When you’re discussing cycling helmets with your riding mates you know that someone will eventually drop the big words: Venturi effect, air-intakes, trailing-edges. At this point the less-experienced among us will start looking perplexed. And when the subject of your conversation is an aero helmet – a very good-looking one — perplexity quickly turns into scepticism. But how much scepticism does the POC Ventral SPIN really deserve?
Swedish protection-specialist POC has long been known for its outstanding quality, modern design and superb marketing and is considered one of the leading brands in the sports-protection industry. But did POC’s marketing department get a little too excited with the new Ventral SPIN? The Swede’s new creation is supposed to be the fastest, safest and most aerodynamic helmet POC has ever produced. And if that wasn’t exciting enough the Ventral makes use of the “Venturi effect” to take ventilation and heat dissipation to a whole new level.
The POC Ventral SPIN in detail
Did someone say Venturi? The “Venturi effect” – also known as Bernoulli’s law (Copyright still pending) – states that the flow or flow-speed of liquids and gases varies depending on the diameter of the channel they are forced through. The narrower the tunnel, the faster the liquid or gas will flow through it. Exactly this principle is said to have inspired the shape and construction of POC’s Ventral helmet. The large air intakes on the front of the Ventral are funnelling air into the helmet while on the inside the air is channelled into much smaller conducts. This allows the air to accelerate and – according to the Venturi and/or Bernoulli principle – exert less pressure on the duct and thus on the head. All of this is supposed to increase comfort and encourage heat dissipation from the inside of the helmet.
But there’s more to it. Thanks to specially-shaped trailing-edges and large openings at the back of the helmet the Ventral is said to keep air-resistance to a minimum. This makes it effectively the most aerodynamic helmet in POC’s history.
If you consider how much science there’s in here, the POC Ventral SPIN looks awesome!
Alongside amazing new technologies POC also implemented some of their known and proven technologies into the development process of the Ventral. The most striking feature is the blue SPIN padding, POC’s very own version against oblique impacts which was awarded a Design & Innovation Award in 2018. According to POC as soon as the helmet hits the ground the special padding allows the head to rotate almost free of friction inside the helmet while the force of the impact is dispersed. The POC Ventral also features a number of sophisticated EPS damping-zones and a 360°-adjustment system which not only increases the helmet’s safety but also adds comfort and practicality to its adjustment options.
Our first impressions of the POC Ventral SPIN
When trying on the Ventral for the first time it only took a few easy adjustments to adapt it to the shape of our head; our size M helmet (58 cm head circumference) was a perfect fit. In true aero-style the Ventral sits flat and comfortably-low while transmitting a pleasant feeling of safety. Alongside its outstanding functionality the Ventral also sports an elegant look unprecedented in the aero-helmet world.
Because of the light weight (250 g) and the comfortable fit we forgot about the helmet after riding for only a few minutes. Thanks to the 360° adjustment system the POC Ventral SPIN stays in place and feels comfortable even on the occasional gravel stint. Considering the harsh testing-conditions of – 7 C° we can tell you: yes, there’s plenty of draft in there. But is it the Venturi effect or just the large air-intakes that are responsible for the ventilation? We’re still unsure. What we can say is that while drinking our after-ride pint the Ventral SPIN didn’t get any dirty looks from the local punters *errrr* which is usually the case when wearing an aero-helmet – and at that point we didn’t care about the wind-tunnel anymore.
Prices and availability
The POC Ventral SPIN will be available from March the 2nd both online and in your local bike shop. It will sell in nine different colours – from fluorescent pink to Uranium matt-black– and cost € 299.
Conclusion
With their new Ventral SPIN the Swedes have successfully created a worthy newcomer to add to their portfolio. With or without Venturi POC’s new creation is a superb blend of functionality and design at the highest level. If you can spare € 299 for your next aero-helmet and appreciate design, aesthetics and functionality you should consider the POC Ventral SPIN.
More info at pocsports.com
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Words & Photos: Translation: Eric Frajria
