We first saw O'Neal's new Airtech AT-1 full-face helmet at the Cycle 2010 show in London. Well, since then it's been refined and FLi Distribution have now sent us one of the first pre-production samples to hit the UK for testing.
The angular shape is a welcome change from all of the Troy Lee Designs D2 clones flooding the market, giving this white model in particular a real Star Wars stormtrooper look. We don't think it's too over the top, though.
This lid has a substantial feel – as in protective, rather than heavy – but it's been designed with an emphasis on cooling and the multiple vents should ensure you don't get a sweaty head.
The shell is polycarbonate rather than composite or carbon fibre, to keep costs down – hence the £109.99 pricetag, which we think is remarkably good for such a sorted looking helmet. Look out for a full review on BikeRadar later this year, once we've put it through its paces.
THE Point Five helmet
THE Industries' Point Five is another full-face lid that we first saw at the trade shows and has now arrived in the office for testing. If the shape looks familiar, that's because it is – it's the same as last year's THE One, but with an ABS instead of composite shell.
This change brings the price down to £89.95 and also has a noticeable effect on weight – the medium sized .5 was just 923g on our scales. That's lighter than most super-expensive carbon fibre lids. Don't worry though – UK distributors Silverfish say it still exceeds CPSC and CE certification standards.
It has all the features you'd expect of a pricier full-face – a plethora of vents, a removable and washable liner, and a D-ring closure – and is available in four colourways and six sizes. Look out for a review soon.
Electric EG1 goggles
FLi sent us these Electric EG1 goggles to go along with the O'Neal helmet. We've yet to put them to the test on the hill but they certainly look sorted, with an injection moulded TPU frame, triple layer foam for comfort, and an anti-fog and anti-scratch clear lens.
We think this green and black colourway looks great with the white helmet, with the 3D lightning graphic on the strap a particularly nice touch, but there are loads of other options available if it's not your thing. RRP is £44.99.
Point One Racing stem
Point One Racing make some very sexy bike kit so we were excited when their new Split-Second [70] stem turned up in the post courtesy of UK distributors Hotlines. The American company have a reputation for innovation; here they've ditched the standard separate top cap for a neat integrated system.
This saves weight as well as looking trick. Adding to the aesthetics are the sculpted look of the stem body and the matt black finish. RRP is £99.99. It's also available in a similarly shaped 90mm length for £20 more, as well as less angular 50mm (£99.99) and direct-mount (£99.99) versions. Claimed weight is 139g.
Blackspire bar
To go with the Po1nt Racing stem, Hotlines sent us a Blackspire 768 riser bar. At 760mm wide it might be overkill for trail use, but cut marks on the ends make it easy to trim and the 20mm rise gives you a good, aggressive cornering stance.
Made from cold-drawn, double-butted and tapered 7075-T6 alloy, Blackspire say the 768 is tough enough for downhill and freeride use. The claimed weight of 330g seems reasonable considering its width. The real selling point is the huge range of colour options: it's available in chrome or anodised black, blue, gold, green, grey, pink, purple, red or silver, as well as the white finish shown here. RRP is £54.99.
