The Oxford Tucano Helmet offers a quite moto-inspired helmet at an entry level price. With some nice details on paper, it performed adequately once out on the trail but there are a few issues that need addressing for it to be a really good trail helmet.
Looks wise, the front peak and rear fin give it a very Troy Lee-esque style, which is no bad thing, and the simple two tone orange/red (with four other colour ways available) it’s quite easy to choose one to match kit or your bike.
You’ll either love or hate the peaks and fin – the peak does help keep bright sun, and slightly funnel air into this model, but essentially its a style feature here.
The Tucano features a familiar style band with twist style compression ratchet that is intended to keep the helmet placed and then secured by the under chin strap. The issue I had was that the vertical adjustment of the ratchet worked loose after a few rides – which made the helmet become insecure – less than ideal. The chin strap features a wrap around guard/pad – which is pretty comfy on the chin.
Despite setting it to the closest setting or furthest of the three notches, it worked loose, and using the ratchet to tighten it around the head led to a tight spot on the forehead – which is increased due to the padding being compressed against the foam of the helmet – there is no buffer to prevent this – whereas, with other brands the band runs all the way round and the helmet ‘floats’ on your head.
With 23 vents, you’d hope for some effective cooling but I found the Tucano really hot, even with a shaved head and I felt it just wasn’t cooling unless I was at really fast riding speeds. There is mesh on the lower front vents to prevent insects getting in, but it isn’t continued up to the higher vents, making it somewhat superfluous.
There is a good level of protection around the back of the head, with the rear coming down fairly low. That may explain some of the heat build up, but not the low level of ventilation. In use, the construction seems pretty standard, but I did find the shape of the helmet wasn’t great – with a pressure point on my temple and the back of my head. It’s worth mentioning that I don’t and haven’t had this issue with any other brands I’ve ridden.
The helmet functions in terms of protecting your head – but I’d recommend trying on first at a minimum. If you are after a more economical helmet, this is an option, but when compared to other helmets in this price range there are better ventilated and more comfortably fitting options.
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