Vigor Nox hemets Revamped for 2012, Super Sweet.

Ok, I catch some grief from time to time to time for getting excited about all the wrong products. Read the buzz in the cycling world and you will see people hopping up and down and drooling about the latest bit of carbon fiber, titanium or scandium. Small variations in products that produce weight savings with a value of about $1.50/g. Don't get me wrong, it is not that I don't love high end gizmos, its just that when you are talking about bikes that run over $3500, I just expect them to be nice. If you drop $1000 into a wheelset it would be really more surprising if they weren't crazy light and packing ceramic bearings. What gets me excited is when an inexpensive product steps up and turns out to be more than you should expect. So now that the guys at the shop are used to me rambling on about budget products I guess I will subject my blog readers to the same.

This years little surprise is Vigors Nox helmet.

For the past 4 or 5 years I have basically using the Nox as a jump off product for selling products. Basically I would throw it out there as an option for someone who just wanted a safe head for as little cash as possible. So I was a little caught off guard when I was in the middle of my "let me show you why I don't like this helmet" speil when I discovered that all the things I was about to point out had dissapeared.

For 2012 Vigor has finally done away with what could only be described as a cheesy retention system which basicaly jut pushed against the back of your head and hoped it stayed snug. The new sysem is the same as what they use on their higher end helmets (also the same as used on the even higher end Spiuk helmets). The retention/fit system is basically a band that wrapps around the back of the head with two little ratcheting clips that allow the band to be snugged up to your head and locked in. Small buttons on the ratchets allow them to be released and moved out in the event that you put on a hat or share your helmet with a friend. Adjustment time is less than a second.

In addition to the new retention system Vigor has also added 3 more vents (up to 16 vents now) Which allow greater airflow. design team has also added a little more style to the color scheme so they have a nice look rather than a plain solid color.

So while the Next helmet up the line (FastTraxx) still has better airflow and is marginally lighter. The improvements to the Nox are great enough that I am no longer sure the upgrade is worth it. So if you are in the market for an helmet but don't want to shell out three digits for a pro level helmet, have another look at the Nox. It is just unheard of to have a helmet that fits this well clock in at less than $40.

LaGrange Urban Short Track 2011/2012 Race 4

Race 4 was crazy.
Period.
I would say "end of story" but it is one of those stories that needs to be told. Ok, I can't tell it, but you have to watch the video. The new years eve race could not have asked for better weather. Of the courses so far this was the shortest with riders turning 2-3 minute laps. But considering that we squeezed the whole course into 3 city blocks, that is not bad. The course ran through two buildings and in and out of alleys and cracks between buildings. Lots of thanks to John and Chellie who let us run across their property. I fear we have created permanent single track in Chellies back yard.

You definitely need to watch the video below that shows a couple of laps from the Cat 3 race. What I love most is watching the bikes out there and seeing the variety and the number of people that this urban format in drawing in. By way of example. The video below is shot from atop a full XTR Niner RIP9. You can see him passing a guy on a roadmaster who is racing in sweatpants. Both riders had a blast. Both riders will be back for next race, and what we are seeing is the development of the sport. New riders coming in, getting a taste and rolling with it. So thanks to all who have been helping with this, what we have done here is far cooler that I ever imagined. Now enjoy the video.