When Louis Garneau’s new Course line of premium clothing and gear hit recently, the new aero helmet really stood out as much for what it was as for what it wasn’t. Compared to Giro’s new Air Attack, and, well, any standard road helmet, this looks positively…normal.
Hidden in all that normalcy is quite a bit of tech. The design was developed through CFD (computational fluid dynamics). Most aero helmets seek to create a smooth shape with minimal interruptions. LG’s goal was to minimize frontal surface area, instead routing air quickly through the helmet and out the back. Much like the two large vents in the center of POC’s new Tempor TT helmet, this reduces or eliminates any high pressure zone at the front of the helmet.
From the front, it’s obvious. The EPS protective sections are virtual slivers with only an “aerodynamically designed inner nerve” structure molded into the helmet running side to side across the entire top of the helmet. This holds it all together and channels air over your head and out the back to both cool and streamline its flow.
Inside, the helmet gets X-Static antimicrobial padding and their Spiderlock Pro II retention system. Even better, it comes with the Spiderlock Vision Light, a small LED that integrates into the retention mech. Further protection comes from the Super MSB ring-shaped plastic base reinforcement, and the straps are integrated into the internal structures.
Note the lack of any “tail” or kicked up fins. LG’s reps said this smooths air flow over the rear and aids in forcing air out the back of the helmet.
Weight for this one, which was technically a preproduction sample but basically a finished product, was 242g. Claimed weight is 249g. We’ve got one on order for a test as soon as they’re available.
