Let’s not beat across the bush, The Beam full-face Virgo Integral MIPS helmet appears fairly wild once you examine it to a traditional half-shell bike helmet – with its built-in chin bar and flip-down visor. However identical 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 onerous 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 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, after all, 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 highway helmet virtually 5 years in the past. So, with my very own adoption of extra time using a wierd utilitarian ebike and a vibrant yellow cargo ebike, I used to be joyful to check out this newest evolution of the Virgo full-face.
Why an ebike commuter full-face? Why not!
As extra folks have adopted ebikes instead type of transportation, we have now 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 using.
However, as commuter ebikes share extra of the highway and concrete atmosphere, it is smart that ebike helmets may begin to look a bit extra like a scooter or moto helmet.
When you’re using forwards and backwards to work amongst automobile site visitors, or zipping round city on fast & highly effective ebikes, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS helmet merely provides further peace of thoughts in a light-weight and comfy helmet at an inexpensive worth. And it delivers sufficient air flow that you simply gained’t actually roast when you must 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 additionally to fulfill the extra stringent European NTA-8776 regulation created for higher-speed (45kph/28mph) pedelec ebikes.
The French-designed helmet contains a distinctive multi-layer building. First, there’s basically a extra standard in-mold half-shell helmet – with only a plastic shell molded over the sides of its EPS foam vitality absorbing layer for put on & tear safety. Then, molded on the skin of that, there’s the entire 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 affect.
- distinctive multi-part building for standard impacts, plus separate face safety
- ABS shell with in-mold EPS foam
- 5 ahead & high going through vents, 4 rear exhaust vents & small inside air flow channels
- fastened top dial-adjustable match system, with adjustable nylon webbing chinstrap & plastic buckle
- detachable, washable, sweat-wicking padding and separate padded cheek cushions
- optionally available, detachable visors (glasses-friendly)
- optionally available, detachable magnetic taillight
- designed in France, made in China
- EN 1078 / CPSC / NTA 8776 licensed
- 3 grownup + 1 baby measurement out there
- light-weight, beginning as little as 600-650g claimed (measurement Small, with out visor)
Our measurement 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 an extra 28g when the sensible tail (brake) gentle is mounted.
Lighter than most MTB full-face helmets
As a mountain biker who spends loads of time using 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 using. In truth, whereas using 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 gentle 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 consider 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 a minimum of to pears), The Beam’s Virgo Integral MIPS is really a light-weight in terms of full-face safety.
Using Overview
I’ve ridden the Virgo Integral MIPS largely by means of autumn, with my ebike rides typically leaning in direction of jackets and gloves climate, so I actually can’t vouch for the way it will do on sizzling summer season days when you must 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 a superb little bit of air in, so I positively put a skinny windproof cap on when it acquired nearer to freezing.
I picked the sand tan helmet to check as a result of I figured the lighter shade 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 utterly advantageous for using at night time with lights.
The visor itself doesn’t have any particular handles or tabs to maneuver it. Nevertheless it 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 wish to experience with the visor up so I can really feel the wind on my face. Or half means up which provides a tiny little bit of shading in opposition to the setting solar. However on particularly chilly, windy, and even wet days, dropping the visor down is nice.
Virgo Integral’s snap-on Good Rear Gentle
I particularly just like the Virgo Integral’s included rear sensible taillight (optionally available on Entry fashions), because it vastly boosts nighttime and low-light visibility.
It places out a gentle 40 lumens of crimson gentle, then powered by an on-board accelerometer, it robotically boosts to 120 lumens when braking for added visibility. The waterproof 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 Good rear gentle 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 highway, gravel, or standard city commuter helmets, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face is a fairly surprising swap. And I gained’t lie, the primary feedback that I’ve acquired from coworkers, pals, and household have been typically astonishment why I might need a helmet that they thought seemed extra like a motorbike 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 will we put on helmets than to maintain our heads protected?
Plus, extra ebikes means extra time sharing the highway with vehicles, extra inexperienced riders on heavier ebikes (vs. standard bikes), and perhaps even increased 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 comfy helmet, that I personally really feel higher using.
The Beam Virgo Integral – Pricing, choices & availability
The Beam provides 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, should you get one of many top-tier Integral fashions, it comes along with your selection of 4 visor choices – evenly tinted Crystal (examined), darkish smoke tinted Black, reflective Polarized Blue, bronze-tinted Yellow.
Lastly, The Beam Virgo is accessible in 4 spec choices to hit all worth factors: Integral consists of each the visor of your selection and the taillight. Entry is with out a visor (however one may nonetheless be added later).
Technically, it appears like solely the top-tier is accessible within the US net retailer, in the meanwhile. However world supply is accessible from the European webshop, so that you may simply have barely increased delivery prices or further supply time.
The highest-spec The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face (as examined) sells for $299 / 299€, immediately 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 affect safety, the Virgo Integral sells for 229€ with the equipment, and the Virgo Entry goes for 179€ with out.
There are additionally even a less expensive XS (48-50cm) & S (51-54cm) children variations for simply 99€ in additional child-oriented colours, too.
As an additional vacation purchasing deal now in Europe, should you purchase any Virgo helmet proper now, The Beam gives you a free visor and a helmet Reflector reflective sticker without cost, making it cheaper to get a visor-equipped commuter full-face. (Apply code: VIRGOSTYLE at checkout after including the equipment).
