There are particular gadgets of package that appear to stay with sure skilled riders. Geraint Thomas in Oakley sunnies, for example, or Nairo Quintana in a Catlike Mixino. These items of kit are emblematic of various eras in biking, they usually endure even when sponsorships change or riders retire.
The Giro Aeon was the helmet of selection for the Garmin-Cervelo professional group of the early 2010s (presently generally known as EF Schooling-EasyPost), and the form of that helmet will stay endlessly linked to Thor Hushovd using within the rainbow stripes of world champion.
One in all Giro’s new helmets, the Cielo, takes its inspiration from the Aeon. For these of you who might not recall, the Aeon dates again to the late Armstrong period, characterised by scandal, glamour, and the very early beginnings of recent, data-driven biking.
Whereas this may increasingly not appear all that way back, helmet expertise has progressed significantly since then. The arrival of rotational influence applied sciences, corresponding to MIPS, have made helmets safer (although heavier) and aerodynamics have more and more develop into vital in helmet design. The Cielo might take its design cues from again then, however it’s a completely fashionable helmet in different methods.
Building
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
The Cielo Mips slots into Giro’s highway lineup as a mid-tier choice. It doesn’t have the ball-and-socket-esque Spherical Tech included in Giro’s high-end helmets and is subsequently cheaper. Giro payments it as an “enthusiast-level” helmet, and that is apt.
The Cielo has 22 vents and inside air flow channelling and encompasses a Mips Evolve Core liner. It makes use of a Roc Loc 5 Air retention system and padding comprises silver particles to stop odour. Like all helmets bought in North America, it complies with the US CPSC Security Customary. It has but to be examined by Virginia Tech’s impartial testing lab, however different Giro helmets have traditionally performed properly underneath these protocols.
My check pattern got here within the Matte Gentle Mineral color, and weighs, per my scale, 295 grams in measurement small. Within the photographs on Giro’s web site, the Gentle Mineral seems to be off white, but it surely’s really a lightweight greenish-greyish. The form is sort of compact with a brief general size, however considerably huge entrance profile—very a lot akin to the Aeon from all these years in the past.
The Journey
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
At the beginning, match is an important a part of a helmet. Giro helmets have a tendency to suit an oval head form finest, and I’ve discovered that completely different fashions match barely in another way. This isn’t a critique of Giro both—it’s the identical with nearly each helmet maker.
The padding could be very snug throughout the brow and the dial on the again is properly sized and straightforward to make use of. I discovered that the straps sit very near the pinnacle, which is useful for each consolation and aerodynamics. It’s price noting that Giro makes no particular claims concerning aerodynamics with this helmet, however then it’s not meant as a top-end race helmet both.
MIPS methods proceed to enhance: the primary iterations have been problematic for anybody with lengthy hair, however they appear to have eradicated a few of the catchy bits that brought on essentially the most points. It nonetheless might snag in spots, nonetheless, so would definitely be price making an attempt on earlier than shopping for.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
I examined the Cielo in a variety of climate situations, from fairly scorching (for Seattle, that’s) to pouring rain and was snug all through. And there’s room for a casquette beneath if want be to stretch the temperature vary considerably. The Cielo had no interference with the few completely different fashions of sun shades I examined. There are padded rubber spots within the entrance to create a form of glasses storage when not being worn on the face.
The one vital shortcoming I encountered is on the size—at 295 grams the Cielo isn’t any light-weight. That is in distinction to the Aeon, which can be over a decade previous however weighed considerably much less. Most of this weight acquire will be ascribed to the MIPS system that’s now normal on most helmets. The inner harness, which permits the helmet to pivot across the head within the occasion of a crash, provides grams however will increase security outcomes. It’s a really affordable commerce. The Cielo can’t match high finish helmets, however then it isn’t making an attempt to.
Worth and Verdict
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
At $199 / £165.00, the Cielo is significantly cheaper than Giro’s top-end Aries Spherical mannequin, as worn by the Jumbo-Lease a Bike group. The query is whether or not or not it performs in keeping with its worth. There are lots of good helmets available on the market within the sub-$200 vary, from the likes of Specialised, Bontrager, POC, Bell and extra they usually all cross the identical security checks. Often, you pay extra for much less, by way of weight, and the Cielo is comparable with others right here.
On the finish of the day, match is paramount—a helmet can check properly in a lab, but when it doesn’t suit your head properly it received’t do its job correctly. The Cielo does every thing it must, whereas paying (refined) homage to an iconic helmet of the previous, and does so for an affordable worth.
