Top Bike Helmets & Accessories Review

Mavic’s foray into cycling helmets didn’t happen overnight. It took 25,000 head profiles and three years of research and design to for them to complete a product line of five helmets, including the mountain-bike specific Notch. By concentrating at the performance end of the cycling spectrum, Mavic’s collective talent pool at the Annecy Design Center in France has foregone broad market appeal to focus on the essentials. The result is value-packed helmets expertly designed for their intended purpose — and in the case of the Notch, it is aimed squarely at the Enduro sect. Aggressive trails and long days on the saddle demand full coverage, a low weight, and a snug, yet inconspicuous fit. Like Mavic’s Special Service Course products, the Notch benefits from the aforementioned 25,000 profiles used for cranial mapping. In this case, Mavic rearranged the results into a shell that’s optimized for the slightly upright mountain bike riding position. The result is a thorough design with excellent visibility and diminished pressure points. The shell’s consistent contours also allow for a lower-profile helmet without compromising protection. This enhances rider comfort while permitting less material, i.e. weight, to reduce the neck-fatiguing, pendulum effect of heavier helmets. This is especially vital to technical terrain and long rides where extensive head movement and conserving energy is paramount. Another point of Mavic’s design prowess is represented with the Ergo Hold Retention System. Six centimeters of size adjustment from an ergonomic dial wheel equally distribute pressure while securely holding the Notch in place. One handed, on-the-fly adjustments are second nature, and the integrated pads provide a snag-free transition from retention system to shell. The Notch’s pads also received Mavic’s attention to detail, and for optimum comfort, there are two pad densities used.