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Firstly of the Tour, we reported on a brand new top-of-the-line aero highway helmet from Ekoï that’s a part of a partnership with Pininfarina, the Aerodinamica. We have seen choose riders utilizing it on the Tour, however the primary helmet that has taken the quick stage wins with Cofidis and Israel-Premier Tech up to now has been the AR14. The earlier range-topping helmet, the AR14 is an all-around, aero-road helmet, and we have been driving it into the summer season warmth with a pair of the Premium 90 sun shades. Each can be found as a part of Ekoï’s customized program, with inventory choices obtainable for the helmet.
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The AR14 (AR=Aero Street) is the replace for Ekoï’s AR13. The following-generation helmet makes use of a polycarbonate shell with simply 4 frontal vents and two scoop vents alongside the highest to create a smooth profile with simply sufficient ventilation coming by means of. For groups like Cofidis, Arkea-Samsic, Israel-Premier Tech, and lotto-DSTNY, it has develop into their go-to helmet for all however the highest climbing levels, as riders are seeing the benefit of an aero highway helmet over a regular helmet. When the highway begins to climb for large days within the mountain, they transfer to the Gara or the unreleased Stradale, the place air flow issues extra.
Ranging from the skin and moving into, the AR14 is a fairly commonplace helmet. Ekoï makes use of a polycarbonate shell with in-molded EPS foam. The form jogs my memory extra of the ABUS GameChanger than different, extra elongated aero highway helmets on the market. This offers it an all-around really feel and may work effectively at varied head angles. The shell wraps across the backside of the helmet, which helps defend it from bumps and offers the helmet a refined look. Inside, the EPS is formed to create channels for the air coming within the 4 entrance ports to stream by means of to chill you down. Scorching air is moved out the again by means of two facet ports and the 4 essential ports within the middle. The highest two consumption scoop ports assist to speed up the air out the again, and likewise act as an ideal place to splash some water in on sizzling days the place it is going to stream down the again of your head and neck, and never drip onto your glasses.
Inside, Coolmax pads assist maintain all the pieces comfy and wick sweat away. Ekoï truly contains three totally different units (black, gray, and pink) which are all totally different thicknesses, so you may customise the match of the helmet, with choices to combine and match as you want. There’s additionally a Coolmax chin strap pad as effectively.
The becoming system inside makes use of an ATOP dial to customise the slot in millimeter increments. You will see ATOP talked about in our upcoming Ekoï shoe assessment as effectively, as it’s the dial of alternative for the French model. It really works a bit otherwise than different dials I’ve beforehand used from manufacturers like BOA. Turning the dial to the correct will pull the cable in to tighten whereas turning the dial to the left will solely go 1 / 4 flip earlier than it stops and releases the cable to help you pull and loosen. The cradle may also be adjusted vertically to customise the match on the again of your head. When lowered, the opening will enable lengthy hair out of the again. The straps are pretty minimalistic with a small adjustable plastic splitter and run right down to a magnetic buckle and chin pad. Ekoï additionally features a nice mesh storage bag to guard it from scratches but in addition permits for airflow to assist the pads dry after use.
Now, we’ve not talked a lot in regards to the glasses but, the Premium 90. The lens is a shatterproof polycarbonate made in Italy, with a mirror tint coating on the skin. The temples and nostril piece are constructed from Grilamid, a sort of nylon that you just discover in lots of sun shades nowadays. The nostril piece and rubber components on the top of the temples add grip, particularly when moist, and the nostril piece is versatile to supply a customized match. The field doubles as a case, and it comes with a microfiber bag and a sprig bottle of cleansing answer.
On The Street
With Ekoï sponsoring professional groups over time, I’ve seen the title however by no means had an opportunity to essentially attempt any of their merchandise out. The model is huge in Europe and has expanded to Asia, however continues to be engaged on getting extra recognition right here within the US. Their direct-to-consumer mannequin means you most likely will not see them at your native bike store, however that does not imply they should not be thought of with different manufacturers like Giro, Bell, Specialised, or Bontrager. We’ll have a variety of opinions coming quickly for kits and a pair of sneakers too. Thus far although, I am fairly impressed.
The Match of the AR14 is sort of good. I are inclined to not have a lot of a difficulty with helmets, although I choose a extra oval form than spherical helmets. The AR14 suits effectively with out a lot extra hole on the perimeters of the helmet, giving it a fitted look. It suits effectively across the temples in back and front, offering loads of protection within the occasion that you just’d really need it. The ATOP dial for the retention system took a trip or two to get used to. The micro-adjustment to tighten the helmet was acquainted, however the quarter flip to unlock was totally different however turned second nature shortly. It by no means felt like there have been any strain factors or sizzling spots.
The straps are comfy and sat effectively towards my head, and despite the fact that they’re stitched collectively rather than an adjustable splitter, they sat comfortably under my ears. Chinstrap size is normally my greatest grievance on helmets, however the AR14 was simply lengthy sufficient, and the Coolmax pad sat comfortably beneath my chin/beard. The magnetic buckle can also be a pleasant, premium contact.
The Premium 90 disappears in your face. At 29g, it comfortably sits in your nostril with the adjustable nostril piece permitting me to regulate it to the width of my nostril. The match was very good for a frameless lens. They felt extra sturdy than the Oakley EV Zero, with a tighter match than the Tifosi Rail.
The polycarbonate lens gives loads of protection and the well-placed vents on the 90 assist to maintain them fog free on lengthy climbs. Readability is on par with different high manufacturers I’ve reviewed, and the gold mirror with a bronze tint supplied loads of shade beneath vibrant circumstances. The distinction was good for highway or shaded trails. Alternative lenses can be found if you wish to possibly swap to a transparent lens for overcast days, and you may simply swap between the 70, 80, and 90 lens shapes with the identical temples.
Air flow is one thing that’s all the time a problem with aero highway helmets. To get the aero benefit, the entrance of the helmet is often closed off as a lot as attainable to scale back drag. This additionally reduces air flow. On the AR14, the entrance 4 vents supplied sufficient air flow to maintain me cool on all however the hottest rides. Throughout a current heatwave in Pennsylvania, there have been just a few occasions on slower climbs that I might need wished the Gara as an alternative, however general, I used to be fairly completely satisfied when interested by different aero highway helmets I’ve tried. All the things was comfy, and there was minimal dripping from the entrance of the helmet, because of the structure of the pads throughout the forehead.
Aerodynamics is difficult to quantify with out a wind tunnel, however I can say it did not really feel prefer it was slowing me down. I used to be in a position to put in some stable efforts that helped nab some Strava segments alongside the best way. The helmet was quiet, which makes me really feel like there are not less than some aero features. Total although, I used to be very pleased with the helmet and the Premium 90 sun shades. With a few of my different go-to aero helmets beginning to hit their 5-year expiration dates, the AR14 will certainly take the place in my rotation.
Tocsen Crash Alert Sensor
Ekoï has chosen to work with Tocsen for his or her crash alert sensor, one thing we’re beginning to see different manufacturers like Smith undertake as effectively. The small micro-USB charged system attaches to your helmet and connects to your cellphone, much like Specialised’s ANGi or the outdated ICEdot sensors. Within the occasion of a crash, the sensor will present your coordinates to emergency contacts you may have programmed into the app.
In contrast to ANGi, Tocsen’s sensor enables you to hook up with a community of customers. You possibly can flip your sensor off, to standby, or on, and when you’re within the latter of the 2 settings, if one other Tocsen consumer close to you crashes, it may well ship you a notification, permitting you to try to assist the consumer. Fortunately, I by no means had to make use of the app, however it’s all the time higher to have it and never want it.
Customized Choices
Each our AR14 and Premium 90 sun shades got here by means of the customized program. Ekoï gives this as a solution to create choices to match your equipment, bike, or give that customized look you’re searching for.
For the AR14, I added blue accents, a US flag, and my title. The accent coloration will get added down the middle of the helmet and likewise consistent with the entrance vents. On the again, there may be additionally an accent added across the rear middle vent. A flag and your title may also be added. A spread of colours is on the market, together with a cool oil slick choice. These accents are adhesive vinyl, and could be peeled off in a while, however can pull up the painted coloration beneath, so watch out when you do.
For the glasses, there have been just a few extra decisions. I began with the lens form. The form is mostly the identical, however the air flow ports change up a bit. The 70 is the shortest at 61.4mm, but in addition the widest at 131.7mm. The 80 is the tallest at 63mm however sits within the center at 131.4mm large. The 90 is 61.6mm tall and 127.6mm large. The 90 appears to be essentially the most ventilated in the direction of the middle of the face, whereas the 70’s vents sit wider on the lens. The 80, Caleb Ewan’s alternative, is the least ventilated. Based mostly on the scale and vent areas, I went with the 90 to supply some air flow after I’m climbing slowly up hills.
From there, it’s all about selecting colours. For the lens, I went with the gold mirrored lens with a bronze backing. I like the look and the bronze tint gives a superb distinction on the highway. Subsequent, you may have 5 items of the body to customise, the nostril piece, three items on the temple, and the ear rubbers. There’s a vary of colours which you can combine and match, and I went with a mixture of black and carbon fiber on the temples and black rubbers. For the engraving, you are able to do two characters on the lens and as much as eight on the temples, so 90 and PREMIUM labored nice.
There’s an upcharge for the customized choices. For the AR14, the customized is about $100 extra. The Premium 90 has just a few inventory choices obtainable at $134.99, with the customized including as much as $65 extra, relying on when you add engraving.
Even Extra Customized
You probably have seen a few of my different opinions, I wish to customise sneakers and sun shades. I am not an expert by any means, however I get pleasure from seeing what I can provide you with. I had by no means tried a helmet earlier than, so after a little analysis, and figuring out I wanted to ensure I am solely portray the shell and defending the EPS foam, I peeled off the blue and commenced masking the helmet and plugging the vents. When all the pieces was all set, I used a really high-quality sandpaper (800 grit) to calmly scuff up the shell. After a wipedown with alcohol and water, portray started. I began with a gray primer after which added light layers of various colours with a lightweight moist sanding with 1000 grit in between. Ultimately, after I bought to my high coat, I started moist sanding once more to sand again by means of among the layers to offer it that worn look. After I was completely satisfied, I completed it with a number of layers of clear coat, and calmly moist sanding with 1300 grit in between. Whereas it won’t be excellent from the manufacturing unit, and even skilled customized high quality, I am fairly pleased with the way it turned out.
Now, earlier than you all go and begin spray portray your helmets, you should definitely do analysis on it to be sure to are utilizing the correct merchandise and know that it’ll void any guarantee you’ll have.
Should you resolve to go inventory on the AR14, you may have a variety of colours to select from with black and white bases. Three sizes have you ever lined from 52 to 61CM. At $184.99, it is not a foul worth for what you’re getting. Customized choices are round $281.99 and there are additionally particular version Star LTD Chrome choices that wrap the helmet in a shiny vinyl on the similar worth, and crew version helmets for Cofidis, Israel-PremierTech, and French Nationwide colours at $369.98.
Total, for the primary merchandise we have reviewed from Ekoï, I am very impressed. Construct high quality is top-notch, and all the pieces feels high-quality. I would skip the customized helmet choice as the value distinction appears a bit excessive for what you get, however the base helmets supply nice worth for what you get. The customized choice for the sun shades, alternatively, is a superb choice. Should you skip the engraving, or solely go along with one, the upcharge to get the customized colours you need may be very cheap. As I discussed earlier than, the AR14 will certainly develop into a part of my helmet rotation going ahead, with the Premium 90’s to match.
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Heckling Editor, Picture Taker, Crash Take a look at Dummy, and Beard Grasp at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Present Testing Rigs – 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Professional, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I am going to inform you once they make it
Self-discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, highway and duathlons (trip/run)
Favourite Rides – Quiet nation roads of Amish Nation, among the finest roads round.
Meals of Selection – Candy potato roll
Beer of Selection – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged 4 years
Bourbon of Selection – Widow Jane 10 12 months
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