BikeBiz

HELMETS: Don't lose your head

Gelert Gelert’s Canyon helmets range come in a variety of price points in 21 different design and colour combinations. Running alongside the adult helmets are five Youth and seven children’s models, all sporting a selection of exclusive designs.

The Canyon Cougar has a 22-through flow air venting system, with five colour combinations, two sizes (54/58cm and 58/62cm) and a handy snap-on/off removable peak.

The Canyon Ventura features an in-mould Monocoque design with ‘Turntyte’ easy-adjust retention fitting, slide snap adjusters and three colour combinations.

Included in Gelert’s youth helmet range are a Full Face Helmet, Street Helmet and Pad Set, Headcase BMX and Kid Cool youth.

The Canyon Kidcool helmet is made for toddlers and children. In a parent-pleasing move it has tough construction with extended neck protection. The child-friendly helmet also features six air vents, slide strap adjusters and four striking Kid Cool character graphics.

Coyote Sports Distributor and manufacturer Coyote Sports carries a full range of helmets including lines for juniors and adults, encompassing BMX and downhill-specific helmets.

New this year is a Coyote own-brand range that promises to be in stock by the end of this month (February). The new range will include helmets with new colour ways, designs and new models.

Coyote also carries the Bellelli range of kids’ helmets – sure to go down well with protective parents. Head on over to the firm’s site for more details on the Bellelli line-up.

Fox First up from Fox is the Rampage DH Helmet 20006. The head-protector comes in two new colours for 2009, including Matte Black and Matte Bronze.

Based on the best-selling Flux helmet, the Transition Helmet 20005 comes in a new sleek Matte Black this year and aims to offer dirt jump and offer street riders a lightweight, performance helmet with ample coverage to protect in a crash.

Also up from Fox is the Flux Helmet 20001, with an eye-catching new Punk Black and Re-entry Red colours added to the line-up. In a demographically pleasing move the Flux Helmet also comes in a new size of XS/S to accommodate the tiny heads of the young and small rider.

Nemesis Nemesis has a full line-up of Catlike helmets, including the Sakana model, which was recently up for an award at the International Forum Design in Hanover.

Those award-courting features include the use of an innovative Catlike-patented ‘Air Tube System’ technology. The clever tech both reinforces and lightens the whole structure of the Sakana, aiding safety and performance for riders.

The Sakana also features a generous 19 air intakes and uses dual flow technology. It benefits from in-mould technology and a removable visor. In fact, Catlike says it has packed all of its technical know-how into this compact helmet, which is designed for casual riders and MTB-addicts.

Raleigh Raleigh has unveiled a brand spanking new set of helmets for 2009, with fresh models, graphics and tech – and great features at value for money prices.

The Extreme has a unisize dial fit, oversized cooling vents and a flowery-designed helmet – all for £25.99 RRP.

The Missile boasts all-new graphics, but has substance to match the style, including a micro shell construction and dial fit system in two sizes.

Raleigh has also ramped up its Junior range, with the Rascal available in XXS, and the Burner BMX bringing BMX features to a smaller helmet.

Windwave Windwave will be bringing the updated Mace helmet range to the trade for 2009, which boasts a better fit for a larger range of head sizes. Cunningly co-ordinated to match its own jerseys and gloves with new colours and graphics, it helps to create a complete look, aiding retailers looking for co-ordinated merchandising.

The distributor will also be bringing Mace’s C4 helmet to the trade. New for 2009 it’s a new take on the traditional old-school skate style helmet. Featuring a polycarbonate shell the C4 passes all of those crucial CE and CPSC safety standards and is available in two sizes.

The Mace C4 also comes in two colours – matt black and also in an eye-catching hardwood style.

Zyro Zyro has many new and redesigned helmets including the Aduro for men – and all-rounder with 14 cooling vents and detachable peal. It also features dual compound ZoomPlus adjustment system. The Arica is the female version of the Aduro, boasting all of the great features of the former. For youngsters, Zyro offers dealers the junior-aimed Chaox – a scaled down version of the Aduro and a brand new addition for 2009.

Commuter specific helmets are also on offer from the distributor – the Urban-I and child-aimed Super Chilly – part of the Abus helmets line-up.

MadisonTwo of Madison’s latest helmets are from the Giro stable – including the Remedy Zombie special. It features some unique graphics and detailing, including a zombie arm painted down the length of the visor, which when removed reveals a bloody stump of an arm underneath the helmet shell. Nice... It also boasts 14 vents and adjustable no-tool visor, plus a removable liner (retail price in £99.99).

Also up are the Bell Drop Special Editions (also at £99.99) in three limited editions. All full-faced helmets, the ‘Flyin’ Brian Lopes helmet features artwork by Troy Lee.

The black and white Manic version uses graphics lifted from the Bell Sports MX programme and the Moto8 MX helmet.

ISON ISON Distribution has a full line of TSG helmets including All Terrain models. The new All Terrain features a peaked mould for extra facial protection.

Boasting a high impact ABS shell with a black EPS liner, the TSG is inside ventilation and 14 vents. Ison also has TSG’s hotly anticipated clear white helmets and the Staten Full Face in flat black gloss white or, for the less inhibited, in an eye-catching zebra stripe design. Also up is the Evolution Superlight and new Recon helmets.

Fisher Outdoors Fisher Outdoors offers up a big range of helmets, including the Cosmo Nova3. With a total of 15 vents for top-notch air channelling and added graphics, the helmet has an RRP of £29.99 and comes in three colours fitting sizes 54cm-61cm.

Next up is the Mythos Nova3 helmet, sharing many features with the Cosmo, and the Terra Nova3 helmet which has a brand new ‘soft touch finish’ with an impressive 21 vents and removable visor.

New for February 2009 comes the Sine Thesis, with 360 degree ventilation and 20 per cent contact with the head when worn. The helmet features Gel O2 padding and ventilated Kevlar straps. It also boasts an integrated composite exoskeleton.

Hotlines Hotlines will be bringing new helmets from Rockgardn – including two limited-edition Warbird Series helmets. With paint schemes inspired by two of the most famous fighters of WWII, the US P-51 Mustang and the Messerschmitt ME-109. The former comes with D- Day stripes and a red-headed Vargas girl.

Appropriately, both use aircraft grade thermoplastic and retail at the £99.99 mark.

The O Neal Fury is a classic Helmet that has had a nip n’ tuck for 2009, now weighing a mere 1100g – all for £79.99 RRP. Meanwhile the Azonic uses a built-in surround sound system making MP3 players easier and safer by not restricting outside noise.

Bob Elliot Bob Elliot is exclusively distributing Lazer’s range of helmets from January this year. The 2009 helmets are set to be initially delivered in February from Lazer’s children’s helmets through to the high-end road and MTB models, including the flagship Genesis. The Lazer Genesis Road helmet features Rollsys and Coolmax – helping reduce moisture. A Rigidity Brace System (RBS) reinforces the helmet’s resistance against multi-impacts, while the helmet also boasts coloured straps and washable pads.

2009 will also see additions of brand new road helmet the Helium - the helmet used by Pro Tour Team Katusha.

Chicken CyclekitChicken Cyclekit’s range of Las helmets covers eight models – making them an easy-to-stock option for retailers. Retailers opening a 16 helmet order will get a free £100 Squadra model.

With good margins, and one or two sizes or colours per helmet, the Las helmets are also used by pro racers.

The models on offer include the Victory, Chronometro, Squalo, Istrion, Kripton, Ottanta, Settantuno, Espirit II and the Fantastico. Chicken Cyclekit also offers a Las 12 helmet upright display for shop displays.

Bike X Bike X will be bringing the Sport Direct Vortex Cycle Helmet to the trade. Available in Blue/Silver, the helmet has 18 vents, anti-insect mesh and a padded chin strap, as well as a unisize headlock system. Bike X will also be distributing the Sport Direct Vento – a Red/Black helmet with 21 vents. As with the Vortex, the Vento has anti-insect mesh and a unisize headlock system. The unisize headlock makes the helmet fit sizes 58-62cm.

Finally the firm is carrying the Sport Direct BMX Skull and Cross Bones helmet. This eye-catching helmet has 11 vents and all the features of the Sport Direct range. Available in 54-58cm, the BMX Skulls and Cross Bones brings some piratey goodness to riding.

Greyville Greyville has announced that it will be carrying BBB’s freshly launched range of 11 helmets. The line- up includes product suitable for road, cross-country and BMX enthusiasts.

The range covers prices from £8.50 (RRP £14.95) for children’s helmets and £59.00 (RRP £99.95) for MTB and road helmets.

The BBB Eagle helmet scored an impressive eight out of ten in a 220Triathalonmagazine review and includes 24 air ventilation holes, adjustable straps, washable pads and reflective stickers at the rear. Coming in two sizes, the helmet has an easy to use two-sided adjustment system.