The Spiuk Korben is an aero helmet that offers a decent amount of airflow and comfort, but be prepared to size up, or try before you buy if possible.
Aero helmets have been available at the mid and lower end of the cost scale for a number of years. Spiuk's Korben sits firmly in the mid-range category and has a number of technologies within it, including 'Airflow Architecture' and 'Arrow Head'. The first is essentially air channels, and the second is a new slider design on the straps. It has also been designed to be low profile and smaller than other helmets, which is definitely noticeable when you first put it on.
As with all aero helmets, estimating gains compared to a non-aero helmet is not possible in a review setting and Spiuk does not offer any values to judge against. However, it definitely has an aero profile, with five vents at the front and five at the back, combined with a very low profile and smaller than average size. This means it is likely to create less drag than a regular road helmet, even if the exact reduction is unknown.
However, while aero helmets create less drag than regular road helmets, they don't offer the same levels of airflow, although in recent years this has started to improve. Spiuk's Airflow Architecture technology is aimed at helping with this and consists of channels both within and on the shell of the helmet. This allows air to flow more easily into the front vents, over the head, and out of the back vents. It works relatively well – I used it for several long rides without really wishing I had more ventilation.
Adjusting the helmet for fit is via a dial on a harness at the back, which tightens or loosens depending on which way you twist. The harness can also be adjusted up or down to cater for different head shapes. I found that in general it was a comfortable helmet that stayed in place well.
The straps are comfortable, too, and the 'Arrow Head' dividers let you adjust them relatively easily to get the right fit. The clip is also firm, which means you need to press it relatively hard in order to get it off, which might be an issue with full-finger winter gloves.
There's also a pad along the strap that runs under your chin, which can be removed if, like me, you'd prefer not to ride with it. The clip does not sit centrally under the chin, but slightly off to the left.
One element of the straps worth noting is the way they're attached to the helmet means that glasses need to sit under them.
Size-wise, if you normally wear a medium helmet you might need to go for the M/L rather than S/M. I originally tried the S/M, but although it fitted fine around the head it didn't fit as well in other areas. For instance, I found that it rubbed slightly on the crown of my head, and on the largest setting the wires running around my head would get in the way of the pad Velcro, so they would shift during a ride. If you're above around 53cm, I'd say it's worth trying first or going for a size up.
> Should you buy an aero helmet?
The helmet hit the road.cc Scales of Truth at 257g, which is pretty good for an aero helmet in this price band. The Catlike Vento that I looked at last year is 10g lighter but is a little more expensive. Some much more expensive aero helmets can be heavier, such as the Giant Pursuit MIPS, which weighs in at 328g – although some of this could be accounted for by the extra safety system.
The Spiuk's RRP of around £90 (it's €99.90) puts it squarely in the mid-range bracket, and seems about right for what the helmet offers. The Catlike I mentioned above is £109.99 but offers slightly better airflow and shaves 10g off the weight. The Giant Strive MIPS comes in slightly cheaper at £84.99, and incorporates the MIPS system, but this comes at the expense of weight as it's 53g heavier.
> Buyer's Guide: 21 of the best high-performance lightweight lids
Overall, I like this helmet, it is comfortable, well ventilated and sits well on the head. The only thing that marks it down slightly is that you need to watch the sizing – aside from that, there is very little to not like.
Verdict
Very good aero helmet that offers decent ventilation and comfort, but make sure to try before you buy
Make and model: Spiuk Korben Helmet
Size tested: S-M 51-56 cm
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?
Spiuk says: 'A helmet for those at the front of the gruppetto... regardless of style.'
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Spiuk lists:
Aerodynamic cycling helmet
Ideal for shaving seconds off your time for races or triathlons
Highly compact geometry with a small frontal area
Airflow internal architecture for cooling and better aerodynamic performance
Spiuk® X1 rear fitting system and Spiuk® Arrow Head lateral dividers for a high-precision fit
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
It is well made with a good choice of materials and without exposing much of the foam under the shell.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Good amount of ventilation, stays on the head well, and has comfortable pads to boot.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
It's well made and unlikely to break any time soon.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
7/10
Broadly what I would expect from an aero helmet in this price range.
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
8/10
Good airflow, strap adjustability, and comfortable pads.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It performed well. I couldn't give any conclusion on the effectiveness of the aero elements, but in terms of its day to day use it worked well. The only slight issue is that the sizing is slightly off if you're more towards the M side of S/M.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The amount of airflow offered on an aero helmet.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The sizing was a bit off for the smaller size.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Similar helmets include the Catlike Vento which is £109.99 but offers slightly better airflow and shaves off 10g. The Giant Strive MIPS comes in slightly cheaper at £84.99, with the extra safety system, although this comes at the expense of weight as it's 53g heavier.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
It's a very good helmet that offers a decent amount of ventilation and comfort. The sizing is a little off, but aside from that there isn't too much to criticise.
Age: 32 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: CAAD13 My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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