Let’s not beat across the bush, The Beam full-face Virgo Integral MIPS helmet seems to be fairly wild while you evaluate it to a traditional half-shell bike helmet – with its built-in chin bar and flip-down visor. However similar to how DH full-face helmet tech has trickled right down to a whole lot of light-weight convertible and full-face helmets for enduro and even some aggressive path riders – it’s arduous to argue with additional head safety.
The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face metropolis & ebike helmet
Full-face helmets are nothing new in biking. However for some motive, they’ve actually by no means made the transition from gravity mountain biking to extra mainstream biking.
The Beam Virgo full-face seems to be to interrupt down that barrier with a light-weight and well-ventilated helmet that provides extra of the sunshine consolation, adjustable match, and premium security tech that we’ve come to count on from trendy biking helmets. Plus, in fact, the additional benefit of additional safety of the rider’s chin & face.
I’ve been following the event of this light-weight, multi-disciple full-face because it started as an aero highway helmet nearly 5 years in the past. So, with my very own adoption of extra time using a unusual utilitarian ebike and a brilliant yellow cargo ebike, I used to be completely satisfied to check out this newest evolution of the Virgo full-face.
Why an ebike commuter full-face? Why not!
As extra folks have adopted ebikes in its place type of transportation, we have now seen extra helmets get ebike certifications – i.e. NTA 8776. But nonetheless, we nonetheless solely actually see ebike helmets going full-face for off-road-focused aggressive eMTB using.
However, as commuter ebikes share extra of the highway and concrete atmosphere, it is sensible that ebike helmets might begin to look a bit extra like a scooter or moto helmet.
If you end up using backwards and forwards to work amongst automobile site visitors, or zipping round city on fast & highly effective ebikes, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS helmet merely gives additional peace of thoughts in a light-weight and cozy helmet at an affordable worth. And it delivers sufficient air flow that you just received’t actually roast when it’s important to pedal a bit by yourself, too.
Tech Particulars & Precise Weight
The Beam developed the Virgo full-face to not solely adjust to the common EN1078 / CPSC bike certification requirements, but additionally to fulfill the extra stringent European NTA-8776 regulation created for higher-speed (45kph/28mph) pedelec ebikes.
The French-designed helmet encompasses a distinctive multi-layer building. First, there’s basically a extra standard in-mold half-shell helmet – with only a plastic shell molded over the sides of its EPS foam power absorbing layer for put on & tear safety. Then, molded on the surface of that, there’s the entire ABS shell with separate in-mold EPS across the cheeks and chin bar for extra safety.
Lastly, inside all of it, is a black MIPS Evolve Core liner insert to isolate your head from rotational forces in an impression.
- distinctive multi-part building for standard impacts, plus separate face safety
- ABS shell with in-mold EPS foam
- 5 ahead & high dealing with vents, 4 rear exhaust vents & small inner air flow channels
- fastened top dial-adjustable match system, with adjustable nylon webbing chinstrap & plastic buckle
- detachable, washable, sweat-wicking padding and separate padded cheek cushions
- non-obligatory, detachable visors (glasses-friendly)
- non-obligatory, detachable magnetic taillight
- designed in France, made in China
- EN 1078 / CPSC / NTA 8776 licensed
- 3 grownup + 1 little one dimension accessible
- light-weight, beginning as little as 600-650g claimed (dimension Small, with out visor)
Our dimension medium The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face helmet has an official claimed weight of 710g with out its visor, however measures an actual 706g.
However the precise weight with the visor is 786g, plus a further 28g when the good tail (brake) gentle is mounted.
Lighter than most MTB full-face helmets
As a mountain biker who spends loads of time using lengthy journey path, enduro, freeride, and the occasional downhill bike, there wasn’t actually even any psychological impediment to choosing a full-face helmet for ebike using. In actual fact, whereas using commuter bikes and even path bikes within the winter, I’ve already been apt to placed on a light-weight enduro full face and goggles to get a bit of additional climate safety with the added security only a bonus.
Weight-wise, I’ve a few gentle enduro MTB full-face helmets which might be lighter (Dainese & Endura) than the Virgo with out its visor, however solely the Endura is lighter as soon as I think about a pair of goggles, after which solely by about 10g. Solely the Dainese has MIPS, and neither are NTA-8776 licensed. What that claims is that evaluating apples to apples (or a minimum of to pears), The Beam’s Virgo Integral MIPS is really a light-weight in the case of full-face safety.
Using Evaluate
I’ve ridden the Virgo Integral MIPS largely via autumn, with my ebike rides typically leaning in direction of jackets and gloves climate, so I actually can’t vouch for the way it will do on sizzling summer season days when it’s important to pedal uphill by your self. Or when your ebike battery will run out. However I’ve ridden in chilly sufficient climate to note that the vents do let a great little bit of air in, so I undoubtedly put a skinny windproof cap on when it obtained nearer to freezing.
I picked the sand tan helmet to check as a result of I figured the lighter coloration would provide improved visibility to drivers. And I’ve the clear Crystal visor, which nonetheless has a tiny little bit of a grey tint, though it’s fully fantastic for using at night time with lights.
The visor itself doesn’t have any particular handles or tabs to maneuver it. However it sits far sufficient away from my face that I’ve no drawback pushing it up or down by the visor’s edges, even with winter gloves. When it’s not exceptionally chilly, I wish to experience with the visor up so I can really feel the wind on my face. Or half method up which gives a tiny little bit of shading towards the setting solar. However on particularly chilly, windy, and even wet days, dropping the visor down is nice.
Virgo Integral’s snap-on Good Rear Gentle
I particularly just like the Virgo Integral’s included rear good taillight (non-obligatory on Entry fashions), because it tremendously boosts nighttime and low-light visibility.
It places out a gradual 40 lumens of pink gentle, then powered by an on-board accelerometer, it robotically boosts to 120 lumens when braking for added visibility. The waterproof 28g USB-C rechargeable taillight has a 400mAh battery for a claimed runtime of 20 hours, and a 2hr recharge time – each of which appear to match my real-world use.
The Good rear gentle is StVZO-certified, and is available in a package deal with the top-spec Virgo Integral fashions, or sells for 49€ individually.
Using Takeaways
If you’re solely used to highway, gravel, or standard city commuter helmets, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face is a fairly stunning change. And I received’t lie, the primary feedback that I’ve obtained from coworkers, pals, and household have been typically astonishment why I’d desire a helmet that they thought regarded extra like a motorbike helmet than a commuter bike helmet.
However on second thought, just about everybody understands that extra protection and extra safety means improved security. And what different motive can we put on helmets than to maintain our heads protected?
Plus, extra ebikes means extra time sharing the highway with vehicles, extra inexperienced riders on heavier ebikes (vs. standard bikes), and perhaps even larger common speeds. So there’s good motive to supply extra safety to the heads of ebikers. And The Beam’s Virgo Integral full face does all that in a light-weight and cozy helmet, that I personally really feel higher using.
The Beam Virgo Integral – Pricing, choices & availability
The Beam gives their Virgo full-face helmet in 3 sizes: S(51-54cm), M (55-58cm) & L (59-63cm. Then, you get to choose from 4 colours – black, white, navy blue & sand (examined). After which, for those who get one of many top-tier Integral fashions, it comes along with your selection of 4 visor choices – calmly tinted Crystal (examined), darkish smoke tinted Black, reflective Polarized Blue, bronze-tinted Yellow.
Lastly, The Beam Virgo is accessible in 4 spec choices to hit all worth factors: Integral consists of each the visor of your selection and the taillight. Entry is with out a visor (however one might nonetheless be added later).
Technically, it seems to be like solely the top-tier is accessible within the US net retailer, for the time being. However world supply is accessible from the European webshop, so that you would possibly simply have barely larger delivery prices or additional supply time.
The highest-spec The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face (as examined) sells for $299 / 299€, straight from The Beam’s on-line store. Do away with the visor & that good taillight, and the Virgo Entry MIPS retails for simply 239€. Or with out the additional rotational impression safety, the Virgo Integral sells for 229€ with the equipment, and the Virgo Entry goes for 179€ with out.
There are additionally even a less expensive XS (48-50cm) & S (51-54cm) children variations for simply 99€ in additional child-oriented colours, too.
As an additional vacation buying deal now in Europe, for those who purchase any Virgo helmet proper now, The Beam gives you a free visor and a helmet Reflector reflective sticker at no cost, making it cheaper to get a visor-equipped commuter full-face. (Apply code: VIRGOSTYLE at checkout after including the equipment).
