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review
Helmets
Giro Transfer helmetGiro Transfer helmet

Giro Transfer helmet

9
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Oct 30, 2009

3
£24.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A lot of cycle helmet for not a lot of money
Weight: 
260g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

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The Transfer is a cracking helmet (no pun intended!) even more so when you look at how little it costs. Giro’s designers have always come up with great looking designs and sales have no doubt been helped by the likes of Lance Armstrong being photographed for the last decade wearing the brand.

Giro uses ‘in-mould’ technology on the Transfer and its good to see this process filtering down to the lower end of the range. The outer shell is fused to the foam inner and one part then reinforces the other making the helmet stronger. This enables more vents to be added to increase cooling and decrease weight while still conforming to the relevant CE EN1078 standard.

Out on the bike the Transfer is lightweight (260g), well vented and fits well. As a Unisize adult (54cm – 61cm) fitting adjustment is taken care of by Giro’s Acu-Dial fit system which comprises of a dial at the back of the cradle which you turn clockwise to tighten, anti-clockwise to loosen, all this can be done easily with one hand on the fly if needs be. Extra cushioning pads are also provided to get the fit just right.

A big plus is the inclusion of a mesh inside the front vents to keep bugs out. Why this is never an option on more expensive helmets is beyond me. Having an irritated wasp buzzing around stinging your head while you're flying down a busy A-road is not ideal, trust me I did it last month!! Style wise it is a bit chunky but it is designed as a leisure helmet as opposed to a full on race hat so it won’t lose any marks for that. Also coming in a large range of colours there should be one that matches your kit/bike/eyes !!

I’ve had both a Giro Pneumo and currently wear an Atmos so I can vouch for Giro’s build quality and longevity, I can’t see the Transfer being any different.

Verdict

It shows how much helmet technology has evolved when you can get a lid as light and well specced as this for just over the 20 quid mark. If you're in the market for a new helmet whatever your riding the Transfer is a tough one to beat.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro Transfer helmet

Size tested: n/a

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
10/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? without hesitation

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Schwinn Fastback Pro  My best bike is: Dolan Chrono TT Custom

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: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Helmet
Giro Transfer helmet
Giro
Cycling helmets
Cycle helmet
Commuter helmet
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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3 comments

Avatar
G-bitch | 15 years ago
0 likes

That's great to know, thanks - I'm not fussed about weight or even appearance to that extent but fit and ventilation are high up. Nice to know I can get that on the (very!) right side of 50 notes!

Avatar
G-bitch | 15 years ago
0 likes

So this ranks up with the spendy helmets in terms of ventilation then?

Avatar
stuke replied to G-bitch | 15 years ago
0 likes

in terms of day to day riding yes there is very little difference between this and my Atmos. My daily commute is 34 miles which i average around 20mph and I never overheated wearing the Transfer.

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