Van Rysel RCR MIPS helmet evaluation: Truly unbelievable worth for cash and efficiency that punches nicely above its weight

Choosing the very best street bike helmet for a lot of is all about aerodynamics these days. As the helmet hits clear air it could actually have an outsized impact on efficiency in comparison with many different upgrades, however for a lot of, the primary consideration goes to be value. Top-end helmets can simply set you again over £200/$250, and for a lot of, that’s simply an excessive amount of cash for what, firstly, is a chunk of security gear.

Van Rysel is doing an awesome job lately of making an attempt to solid of its cut price aesthetic. The Van Rysel RCR Pro street bike had essentially the most hype of any street bike launch I can bear in mind lately, and with the model’s gear getting used on the high stage of the game it’s definitely changing into a giant participant that’s disrupting the standard order of issues. 

In a latest wind tunnel take a look at, the RCR-F helmet (beforehand generally known as the FCR) got here out third quickest amongst an enormous vary of street helmets (ignoring the mad POC Procen Air for a second), regardless of costing a fraction of the worth of many within the listing. While my colleague Tom reviewed that helmet, which, contemplating the aero efficiency,e provides actually astounding worth, I’ve been utilizing the even cheaper Van Rysel RCR MIPS helmet for a number of months now, and in the event you aren’t counting every watt, then I feel it’s probably a fair higher purchase.

Design and aesthetics

In phrases of type, the Van Rysel RCR MIPS shares loads of similarities with the extra aero RCR-F. Shape-wise, the 2 are comparable, however the RCR MIPS simply has extra vents. The entrance part options three decrease vents across the forehead, together with 5 massive fundamental vents, that are bisected by a stiff plastic beam. 

At the rear, there are a full seven vents to dump sizzling air out into the turbulent air behind, and whereas in whole this may increasingly sound like lots, this doesn’t truly appear like a wildly vented helmet when taken within the spherical. The central portion may be very clean, much like the venerable outdated Kask Protone. 

Naturally, one can’t decide aerodynamics by eye, nevertheless it’s clearly a extra ventilated helmet than its aero sibling. With one’s head down in an aero place, it isn’t exhausting to think about it additionally being comparatively quick. Again, this wants testing to corroborate, so I’ll depart any aero dialogue there.

Inside the shiny white or blue plastic shell is the standard expanded polystyrene shell, and inside that the padding appears comparatively minimal. What’s key to notice right here is that, regardless of an RRP of simply £79.99, the helmet consists of MIPS Air Node expertise. MIPS (multidirectional impression safety system) permits the shell of the helmet to rotate across the wearer’s head to some extent throughout an impression, with a discount within the rotational forces felt by the mind. Air Node is the model’s newest, lowest-profile providing, and to see it at this value level is fairly unbelievable. 

The cradle is adjustable through a dial and may be raised or lowered on the again a number of notches to attain a super match. The padding may be eliminated for laundry too in the event you’re useless sweaty. The chin strap is adjustable, although a little bit fundamental, ditching the fidlock magnetic clasp of the FCR in favour of a typical buckle. The Y-junctions underneath the ears are neatly achieved however aren’t adjustable in any approach, so in the event that they sit within the flawed place for you, then you definately’re going to need to take care of it.

My dimension medium model weighed in at 278.6g/9.8oz, which isn’t essentially going to problem for the title of lightest street bike helmet, nevertheless it’s definitely respectable. It is barely 14g lighter than the FCR, which is a little bit shocking given the additional vents.

The Van Rysel logos are simply stickers, and so may be susceptible to peeling off within the fullness of time, however up to now, mine have been completely golden. 

Performance

I’ve used some low-cost helmets prior to now, and, on the entire, all of them really feel as such, however that’s not the case right here. The Van Rysel RCR MIPS helmet feels considerably extra premium than its price ticket would counsel it must. While the padding appears comparatively minimal, the helmet is extraordinarily comfy, and I by no means encountered any pinching or rubbing. This could also be as a result of it completely matches my head, however regardless it’s on a par with some helmets which are twice the worth. 

The cradle sits comparatively low on the ears. Not low sufficient to intrude together with your biking glasses, however together with a comparatively low forehead and a rear cradle that may prolong down a good way it’s sufficient to make it really feel like your head is in the helmet fairly than the helmet is on your head, if that’s not too wonderful a distinction to make. 

While using, it’s been primarily faultless. Comfort is vital for me, and whereas I haven’t given it a run out in actually sweltering temperatures but, I do put on a cap underneath it on frosty days, which is often an indication of first rate air flow. Adjustment on the fly is a breeze, and the dial has a constructive click on in each instructions with little resistance. It’s simpler than many dials I’ve used, and it’s completely doable to whip it off, take your cap off, and reapply your helmet whereas using, although, naturally, I have to counsel that you just shouldn’t truly do that. 

While the ear cradles aren’t adjustable, they’re low profile and sat low sufficient that they by no means troubled me. I did discover that the vents don’t maintain sun shades notably nicely, although, so I tended to decide to stay them down the again of my jersey if I ever wanted to take away them. 

Now, clearly, I haven’t crashed the helmet to check out the protection options, which finally is what it’s for, nevertheless it complies with European laws EN1078, and also you get that added MIPS rotational impression safety that you just don’t at present get with the FCR regardless of it being costlier. This is an actual win for me, and it does considerably elevate questions as to why the FCR doesn’t additionally embody MIPS, no less than not within the UK – a MIPS providing is obtainable in Europe. The solely disadvantage, maybe, is that it doesn’t have a Virginia Tech ranking, an impartial system for ranking helmets, so if you would like security above all else, then you definately’d be higher off seeking to one which has been examined on this method. 

Onto aero once more briefly. I’m not going to fake that it ‘feels quick’ as a result of that’s a daft factor to say a few helmet. What I can say is that we’ve examined the very equally formed FCR within the wind tunnel, and it was glorious, and that was sufficient to make me attain for this one over my different helmets after I was on rides the place I needed to be quick. If you’re after a purely aero helmet, then go for the FCR, however for the overall rider who has a watch on efficiency nevertheless it isn’t the be all and finish al,l then the FCR is a superb helmet.

Value

I actually can’t consider this helmet prices as little because it does. It’s solely £79.99 and, for essentially the most half, looks like a helmet value twice that asking value. The solely bit that feels low-cost is the chin strap, and I can’t, in good conscience, say that ever gave me any grief. Truly stupendous worth, and if I used to be shopping for a helmet for myself, it’d in all probability be this so I’d have more cash for different issues. 

Verdict

If you aren’t counting each watt, then the Van Rysel RCR MIPS must be in your consideration listing to your subsequent street bike helmet. It’s extraordinarily comfy, it appears good with none cut price basement aesthetics, you get added MIPS expertise, it’s fairly nicely ventilated, there’s some professional workforce brownie factors if that’s your factor, and all for nicely underneath £100. 

Unless you need essentially the most aero helmet doable, essentially the most ventilated helmet doable, or the most secure helmet doable (as this hasn’t been rated by Virginia Tech), then I can’t see a compelling cause to decide on different choices in addition to aesthetic concerns.