Every other piece of kit has gone under the knife to shed weight to the point of also shedding features. For frames, it's ride quality, stiffness and durability that leave the room. Wheels take the same cut and so do saddles bars and stems. But what about helmets?
Only the uber expensive and extremely well made pieces seem to get feathery weight without giving up so much in other areas that they still meet the new safety standards. Top of the line helmets have all pretty much bottomed out in the 270 gram plus range.
Most have forgotten that Giro have already had a ProLight model... Of course it looked like a picnic cooler from an episode of Miami Vice (big foam, small holes but sweet for the time period) and about 90% of today's road warriors were not in the game in the mid 80's, so all's forgiven for not remembering.
Today's lid is what you would call an upgrade to the old style though. A tidy nose...
A smooth form to allow venting without a lot of aero drag...
A fairly short stack height and conservative profile...
Finishing out back without much fuss. Venting without a lot of decoration or the typical salute to the 57' Ford Fairlane...
For the Prolight, Giro had a clear focus on weight. That speaks to the fairly low profile of the helmet. It's a little smaller mass on your hear as you look at it. But within the confines of weight focus, Giro did what Giro do... They are among the best at helmet venting and very deep channeling is on tap from front…
To back...
And when I say "Deep" I mean it...
Dump in the caliper and you'll have channel depths as much as 20mm deep in the size Medium.
Internal shape and air channeling in helmets is more important than the number and position of the vents (relative to most modern designs with multiple vents in very similar placement).
The air has to come in AND GO OUT. You can either link a couple of vents together or, better yet, have channels that allow open flow from multiple vents to move air freely from front to back. Giro and their Bell Sports cousins do this as well or better than anyone else.
They also had a pretty neat idea on how to shed those last few grams.
The Roc Loc SL system should have been called the G-String... It's basically a thong on your head (which, if you know a few folks at Giro, probably explains where the idea came from). It's an elastic strap across the back and minimal plastic side stabilizers.
"String" is also a closer description than "strap" for the chin wrap material. It's virtually half the thickness of the straps on most lids.
But while it's feather weight and thin, I would guess that you could tow a small car with a short length of it. It's certainly more than strong enough to serve safely as a bicycle helmet strapping material.
Another little safety detail I like about the Giro is that it comes with an Identification card...
NOBODY SHOULD RIDE WITHOUT ID...
What's it Weigh // How's it Work?
Nice...
192 Grams.
This thing feels somewhat like a cap on your head. Honestly I almost feel a little naked with it on. If I don't wear a sheer helmet liner and the wind is blowing on my bald bean, it feels even more like I left the house forgetting something.
The venting is simply not as good as the Atmos and Ionos from Giro, but it’s as good as a few other company’s top tier lids and I had no trouble wearing it this week end here in Phoenix in 100 degrees... I would have preferred more venting, but for those of you not routinely riding in extreme heat like me, I don't think you'll suffer using the Prolight. If the Atmos is a 10, this one is an 8.5+ and team riders sponsored by Giro are choosing the Prolight in some pretty hot climates despite having a choice between this and other lids in the range. (And no, I don't think Giro tell Contador he can't have an Ionos if he wanted...)
The Retention system is a trade off. There is a tension adjustment that allows for a more or less snug fit.
But the chin strap only adjusts for length and not position. There's no moving it further forward toward your chin or back toward your neck.
That said, I had 4 other people try it on that wear the same sized lid. Two needed no adjustment at all, the third used only the internal snug-adjusters to let out a little tension (I do think the shell size is a little tighter on the Prolight so you should try these one to make sure you have what you need). The fourth person felt like they wanted to adjust the strap more toward the chin and couldn't. That person felt OK, but would have preferred to move the straps.
The head shape for this seems to be pretty neutral as well. I have a friend who always used other brands because his head was more round than mine, but the Prolight agrees with his bean.
All that said, I think people should try these on. If the retention system suits you, I think you'll like it. I would guess most folks find it fine without adjusting.
You'll see these on the shelf for some place around US$199.00
NOW THE LIMAR PRO 104
Limar have had their "World’s Lightest" racing lid on the market for a while. Long enough that North American weight weenies were being driven to order "novelty" versions from European web sites...
The Pro 104 is an even more low profile shape than the Giro. Also tidy front end.
A more conservative rounded top with multiple in-line vents...
And a very sleek rear end.
Notable too is the bug catcher screens across the front.
It's a relatively strong mesh fiber that is in-molded and serves not only to stop stingers but to hold the helmet together better under impact. That allows for the Limar to have an even lower profile on your head as a bit less foam can be used in this critical impact zone.
Limar have very slight channeling /shaping on the inside. The rely more on the support padding for space between head and helmet from front...
Through and out the back...
The vents are well placed and lined up fairly well and the internal pads actually do a reasonable job of creating space, but the head on top lit view here is pretty dark in the holes because there's little channel depth between the vents to let the light (or as much air) through.
The Caliper shows a channel depth of just 2 - 3MM.
The Limar does feature a fully adjustable retention system that is exceptional at this low weight.
An easy to reach, VERY easy to adjust ratchet at the back makes snugging up as simple as can be. And the small, padded single contact point is minimalist comfort while being nice and secure.
The chin straps are also fully adjustable front to back, as well as tight and loose...
This will allow you to position them relative to your ears and chin exactly as you like.
What's it Weigh // How's it Work?
Also Nice...
210 Grams makes this the worlds lightest "fully adjustable" helmet... (this month anyhow, as we all know the Tour is just around the bend).
The Limar Pro 104 disappears on your head in a way that makes me think back to the near zero protection foam hair nets of old did. I can't feel the 20 grams difference to the Giro.
The retention system's adjustment will please most as it's very much what you would expect to find on a "normal" helmet weighing 25 - 50% more.
This is also very likely the quietest helmet I have ever worn. I would also guess it has exceptionally low drag at speed by way of a refined shape and that same lack of wind noise...
Those two plusses are related fairly directly to the venting and it's here where I would say that people in extreme heat should look elsewhere. There's reasonable venting through the holes and radiant heat gets away from your head well, but the lack of flow through venting is notable, even with my complete lack of hair, despite the space provided by the padding. The Limar is fine for most folks in most environments but if top helmets get a 10, the Limar would top out at 7. Suitable for lots of people and certainly doable in the mountains, but I would draw the line some place in the 80's for best use.
Like everything from Limar, this is a solid, safety first design that should last beyond what most would reasonably ask of a helmet this light.
Another plus from the padding along with providing a bit of breathing is that it makes for a still firm but fairly comfortable contact point where it sits, front, top and back. It's a pretty friendly helmet on your head.
The Pro 104 is selling for @ US$199.00.
So That's It...
Two fantastically light helmets, The Limar a bit better suited to adjustment, it's padding a bit more plush and it's very quiet.
The Giro is much better venting / notably more breathable, a bit lighter and its retention system is the best part of simplicity (it's also pretty darn quiet by the way).
Both of these things are a heck of a nice relief to my head and neck over the long haul. I left it out, but both lids have anti-microbial liners. I use the term liner as loose as possible because neither amounts to much fabric at all.
Prices are generally lower for the Limar and availability is a little better in general for the Giro.
You'll find em both at LIMARHELMETS.com and GIRO.COM along with loads of other sweet stuff from both companies.
Lighten Up!
Charles Manantan
Thanks for looking. If you have other experiences with gear, or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews, or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products we test here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper use and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
Race Report: You’ve got to hand it to the Vuelta organisers. Day three of racing and they’re already throwing some awkward slopes in front of ... More....
Roadside Pez St.1B: A late finish for everyone on Saturday’s team time trial made getting up early on Sunday a bit tricky for some; although ... More....
Race Report: The host town for stage two of this year’s Vuelta is Alcalá de Guadaíra and the temperature is already sloping up, up, up. It’s ... More....
Not much needed changing with Sidi's benchmark shoe. In fact if you asked me, they were dead right, as-is for 09'. But il professore dei piede ... More....
When you talk about Orbea bicycles and the Euskaltel team, it’s about more than light alloy and carbon; it’s about people, national identity, unity ... More....
Catlike's latest version Whisper Plus checks a lot of boxes on anyone's list of requirements for the current top of the top of the line helmets. More....
The new book, “As Good as Gold,” by Kathryn Bertine, is the entertaining tale of a dedicated athlete, who had a singularly peculiar opportunity to ... More....
Just a few short weeks from now, one of the largest organized group cycling events on the West Coast will take place between Vancouver and Whistler. ... More....
Recently, PEZ spent a little time in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with titanium frame builders, Moots. The down to earth company in one of the best ... More....
The Tour of Utah provided some of the most entertaining and difficult American racing of the year. PEZ was on the scene for the week along the ... More....
Emma Pooley stormed to a second consecutive solo win yesterday in the women’s version of the GP Plouay and Simon Gerrans faced the challenge of ... More....
Your teammates aren’t cooperating enough in races. A fellow rider is at risk – or is putting others at risk – but is unaware. The peloton needs ... More....
August has been sweltering for much of North America and Europe, and we know that hyperthermia can have a major negative impact on our performance ... More....
August is a dangerous month; a full season of racing has left many athletes tired and ready for the fall break. Often motivation to train hard wanes ... More....
As both a coach and fan of bike racing, I always watch the tour (or any bike race for that matter) with a “coaches eye”, always looking for things ... More....
Roadside Report: 'Did you think it was a good Tour?' asks Vik. I knew it was a leading question, but went along with it, 'yes, a good Tour.' ... More....
Roadside Report: On last Monday’s ‘repos’ in Morzine, Pez got a very special opportunity. As things were marginally more relaxed than normal, ... More....
Giro Roadside Wrap: The curtain fell on this Giro a few weeks ago, but as I’ve learned over the years, as the days tick by the memories of ... More....
Roadside PEZ: The team bus is the home away from home for the riders on Tour. Every night a new hotel room, every day a new start town and a ... More....
Dozens of SMS and emails flash up on my BlackBerry each day, most are chaff and get deleted after a quick glance – but when one comes in to tell me ... More....
The last time we spoke to Columbia-HTC's Matt Goss, he'd just won a race which one day may become a classic - Philly. On Sunday past he won a race ... More....
Here at PEZ, we’re dedicated students of cycling history. Plus, we love those old-school photos featuring riders in wool jerseys on skinny steel ... More....
On the premise that it's never too early to run a six day story... Black Dog's Ryan Sabga wanted to ride a European six day race. So, he did! Here's ... More....
Yesterday, PEZ spoke with young American talent, Lawson Craddock, today, we move up two steps to World Junior TT Champion, Bob Jungels. The 17 year ... More....
Gran Canaria, situated off of the west coast of Africa, is not one of the world’s best known riding destinations. When compared to the Alps, ... More....
He has a degree in 19th century French literature was a big Richard Virenque fan, and as the organiser of PEZ's superb hotels for the 2010 Tour de ... More....
Wow, did somebody say transfer season? It's certainly that crazy time of year where riders, managers and suppliers are fighting for the best deals ... Full Story....
Roadside St.5: A sprinter’s day and the best of them are here at the 75th Vuelta a España. Who will take the honours and the champagne? What ... More....
Race Report: After the arduous profiles of the last two days, the sprinters got their chance in Stage 5. Not to say that today was an easy ... More....
Two times Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, and at only 50 years of age, his time came much too soon. PEZ ... More....
Race Report: The longest day yet of the ’10 Vuelta saw the riders tackling 183 km from Málaga to Valdepeñas de Jaén. Philippe Gilbert started ... More....
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/greathead10/gh101large.jpg",784,728);)
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/sidi/10sidilarge.jpg",1900,1267);)
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/moots/bike-bikebig.jpg",900,673);)
