Bike park and enduro driving is all the craze within the gravity scene today. As such, corporations like ABUS are creating lighter, extra ventilated full-face helmets. Gravity riders want full head safety, however we will now take pleasure in that alongside new ranges of coolness and luxury with helmets just like the AirDrop.
The AirDrop is ABUS’ first full-face MTB helmet, and I’d say they nailed what they have been out to attain. The AirDrop is light-weight, properly vented, and really pedal pleasant. It additionally boasts some nifty security options, together with the choice so as to add a crash detecting QUIN sensor.Â
ABUS AirDrop – Key Building Options:
For full particulars on the AirDrop full-face helmet, try my article from this spring. For comfort, right here’s a fast rundown on the fundamental specs and building options.
The AirDrop’s shell is made utilizing in-mold building, however ABUS provides their Acticage reinforcements contained in the shell. All fashions include a MIPS liner, and a Zoom-Ace FF dial retention system to make sure a cosy match.
EVA pads on the underside of the chin bar present added collarbone safety, and Ambient Sound Channels help you hear what’s occurring round you. The AirDrop makes use of a double D-ring chin buckle.
The AirDrop may also host ABUS’ QUIN sensor, which may notify contacts for those who crash. It additionally collects a number of journey stats and metrics. Try my evaluate of the ABUS MoDrop helmet to study all concerning the QUIN sensor’s features.
The dimensions S/M AirDrop lists its weight at 770g, however my scale confirmed 799g.
Trip Impressions:
My first journey with the AirDrop was a day within the Whistler Bike Park. The day began off heat on the base of the mountain and funky and breezy on the prime of the carry. By the tip of the day, it obtained sizzling for my previous few decrease mountain laps.
Instantly I can say the AirDrop is likely one of the lightest and coolest full-face helmets I’ve worn. Airflow is superb throughout my head, and the chin bar barely feels prefer it’s there. Going up the primary carry I used to be glad it wasn’t cooler out, because the AirDrop was not conserving my head heat like most full-faces do! By the tip of the day my head was sweaty, however so much much less sweaty than normal.
The inside padding is fairly mild, however I discovered the AirDrop completely snug. Some individuals is likely to be a bit skeptical concerning the slim padding for full time DH or park use. Different full face helmets (like Bell’s Full 10) provide extra substantial inside padding, however the AirDrop is appropriate for bike park or downhill driving. The lighter padding positively retains this helmet on the cooler aspect for pedalling.
I like how ABUS included their Zoom-Ace dial retention system on the AirDrop. It’s straightforward to dial in a stable match, and the helmet by no means wiggled round on my head whereas driving.
My Smith Squads, my barely bigger 661 Radia goggles and Leatt’s Velocity 5.0 goggles all match into the AirDrop’s face opening simply wonderful, with no extra strain on my nostril or brow. I discovered it straightforward to get my goggle straps in place, because the helmet’s shell guides them on the perimeters. The strap does block the decrease half of the rear vents but it surely doesn’t have a noticeable influence on air flow. Goggle straps do cowl the Ambient Sound Channel openings as properly, however they nonetheless present higher listening to than most full face helmets.
After all I took the AirDrop out on my native trails, sporting it for your complete journey every time. My head began off staying very cool, as air simply flows by means of this helmet from any course. The highest of my head felt notably properly vented, and I’d say the AirDrop is nearly as cool as an open confronted lid…
I solely seen a bit of warmth build up contained in the shell and underneath the cheek pads after about 20 minutes of climbing, and when transferring at gradual speeds or stopped. As quickly as you begin driving quick or a breeze is blowing, this helmet takes in air like a dream. I discovered no points with the chin bar hampering my respiratory throughout climbs.
The AirDrop provides a superb subject of view. When climbing (with out goggles) aspect to aspect imaginative and prescient is hardly restricted, and the chin bar sits low sufficient that it wasn’t distracting whereas choosing traces on the uphills.Â
On each journey, I stored the AirDrop’s visor within the lowest place. I can simply see the height in my field-of-view, but it surely did assist hold the solar off my face on this setting. The visor’s highest place is meant to depart room for a POV digicam. I don’t assume ABUS supposed for goggle storage on the brow, because the visor would intervene with the straps.
The MIPS liner did get a bit annoying whereas climbing, because it creaks with something greater than minor motion. Whereas I don’t take into consideration the creaking throughout a descent, as my consideration is on the path, I did discover it a bit irritating after climbing for some time. I’ve discovered that is an inherent subject with MIPS liners.
My neck felt a little bit of soreness from the full-face’s weight after my path rides, however I don’t pedal in full-faces usually… Realistically, full-faces don’t get a lot lighter than the AirDrop. My solely different minor gripe is the AirDrop’s chin strap button is small and might be fiddly to snap in. Â
Other than this helmet, the one different full-face I’ve ridden and can be blissful to pedal in is Smith’s Mainline, as a result of it rivals the AirDrop in weight and air flow.
The AirDrop sells for $299.99, in S/M and L/XL sizes protecting heads from 52-62cms. Shade choices are Concrete Gray/Inexperienced, Velvet Black, Black/Gold or Polar White. ABUS’ QUIN sensor is offered individually for $69.99.
