Hello Bville and All, This might be interesting:
http://www.helmets.org/helmet10preview.htm http://www.helmets.org/helmet14.htm Excerpt:
"There are new models in 2014 that are worth a look if you need a new helmet. The trend continues toward the
compact, rounder, smoother profile that we think is best when you crash. But there is still no verifiable major advance in impact performance, ventilation or wearability this year that would compel you to replace your current helmet.
A slip-plane addition to some helmets exploded in the market in late 2014 when Bell bought a large chunk of the MIPS patent holder company. Other manufacturers have quickly followed. We still regard MIPS as unproven technology unless you have a helmet that couples so closely to your head that you can't move it. Your scalp is nature's MIPS. We have more on that on
our MIPS page. "
http://www.helmets.org/mips.htm Excerpts:
Summary: MIPS has a patent on using a concept called the slip plane in a helmet. It may or may not help you avoid rotational injury in a crash.
Lab tests demonstrate that you want the outside of your helmet to slide when you hit the pavement, not stick and jerk your neck.
Rounder, slicker helmets are proven to do that better.
MIPS and slip planes A Swedish company called Multi-directional Impact Protection System - MIPS - has revived and patented the slip plane concept, using two layers in the helmet to help the head rotate slightly on impact. The hope is to reduce the rotational component of an impact, thought to be a prime brain injury mechanism and related to concussion.
From one manufacturer in 2009, MIPS developed marketing momentum after
a 2013 article in Bicycling magazine praised it as the only new helmet technology available. We found six manufacturers in September 2013. In 2014 Bell bought a substantial part of the MIPS company, and other manufacturers are scrambling to put MIPS helmets on the US market, with more than ten already developed for 2015. Does it work? Do you need it? We can not answer those questions below, but here is the story.
The first POC helmet with MIPS has two concentric layers, held in place by a pin that breaks and lets the shells slip for about 15 mm upon impact. The layer interface is coated with Teflon. All subsequent helmets we have seen have just a thin layer of uncoated polycarbonate plastic inside the normal helmet liner. It slips, but hold it down hard with your thumb and you can hear it creak against the EPS liner, indicating friction.
Your skin does not do that. MIPS says that the helmet is supposed to have a layer of slippery fabric between the foam and the polycarbonate insert, but that turns out to be just small fabric pads on some point. We saw MIPS models from nine manufacturers at the September 2014 Interbike show. None of them had a full layer of sliding enabler fabric, and we found spots on all of them where the polycarbonate MIPS layer contacted bare EPS. In addition, the inserts are sliced up to avoid blocking vents in most helmets. The MIPS layer cuts down on ventilation where it impinges on vents.
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Cheers, Neal
+1 mph Faster