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Helmets
Biologic Pango Helmet Biologic Pango Helmet Biologic Pango Helmet Biologic Pango Helmet Biologic Pango Helmet
Biologic Pango Folding Helmet

Biologic Pango Helmet

5
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 28, 2012

8
£88.00
Buy this online

VERDICT:

5
10
Quirky design needing some revision to justify its relatively high price.
Weight: 
509g
Contact: 
www.paligap.cc
How we test

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I can see the Biologic Pango folding helmet's appeal for short haul commuters needing to stash their kit in a very confined space. Substituting the industry standard thin polycarbonate layer with ABS (a thermoplastic) greatly reduces the likelihood of scratches and other accidental damage that comes from banging about in all manner of luggage but contributes to its portly 509g – about the same weight as my first hard-shell lid 25 years ago.

This feels quite heavy after 30 minutes or so – especially if you're used to wearing a latest generation commu-touring design some 200g lighter. My main gripe, though, concerns styling - which is obviously a personal thing. If I'm paying the best part of 90 quid, I don't want to arrive at the station looking like an extra from Tron. Of course, you might like it.

What we have here is a skate-style hard outer shell with a well-ventilated centre ridge bonded to an expanded polystyrene liner. We're used to in-mould construction and expect CE1078 accreditation but pulsium technology sounds like something out of science fiction. In fact, it simply refers to the helmet's folding construction. Credit where it's due, this is pretty intuitive. You simply release two rear catches and gently roll the sides inward. My first attempt took 40secs but I've honed it to 15-20secs if we're counting its journey into the messenger bag or briefcase pannier. It'll fit nearly everyone although there's no rear thumb wheel for adjustment so a quick pad swap might be called for in some cases.

The shallow profile gives the sensation of the helmet sitting atop your head rather than embracing it, although, this is largely forgotten after 15mins or so. Ventilation is surprisingly good, scooping a steady stream of cooling air over your scalp. Upping your riding speed improves airlow on the one hand but leaves your temples feeling warm, especially when air temperature climbs to about 15°C.

The mesh-type top section keeps showers and more sustained rainfall at bay to the same degree as more open designs, which is likely to be welcome on those quick sprints to and from the station.

Verdict

Quirky design needing some revision to justify its relatively high price.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Biologic Pango Helmet

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

BioLogic say, "The BioLogic Pango folding helmet folds to half the size of a typical helmet, or roughly the size of a Kleenex tissue box. With patented folding technology, a folded Pango slides easily into any bag; no more dangling off the handlebars. Adjustable side side panels can accommodate head sizes 55-61cm in circumference. Available in black or white".

Short haul/mixed mode commuting would seem the most appropriate use. I found its weight becomes intrusive after 30mins or so.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Patented folding design

Folds to nearly half the volume of regular cycling helmets

Fits head sizes 55-61 cm

EN safety certified

Folded Size: 23 x 18.5 x 13cm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
5/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Felt like I could've survived being fired from a circus cannon.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
4/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
5/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The BioLogic Pango is an interesting design with some potential for short haul commuters but I found that it felt heavy after 30mins.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Unique, rugged design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Felt warm, heavy and expensive compared with modern urban models.

Did you enjoy using the product? No

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Not in its present guise.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb

 

Helmet
folding helmet
Commuter helmet
Biologic
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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8 comments

Avatar
William Semple | 7 years ago
0 likes

This helmet was the answer to my prayers. I travel through London quite a lot. I use the rental bikes. It always felt uncomfortable not having a helmet to wear in the  busy streets of the Capitol. So the Pango was the answer. Not the prettiest  of helmets, not what you would want for a bit street cred,  but who knows me in London any way 1  It is so compact and fits in my airline carry on bag along with a small security padlock and a clear pair of glasses and I am good to go around town. There is nothing else that comes close for portability. Which makes it very sad that when I did a check recently I could not find any source selling them. Perhaps it did not capture the publics imagination. Well at least I have mine!

Avatar
Aapje | 12 years ago
0 likes

There is a decent movie clip here of the folding action:

http://www.dahon.com/accessories/2010/pango-folding-helmet

Avatar
Paul J | 12 years ago
0 likes

Even easier, if you're just doing some ordinary-person-about-town cycling, just don't wear a helmet. Quite literally millions of dutch people manage this every day.

Avatar
Mark Bickerton | 12 years ago
0 likes

Let me just chip in that a particular customer type is the Bike share rider....Imagine the commute to London with your iPad and squash clothes and sandwiches in your backpack...arrive London mainline station, tubes are really busy, the sun is shining and the Boris bikes are sitting there tempting you.....but you promised your mum/girlfriend/wife that your would always wear a helmet when cycling.....ah...yes....The Biologic Pango helmet is neatly slotted into the backpack....you have a ticket to ride!

Now I don't know what a Tron looks like, but with a Pango helmet you are riding in the spring sunshine instead of being crammed like a sardine on the underground.

Avatar
Tony Farrelly | 12 years ago
0 likes

We fight for the user round here so we'll do what we can on the pic front…

Not that being Tron-like is necessarily a downside, my teenage daughter thought it was pretty cool looking.

Avatar
GavinT | 12 years ago
0 likes

Could do with a picture of it being worn so we can judge just how tron-like it looks in use. Plus it might be amusing.

Avatar
Mr Will | 12 years ago
0 likes

Seems like a solution looking for a problem to me - who honestly ever needs to fold their helmet? Just lock it to the bike if there is no other option.

Avatar
mr-andrew replied to Mr Will | 12 years ago
0 likes
Mr Will wrote:

Just lock it to the bike if there is no other option.

You don't cycle round London in the evenings then? 1
Seriously, I can see this as perfect for a night out, where I tend not to bother with a helmet as they're a total faff once you're off the bike. Still not sure I'd drop £90 on one, but I like the idea.

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