Mavic unveils helmet line, winter shoes

Mavic has added helmets to its growing line of cycling apparel. The three new lids are based around a common design with different construction details and price points.

The top of the range is the Plasma SLR, at right, with carbon fiber structural reinforement allowing larger vents for increased airflow. Mavic surveyed thousands of actual head shapes to make sure their helmets fit comfortably on as many people as possible. The Ergo Hold retention system offers a full 6 cm of adjustment and the progressive padding uses different densities of foam to move sweat away and offers anti-microbial oder relief. The Plamsa SLR is available in black or yellow and weighs in at a claimed 285 grams. Though it’s not as light as some of the other brands’ offerings, Mavic stressed they put a larger emphasis on fit and comfort than having the lowest possible weight. MSRP is $220.

The two other helmets hit lower price points, the Plasma and the Syncro. The Plama lacks the anti-microbial lining and uses a synthetic reinforcement instead of carbon fiber. It is available in silver, white or black. MSRP is $180.

The Syncro, pictured at the top, has smaller vents and more surface area and will be available in red, white or black. The Syncro also includes a removable visor. MSRP is $125.

Also new this year are two new winter cycling shoes, the road-soled Frost (left) and the mountain-soled Drift (right). They are both fully waterproof with Gore-Tex liners so you can keep riding year ’round. Both will retail for $199.95. Look for a review of the Drift shoes in a future issue.

The helmets and new shoes should be hitting dealer shelves in late October.

Keep reading

It doesn’t end here, we’ve got a lot more coverage of Interbike 2011, including demo rides.