Tell me about "pro" helmets
07-21-14, 06:42 AM
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07-21-14, 07:31 AM
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07-21-14, 07:48 AM
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07-21-14, 01:23 PM
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This was when the Cervelo Test Team was wearing the Catlike Whisper. I read that the US version of the helmet is actually larger than the ones sold outside the US.
07-21-14, 02:37 PM
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The reason Wiggle can't sell some helmets to U.S. customers is most likely the certification issue.
Helmet manufacturers make different helmets for different markets, depending on safety regulations. The CE EN1978 standard is valid in the EU only, and unless that same helmet also passes the U.S. CPSC testing, it can't legally be sold in the States (and technically can't be shipped to the States). The European standard is not quite as stringent as the CPSC one, so many Euro-based manufacturers (e.g. Catlike, Kask, Scott, Lazer, Limar, Rudy Project, Orbea, Carrera, Uvex) make a different model for the U.S. market.
Some U.S. manufacturers even make CE certified lids that are lighter than their U.S. fare. Giro is known for doing this, their Euro-spec ProLight, Atmos, Aeon and Air Attack lids being a wee bit lighter than their U.S. spec models of the same name. I wouldn't be surprised if the Synthe is in the same boat.
And then there are manufacturers who make one kind of helmet for all world markets. Specialized and POC are the two most notable ones in this regard.
UCI Pro Tour teams and Euro-based UCI Continental teams are required to use CPSC certified lids when they race in the U.S. Often, you'll see these single-event-use helmets sold for cheap after the events (e.g. The Pro's Closet sold all of Cannondale Pro Cycling's Rudy Project lids last fall after the team participated in the Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge races - the helmets had, at most, 2 weeks' worth of use).
Now, regarding Kask: the U.S. distributor they used for the past two years is no longer in the picture, and their new U.S. distribution channel is not quite as up-to-speed. Competitive Cyclist/Backcountry.com are still Kask authorized dealers for the U.S. market, from what I can tell.
Helmet manufacturers make different helmets for different markets, depending on safety regulations. The CE EN1978 standard is valid in the EU only, and unless that same helmet also passes the U.S. CPSC testing, it can't legally be sold in the States (and technically can't be shipped to the States). The European standard is not quite as stringent as the CPSC one, so many Euro-based manufacturers (e.g. Catlike, Kask, Scott, Lazer, Limar, Rudy Project, Orbea, Carrera, Uvex) make a different model for the U.S. market.
Some U.S. manufacturers even make CE certified lids that are lighter than their U.S. fare. Giro is known for doing this, their Euro-spec ProLight, Atmos, Aeon and Air Attack lids being a wee bit lighter than their U.S. spec models of the same name. I wouldn't be surprised if the Synthe is in the same boat.
And then there are manufacturers who make one kind of helmet for all world markets. Specialized and POC are the two most notable ones in this regard.
UCI Pro Tour teams and Euro-based UCI Continental teams are required to use CPSC certified lids when they race in the U.S. Often, you'll see these single-event-use helmets sold for cheap after the events (e.g. The Pro's Closet sold all of Cannondale Pro Cycling's Rudy Project lids last fall after the team participated in the Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge races - the helmets had, at most, 2 weeks' worth of use).
Now, regarding Kask: the U.S. distributor they used for the past two years is no longer in the picture, and their new U.S. distribution channel is not quite as up-to-speed. Competitive Cyclist/Backcountry.com are still Kask authorized dealers for the U.S. market, from what I can tell.
