CliffordK

As far as the helmets and the ad campaign, I'll probably check them out once they start popping up in stores. So, in that way, it was effective in getting the information out. I'm more likely to buy a helmet than the latest decoupled carbon wonderbike.

REI appears to carry three of the more interesting WaveCel helmets, at least online.

https://www.rei.com/b/bontrager/c/bike-helmets

Although I'll probably try to check them out in person rather than going solely by internet specs.

Unfortunately Trek has made an interesting choice of designs, features, and pricing.

Bontrager Charge WaveCel Helmet This is marketed as their commuter helmet. But, while warmth and rain may be an issue for some commuters in the winter, heat and sweat is a major problem for summer commuters. I could be surprised, but it looks like it would be about a 4 month helmet. The rear taillight option is good... I think. As long at the light is easy to use and not easily lost.

Bontrager Blaze WaveCel Helmet This one comes with a front accessory mount, but lacks the rear accessory mount. It also has a small, apparently moveable visor. I've had issues with visors in the past that obstruct my vision, so they all have been taken off. It depends how Trek deals with those issues. It appears as if that visor is moveable. Does it lock in place? Would a visor help with rain? Sun?

$150 0n the other helmets was a bit hard to swallow, but $300? Really?

Bontrager Specter WaveCel Helmet This is the one I'd probably end up with. It appears to have the ventilation that I need. Unfortunately it lacks both the front & rear accessory mounts. As was commented earlier, the liner style may make home accessory mounts problematic.

Colors? They do appear to have some reds, yellows, and orange colors for visibility, although reds and oranges are less visible at night.

They do mention reflective elements on some of the helmets, but not al of them, and only on the back, not the front or sides. Wrap-Around?

I just find it odd that none of the helmets seem to have all the features that a hardcore commuter might want.

And, one gets stuck with an odd mixed selection of features on some helmets, but not others.

Thus, it is likely that I'll pass on this for now.

Perhaps they'll hit a "home-run" with their second generation WaveCel helmets.

motosonic

This entire announcement is snooze-worthy. Sorry.

greatscott

OK, I found out that the Smith and the Bontrager are not the same thing, not even close, so there is no pat infring. https://www.bikemag.com/gear/apparel...et-technology/ It appears that the Wavecel is indeed a very important advancement in the way helmets will protect one's head, and they have the crash data to support the tech with the highest ratings ever received by a helmet to date.

datlas 

Correct.

Why are we even still talking about it? It may be time to get this thread locked or let it fall off page 1.

Oops now it's at the top again!!

Sad.

Maelochs

The whole and sole reason i don't own a tadpole trike. I want one, but I know the people in cars will hit me even if they can see ... and with that thing, i would be below the hood/fender line. Some SUVs could probably ride right over me without impediment.

Maelochs

Because of health, work, and weather, I haven't gotten to ride since the 19th. I hope to get out this evening, to find out exactly how "cycling is changed forever."

CliffordK

Science and technology is an evolution of concepts.

1. First we had the hard shell over EPS foam of the early Bell helmets from the early 80's.
2. Then the net over foam from the later 80's.
3. Followed by the thin plastic over foam of the 90's.
4. Mips from around 2010
5. Smith Honeycomb Koroyd
6. Now Bontrager WaveCel

While each generation may be different from the previous one, it is unlikely that they are generated independently, and each successive generation would not exist without the previous generation.

It depends on how narrowly or broadly the patents are interpreted.

radroad

What a letdown lol.

Planemaker

I just looked at the helmet and the wave matetima is not attached to the foam in the top of the helmet. A strap for a light or GoPro can easily be attached.

Cyclist0108

I just bought one.

$300 - 25% off for surrendering an old helmet. I gave them a broken one my daughter had 15 years ago. They seemed ok with that.

I decided my 20 year old mountain bike helmet could be upgraded. I'm leaving for Utah tomorrow, and my technical skills kind of suck, so it isn't beyond the realm of possibilities that I put this to the test, but I sure hope not.

The helmet actually seems much better in person. I think they did themselves a disservice with all the hype.

Ald1 

Me too as to just buying one. Have not ridded with it yet as I'm still on concussion protocol from a recent bike accident. Very well fitting and comfortable. While I might agree Trek over hyped it, I disagree it's a yawner. Another poster pointed out it has been solidly researched and shown to be an improvement. As someone who is now suffering with post concussion syndrome , this is no yawner or joke. And as they say you only have one brain. Please do everything to protect it.

maartendc

Not to dredge up this thread again, but I did notice the Bontrager Specter Wavecel has been discounted on Trek's website to $119 from $150, and the Bontrager XXX Wavecel is now $239 down from $300.

Is this a sign that the new helmets are not selling as well as they had hoped, and they have a warehouse full of these things?

I am really tempted to pick up a Specter actually. Highest rated helmet on the Virginia Tech independent testing results, and $119 is a reasonable price for a high-end helmet. I am sure my old non-MIPS Giro Foray (which is not tested) would score a lot lower, and the pads have worn out on it anyway.

Anybody tried the XXX Wavecel yet? How is the ventilation on it?

CliffordK

I was reading about the discounts... it sounds like there is an across the board spring discount that Trek is running, not just on the helmets. Odd timing, however, to coincide with the release of the greatest change in cycling in 30 years!!!

Reviews on the helmet still seem mixed.

maartendc

Ah, good to know.

As far as reviews: I can hardly find any reviews. And the ones I have found are pretty positive, and somewhat inconclusive. Helmet reviews are kind of useless I guess, because the comfort and fit are personal, and you cannot comment on the safety without crashing... so yeah.

The only objective information so far is: It is heavier than the average helmet, and the XXX is really expensive. But the independent VT testing shows they are also the safest helmets on the market...

On ventilation, the only reviews on the XXX I can really find are like: "the weather isn't hot yet, so cannot comment on the ventilation" or "the XXX is hot, but this is my first ever aero helmet, so cannot compare". I mean, any aero helmet will be hotter than a lightweight fully vented helmet, so all these reviews are useless to me.

TimothyH

Many of us wouldn't put a Bontrager product on our head if it gave us the ability to fly.

I'll wait for Giro to come out with their version. Let the competition begin.


-Tim-

jadocs

Thinking the same thing, like everything Trek it is way overpriced for what it is.

Several months ago I was looking for some bottle cages and went to a local Trek store. Nothing but Bontrager accessories that are variants (color/material) of the same thing...so much for options. I wonder how they stay in business.

I was underwhelmed when I saw the new helmet in person.

maartendc

Overpriced? The Spectre and XXX wavecel pricing is in line with Giro Synthe and Aether, Smith Trace, and other high end road bike helmets. Not any more or less overpriced than any other brand? They all happily charge $250+ for what is essentially a foam and plastic hat with some paint on it.

I fail to see why Bontrager products would be any better or worse than others. Brand fanboyism is stupid, whether cars, computers, bicycles. I buy whatever brand happens to have the best product for the best price that fits me the best at time of purchase.

jadocs

Trek's idea of a "sale" is $400 off a 12k bike and $200 off a $3.5k bike. No thanks...

If I owned a Trek I probably wouldn't think twice about a quality Bontrager accessory, but I'm certainly not going to put run of the mill Bontrager accessories (what you find in most Trek stores) on my Fondriest. Just like I wouldn't run into Walmart and buy Bell accessories. Maybe that does make me a fanboy.

maartendc

... Okay. I'm talking about their helmets here, not about the pricing on Trek bikes.

Also: yes that kind of makes you a fanboy, or I guess a snob? Do you only buy bottlecages that are handmade by a master artisan in a cabin in the Italian Alps or something? As far as I can tell, Bontrager products (helmets, bottle cages, gloves, bar tape, wheels you name it) are just as good / bad as anything from Giro, Elite, Cinelli, Reynolds or whatever. And the pricing is about the same as well, most brand name cycling products are best bought on sale... Probably all made in the same factory in Taiwan as well. Do people love to hate Trek / Bontrager because they are one of the biggest brands?

The only Bontrager product I currently own is my summer riding gloves, and they have been very good quality so far (4 seasons in, cannot fault them). I would happily get a helmet from them. But brand loyalty / bashing is just not for me, I own a Cannondale, a BMC, a Trek and a host of European brand city and mountain bikes (Norta, Minerva, etc.).

More importantly: The one and only respectable, independent testing that I have seen on bike helmets, the Virginia Tech one, is rating their Specter, Ballista and XXX helmets currently as being the top 3 safest among all brands (according to their testing methodology). From where I'm sitting, that makes their helmets top-tier, and the other brands have some explaining / catching up to do on why I'm paying them $200+ for a helmet that is less safe! (and I currently own a Giro helmet, which I like. I WISH it was as safe as the Bontrager ones)

Cyclist0108

I bought the mountain bike version. Ventilation is definitely one of its strong points.

Cyclist0108

Arse Technica has an article on it.

MikeEckhaus

Since Trek had 20% off on just about everything that wasn't a bike, I ordered one of the $150 ones for $120. It was very comfortable on my head in the store, more so than many other helmets. I wanted a color that wasn't in stock, so I haven't had a chance to ride it yet, but I will by the weekend. It is a bit heavier than my Rudy Project and isn't as stylish, but the potential safety benefits look worth it to me. I'll report back after riding with it.

banerjek

Maybe, but many people find value in using brand to project their own identity to the world.

Undoubtedly, that is why some will soon turn to Walmart for bikes that cost as much as $6K. My guess is that even includes free assembly

TimothyH

The decision not to use Bontrager components isn't a matter of brand loyalty or identity.

It is a matter of lacking quality.

Really, I hope people who like Bontrager products enjoy their helmets. I won't be wearing one.

WhyFi

I felt much the same way as you but, even a year ago, before I bought my Domane, I would have had to admit that my Bontrager pump was good and had served me well for several years. And now that I actually own a Trek and have some other Bontrager bits? Yeah, I was wrong and you are wrong. Many 'house' brands have had a reputation for being cheap, re-branded **** that's bolted on to hit a price-point... and a handful of years ago, it wasn't necessarily undeserved. But now, many of the house brands are actually putting out decent, competitive product. I still have a weird thing where I don't like the idea of mixing components (Roval wheels on anything but a Specialized/SWorks? Ick), and everyone is going to have a few clunker products, but to dismiss them out of hand because of the brand is nonsense.