The Race is a competitively priced road helmet that offers a good level of ventilation and a race-oriented approach, although it doesn't boast the MIPS safety system.
Pinnacle claims the Race is a lightweight helmet, and it tips the scales at 329g, lighter than both the Giant Relay (348g) and Specialized Align II (374g), which I've also tested.
Worth noting, however, is that both of those helmets have MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection) technology, which adds around 25 to 45g and a safety boost that often tops the rankings in the influential Virginia Tech helmet safety assessment ratings.
Pinnacle Race Helmet specification and performance
The 25 ventilation channels of the Race are sizeable and well-positioned, with a noticeable cooling effect.
The helmet’s aero flourishes at the tail and lower profile than the Giant and Specialized give the feel of free speed, but whether that’s an illusion can only truly be confirmed by wind tunnel testing.
The straps sit flush to the face and are easy to adjust, but you’ll probably need to cut off some of the excess.
Where the Race really struggles is with the basic buckle adjuster at the rear. It’s tricky to operate on the fly and even tougher to locate an exact left-right balance, meaning the helmet can often feel tighter or skew to one side more than the other.
I’d also like some denser pads at the front of the helmet for long-ride comfort from the internal ridges of EPS foam.
The duo of holes for the (swiftly removed) visor loses the otherwise relatively stylish Race some aesthetic points, but the bright yellow colourway (black is also available) made me feel visible on the roads.
The outer polycarbonate shell neatly covers most of the exposed EPS foam around the rim of the helmet, a rarity at this sub-£50 price point, and this aids the visual design further.
Pinnacle Race Helmet bottom line
The Pinnacle Race Helmet is a well-ventilated road bike helmet that I’m happily using for my summer riding.
It comes at an attractive price, has a more racey profile than similarly priced alternatives and felt reasonably comfortable during testing.
However, there's no MIPS and I had to ask a family member to ensure the buckle adjuster was offering an equal amount of tension on either side.
Product
| Brand | pinnacle |
| Price | 42.00 EUR,35.00 GBP,53.00 USD |
| Weight | 329.0000, GRAM () - as tested |
Features
| br_helmetType | road |
| Features | Sizes: M, L Vents: 25 Colours: Yellow; Black |
