Hype This – Safety Essentials
So, you’ve been riding for a while and are eager to step it up a notch? Or do you prefer flow trails and high speeds? No matter how or where you like to play on your bike, protective gear is a must. To that end, we’ve gathered eight safety essentials that you’ll love, from helmets to rescue beacons.
POC Kortal Race MIPS & POC Devour
The new Kortal Race MIPS is a half-shell helmet that offers lots of protection on wild trail rides. It provides plenty of coverage and features MIPS technology to mitigate against rotational forces. It also has an NFC chip, providing vital data for rescue personnel, as well as a RECCO reflector, which should make you easier to find when visibility is restricted. The helmet is certified according to the current Dutch NTA8776 ebike standard, which assumes higher average speeds. It’s compatible with goggles and has enough space under the raised visor to park them there. Alternatively, you can wear the stylish helmet together with the POC Devour Clarity eyewear, offering a particularly wide field of vision. The featherweight glasses weigh just 40 g, have contrasting lenses, and an adjustable fit, setting you back by € 250. They’re comfortable to wear and sufficiently ventilated to keep your vision clear even if you hit a sauna.
Price: helmet € 250, glasses € 250
Weight: helmet 379 g, glasses 40 g
More information: pocsports.com
FOX Launch D3O
With the FOX Launch D3O knee pads, you can slide over the trail like a rock star on the stage. While rock stars probably burn their knees, the knee pads should keep yours from getting grazed! The specially developed D3O foam is soft and supple while riding but hardens immediately upon impact. The knee pads are designed to be slipped on and have two Velcro fasteners, one at the top and one bottom. Luckily, there’s no irritating zipper. The perforated neoprene ensures proper ventilation and has a cutout at the back of the knee. So, there is no excuse to ride unprotected even on hot summer days.
Price: € 84.99
Weight: 413 g (size M)
More information: foxracing.com
Bluegrass Seamless Lite D3O
The MET Bluegrass Seamless Lite D3O back protector also relies on D3O foam, which remains flexible and adapts to the shape of your body, only hardening in the event of an impact. Bluegrass shape the protective foam into a breathable honeycomb structure, that way, the air can circulate through the protector and keep you cool. The shirt in which the protector is embedded is also made of mesh material to increase ventilation. In addition, the shirt is long enough to tuck it into your pants to prevent it from riding up your back. If you want to protect your back as well as your shoulders, you can grab the Bluegrass Seamless B&S D3O instead, which offers the same features but with added shoulder protectors.
Price: € 190
Weight: 450 g (size L/XL)
More information: met-helmets.com
SIGMA Aura 100 / Blaze Link
If you miscalculate your route or have to wait too long for your food at the restaurant and end up riding home in the dark, the Sigma Aura 100 connected light set could be just what you need, consisting of a head- and taillight, each with their own rechargeable battery. The battery level of both lights is indicated on the headlight, which is connected to the taillight via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). You can also switch both lights on and off via the headlight, though doing so isn’t even necessary thanks to the auto mode, which uses a brightness sensor to switch both lights on when you pass through a tunnel or get caught in the dark. The taillight also has automatic brake lights that work with the help of an integrated accelerometer.
Price: € 99.95
Weight: 140 g
More information: sigmasport.com
Specialized ANGi Crash Sensor
The Specialized ANGi Crash Sensor is small but powerful! The small black box uses an accelerometer and gyroscope to detect if you’ve had a crash and in extreme cases it alerts preconfigured emergency contacts with a message and your exact location. The little helper can be easily attached to almost any helmet using an adhesive patch. Most Specialized helmets have a special ANGi mount on the back of the helmet where it doesn’t get in the way. Before setting off, you need to create an account in the Specialized Ride app, pair the sensor and, of course, store your emergency contacts. The ANGi Crash Sensor is powered by a small button cell battery which should last for half a year, making it a very useful safety gadget if you often ride alone.
Price: € 50
Weight: 10 g
More information: specialized.com
MAMMUT First Aid Kit Light
The German brand with the extinct prehistoric animal as their logo actually specialise in mountaineering and climbing products. However, the First Aid Kit Light cuts an equally good figure on bike rides with its convenient roll-top bag. If you ride with your kids, chances are they’ll have a little crash resulting in minor cuts and abrasions, which this first aid kit will let you treat on-site. Weighing in at just 110 grams and with a waterproof roll-top closure, it should fit inside most hip-packs, or you could strap it to your bike. In addition to a rescue blanket, triangular and various other bandages, the set also includes two alcohol swabs to clean wounds and a 14-piece plaster set for minor injuries.
Price: € 30
Weight: 110 g
More information: mammut.com
Dainese Linea 01 MIPS
The motorcycle experts at Dainese know what they’re doing when it comes to protective equipment. They transferred their motorcycle know-how to the bike segment and launched the Dainese Linea 01 MIPS, one of the lightest full-face helmets on the market – which has already been awarded the renowned Design & Innovation Award for its practical features. The helmet isn’t just super lightweight but also excellently ventilated thanks to 29 ventilation ports, so there’s no need to remove the helmet on the climbs. Moreover, it has an integrated NFC chip, giving rescue workers direct access to vital data such as possible allergies or illnesses in the event of an accident. With the magnetic Fidlock closure, you can close the chin strap with one hand and be ready to ride before everyone else.
Price: € 279.95
Weight: 570 g (size M)
More information: dainese.com
USWE PATRIOT 15 L
Tired of carrying a backpack that’s like a dancing monkey on your back on the descents? USWE have made it their mission to put an end to that with bold type lettering on the shoulder straps saying: “No dancing Monkey!” Thanks to the ingenious harness design with a central buckle and elastic bands, the PATRIOT backpack stays firmly put on your back. With their system, USWE get rid of the annoying belly and chest straps, making it look more like you’re strapped into the seat of a racing car. With its 15 L volume, it offers enough storage space for all the trail essentials you need on an all-day ride. In addition, the backpack features a full-fledged back protector certified to level 1 CE standard and an extra compartment with a port for a three-litre bladder (not included). So, you’ll be adequately protected and prepared for the most epic rides.
Price: € 149
Weight: 858 g (incl. back protector)
More information: uswe.com
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Manufacturer
