It gives retailers a way to sell up from lower-price models with the first or second generation Roc Locs. Visors are being downplayed. Specialized uses clear Velcro to attach the visor on the Air Speed. Bell's Whitsel said she has noticed more off-road riders cycling without visors. Giro is paying increased attention to niceties like including an extra set of fitting pads with some helmets so riders can alternate pads to let them dry between rides.
All manufacturers continue to market improved ventilation, with more vents and air-flow features.
Bell's Intercooler has something called A.C. Technology, which is short for air conditioning. Bell's catalog says the Intercooler has too many vents to count. Giro's new Boreas, which several riders used in this year's Tour de France, also has more vents than the Helios, the company's top road helmet last year. GT is going in a different direction by returning the focus to lightness, Armas said. We've been adding all these features and increasing the amount of head coverage, and weights have come back up.