SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (BRAIN) — The aero road helmet market is apparently heating up, with new models arriving all the time. Giro's latest, the Synthe, was introduced this week and promises not only an aero advantage, but a weight and cooling performance that rivals standard road helmets.
The helmet will be worn by three teams in next month's Tour de France and will be available at retail in December for $250.
"The Synthe is the sum of our expertise in materials, design and engineering, and based on the data we believe it's the best helmet for road racing and riders who want a more efficient helmet," said Giro senior brand manager Eric Richter.
Giro claims that in its own wind tunnel testing, the Synthe's average wind drag (taking into account 72 different yaw angles at a consistent 30-degree head angle) is better than any road helmet Giro tested, including its own Air Attack, its first aero road model.
Giro also claims the Synthe is cooler than its Aeon model, a standard high-end road helmet.
The Synthe will weigh 250 grams in a size medium, making it competitive on weight with standard road helmets and lighter than some other aero road helmets. It's the same claimed weight as Smith's new Overtake aero road helmet, introduced this week and almost 100 grams lighter than Specialized's Evade aero road helmet.
The Synthe will be available in seven standard colors and one limited edition color.
More information: giro.com/synthe.
