This article was produced in collaboration with ABUS and was first published in Rouleur Issue 139
As gravel riding continues to boom, riders and brands are discovering more and more about the nuances between the different tech requirements of the off-road and on-road disciplines. Initially gravel apparel boiled down to kit either from mountain biking, cyclocross or – more commonly – road cycling. In the last few years, alongside the advancements in gravel bikes themselves, we have seen more specific gear constructed for riding dropped handlebars on dirt. The new ABUS gravel helmet, the Taipan, is an example, as it has been designed for the specific demands of riding on mixed terrain.
Maximising performance and comfort
The Taipan brings together some of the advantages of ABUS road helmets with the versatile requirements of off-road riding. While on the road, aerodynamics is often the priority for maximum efficiency when riding at high speeds, on slower gravel terrain, ventilation might take precedence. Striking this balance is all part of what makes gravel riding enduringly fun – we can head out into a mix of terrains, jumping from tarmac to singletrack, from bike path to woodland trails, all while not compromising on performance or comfort.
At 255g (small), with aero aerodynamic Flow Straps™, the Taipan is suitable for high-speed gravel rides. However, it also has 18 ventilation openings, each connected to each other via channels on the inside of the helmet, which guide incoming air through to ensure maximum air circulation.
ABUS had more in mind than temperature to make the Taipan as comfortable as possible. The helmet has an opening in the height-adjustable adjustment system, meaning it is suitable for long hairstyles such as ponytails, buns, or braids. In terms of the padding on the inside of the helmet, the Taipan has a ‘floating pad’ system, which is clicked into place via several attachment points for more flexibility. The padding can be removed and washed by hand or replaced when needed. The helmet has a simple Zoom™ rotary wheel at the back for adjustment of the helmet to your individual head size.
An aspect taken from road cycling when designing the Taipan is a specifically engineered sunglasses port – a gap on the front of the helmet to position your glasses in a secure and aerodynamic holding position, so you can safely take off and store them when you are riding through dark wooded areas.
Prioritising safety
As the most important function of any helmet, the Taipan’s priority is to protect you if you come off your bike. The Taipan’s inner cushioning material made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) is moulded directly into the outer polycarbonate shell, creating a durable and stable unit. The inner polystyrene is protected from the branches and bushes you ride through by the outer shell which, unlike on most road helmets, covers the lower edge of the inner, protecting it against scratches and other impacts. The Acti Cage™, which allows for the larger ventilation openings, provides more stability and structural reinforcement. The Taipan has a classic three-pronged chin lock push-in buckle for safe and practical handling. Safety on a bike also means being visible to others. The Taipan has the option of a magnetic rear light, which can be charged with a USB-C charging cable. Additionally, with gravel riders sometimes using a helmet-mounted front light, the ABUS design team used the internal Acti-Cage™ to provide reinforcement in the area where the light is mounted, also making sure there was a well-positioned and suitably sized vent hole at the top of the helmet for fixing a light. Then, on the inside of the helmet, channels were added to run wires for additional batteries should they be required. The slightly thicker helmet pads were specified not just for comfort, but also because the design team considered the extra weight of a light and battery mounted to the helmet.
ABUS designed the Taipan to be your safety companion as you venture beyond the tarmac: “With its organic lines and minimalist aesthetics, it is the perfect match for your next gravel adventure in the great outdoors”. In sizes small, medium and large, the Taipan is available in six different colours: velvet black, shiny white, como blue, frosted green, sand beige and graphite silver and is priced at £200 with rear light and £180 without.
