Eurobike Tech: Bell and Giro add MIPS and ICEdot to new helmets
Bell, Giro, ICEdot, and MIPS are all taking big steps to improve your safety on the road and trail
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Bell launches Super 2R, plus helmets equipped with MIPS and ICEdot
Bell Helmets officially pulled the veil off a redesign of its Super helmet. The rumors are true — the new helmet, dubbed the Super 2, is a convertible enduro helmet with a detachable chin guard.
The chin bar is only compatible with the Super 2R and the new Super 2, utilizing a design Bell calls Wraparound Technology.
For a bit of extra peace of mind, Bell now incorporates an ICEdot identification tag into the new helmets.
Founder of ICEdot, Chris Zenthoefer said, “The new helmets feature the ICEdot PIN and profile system designed onto the helmet, making them the first to have a true, globally accessible emergency ID system on the helmet right out of the box. Each helmet comes with one year of ICEdot service. Shred has done this in snow sports and POC includes an ICEdot sticker that can be added, but it is not built in. Bell is taking the strong position of making it part of the helmet and really pushing their customers to register an emergency profile.”
“From our perspective, the goal is to make the helmet itself the emergency ID product that everyone in the world has and wears,” Zenthoefer said. “We are honored that Bell, the original and largest helmet company, has chosen our platform to provide an additional layer of safety to their customers, it’s privilege we don’t take lightly.”
The new Super 2R is set to be available in November for $200. The Super 2R, Super 2, and the lower caliber Stoker will all be available with MIPS concussion prevention technology as well.
ICEdot Emergency Trigger
ICEdot, the brand that brought us one of our favorite products of 2013, the Crash Sensor, has introduced a button that clips on to your helmet strap and can be pressed to call for help.
The aptly-named Emergency Trigger, like the ICEdot Crash Sensor, is tethered to an iPhone or Android device. When pressed, the Emergency Trigger can notify your list of emergency contacts listed in your ICEdot profile that you’re in trouble. It will also give them your location.
Pricing for the Emergency Trigger has not yet been released. It is set to be available in March 2015.
Giro incorporates MIPS in several models
Giro has announced that two mountain bike models, two road models, and a new urban helmet will be available with MIPS concussion prevention technology. The Feature and women’s Feather mountain bike helmets will come equipped with MIPS for $95 — $20 more than the standard Feature. On the road side, the Savant and women’s Sonnet MIPS will retail for $110, also $20 more expensive than the standard Savant.
MIPS is a free-floating shell that sits inside the main helmet shell. It is designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain caused by angular impacts.
Giro also unveiled an all-new urban platform, called the Sutton. The Sutton comes with a removable visor and a clip for a rear light. There is also a reinforced port that allows the helmet to be secured with a U-lock, if you prefer to leave your helmet with your bike when you lock it outside.
The Sutton will retail for $80, and the Sutton MIPS will retail for $90.