Let’s not beat across the bush, The Beam full-face Virgo Integral MIPS helmet appears to be like fairly wild whenever you examine it to a traditional half-shell bike helmet – with its built-in chin bar and flip-down visor. However similar to how DH full-face helmet tech has trickled right down to a variety of light-weight convertible and full-face helmets for enduro and even some aggressive path riders – it’s arduous to argue with further head safety.
The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face metropolis & ebike helmet
Full-face helmets are nothing new in biking. However for some motive, they’ve actually by no means made the transition from gravity mountain biking to extra mainstream biking.
The Beam Virgo full-face appears to be like to interrupt down that barrier with a light-weight and well-ventilated helmet that gives extra of the sunshine consolation, adjustable match, and premium security tech that we’ve come to anticipate from fashionable biking helmets. Plus, in fact, the additional advantage of additional safety of the rider’s chin & face.
I’ve been following the event of this light-weight, multi-disciple full-face because it started as an aero street helmet virtually 5 years in the past. So, with my very own adoption of extra time driving a wierd utilitarian ebike and a shiny yellow cargo ebike, I used to be pleased to check out this newest evolution of the Virgo full-face.
Why an ebike commuter full-face? Why not!
As extra individuals have adopted ebikes in its place type of transportation, we’ve got seen extra helmets get ebike certifications – i.e. NTA 8776. But nonetheless, we nonetheless solely actually see ebike helmets going full-face for off-road-focused aggressive eMTB driving.
However, as commuter ebikes share extra of the street and concrete atmosphere, it is sensible that ebike helmets may begin to look a bit extra like a scooter or moto helmet.
If you end up driving forwards and backwards to work amongst automotive visitors, or zipping round city on fast & highly effective ebikes, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS helmet merely gives further peace of thoughts in a light-weight and cozy helmet at an affordable value. And it delivers sufficient air flow that you simply gained’t actually roast when you need to pedal a bit by yourself, too.
Tech Particulars & Precise Weight
The Beam developed the Virgo full-face to not solely adjust to the common EN1078 / CPSC bike certification requirements, but in addition to fulfill the extra stringent European NTA-8776 regulation created for higher-speed (45kph/28mph) pedelec ebikes.
The French-designed helmet encompasses a distinctive multi-layer development. First, there’s primarily a extra typical in-mold half-shell helmet – with only a plastic shell molded over the perimeters of its EPS foam vitality absorbing layer for put on & tear safety. Then, molded on the skin of that, there’s the whole ABS shell with separate in-mold EPS across the cheeks and chin bar for added safety.
Lastly, inside all of it, is a black MIPS Evolve Core liner insert to isolate your head from rotational forces in an influence.
distinctive multi-part development for typical impacts, plus separate face safety
ABS shell with in-mold EPS foam
5 ahead & prime dealing with vents, 4 rear exhaust vents & small inside air flow channels
mounted peak dial-adjustable match system, with adjustable nylon webbing chinstrap & plastic buckle
detachable, washable, sweat-wicking padding and separate padded cheek cushions
elective, detachable visors (glasses-friendly)
elective, detachable magnetic taillight
designed in France, made in China
EN 1078 / CPSC / NTA 8776 licensed
3 grownup + 1 youngster dimension out there
light-weight, beginning as little as 600-650g claimed (dimension Small, with out visor)
Our dimension medium The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face helmet has an official claimed weight of 710g with out its visor, however measures an actual 706g.
However the precise weight with the visor is 786g, plus a further 28g when the sensible tail (brake) mild is mounted.
Lighter than most MTB full-face helmets
As a mountain biker who spends loads of time driving lengthy journey path, enduro, freeride, and the occasional downhill bike, there wasn’t actually even any psychological impediment to choosing a full-face helmet for ebike driving. The truth is, whereas driving commuter bikes and even path bikes within the winter, I’ve already been apt to placed on a light-weight enduro full face and goggles to get a bit of additional climate safety with the added security only a bonus.
Weight-wise, I’ve a few mild enduro MTB full-face helmets which might be lighter (Dainese & Endura) than the Virgo with out its visor, however solely the Endura is lighter as soon as I think about a pair of goggles, after which solely by about 10g. Solely the Dainese has MIPS, and neither are NTA-8776 licensed. What that claims is that evaluating apples to apples (or not less than to pears), The Beam’s Virgo Integral MIPS is really a light-weight relating to full-face safety.
Using Overview
I’ve ridden the Virgo Integral MIPS principally by way of autumn, with my ebike rides usually leaning in direction of jackets and gloves climate, so I actually can’t vouch for the way it will do on sizzling summer time days when you need to pedal uphill by your self. Or when your ebike battery will run out. However I’ve ridden in chilly sufficient climate to note that the vents do let little bit of air in, so I undoubtedly put a skinny windproof cap on when it obtained nearer to freezing.
I picked the sand tan helmet to check as a result of I figured the lighter colour would provide improved visibility to drivers. And I’ve the clear Crystal visor, which nonetheless has a tiny little bit of a grey tint, though it’s fully high quality for driving at night time with lights.
The visor itself doesn’t have any particular handles or tabs to maneuver it. But it surely sits far sufficient away from my face that I’ve no drawback pushing it up or down by the visor’s edges, even with winter gloves. When it’s not exceptionally chilly, I prefer to experience with the visor up so I can really feel the wind on my face. Or half method up which gives a tiny little bit of shading towards the setting solar. However on particularly chilly, windy, and even wet days, dropping the visor down is nice.
Virgo Integral’s snap-on Sensible Rear Mild
I particularly just like the Virgo Integral’s included rear sensible taillight (elective on Entry fashions), because it vastly boosts nighttime and low-light visibility.
It places out a gradual 40 lumens of crimson mild, then powered by an on-board accelerometer, it mechanically boosts to 120 lumens when braking for added visibility. The water resistant 28g USB-C rechargeable taillight has a 400mAh battery for a claimed runtime of 20 hours, and a 2hr recharge time – each of which appear to match my real-world use.
The Sensible rear mild is StVZO-certified, and is available in a package deal with the top-spec Virgo Integral fashions, or sells for 49€ individually.
Using Takeaways
In case you are solely used to street, gravel, or typical city commuter helmets, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face is a fairly stunning change. And I gained’t lie, the primary feedback that I’ve obtained from coworkers, pals, and household have been usually astonishment why I’d need a helmet that they thought seemed extra like a bike helmet than a commuter bike helmet.
However on second thought, just about everybody understands that extra protection and extra safety means improved security. And what different motive can we put on helmets than to maintain our heads secure?
Plus, extra ebikes means extra time sharing the street with vehicles, extra inexperienced riders on heavier ebikes (vs. typical bikes), and possibly even greater common speeds. So there’s good motive to supply extra safety to the heads of ebikers. And The Beam’s Virgo Integral full face does all that in a light-weight and cozy helmet, that I personally really feel higher driving.
The Beam Virgo Integral – Pricing, choices & availability
The Beam gives their Virgo full-face helmet in 3 sizes: S(51-54cm), M (55-58cm) & L (59-63cm. Then, you get to choose from 4 colours – black, white, navy blue & sand (examined). After which, in case you get one of many top-tier Integral fashions, it comes along with your alternative of 4 visor choices – evenly tinted Crystal (examined), darkish smoke tinted Black, reflective Polarized Blue, bronze-tinted Yellow.
Lastly, The Beam Virgo is on the market in 4 spec choices to hit all value factors: Integral consists of each the visor of your alternative and the taillight. Entry is with out a visor (however one may nonetheless be added later).
Technically, it appears to be like like solely the top-tier is on the market within the US-specific internet retailer, in the intervening time. However world supply is on the market from the European webshop, so that you would possibly simply have barely greater delivery prices or further supply time.
The highest-spec The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face (as examined) sells for $299 / 299€, instantly from The Beam’s on-line store. Do away with the visor & that sensible taillight, and the Virgo Entry MIPS retails for simply 239€. Or with out the additional rotational influence safety, the Virgo Integral sells for 229€ with the equipment, and the Virgo Entry goes for 179€ with out.
There are additionally even cheaper XS (48-50cm) & S (51-54cm) youngsters variations for simply 99€ in additional child-oriented colours, too.
As an additional vacation procuring deal now in Europe, in case you purchase any Virgo helmet proper now, The Beam will provide you with a free visor and a helmet Reflector reflective sticker at no cost, making it cheaper to get a visor-equipped commuter full-face. (Apply code: VIRGOSTYLE at checkout after including the equipment).
TheBeam-Europe.com
