SPY SHOT! POC Sports, better known for their downhill armor and full face helmets, is apparently working up some XC magic for debut later this year (fall tradeshows, anyone?).
All we found was this top secret photo, no specs or details other than it’s aimed at the cross country mountain bike crowd. Judging from the extended rear end, it’s likely intended more for the all-mountain and freeride gang than weight weenie XC racers.
SEA OTTER CLASSIC: If you’re into the big drops and crazy gravity-powered riding, check out the carbon fiber shelled Cortex DH helmet, plus new gloves and sunglasses after the break…
The POC Sports Cortex DH helmet is designed using the MIPS technology to absorb and reduce rotational forces acting upon your brain in the event of a violent wipe out. The technology is also used in racing, horseback riding and skiing/snowboarding.
The carbon fiber outer shell is attached to the inner shell via a breakaway pin that lets them rotate independently of each other if necessary. This helps keep the gray matter inside your head from spinning as much as the helmet while still protecting it from blunt impacts.
The yellow stuff is the internal Aramid membrane that acts like the cerebrospinal fluid between your brain and your skull.
Visual proof of the carbon-fiberness. Of course, you’ll probably also be able to tell when you put it on…it’s pretty light for a full face helmet with visor:
1,030g (2lbs 4oz) on the Park Tools scale. Of course, this comes at a price: $599. If you can’t afford that, you can still get the same features and MIPS tech in the Cortex Flow, which has more vents for better cooling, for $265.
Both have similarly well-padded interiors, and there’s plenty of room between your chin and the chin guard to make for easy breathing.
POC Sports’ new Index gloves offer something for everyone…as long you’re not looking for a lot of palm padding. The Index Flow ($75, left, orange) has a solid knuckle shield for the pinky and ring finger and neoprene padding on the other two. The Index DH ($88, right) has a larger, four-knuckle hard shield plus soft foam finger knuckle pads all digits. Both use Pittards leather on the palms.
The Index Air ($70, left, black and white in both photos above) is the lightweight XC glove with a mesh top and synthetic leather palm with silicone grippers on the finger tips. It’s pre-shaped to fit around the grip for better comfort.
When you’re chillin’ after the ride or scootin’ about town, POC’s new shades will keep the UV rays from ruining your peepers.
