The popularity of Kask helmets has risen hugely since the Italian company became a sponsor of Team Sky, and it has been responding to the British team’s demand for the best equipment with a steady release of new helmets over the years.
The latest is the Valegro. It’s designed as a lightweight helmet, and with 36 air vents, it is intended be better vented than the current team issue Protone, which combines an aerodynamic design with air vents. In very simple terms it’s pretty much a Protone with more vents.
The new helmet was developed with Team Sky “based on their feedback from the most punishing race conditions possible.” It’s Kask’s answer to the team’s request for a lightweight and highly vented helmet for the hot mountain stages.
That high number of vents has resulted in a helmet that weighs in at a claimed 180g. That’s very light – the Protone is 250g and a Lazer Z1 is 238g. Kask says it has developed a new moulding technology which has allowed it to make such drastic weight reductions, but it doesn’t go into detail about the new tech.
As well as a large number of vents, Kask says the head-to-pad contact is 70% less than other helmet designs, which should benefit the cooling effect of the Valegro. The pads are made from 5mm thick fast-wicking material that is breathable and helps to pull sweat away from the rider’s head to the helmet’s outer shell.
Kask has still considered aerodynamics, taking lessons learned from the development of the Infinity and Bambino Pro helmets, and the shape and profile of the helmet have been optimised to reduce drag with wind tunnel testing to fine-tune the finished product.
Another neat details is the front and rear sunglasses “garages” so glasses can be easily pushed into the helmet vents when you don’t need them, such as when toiling away up a very steep climb.
– Cycling helmets — everything you need to know
That means it’ll be the helmet the team chooses when the Tour de France reaches the mountains – the team rode the second stage with the current Protone because it was a very flat stage so we’ve not seen the new helmet in action during this race just yet.
“We are always looking for the next advantage in terms of innovation and performance here at KASK,” says KASK’s Manager Ylenia Battistello. “We have a great relationship with Team Sky and together we have developed a new helmet that delivers the optimum blend of high performance, comfort and rider security throughout a race as tough as a Grand Tour. We are very excited to see Team Sky riders racing in the Valegro from this July.”
Carsten Jeppesen, Head of Technical Operations, Team Sky, Team Sky adds: “It’s been a great experience to work so closely with KASK in developing a helmet that will help our riders perform at their best. With every race, our riders and technicians demand to be ahead of the game in ultimate performance and rider comfort, and with the Valegro, KASK once again exceeds our expectations.”
Like the look of the new helmet and want to get your hands on it? Don’t hold your breath, it won’t be available until December 2017 and no price has been announced.
13 thoughts on “Tour Tech 2017: Team Sky to debut new Kask Valegro helmet”
Quote:
With such effusive language, they should have called it the Miracle-gro.
It’s got a really obvious
It’s got a really obvious smiley face on the front venting. It’s a no from me Clive.
I am a human wrote:
You’ve just ruined this for me, totally cannot look at it now without seeing that face!
Wasn’t Valegro the name of
Wasn’t Valegro the name of one of the British Olympic horses?
So many jokes, so little time.
jollygoodvelo wrote:
Think you will find the name was shortened from very like allegro, the car from yesteryear that had the same number of holes.
Better than a panatone on
Better than a panatone on your head I suppose.
Just had a look at the Met
Just had a look at the Met Trenta on their website as today is release day supposedly. That helmet too is showing availability from December this year. Seems strange to launch in July but punters not able to buy for almost 6 months.
Me too – I boil and a new
Me too – I boil and a new helmet that offers just the slightest hint of being cooler than the present one is going to get some money spent on it. So here we are, I’m off cycling for a couple of weeks in 30 degree heat and a new lid would be welcome – but no – I have to wait to it’s freezing and pissing down and I’ve forgotten all about them. Someone’s surely on the wrong page
nniff wrote:
If you’re cycling in 30 degree heat you’re going to be hot whatever’s on yer bonce. I’d forget about this, and just enjoy the rides.
I like the look of this and
I like the look of this and my Vertigo must be at least 3 years old now. How long do people tend to use their helmets for?
I really don’t understand why a manufacturer wouldn’t make their new product available when it’s first coming to our attention though, holding it back for 6 months seems a bit strange unless it really is that hot off the press that they haven’t been able to make enough of them yet.
PaulBox wrote:
People tend to use them until they break them.
However, helmet brand marketing departments will tell you you need to replace every 2-3 years. They will be delighted to have you.
PaulBox wrote:
— PaulBoxI’m sure someone more in the know can tell you, but I doubt the production lines have been fully qualified yet and so they won’t be mass produceable yet. The team are probably riding in helmets that have only passed QA testing.
I like the smiley face on the
I like the smiley face on the front. I’ve had a kask now for a number of years and to be honest it’s more comfortable than previous giro and specialized lids I’ve had.