Whilst there have been a variety of standout performances from EF Professional Biking final yr, probably the most memorable for plenty of fanatics was once Lachlan Morton’s exciting dash victory over runner-up Chad Haga at Unbound Gravel in Emporia, Kansas. On the time, POC’s Procen Air was once nonetheless very new and novel – a particularly aero-focused avenue helmet with a TT-inspired shaping, ear-diffusers, and an built-in visor.
It was once used for 15 of EF Professional Biking’s 41 wins in 2024, however Morton’s use of a mud-splattered Procen Air to win the sector’s hardest gravel match can have created probably the most buzz. Now, POC has launched an EF Professional Biking Restricted Version Procen Air to lend a hand fanatics rejoice possibly the sector’s maximum beloved biking staff whilst saving some vital watts.
The “World’s Most-Loved Team”
EF Professional Biking takes a contemporary option to serving to its apparatus companions marketplace merchandise to the general public. As an alternative of focusing myopically on race effects to maximise the enchantment in their sponsor’s merchandise, EF Professional Biking achieves this through striving no longer simplest to win races, however to be the “world’s most-loved team.”
This technique is in keeping with projects that make the sector a greater position in the course of the game of biking, and a dedication to moral racing. Previous to this unlock, the Procen Air was once simplest to be had in black and silver, so for fanatics of the EF Professional Biking, this can be a welcome dose of colourful colour.
Procen Options
The Procen Air guarantees to check the aerodynamic potency of a time trial helmet whilst protecting the relief, coverage, and cooling of a avenue helmet. POC additionally has a file of making leading edge security features, and the Procen Air continues this legacy, through through serving to riders pay attention and spot as obviously as imaginable in a loud and ever-shifting peloton.
It’s simple to take a look at the ear diffusers and visor as purely aero-focused options, however those are similarly rooted in bettering the rider’s skill to sense their setting. The visor, which POC calls the Readability Lens, is designed to maximise the rider’s peripheral imaginative and prescient and will also be indifferent and saved on the rear of the helmet with one hand, the usage of a sequence of magnetic attachment issues.
The ear diffusers, as we’re calling them, are tuned to optimize airflow and sound control, using a semi-open design that permits maximum riders to listen to extra obviously than they are able to with their ears uncovered, in step with POC.
Nonetheless Ventilated
Relatively than minimizing air flow to avoid wasting watts, as noticed in some early aero avenue helmet designs from Giro and others, the Procen Air controls the air entering its shell to beef up cooling whilst decreasing stress ranges for sooner airflow.
3 consumption ports within the entrance of the Procen Air “drain” the high-pressure zone of stagnant air and cut back the air resistance that will have to be triumph over through the rider. After coming into via those ports, air stress is decreased because it flows in the course of the constricted channels above the rider’s scalp sooner than exiting out of enormous exhaust ports on the rear.
The drop in interior air stress lets in the air to hurry up slightly bit, thus decreasing drag whilst boosting the air’s cooling impact. This phenomenon is referred to as a Venturi impact and isn’t unique to the Procen Air, however is however a confirmed and extensively followed design in aero helmets that may’t depend on dozens of vents for cooling.
Whilst protection, and cooling are essential, the Procen Air is at the beginning designed for potency at excessive pace. POC’s checking out within the wind tunnel and at the avenue printed a 5-watt saving over the relatively slippery Ventral avenue helmet… at “low speed”. At upper speeds, like 30-60kph, the Procen Air demolished the Ventral, erasing upwards of 18w of drag.
Those are large claims. For an elite avenue racer 5w of FTP will also be the adaptation between their January and July shape. 18 watts may just lend a hand a light-weight climber cling off a chase workforce upon getting away excessive of a climb. Someplace in the midst of that sits a noticeable bump in aero potency for any rider, particularly the ones switching from a conventional vented helmet.
Pricing, Weight & Availability
This kind of efficiency after all comes at a excessive value, which is $430 US, to be precise. You’ll be able to surely get a well-vented helmet plus a just right aero-road helmet for that more or less cash. However, you’ll be able to’t put on either one of the ones helmets without delay, and that’s why POC is having a bet that riders with this sort of helmet funds will make a selection the Procen as an alternative. Particularly because the Procen guarantees to steadiness protection, comfort, and cooling with complex aerodynamics in a respectably mild package deal, weighing 390g in dimension medium.
How does the Procen Air carry out in the true international? Take a look at Cory’s hands-on assessment of the Procen Air to determine.
Sizing: S/50-56cm – M/54-59cm – L/56-61cm
USD 430 / CAD 540
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