Motorcycle park and enduro driving is the entire rage within the gravity scene in this day and age. As such, firms like ABUS are developing lighter, extra ventilated full-face helmets. Gravity riders want whole head coverage, however we will be able to now revel in that along 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 had been out to succeed in. The AirDrop is light-weight, smartly vented, and really pedal pleasant. It additionally boasts some nifty security measures, together with the choice so as to add a crash detecting QUIN sensor.
ABUS AirDrop – Key Building Options:
For whole main points at the AirDrop full-face helmet, take a look at my article from this spring. For comfort, right here’s a snappy rundown at the elementary specifications and development options.
The AirDrop’s shell is made the usage of in-mold development, however ABUS provides their Acticage reinforcements within the shell. All fashions include a MIPS liner, and a Zoom-Ace FF dial retention machine to make sure a cosy are compatible.
EVA pads at the backside of the chin bar supply added collarbone coverage, and Ambient Sound Channels help you pay attention what’s occurring round you. The AirDrop makes use of a double D-ring chin buckle.
The AirDrop too can host ABUS’ QUIN sensor, which is able to notify contacts should you crash. It additionally collects a bunch of trip stats and metrics. Take a look at my overview of the ABUS MoDrop helmet to be informed all concerning the QUIN sensor’s purposes.
The dimensions S/M AirDrop lists its weight at 770g, however my scale confirmed 799g.
Trip Impressions:
My first trip with the AirDrop used to be an afternoon within the Whistler Motorcycle Park. The day began off heat on the base of the mountain and funky and breezy on the most sensible of the elevate. By means of the tip of the day, it were given sizzling for my previous couple of decrease mountain laps.
Straight away I will be able to say the AirDrop is without doubt one of the lightest and coolest full-face helmets I’ve worn. Airflow is very good throughout my head, and the chin bar slightly feels adore it’s there. Going up the primary elevate I used to be happy it wasn’t cooler out, because the AirDrop used to be no longer conserving my head heat like maximum full-faces do! By means of the tip of the day my head used to be sweaty, however so much much less sweaty than standard.
The inner padding is beautiful gentle, however I discovered the AirDrop completely at ease. Some other people could be a bit of skeptical concerning the narrow padding for complete time DH or park use. Different complete face helmets (like Bell’s Complete 10) be offering extra considerable inner padding, however the AirDrop is acceptable for motorbike park or downhill driving. The lighter padding surely assists in keeping this helmet at the cooler facet for pedalling.
I really like how ABUS integrated their Zoom-Ace dial retention machine at the AirDrop. It’s simple to dial in a forged are compatible, and the helmet by no means wiggled round on my head whilst driving.
My Smith Squads, my rather higher 661 Radia goggles and Leatt’s Pace 5.0 goggles all are compatible into the AirDrop’s face opening simply effective, with out a extra drive on my nostril or brow. I discovered it simple to get my goggle straps in place, because the helmet’s shell guides them at the aspects. The strap does block the decrease part of the rear vents however it doesn’t have a noticeable affect on air flow. Goggle straps do quilt the Ambient Sound Channel openings as smartly, however they nonetheless supply higher listening to than maximum complete face helmets.
In fact I took the AirDrop out on my native trails, dressed in it for all of the trip each and every time. My head began off staying very cool, as air simply flows via this helmet from any route. The highest of my head felt in particular smartly vented, and I’d say the AirDrop is virtually as cool as an open confronted lid…
I most effective spotted a bit of of warmth increase within the shell and beneath the cheek pads after about 20 mins of mountaineering, and when shifting at gradual speeds or stopped. Once you get started driving speedy or a breeze is blowing, this helmet takes in air like a dream. I discovered no problems with the chin bar hampering my respiring throughout climbs.
The AirDrop provides a very good discipline of view. When mountaineering (with out goggles) facet to facet imaginative and prescient is rarely restricted, and the chin bar sits low sufficient that it wasn’t distracting whilst choosing strains at the uphills.
On each trip, I stored the AirDrop’s visor within the lowest place. I will be able to simply see the height in my field-of-view, however it did lend a hand stay the solar off my face on this atmosphere. The visor’s very best place is meant to go away room for a POV digital camera. I don’t assume ABUS meant for goggle garage at the brow, because the visor would intrude with the straps.
The MIPS liner did get a bit of hectic whilst mountaineering, because it creaks with the rest greater than minor motion. Whilst I don’t take into consideration the creaking throughout a descent, as my consideration is at the path, I did to find it a bit of frustrating after mountaineering for some time. I’ve discovered that is an inherent factor with MIPS liners.
My neck felt a bit of of soreness from the full-face’s weight after my path rides, however I don’t pedal in full-faces regularly… Realistically, full-faces don’t get a lot lighter than the AirDrop. My most effective different minor gripe is the AirDrop’s chin strap button is small and will also be fiddly to snap in.
With the exception of this helmet, the one different full-face I’ve ridden and would be at liberty to pedal in is Smith’s Mainline, as it opponents the AirDrop in weight and air flow.
The AirDrop sells for $299.99, in S/M and L/XL sizes masking heads from 52-62cms. Colour choices are Concrete Gray/Inexperienced, Velvet Black, Black/Gold or Polar White. ABUS’ QUIN sensor is offered one by one for $69.99.