Quick Spins – December 28, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to Quick Spins, an all new section within Cyclingnews' tech coverage were we put some of the smaller items that land on the tech desk to the test. Giro Ionos helmet - Tour winner's lid, at last! The new Ionos Photo ©: James Huang Efficient ventilation Photo ©: James Huang First used in the 2006 Tour de France, the new Giro Ionos is a further development of the company's previously range-topping Atmos helmet. After almost two seasons, and a lot of further development in conjunction with Giro's sponsored teams, the long wait is finally over and production models are - at last - available to us mere mortals. With its visible silver co-moulded fibre composite sub-frame and its ProTour - specifically Discovery - kudos, the Ionos is easily one the hottest helmets out there. However, Giro would also contend that it's one of the coolest, too, with twenty-one carefully placed vents and deep internal channelling to keep air moving through. Added to this, the sureness and adjustability of Giro's proven Roc Loc 4 retention system means that it should fit as good as it looks. The Ionos' vents really came into their own out on the road, so much so that on cold days with nothing underneath we experienced what can only be described as ice-cream headaches before resorting to a cotton casquette. The Roc Loc 4 and strap combination allowed us to adjust the fit and secure-ness pretty much perfectly and it proved to be so comfortable that while there was no danger of us forgetting it was there, it was certainly pretty unobtrusive. The sweat pad kit - an area that can often get pretty smelly on a helmet - kept the sweat out of our eyes admirably, and made as it is from anti-bacterial X-Static material kept things reasonably hygienic. Despite being Giro's lightest helmet to date, there are other manufacturers currently producing helmets weighing less than 200g, so it is still significantly heavier than some others on the market. However, with such an excellent, comfortable fit and fantastic venting and channelling of air, you can easily forgive its slight portliness. Weight: 304g (0.67lbs) Size Medium Price: US$225, GB£129.99 Pros: Sure, comfortable fit; Very effective cooling air channels; Great styling Cons: Not the lightest helmet out there; No visor, but who needs one? Cyclingnews rating: More info: www.giro.com Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The new Ionos is Giro's top lid for 2008. Efficient ventilation , a great fit, and superb styling are all included. The Ionos offers a reasonably compact profile so you won't look like a mushroom on the bike. Air comes in here… …and then is directed through the internal channels. Anti-bacterial X-Static pads help keep things smelling fresh. Giro's excellent Roc Loc 4 system offers a comfortable and secure fit. The Ionos is expensive, but the complexity of its construction is clearly visible. Sigma Sport BC 2006 MHR computer - lots of functions, no strings… er... wires… The wireless handlebar mount Photo ©: Ben Atkins The Sigma BC 2006 MHR display Photo ©: Ben Atkins The Sigma Power Magnet Photo ©: Ben Atkins Sigma's new range-topping wireless bike computer is the BC 2006 MHR. It comes with the usual features you'd expect from a high-end computer like current and average speeds, trip and total distances, and two-bike capability, but also features heart rate, altitude and temperature functions that set it apart from many others out there. Sigma equips the BC 2006 MHR with a huge LCD panel that simultaneously displays current speed, altitude, and heart rate, plus one switchable field that can show anything from total vertical ascent or maximum heart rate. Buttons are moved to the front and rear edges for easy access, and the complete kit weighs a reasonable 130g. Fitting the computer to the bike was simple: the handlebar mount and fork sensor both use Sigma's trademark o-ring method of tool-free attachment, and being wireless that was all that was required. No tiresome coiling of wires around brake cables here. The spoke magnet is designed to fit a variety of different spoke profiles and had no problem attaching itself to the bladed aluminum spoke of our Mavic Ksyrium ES. We did find it a little bulky though, but the sensor will also work with other magnets if you'd like something a bit less obtrusive (such as Mavic's own version). Out on the road we found the bike and heart rate functions to be accurate and reliable. Altitude readings on barometer-based instruments like this can be a little hit and miss due to local variations, weather, and the computer's built-in software. Nevertheless, the BC 2006 MHR seemed to display that data reasonably well and provided an interesting extra bit of information that was obviously particularly handy in hillier terrain. With such a plethora of data both displayed and recorded, it is a little disappointing that there is no facility to download data into a suitable software tool. Similarly, we found the HRM features a bit basic to be anything more than an indicator - there's no place to enter rider data like zones or maximums, and no settable alarms. For these reasons alone, riders of the scientific persuasion may find this a bit of a no-no and look elsewhere. Those who just like to be able to watch what's going on with their ride in real time and record their stats when they get home will like it a lot more. Price: US$130.00/£99.99 Pros: Great computer functions; large, clear display; altitude is a good feature Cons: HRM functions are rather basic; no download function; spoke magnet quite bulky; no cadence feature Cyclingnews rating: More info: www.sigmasport.com Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com The wireless handlebar mount is simple to fix with its sticky pad and the rubber band provided. No wires! The fitting of the BC 2006 MHR is very neat and tidy. The Sigma BC 2006 MHR display is bold and clear, yet still manages to show so much. The wireless DTS speed transmitter fits the fork leg as simply as the computer mount fits the bars. The Sigma Power Magnet fits a variety of spoke profiles, but is a little bulky. The wireless DTS speed transmitter is compatible with other, smaller wheel magnets.