There are particular gadgets of equipment that appear to stay with sure skilled riders. Geraint Thomas in Oakley sunnies, as an illustration, or Nairo Quintana in a Catlike Mixino. These items of kit are emblematic of various eras in biking, and so they endure even when sponsorships change or riders retire.
The Giro Aeon was the helmet of alternative for the Garmin-Cervelo professional group of the early 2010s (presently generally known as EF Training-EasyPost), and the form of that helmet will stay without end linked to Thor Hushovd driving within the rainbow stripes of world champion.
One in every of Giro’s new helmets, the Cielo, takes its inspiration from the Aeon. For these of you who might not recall, the Aeon dates again to the late Armstrong period, characterised by scandal, glamour, and the very early beginnings of contemporary, data-driven biking.
Whereas this will likely not appear all that way back, helmet know-how has progressed significantly since then. The appearance of rotational influence applied sciences, resembling MIPS, have made helmets safer (although heavier) and aerodynamics have more and more turn out to be necessary in helmet design. The Cielo might take its design cues from again then, however it’s a completely trendy helmet in different methods.
Building
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
The Cielo Mips slots into Giro’s street lineup as a mid-tier choice. It doesn’t have the ball-and-socket-esque Spherical Tech included in Giro’s high-end helmets and is due to this fact cheaper. Giro payments it as an “enthusiast-level” helmet, and that is apt.
The Cielo has 22 vents and inside air flow channelling and contains a Mips Evolve Core liner. It makes use of a Roc Loc 5 Air retention system and padding comprises silver particles to forestall odour. Like all helmets offered in North America, it complies with the US CPSC Security Commonplace. It has but to be examined by Virginia Tech’s unbiased testing lab, however different Giro helmets have traditionally accomplished effectively beneath these protocols.
My take a look at pattern got here within the Matte Mild Mineral color, and weighs, per my scale, 295 grams in dimension small. Within the pictures on Giro’s web site, the Mild Mineral seems to be off white, nevertheless it’s really a lightweight greenish-greyish. The form is sort of compact with a brief total size, however considerably huge entrance profile—very a lot akin to the Aeon from all these years in the past.
The Trip
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Before everything, match is crucial a part of a helmet. Giro helmets have a tendency to suit an oval head form greatest, and I’ve discovered that completely different fashions match barely in a different way. This isn’t a critique of Giro both—it’s the identical with nearly each helmet maker.
The padding may be very comfy throughout the brow and the dial on the again is properly sized and straightforward to make use of. I discovered that the straps sit very near the top, which is useful for each consolation and aerodynamics. It’s value noting that Giro makes no particular claims relating to aerodynamics with this helmet, however then it’s not meant as a top-end race helmet both.
MIPS methods proceed to enhance: the primary iterations had been problematic for anybody with lengthy hair, however they appear to have eradicated among the catchy bits that induced probably the most points. It nonetheless might snag in spots, nevertheless, so would definitely be value attempting on earlier than shopping for.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
I examined the Cielo in a variety of climate situations, from fairly sizzling (for Seattle, that’s) to pouring rain and was comfy all through. And there’s room for a casquette beneath if want be to stretch the temperature vary considerably. The Cielo had no interference with the few completely different fashions of sun shades I examined. There are padded rubber spots within the entrance to create a type of glasses storage when not being worn on the face.
The one important shortcoming I encountered is on the size—at 295 grams the Cielo is not any light-weight. That is in distinction to the Aeon, which can be over a decade outdated however weighed considerably much less. Most of this weight achieve will be ascribed to the MIPS system that’s now commonplace on most helmets. The inner harness, which permits the helmet to pivot across the head within the occasion of a crash, provides grams however will increase security outcomes. It’s a really affordable commerce. The Cielo can’t match high finish helmets, however then it isn’t attempting to.
Worth and Verdict
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
At $199 / £165.00, the Cielo is significantly cheaper than Giro’s top-end Aries Spherical mannequin, as worn by the Jumbo-Lease a Bike group. The query is whether or not or not it performs according to its value. There are numerous good helmets available on the market within the sub-$200 vary, from the likes of Specialised, Bontrager, POC, Bell and extra and so they all move the identical security exams. Normally, you pay extra for much less, when it comes to weight, and the Cielo is comparable with others right here.
On the finish of the day, match is paramount—a helmet can take a look at effectively in a lab, but when it doesn’t suit your head effectively it gained’t do its job correctly. The Cielo does every little thing it must, whereas paying (delicate) homage to an iconic helmet of the previous, and does so for an inexpensive value.
