Each and every rider comes to some degree of their path, enduro, or downhill adventure after they start to significantly believe protective their face, quite than simply the highest, again, and aspects in their head.
Every now and then it takes getting whipped within the face via a stick or rock, or kissing the bottom on a drop or bounce for a rider to pray that they had a chin bar to stay their money-maker out of bother.
Many manufacturers have long past to marketplace with helmets that cater to those other people. And just about any individual who has ever been available in the market for a full-face helmet has needed to make a decision between fashions that convert to a half-shell design, or conventional helmets that don’t.
Every has its advantages and downsides. Deciding which one is best for you in most cases comes all the way down to a rider’s talent, taste, and private personal tastes.
So, how does one make a decision?
The oldsters at MET were within the trade of helmets for greater than 30 years. They’ve a helmet for everybody starting from speedy XC varieties, to downhill thrill seekers. Two in their helmets, the convertible MET Parachute MCR, and the Bluegrass Forefront Core, completely illustrate each and every helmet’s meant use, and for whom they’re designed.
Why select a convertible full-face helmet?
Except you’re a global excursion rider, you almost certainly don’t spend maximum of your time doing the similar form of driving. Mountain bikers often interact in broadly various varieties of driving, together with move nation, enduro, downhill, or even commuting, ceaselessly at the identical motorcycle.
Every of those trip types normally requires a special form of helmet for optimum convenience and coverage. On the other hand, helmets will also be dear, so a large number of folks go for flexible choices that may do all of it.
That is the place modular or convertible helmets just like the MET Parachute MCR shine.
Since it’s convertible, the Parachute MCR, which stands for Magnetic Chin Bar Free up, purposes as two helmets in a single. In its full-face mode, it supplies further coverage for the face when riders be expecting to come upon gnarlier terrain. That peace of thoughts is going a protracted method to serving to riders push themselves.
That very same added coverage, on the other hand, can really feel like overkill right through extra mellow rides, particularly commutes. Quite than having to stay with a cumbersome, full-face possibility, modular helmets just like the Parachute MCR permit riders to take away the chin bar and make the helmet right into a half-shell, which makes extra sense for informal rides.
The wonderful thing about the Parachute MCR and identical helmets is they nonetheless be offering coverage for riders in both mode. The Parachute MCR is ASTM-certified for the shell and Chinbar. This certification isn’t obligatory, however crucial, because it’s the ONLY cert that exams the Chinbar, which promises the security of the product for an Enduro taste driving.
Individuals who sporadically consult with a motorbike park, however spend maximum in their time on tamer trails, get the advantage of a light-weight and cooler open-face design, with the choice for greater full-face coverage when they would like it, or vice versa.
It additionally comes supplied with an adjustable two-position visor, which is commonplace throughout maximum mountain motorcycle path or enduro helmets and offers riders extra choices to battle solar and path particles.
The Parachute MCR has an MSRP of about $375.
Why select a conventional enduro full-face helmet?
Conventional full-face helmets will also be a great variety for individuals who spend maximum in their time racing in enduro or downhill arenas.
Whilst convertible helmets nonetheless be offering nice coverage, many unconvertible full-face helmets have added coverage and further options adapted to competitive driving types. As an example, the Bluegrass Forefront Core helmet, just like the Parachute MCR, comes with an ASTM certification. But it surely’s additionally NTA licensed, because of this it will probably deal with a better affect speed and has extra affect examined protection across the two maximum delicate mind spaces (the again and the temples).
If you happen to’d like to be told extra about helmet trying out, we did a deep dive closing yr overlaying MET’s procedure.
It additionally cuts weight in comparison to the Parachute MCR and will increase air flow to stay riders cooler. So, for individuals who spend maximum in their time with a chin bar, the Bluegrass Core is beefier however lighter.
Further options of the Bluegrass Core helmet now not incorporated within the Parachute MCR come with:
- Fastened visor with protection liberate
- Decreased weight
- C-shaped cheek pads to maximise air flow
- Detachable dust grill
The Forefront Core prices more or less $355.
Key similarities and essential variations
Like many conventional and convertible full-face helmets, the Met Parachute MCR and Bluegrass Core have a lot of similarities. Those come with ASTM certification, versatile visors that may take in affect, a are compatible device with a 360-degree belt and micrometric and vertical adjustment, MIPS C2 era, and in-mold building.
The important thing distinction within the helmets is their meant use. Enduro full-face helmets be offering the most productive coverage, DH-like protection, air flow, and coffee weight for lengthy days of racing. They’ve racing-inspired options (protection liberate visors, dust grill, and so forth.) that cause them to supreme for the process.
In the meantime, convertible helmets lean towards versatility. They’re made to supply the security of an enduro complete face when wanted, however are much less interested in being light-weight and be offering much less protection than an enduro complete face helmet. Their options are aimed at journey and are ideal for riders that experience numerous terrains and crave a two-in-one possibility.
Helmets are an important piece of kit riders have, and they don’t seem to be reasonable. Ahead of buying a full-face helmet, riders must consider the kind of driving they do, then spend cash accordingly.
Regardless, it’s essential to make a choice a complete face helmet that’s ASTM-certified (Chinbar and shell) to maximise your protection.
This put up is backed via MET. Be informed extra about MET helmet at met-helmets.com/en/.