Spanish helmet specialists Catlike had some interesting new time trial helmets locked away at the show. They were a bit protective of what were described as prototypes, but we sat down with them to have a look at what was really going on. The helmets both looked pretty well refined, although there were some minor finishing issues. Both helmets did include product tags even though they were locked away, and had an in-molded inner protective helmet, and Catlike’s MPS retention system as used on their current road/TT lines.
Click through to see some more detail shots and some more tech..
The helmet Rapid has been developed in collaboration with the Movistar team and the University of Granada in their Andalusia, Spain wind tunnel to come up with a new blunt-tail aerodynamic helmet that performs well across the wide range of real-world conditions and the variety of rider positions encountered in bike racing. The project developed into two unique shells and ventilation systems in-molded around a common base helmet. This results in a very flexible outer shell allowing the user to stretch it onto one’s head for a tight aero fit.
The first, an externally vented version for time trials, includes two large central ventilation ports to carry air through the helmet across the top of the head. Two side vents next to the removable visor bring air in across the ears and lower back to help cool riders during longer time trials. The Movistar team has already raced the vented version this season at the races against teh clock at the Giro d’Italia.
The smooth shelled Rapid Tri helmet is aimed at the triathlon market. Like the Rapid, it also includes a removable wide vision visor held on by a series of magnets in the lens and contact point under the in-moleded shell. The Rapid Tri foregoes the big vent ports for a more clean aero shape, with venting through and behind the visor and passive exhaust ports just behind the ears.
