BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Smith Optics of Sun Valley, Idaho, is to expand into the bicycle helmet market. The Smith bicycle helmets feature integration with Smith sunglasses and goggles.
Smith Optics claims the ‘Aerocore’ honeycomb construction used on the Forefront all-mountain helmet offers a 30 percent impact improvement over standard EPS. The patented tubular core structure of the Koroyd material is combined with EPS. Aerocore construction is said to allow for ventilated protection, reduced weight, and reduced volume.
Weighing in at 285g, the Forefront features ‘VaporFit’ adjustable fit system, integrated camera and light mounting area, and an additional helmet goggle retention strap.
Eric Carlson, VP of Product and Design at Smith Optics said:
"In our effort to reduce volume and weight while increasing ventilation and impact protection for ski and snowboard helmets, we came across Koroyd. Through a little bit of luck and good fortune, we found the Koroyd material met all of our goals. After a full year of testing we were able to gather massive amounts of impact data and design flexibility that made an innovative Smith bike helmet project possible."
The helmet line was first shown to editors at the PressCamp event in Park City, Utah, in June, with an embargo until today.
