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Helmets
Abus Macator Helmet Abus Macator Helmet Abus Macator Helmet Abus Macator Helmet Abus Macator Helmet
2020 Abus Macator Road Helmet

Abus Macator Helmet

7
by Stu Kerton
Thu, May 14, 2020 09:45
0
£44.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Light and comfortable helmet with decent airflow for everyone but the racers
Decent weight for an entry-level helmet
Good selection of sizes and colours
Bug mesh, though ideally it would extend to the other two front vents
Weight: 
278g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
How we test

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The Abus Macator is a decent entry-level helmet that isn't limited to road riding. It offers good venting and has a couple of neat additions that I'd like to see on more expensive helmets, and the weight isn't too bad either.

Many entry-level helmets can be a bit on the heavy side, but this Macator is just 278g for a size medium, without the peak added. We're only talking 60 or 70g lighter, but it is noticeable when you stick it on your head, adding to the overall comfort of the Abus.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

I found the shape gave a good fit all the way around and it's easily adjustable at the rear both in height and circumference. A little thumbwheel on the back of the cradle means you can adjust it easily on the fly too.

2020 Abus Macator Road Helmet - rear.jpg

There are three sizes available which overlap each other a little. The small fits heads from 51-55cm, medium is 52-58cm and the large covers 58-62cm, all in available in a choice of 10 colours.

> How to set up your helmet

With 13 vents in total, the Macator is airy enough for most styles of steady riding. If you are really pushing on then it isn't as good as a top-end race helmet for letting the wind blow through, but that's not a major criticism as the target is more sports market than competitive. On all but the hottest days through April, the only time I found the Macator started to heat up was on long climbs.

One thing I do like is that Abus has added bug mesh to the front three central vents. This is something that I would like to see on more expensive helmets as it barely affects airflow and stops you ending up with an angry wasp trapped next to your bonce.

2020 Abus Macator Road Helmet - peak.jpg

While not directly in the frontal flow of air, the two side vents don't have the mesh, which is a shame as bugs can still make their way in there.

When it comes to construction, it's the usual polycarbonate shell covering an expanded polystyrene (EPS) core. Unlike more expensive models, the EPS is left on display at the base of the helmet, but the two have been bonded together neatly.

The padding is plenty thick enough and is also removable for washing.

2020 Abus Macator Road Helmet - inside.jpg

Another neat addition is the bit of padding that sits between your skin and the strap clasp, which prevents irritation and the risk of you nipping your neck.

2020 Abus Macator Road Helmet - clip.jpg

Priced at £44.99, it is a pretty good all-round package. It stacks up well against similar helmets like the Giant Rev Comp for airflow and weight, and is a fiver cheaper.

The Catlike Tako also offers similar performance for £49.99.

> Buyer’s Guide: 8 of the best cheap cycling helmets

Overall, if you want a simple yet effective helmet for not a lot of money, the Abus Macator is a good choice, buoyed by some neat extra details.

Verdict

Light and comfortable helmet with decent airflow for everyone but the racers

road.cc test report

Make and model: Abus Macator Helmet

Size tested: Medium 52-58

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Abus says, "The Macator is a sporty entry-level helmet for cyclists looking for an outstanding all-round helmet.

"The Macator has not only a comfortable padding but also offers an excellent ventilation, and it comes in a variety of bright, highly-visible colours."

I think for the money it delivers pretty much everything you need for an entry-level helmet.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Abus lists:

In-Mold: Lightweight, durable helmet with a long-lasting combination of EPS core and Polycarbonate shell

Bug mesh: Full protection from insects

Ponytail compatibility: Perfect fit for people with long hair

Full-ring: Adjustable ring connected to adjustment system enclosing all of the head

Excellent ventilation with 5 air inlets and 8 air outlets

Zoom Ace: Finely adjustable adjustment system with handy adjustment wheel for customisable fit

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

For an entry-level helmet it delivers on all the aspects it should, creating a neat little package.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It's comfortable, with plenty of adjustment.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It can get a little warm when riding hard or uphill.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Going by its weight and other technical details, it is good value compared with similar helmets from Catlike and Giant.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Abus is a good all-round package that delivers plenty of comfort and airflow at a good price.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 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,

Abus Macator Helmet 2020
Abus Macator Helmet
Abus 2020
Abus
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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