Rudy Project Rebel

Rudy Project Rebel, “for the most demanding cyclists.”

The Rudy Project Rebel helmet, designed “for the most demanding cyclists, combining lightness, aerodynamics, and maximum protection.” I’m not sure if I’m the most demanding of cyclists, but I do appreciate a helmet that fits, looks good and keeps me safe. Looking through the Rebel’s specs, it seems to have everything I need.

The Rudy Project Rebel helmet is made from EPS foam with carbon-fibre reinforcing panels. Carbon-fibre is used to reinforce the Rebel, allowing them to increase the amount and size of the vents. On my matte white version, these panels contrasted nicely, making the Rebel an attractive helmet. The rest of the helmet’s exterior is nicely finished with no unsightly gaps where it meets the EPS. This attention to detail extends underneath, so you won’t dent the foam when you put your helmet down.

The graphics on the helmet are restrained, with a small ‘Rudy Project’ printed on each side, ‘REBEL’ on the rear and a Rudy Project logo on the front. Other graphics include reflective details on the rear and some small text on the sides.

Comfort

While there is a trend for aero helmets with slippery shapes, they do tend to be hotter. The Rudy Project Rebel however, focuses more on ventilation, perfect for my test period. The Rebel has twenty-two vents and six internal channels, designed to keep air moving over your head. The Rebel also has Rudy Project’s Airframe Technology. This uses a plastic strip that runs across the front of the helmet and maintains a gap betwen you and the helmet. Keeping this gap open allows air to flow freely, normally this is blocked as your forehead closes it off.

Sweat free!

In use the Rudy Project Rebel has been the only helmet that doesn’t send a stream of sweat down into my glasses! What happens is the padding at the front fills up with sweat. Once this reaches saturation, the sweat pours down onto the inside of my glasses. This is a real pain during off-road races, where it ends up blocking my vison. With the Rebel, the Airframe Technology keeps the air flowing through the front. This helps keep the temperature down and allows sweat to evaporate.

While wearing the Rebel I haven’t had to stop and clean my glasses, that’s a big plus from me. In fact the first time I wore the Rudy Project Rebel helmet, the cooling effect was noticeable. I’ve included a ‘selfie’ with the helmet on, to show how much space there is with the helmet on. As you can see there’s plenty of space between the Bugstop and the helmet’s interior. I think that even if you’ve a massive ‘fro, that should keep the air moving through the front part of the helmet.

Another important summer feature is the removeable Bugstop half-cap. This covers the inside front and sides of the helmet. I don’t know about you, but keeping unwanted passengers out during a ride is a big plus during the summer. The Rebel comes with another set of padding that doesn’t have the Bugstop, useful if you live in an environment devoid of insect life!

Rudy Project Rebel fit adjustments

I have a 58cm head and chose a size S/M (weight 267g), which put me at the larger end of medium. Should I have gone for a size large? Well I think it looks about right, I didn’t want a helmet that made me look like Toad in Mario Kart! Fit adjustment is via a rear ratchet and the chin-strap. The RSRMICRO11 ratchet allows you to dial in the fit, so that the Rebel sits firmly in place. The yoke it’ sits’s attached to is moveable, so you can get it to sit comfortably in place. Once it’s properly positioned you can shake your head, with the straps undone and it won’t move.

When it comes to the straps the Ergo Divider, which sits under your ear, allows plenty of fore-aft adjustment. However, you can’t alter the height of the Ergo Divider. This wasn’t a problem for me, but you might want to check if you have an ‘unusual’ head shape!

Safety

The minimum you expect from a helmet is that it will protect you in the event of a crash. Rudy Project says the Rebel “exceeds” CE EN 1078, which covers “helmet construction including field of vision, shock absorbing properties, retention system properties including chin strap and fastening devices, as well as marking and information”. Other than deliberately throwing myself off the bike, there’s no way to test this, so I’m happy to trust the stickers!

In addition to CE EN 1078, the Rudy Project Rebel also passes the RP Rotational Impact Test. This is Rudy Project’s own test method that is designed to to reduce the risk of brain injuries from rotational impacts. I’m not sure how this works, as there is no obvious second frame like with MIPS. Rudy Project say the test involves oblique impacts on surfaces that mimic real-life situations. As these are a major cause of head and brain injuries, anything that reduces them is appreciated.

Magnetic buckle

A nice feature on the Rebel is its magnetic buckle, called FidLock. This simple closure is easy to operate and can opened or closed one handed. Both sides of the buckle are magnetic, so simply bring them close together and they’ll snap firmly into place. To release you just pull down on the top edge. Once connected though, the fastening is secure and won’t accidentally release.

Another nice little feature is the retainer on the chin-strap. Often this is just a rubber band that eventually falls apart, leaving you with a flapping strap. Rudy Project have bettered that and there’s a soild rubber retainer that looks like it will last the life of the helmet. The strap’s end is also doubled over, so that it can’t accidentally pull through.

Conclusion

So, the Rudy Project Rebel, what’s my opinion? I found it to be a good looking and extremely well ventilated helmet. During the test period I used it on and off road for training and racing. The fact that I wasn’t left trying to look through sweat smeared glasses was a huge advantage over my other helmets. Other features like Bugstop and FidLock made it really easy to live with as well. While it is very much a ‘premium’ helmet when it comes to cost, this is reflected in its construction. Take a look at the Rudy Project website for more details. Looking for a pair of glasses to go with the Rebel? Try their ASTRAL X glasses.