For 2012, Cannondale enters the fray of large scale bike manufacturers looking to capitalize on their brand cachet and spread it further than the down tubes of their bikes, and are offering helmets.
Cannondale launched their helmet line with four models, from ultra-light high-end road to that for the everyday commuter.
The Teramo punctuates Cannondale’s four-model launch as a top of the line 245g dual density EPS (expanded polystyrene) road helmet built with composite and alloy internal reinforcements. Cannondale told BikeRadar that by co-molding both high and low density EPS using a cone shaped internal interface between the foam layers, they’re able to create zones that better disperse and redirect impact energy in the event of a crash.
The outer layer of Cannondale's dual density EPS foam design
Cannondale calls their visible between-the-vent reinforcement ‘SI Alloy Exoskeleton Reinforcement Bridge’. While the concept isn’t new, and other manufacturers use similar designs, Cannondale uses aluminum alloy as opposed to composite or carbon fiber for theirs. Additional composite shell reinforcements go unseen, as they’re molded inside the EPS.
A cut-away better illustrates the internal reinforcements of Cannondale's helmets
The new road lid comes in five colors — 4 men’s and 1 women’s — and two shell sizes, which fit a variety of head sizes and shapes via a one hand micro adjuster. This uses a foam rubber pad, called SL Ergo Fit, that doesn’t absorb sweat and is anti-microbial.
The helmet features 23 ‘flow-through’ vents. Michael DeLeon, Cannondale’s marketing director, was quick to point out that the retention system is also, “ponytail friendly”. The Teramo costs US$109.99.
For mountain bikers, Cannondale's Ryker offers additional head coverage compared to the Teramo, and has larger vents for better low-speed cooling.
The Ryker mountain model
The Ryker also incorporates Cannondale’s SI Alloy Reinforcement, dual-density EPS with internal composite reinforcement, and adds a visor to the package. Since mountain helmets generally are more abused that road, Cannondale embeds the Ryker’s graphics into the polycarbonate shell, so they won’t chip or scrape off.
Like the Teramo, Ryker comes in two shell sizes, and has a claimed weight of 265g for the smaller. The helmet will sell for $79.95, and offers the choice of two women’s and three men’s color options.
Cannondale’s Radius helmet is designed for the urban rider with subtle matte colors and a single-density EPS foam with internal composite reinforcements; it does, however, rely on Cannondale’s SL Ergo Fit retention system. The Radius also comes with a removable visor.
The helmet comes in five colors, with one women’s specific option. Again, Cannondale offers two shell sizes with the smaller weighing in at a claimed 300g. The Radius has a price of $59.99.
Cannondale's Radius model will sell for $59.99
Entry to Cannondale’s helmet line comes with the Quick,a basic beginners helmet that adheres to all US and European safety standards. It features a single density EPS foam in-molded to the polycarbonate shell. The helmet comes in two shell sizes, but features a more basic Ergo-Fit EVA retention system. The Quick also comes in five colors with removable color-matched visors and costs just $33.99.
Cannondale says the helmet line will be available at their dealers starting in August 2011.