Abus Gamechanger 2.0

Abus Gamechanger 2.0 – Faster Forward

The Abus Gamechanger 2.0 is a “high-end aero helmet for professional and ambitious cyclists”. Which the riders on Team Movistar would probably agree with, as it’s their team helmet. For a helmet to satisfy the pro riders of Movistar, it must be good, right? Well, while I’m nowhere near their level of athleticism, but I am ambitious; so I’ll give it a try.

First let’s get some details. The Abus Gamechanger 2.0 comes in two versions, the 2.0 I have and the 2.0 MIPS. The difference between the two being that the latter is fitted with the MIPS system. MIPS is an added safety feature that helps reduce rotational forces in the event of a crash. There are also twelve deign/colour combinations and three sizes. I have it in Race Grey in a size large for my 58cm head, which weighs in at 286g.

Aero features

Abus’s main focus – after safety – with the Gamechanger 2.0 is aerodynamics. Abus says the Gamechanger 2.0’s shape has been designed to deal with airflow from different angles; which came after a lot of wind-tunnel time. The most notable aero feature – beyond it’s organic shape – is the Aero Blade. This black panel sitting on the top of the helmet works in different ways depending on your speed.

At lower speeds the Aero Blade’s holes allow air to flow in to the helmet. This helps accelerate the air-flow from the front to the back of the helmet. Abus says this will create a cooling effect, useful on long, hot climbs. Once your pace increases the angle of the helmet changes and the Aero Blade’s holes now act like a closed surface. Now the air flows smoothly over the outside of the helmet; it becomes more aerodynamic. A novel feature, it will be interesting to see how it works in the real world.

Keeping cool

When it comes to ventilation the Gamechanger 2.0 has some clever solutions to keeping you cool and aero. The problem with an aero helmet is that it needs a smooth unbroken surface, which can become uncomfortably hot. Abus have got around this with two large ports at the front of the helmet. These were increased in size by 32% over the previous version.

However it’s not all about the front ports. Inside the helmet are six deep channels that run front to back, Abus call these ‘motorways’. The two central channels widen out to the rear, where they connect with the Aero Blade. At the back are two large central ports and two, smaller side vents. All this should allow for plenty of cooling, now we just need some hot weather to test it out! Actually that is a benefit of aero helmets in the winter, they tend to let less rain in!

What about the other features?

Well you have a multi-shell in-mould design, which means the internal foam structure is bonded to a rigid outer. This helps protect the delicate foam, especially on the bottom edge, which often gets damaged in daily use. This creates a helmet that feels solid under hand; there’s none of that loose, baggy feel when you hold it. There’s also a reinforcing plastic cage buried inside the front of the helmet. Presumably this is to keep the helmet together under impact.

Around the back you have a micro-adjustable dial, the height of which can be adjusted to suit your head. The straps are simple cloth ones that are stitched where they join. Unusually there’s no adjustment system here, despite which the straps seem to sit just right for me. For those that have them, you’ll be pleased to know that the Gamechanger 2.0 is pony-tail compliant! I’m not sure what that entails, but it’s good to know.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, Abus have designed eyewear ports into the rear vents of the Gamechanger 2.0. Nothing more annoying than trying to cram your glasses into your helmet, only to have them drop out. I’ll be testing the Gamechanger 2.0 out over the coming months, let’s see if it makes me cooler and faster!

Take a look at the Abus website for more details.