multi-directional impact protection system, and the ventilation of Roc Loc Air. The helmet will be available this summer in two versions: the Aerohead MIPS (with venting for longer timed events) at RRP £229.99 and the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS, featuring a TeXtreme shell to combine a smaller frontal area and reduced venting for even less drag at RRP £499.99.
“In 1985, Giro pioneered the aerodynamic helmet with the original Advantage,” said Rob Wesson, Giro Director of Helmet R&D. “The Aerohead MIPS is our fastest helmet ever and represents the culmination of everything we have learned over the past 30 years.
“In addition, we have been able to integrate MIPS to provide more protection in certain impacts, as well as including the Roc Loc Air fit system and hydrophilic padding to improve ventilation and cooling. With its combination of reduced drag, MIPS, and increased comfort, the Aerohead MIPS simply wouldn’t have been possible only a few years ago. By utilizing a TeXtreme carbon fibre shell for the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS, we were able to further reduce frontal area, making our fastest shape ever even faster.”
Using the Wind Averaged Drag standard, which Giro and other manufacturers believe is the most reliable predictor of real world performance, the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS is reportedly 3 seconds faster over 40km than Giro’s previous helmet, the Selector. The Aerohead MIPS, which features additional ventilation for longer courses such as triathlons, is 14 seconds faster over 180km while thermodynamic testing also shows it to be nearly 10% cooler than the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS.
The Aerohead Ultimate MIPS has already been raced to victory on both the road and track by some of the world’s top professionals. It made its official debut on 19 May at the Amgen Tour of California time trial stage, with BMC Racing Team, Team Katusha, and Team WIGGINS, while top professional triathletes including Linsey Corbin and Andreas and Michael Raelert will compete in the Aerohead MIPS this summer.
Aerohead Ultimate MIPS – ‘record setting speed’
Featuring a ‘bold, unconventional profile coupled with a TeXtreme carbon fiber shell’, the Aerohead Ultimate MIPS provides minimal frontal area, resulting in the ‘fastest aerodynamic profile in Giro’s storied history’.
The wrap-around eye shield offers a wide field of view with an aerodynamic benefit and the shield is made by ZEISS Optics for ‘outstanding clarity’. A magnetic anchor attachment keeps the shield secure, yet easy to remove, and it can be stored in the ‘flipped up’ position.
Aerohead MIPS – ‘beat the clock & stay cool’
Large vents and internal channelling boost ventilation, keeping triathletes and time trialists cool when the competition is hot. By using a polycarbonate shell, Wind Tunnel ventilation and internal channelling, this helmet is ‘proven to boost cooling power by nearly 10% over Aerohead Ultimate MIPS while remaining aerodynamic.’
Additionally, the wrap-around eye shield offers a wide field of view with the convenience of magnetic attachments to allow easy storage of the lens in the ‘flipped up’ position. As Giro adds, this is ‘perfect for fast swim-to-bike transitions’.
