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Troy Lee Designs has launched its first NTA 8776 Licensed helmets; the Flowline and Flowline SE. Each half-shell helmets are aimed toward eBike using, designed to guard in opposition to greater impression speeds whereas protecting a bigger a part of the top as in contrast a helmet designed for normal mountain biking. The 2 helmets share the identical full-wrap in-mold development, however there are key variations that set them aside.
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at Troy Lee Designs’ eMTB Helmets.
Troy Lee Flowline & Flowline SE eMTB Helmets
Troy Lee Designs’ newest mountain bike helmets are the primary to be formally acknowledged as secure for eMTB riders. Particularly, the Flowline and Flowline SE helmets conform to the comparatively new NTA 8776 commonplace, a Dutch commonplace that comes with its very personal security necessities that go above and past the check necessities for CPSC/USA certification, or EN 1078 Certification. The Commonplace was created for helmets of pace pedelec riders, the place the pace pedelec is able to offering help as much as speeds of 45 kph. For extra particular info on the check necessities for the totally different requirements, and funky movies of helmet destruction, try our explainer article right here.
Each the Flowline and Flowline SE Helmets obtain the MIPS B-Collection liner to enhance safety in instances of rotational impression. They differ on worth, use of EPS, chin strap closure and on the consolation liner. Whereas the extra reasonably priced Flowline makes use of a single-density EPS, the Flowline SE will get a dual-density EPS designed to take care of each low- and high-speed impacts. And, whereas the Flowline will get an everyday plastic buckle on the chin strap, the Flowline SE will get a FIDLOCK buckle with magnetic closure. Whereas the colorway choices might differ, these two factors are an important variations between the 2 eMTB helmets from Troy Lee.
Each helmets use straps which can be adjustable on the sides, and each characteristic a 360° retention system with 3-way rear top adjustment. Temperature regulation is handled through 14 vents, just a few of that are positioned on the forehead with a number of on the rear to assist scorching air exit, taking sweat away with it. Solely the Flowline SE helmet is described as having the anti-microbial fast dry premium liner.
Again to security…
Except for the protection certifications, one can look elsewhere for extra info on a helmet’s security relative to its rivals; the Virginia Tech Helmet Scores. Of the 188 bicycle helmets submitted to Virginia Tech for unbiased testing, the $119.99 USD Troy Lee Designs Flowline ranked #29 with a 5-Star Score and a Rating of 10.79 (decrease the higher). It sits forward of some far costlier rivals such because the $160 Fox Speedframe Professional MIPS, and forward of Troy Lee’s personal $220 USD A3 MIPS.
Curiously, regardless of its lack of dual-density EPS, the TLD Flowline truly had a a lot better, decrease rating than the costlier Flowline SE which retails at $159.99 USD. The latter additionally acquired a 5-Star Score however its Rating was greater (worse) at 12.42, putting it at #77 within the rankings.
Each the Flowline and Flowline SE can be found in 3 sizes, protecting head circumferences from 53cm to 63cm.
Troy Lee has additionally launched the $89.99 USD Youth Flowline Helmet, although that one has not but acquired a rating from Virginia Tech. It’s for head circumferences of 48-53cm.
