POC Cytal Carbon helmet assessment: Lightweight and well-ventilated, however solely obtainable in black

Launched in July 2024, the POC Cytal Carbon is the model’s newest aero helmet which it claims is its most aerodynamic and well-ventilated helmet. It sits alongside the Procen Air aero helmet within the model’s pro-level helmet line-up. The Procen Air not too long ago got here out on high in our personal wind tunnel testing of highway bike helmets. 

Thanks to CFD modelling, wind tunnel testing and real-world testing by EF riders, the Cytal Carbon boasts an array of spectacular air flow and aero options, although we’re but to run it by way of the wind tunnel ourselves. In due course we must always be capable to say whether or not it is probably the greatest aero helmets in the marketplace. 

Priced at RRP £360, the Cytal Carbon is available in three sizes, S, M, and L, (50cm to 61cm), and weighs a claimed 250g for a dimension M. It is just obtainable in black. 

Design and specs

The Cytal Carbon includes a carbon ‘wing’ which sits in the midst of the helmet and which POC says is integral to the helmet’s aerodynamics and air flow. 

Using the Venturi impact, POC’s well-known strategy to airflow whereby the air accelerates because it passes by way of a constricted area, the ‘wing’ has diversified thickness and form which creates stress zones. POC says this will increase air pace by way of the helmet, aiding with cooling and air flow throughout the entire head.

The helmet additionally has massive air vents on the entrance of the helmet which POC says reduces the build-up of air on the entrance of the rider’s head, and routes air by way of the helmet relatively than round it, including to air flow and pace. This is an identical strategy to that of the very quick Procen Air. 

The outer shell is created from polycarbonate and is moulded to the helmet core for improved structural stability whereas POC says the expanded polystyrene (EPS) interior shell is optimised to stability crash safety and low weight. 

Safety

The Cytal Carbon achieved a five-star Virginia Tech security ranking, which POC says principally is right down to the density of the helmet’s EPS foam which was chosen to stability crash safety and low weight. Virginia Tech is the main impartial helmet testing facility. 

The carbon wing can be instrumental. According to POC, the carbon wing creates a construction and integrity that may be very robust, because the carbon may be very sturdy and capable of handle forces in another way to EPS. The wing is full of a Koridion core, an expandable materials, which provides the wing a extra elastic really feel. This absorption capability allegedly offers the helmet lots of energy and in addition helps power dissipation.  

I attempted giving the wing a small squeeze and will really feel the compression. However, there isn’t any rotational affect expertise akin to MIPS within the helmet. 

POC stated that the omission of MIPS was as a result of the main focus of the helmet is on air flow and aerodynamics. 

“There was a little little bit of a weight consideration, however largely as the main focus for this helmet was pushing the boundary for air circulation air flow and cooling, while on the identical time being very centered on bettering aerodynamics, particularly because it was a venture we undertook with EF,” stated Damian Phillips of POC. 

While the omission is notable, it is clearly not noticeable sufficient to cut back the five-star ranking, which leads us to the endless security tech debate of whether or not expertise akin to MIPS is crucial or not.

Performance

I’ve been testing the POC Cytal Carbon in Malta, which in contrast to the UK boasts a wonderful quantity of sunshine per yr, and in late winter this implies temperatures round 17 levels Celsius. 

I have never examined this in correct warmth so cannot attribute POC’s cooling claims nor the aero advantages given I shouldn’t have entry to a wind tunnel. 

At first look, the helmet is not precisely plush padding- clever as there’s minimal lining and padding, however there’s further on supply within the field. 

Despite this, I discovered the Cytal remarkably snug. When using, the helmet stored my head effortlessly cool. It is an extremely light-weight helmet, and straightforward to neglect that it is even in your head when using; the signal of helmet in the event you ask me. 

The dimension adjustment system is an actual stand out. Extending from temple to temple across the again of the pinnacle, the system gives a fuss-free and straightforward to safe match. It’s extremely straightforward to regulate and permits ample room for a ponytail. Part of this method is a wire that connects across the head. This appears to be like very skinny, however I had no points and would go so far as to say the adjusting system supplied one of the best match of any helmet I’ve tried.

That stated, the helmet solely is available in black, a color which absorbs warmth, which begs the query why POC determined to solely supply the buyer this shade. 

“We selected to launch the primary version in black solely because it labored properly with the Carbon Wing,” stated Phillips. 

“We have made variations in several colors for our groups (try the EF pink variations) and occasions, and we’re open minded to new color methods sooner or later. But the helmet’s important purpose is to create enhanced air flow and enhance aerodynamics.” 

Verdict

At £360 the POC Cytal Carbon is within the increased value vary bracket in comparison with different helmets within the elite aero market. 

I want to see the helmet with an built-in rotational affect expertise and are available in a wide range of color choices, relatively than simply black. 

Look previous this and the Cytal Carbon is a gloriously light-weight, cool, and cozy helmet, with an completely good adjusting system for an excellent match.