Scott is putting safety first with the release of the new ARX Plus road helmet in 2015, their first road helmet incorporating MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology.
MIPS integrates a low friction layer between the helmet shell and liner, and is claimed by its Swedish inventors to reduce the amount of rotational force transferred to your brain. The video below shows some results of a MIPS helmet compared to a regular one.
Says the MIPS website: "The secret behind MIPS’ unique, patented technology comes from the human brain. The brain is surrounded by a low-friction cushion of cerebrospinal fluid that protects it by allowing it to slide slightly on impact. MIPS imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the liner, which also slides to absorb much of the energy created by an angled blow to the head."
MIPS is proving really popular with helmet manufacturers at the moment, with many releasing a MIPS helmet model for 2015. We saw new models with the technology from Lazer, Smith, POC, Giro and Bell at Eurobike last month, and we expect to see many more added in the near future. You can see the full list over at the MIPS website
The MIPS technology adds only a small weight penalty, the Arx Plus weighs a competitive 260g. It’s well ventilated with “strategically placed” outer vents funnelling air through inner cooling channels.
A Micro Rotary Adjustment System II retention system clamps the helmet securely to the head and offers a wide range of adjustment and claimed comfort. A micro-dial operates the retention system.
The Arx Plus helmet is available in three sizes (small, medium and large) and two colours. No word on pricing yet. More at www.scott-sports.com
3 thoughts on “Scott Bikes launch new Arx Plus helmet with MIPS safety technology + video”
Road.cc readers – any thought
Road.cc readers – any thought on these two counter points to MIPS?
http://www.helmets.org/bicyclingmag1305.htm
http://www.helmets.org/mips.htm
As always, everyone has their own stance and the hard part is balancing the arguments and pulling out the facts that matter…
alistairgroves wrote:Road.cc
From a physics point of view, i’d have thought that the extra slip plane that MIPS provides could, in theory, give an additional amount of time for the head to decelerate. Given that that seems, according to some research, to be one of prime factors with regard to concussions – rather than just a simple model of the brain bouncing back and forth in the skull – it might be useful.
The first thing to do surely, would be to actually test some of that in the lab, or outside with mannequin, or both – and play with the tightness of fit and degree of slip provided by the MIPS system (or any other) *
Until then, it’s a resounding ‘maybe’ from me about the effectiveness or not, but definitely worth looking at (IMO).
* That is to say, independently from the work done by the folk who are flogging it.
And thankfully not “aero”
And thankfully not “aero” design