Let’s not beat across the bush, The Beam full-face Virgo Integral MIPS helmet seems fairly wild once you examine it to a standard half-shell bike helmet – with its built-in chin bar and flip-down visor. However similar to how DH full-face helmet tech has trickled all the way down to loads of light-weight convertible and full-face helmets for enduro and even some aggressive path riders – it’s arduous to argue with additional head safety.
The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face metropolis & ebike helmet
Full-face helmets are nothing new in biking. However for some purpose, they’ve actually by no means made the transition from gravity mountain biking to extra mainstream biking.
The Beam Virgo full-face seems to interrupt down that barrier with a light-weight and well-ventilated helmet that provides 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 benefit 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 shiny yellow cargo ebike, I used to be comfortable to check out this newest evolution of the Virgo full-face.
Why an ebike commuter full-face? Why not!
As extra individuals have adopted ebikes in its place 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 setting, it is smart that ebike helmets might begin to look a bit extra like a scooter or moto helmet.
When you find yourself using backwards and forwards to work amongst automobile site visitors, or zipping round city on fast & highly effective ebikes, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS helmet merely affords additional peace of thoughts in a light-weight and cozy helmet at an inexpensive value. And it delivers sufficient air flow that you just gained’t actually roast when you need to 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 satisfy the extra stringent European NTA-8776 regulation created for higher-speed (45kph/28mph) pedelec ebikes.
The French-designed helmet incorporates a distinctive multi-layer development. First, there’s primarily a extra standard in-mold half-shell helmet – with only a plastic shell molded over the sides of its EPS foam power 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 extra 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 development 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 inner air flow channels
fastened peak 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 little one measurement accessible
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. Actually, 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 can 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 at the least to pears), The Beam’s Virgo Integral MIPS is actually a light-weight relating to full-face safety.
Driving Overview
I’ve ridden the Virgo Integral MIPS largely by autumn, with my ebike rides usually leaning in the direction of jackets and gloves climate, so I actually can’t vouch for the way it will do on scorching summer time days when you need to 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 very good 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 coloration 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 fully wonderful for using at night time with lights.
The visor itself doesn’t have any particular handles or tabs to maneuver it. But it surely sits far sufficient away from my face that I’ve no downside pushing it up or down by the visor’s edges, even with winter gloves. When it’s not exceptionally chilly, I wish to trip with the visor up so I can really feel the wind on my face. Or half manner up which affords 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 Sensible Rear Mild
I particularly just like the Virgo Integral’s included rear sensible taillight (optionally available on Entry fashions), because it significantly boosts nighttime and low-light visibility.
It places out a gradual 40 lumens of purple 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 Sensible rear gentle is StVZO-certified, and is available in a bundle with the top-spec Virgo Integral fashions, or sells for 49€ individually.
Driving Takeaways
If you’re solely used to highway, gravel, or standard city commuter helmets, The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face is a fairly stunning swap. And I gained’t lie, the primary feedback that I’ve acquired from coworkers, pals, and household had been usually astonishment why I might need a helmet that they thought regarded extra like a bike 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 purpose will we put on helmets than to maintain our heads secure?
Plus, extra ebikes means extra time sharing the highway with automobiles, extra inexperienced riders on heavier ebikes (vs. standard bikes), and perhaps even greater common speeds. So there’s good purpose 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 cozy helmet, that I personally really feel higher using.
The Beam Virgo Integral – Pricing, choices & availability
The Beam affords 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, when you get one of many top-tier Integral fashions, it comes together with your selection of 4 visor choices – frivolously tinted Crystal (examined), darkish smoke tinted Black, reflective Polarized Blue, bronze-tinted Yellow.
Lastly, The Beam Virgo is obtainable in 4 spec choices to hit all value factors: Integral contains each the visor of your selection and the taillight. Entry is and not using a visor (however one might nonetheless be added later).
Technically, it seems like solely the top-tier is obtainable within the US net retailer, in the meanwhile. However world supply is obtainable from the European webshop, so that you would possibly simply have barely greater transport prices or additional supply time.
The highest-spec The Beam Virgo Integral MIPS full-face (as examined) sells for $299 / 299€, instantly 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) youngsters variations for simply 99€ in additional child-oriented colours, too.
As an additional vacation purchasing deal now in Europe, when you purchase any Virgo helmet proper now, The Beam gives you a free visor and a helmet Reflector reflective sticker at no cost, making it cheaper to get a visor-equipped commuter full-face. (Apply code: VIRGOSTYLE at checkout after including the equipment).
TheBeam-Europe.com or TheBeam-USA.com
