Tour Tech 2016: Giant introduces new Pursuit helmet

Giant has revealed a new helmet called the Pursuit in the build up to the Tour de France. It has been designed to blend aerodynamics with ventilation and a precise fit, and it has a claimed weight of under 250g.

We’ve been dropped behind enemy lines out in Normandy ahead of the start of the Tour in order to check out the latest tech, surviving on nothing more than coffee and pastries, and one of the first new products we spotted was the new Pursuit. It’s designed to combine the aerodynamics of a time trial helmet with the ventilation of a top-level road helmet.

“Working with Team Giant-Alpecin riders and Aero Concept Engineering (ACE) in France, Giant has created a helmet that offers an aerodynamic advantage without any compromises in weight, ventilation or fit,” says Giant.

“The Pursuit was designed, developed and tested using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, with a goal of meeting precise performance goals outlined by a development team of engineers and pro riders. 

“Once the overall design and technologies were established, the Pursuit was refined through further field-testing and feedback with riders like Tom Dumoulin and Warren Barguil.”

This (below) is actually Laurens ten Dam's helmet, hence the sticker on the back.

The Pursuit features two large dimples to channel airflow from the crown of the helmet towards the rear. Giant says that CFD simulations and wind tunnel tests show that the dimples optimise aero performance in various rider positions and wind directions, minimising drag in real-world conditions. 

It also boasts what Giant calls AeroVent technology. This consists of openings in the front that act as “drag-neutral” intake ports that are said to pull air through the helmet and stream it via deep, wide internal channels from front to back for cooling. The air is then pushed out of rear exhaust ports.

“The Pursuit also features a cutting-edge impact protection design,” says Giant. “The helmet is constructed with multi-density foam materials. The low-density foam absorbs energy from low-speed impacts, while high-density foam protects riders in higher speed impacts.”

The helmet is available in both Giant’s Western (narrower in width, longer front to back) and Asian (rounder) fits, although we don’t yet have a UK price. 

www.giant-bicycles.com