Followers of our Tour de France tech protection can have already learn how Intermarché-Wanty’s group, together with its star sprinter Biniam Girmay, every have two of Uvex’s newest helmets at their disposal. One has the helmet’s vents open, the opposite has its plug-in cowl glued in place to keep away from contravening UCI regulation 1.3.013: “It’s prohibited so as to add a removable cowl to a helmet.”
Now Uvex has revealed particulars of the brand new helmet utilized by the group and made it out there on the market. The excellent news for anybody not using in a UCI-sanctioned race is that they gained’t have to attach their cowl in place, to allow them to resolve whether or not they need extra aero or extra vented way more simply.
Girmay gained Stage 3 of the 2024 Tour de France sporting Uvex’s new helmet – the absence of a vent cowl did not appear to sluggish him down (Picture credit score: Uvex)
Uvex says that it has taken enter from the professionals, together with Girmay, in designing the Surge Aero MIPS (or extra accurately uvex surge aero MIPS, as Uvex has gone all decrease case in its identify), making certain good air flow with broad apertures on the helmet’s vanguard.
Plug within the cowl and Uvex claims improved aerodynamics for quick finishes although, with the Surge Aero MIPS wind tunnel examined with and with out the duvet to optimise its efficiency. No exhausting wattage claims have been made nonetheless. The massive vents come courtesy of Uvex’s built-in cage, which has allowed it to scale back the thickness of the cross-braces and enhance the helmet’s stability.
The helmet incorporates MIPS Air Node, the lightest present MIPS implementation, the place MIPS is integrated into the helmet’s padding quite than forming a separate sliding aircraft layer throughout the helmet shell as with ‘normal’ MIPS.
Weights and costs
Intermarché-Wanty’s Georg Zimmermann exhibits how the vent cowl works when not glued in place (Picture credit score: Uvex)
The Uvex Surge Aero MIPS is Uvex’s new top-of-the-line mannequin with a claimed weight of 290g. It’s priced at €249.95, with 5 colors and three sizes out there to suit heads from 53cm to 61cm.
There’s a non-MIPS choice with a claimed 260g weight and a retail value of €199.95. That’s a hefty €50 premium for MIPS – you should purchase among the finest funds bike helmets with MIPS for not way more.
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Uvex is maybe higher identified for its sun shades than for its helmets and it has a sunglass design to match the Surge Aero MIPS. The massive lens Uvex Tempo Stage CV glasses are additionally in use by Intermarché-Wanty on the Tour de France.
They incorporate a contrast-enhancing lens and Uvex’s anti-mist coating, in addition to an easy-clean moisture-repellent floor. The Uvex Tempo Stage CV glasses are priced at €139.95 and match neatly into the Surge Aero MIPS’s aspect vents.
Lazer too has an aero cowl for its helmets and has a patent on its Aeroshell. This performs the identical operate because the Uvex design however clips over all the prime floor of the helmet, quite than simply blocking the vents. Though marketed as making the helmet extra aero, it’s additionally useful if you happen to’re using within the rain or in chilly climate, to maintain your noggin happier.
