Troy Lee Designs has a reputation for having a fan base more rabid than Apple, so when they announced their first half shell bicycle helmet since a collaboration with Shoei in the early 90’s – it was met with great enthusiasm.
That excitement was due to the company’s reputation for developing products that save lives, are extremely comfortable, and ooze style. Of course, I’d only ever heard of the reputation from my gravity bros. Like that hot person in high school you wrote off as having nothing to offer but their looks, I was never sure if TLD really offered anything special enough to merit the hefty cost.
So after spending a year riding in the A1, did it differentiate itself as the prom queen or the valedictorian of the Enduro helmet market?
An adjustable visor is mounted using anodized aluminum hardware that is designed to be tightened by hand.
Starting with the tech – the A1 has 16 total vents. There are eight forward facing vents which draw air in, while the rearward vents act as exhaust ports.
A plush one piece anti-microbial liner also aids in moister wicking and can easily be removed for washing.
Designed with the needs of aggressive riders in mind, the helmet has healthy extended coverage towards the rear of the head, and has passed both the CPSC and CE EN safety certification test.
A triple position adjustable retention system allows the helmet fore and aft to be customized to accommodate various head shapes and eyewear, while a simple ratcheting system holds everything in place.
Just a few examples of the new color schemes. You can view the our coverage of the entire 2015 TLD line up here
The helmet is available in three different sizes (XS/SM, Med/LG, and XL/XXL) and numerous color schemes. Prices start at $139 for the Drone edition, which features a more muted color scheme than the one pictured, but TLD also offers several more detailed and bright color schemes for $165.
On the Trail
The helmet is also compatible with various aftermarket attachments e.g. My Nightrider mount
