CALABASAS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Fox Racing introduced its deep-coverage Flux trail helmet back in 2006. It quickly became the company’s best-selling mountain bike product in both unit and dollar sales, and has remained that way. So it’s understandable that, although the Flux has received some minor refinements over the years, it hasn’t gotten a ground-up redesign. Until now.
At a media and retail launch Wednesday in Southern California, Fox detailed the new Flux, which maintains the classic look of the original but also take cues from the brand’s newer Proframe full-face all-mountain helmet and Metah open-face helmet.
“Having such an iconic helmet in the market sets a really high bar to meet. And the design team, when they set out to create this helmet, really kept that in mind all the way through the process,” said Chris Blum, Fox’s MTB category manager.
Currently available at retail, the 2018 Flux comes in MIPS ($149.95) and non-MIPS ($99.95) versions. Both iterations get new fit features including a 300-degree retention system that starts near the rider’s temples and pulls snug from the back of the head via a large one-handed adjustment dial. Adjustment points at the front and rear allow the wrap system to be fine-tuned to fit to the rider’s head shape.
“We really feel this gives you great weight distribution and great riding comfort. You won’t feel this helmet bobbling around on you when you ride,” Blum said.
To promote air flow, the new Flux gets 14 Big Bore vents borrowed from the Proframe, front intake points on the underside of the forehead, and deep channels in the EPS liner that direct air over the rider’s head.
The helmets use Fox’s patented Varizorb multi-density EPS (also seen in Fox’s Metah helmet) with cone-shaped structures to spread out impact forces. “Really what that does is dissipate and give you a slow or smooth de-acceleration of impact, which is what we’re looking to do to protect the brain,” Blum said.
The EPS is shot around an internal cage that provides additional strength and allows for the Flux’s generously sized vents and overall light weight.
Other shared features include an adjustable visor, a new Y-shaped strap adjustment system, and compatibility with a range of goggles.
In addition to getting the MIPS anti-rotational impact system, the higher-end Flux MIPS also has a Fidlock magnetic chin closure and Fox’s X-static anti-bacterial liner.
More info on the Flux is available on Fox’s website.
