After weeks of seeing EF Pro Cycling riders donning POC’s Cytal Carbon helmet, the new lid officially broke cover today, showcasing the Swedish brand’s latest execution of safety, aerodynamics and ventilation.
“With the Cytal Carbon we asked ourselves how we could take our knowledge of developing high-performance road helmets and take it to another level of safety, aerodynamics and cooling. In particular, we wanted to enhance a rider’s performance with even more ventilation and cooling, which is critical to human performance. By challenging conventional thinking, using unique materials and developing new shapes, we found an answer by creating a brand-new helmet and integrating a carbon wing handmade in Italy. And we are extremely positive about the result.,” says Oscar Huss, Chief Product Officer at POC.
“The EF Pro Cycling performance team has been an integral part of the development process. We know the importance of aerodynamics and the difference it can make in a race. We spent a lot of time working with POC’s engineers to fine-tune the details, and we, and the riders, are really positive with the results,” adds Andreas Klier, performance head, EF Pro Cycling: “
VENTILATION
The Cytal Carbon continues to use the Venturi effect, POC’s well-known and respected approach to airflow and ventilation in its helmets. The handmade carbon wing, inspired by high-performance race car use, is formed in Italy to a very precise shape, creating superior ventilation and cooling across the whole head. To encourage airflow and create precise pressure zones inside the helmet, the carbon has a variable shape and thickness, much like a wing, to increase air velocity and enhance helmet cooling. The result is our most ventilated road helmet to date.
Tested in the wind tunnel and fine-tuned with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) testing, the carbon wing design and its material strength also allow for increased frontal air intakes, allowing even more air to flow freely into the helmet. Combined with the linear interior channels to guide airflow and joined exit ports, vast amounts of airflow pass through and out of the helmet, all cooling the rider in the process.
AERODYNAMICS
The Cytal Carbon’s aerodynamic performance, especially at higher speeds, has also been improved. The integration of the carbon wing supports a different development approach to material design and has allowed for bigger frontal ports designed to cut through the air.
The precise size and angles of the Cytal Carbon frontal air intake capture and lead air through the helmet instead of around it, significantly reducing the high-pressure zone at the front of the helmet. An aerodynamically optimized design makes residual airflow over and around the helmet, reducing turbulence and maintaining a linear airflow off the helmet and rider, improving the helmet and rider’s aerodynamic performance.
SAFETY
Regular certification testing for the Cytal Carbon is a typical prerequisite, but the helmet has been subject to POCs’ expert in-house FEM (Finite Element Model) research and testing, which is a fundamental guide to innovation and material use in the development process. Created to question many more safety variables, our FEM modeling process ensures that we deliver products that live up to our internal safety demands and is the process that influenced the carbon wing. In addition, the process also inspired the Koridion core sandwiched between the wing’s carbon sheets to enhance safety by managing and transferring forces across the helmet, strengthening the helmet’s overall integrity.
POC uses its “Whole Helmet Concept” in all its helmet development and design to ensure that the helmet is greater than the sum of its parts. Details in the Cytal Carbon, such as the material quality and shape, uni-body construction, precise EPS density zones, ergonomic straps, eye garage, and adjustment system for individual comfort and secure fit, all work seamlessly together. It is also the process and foundation that has led to Cytal Carbon achieving the highest (five-star) rating through Virginia Tech’s independent testing.
The Cytal Carbon will be available immediately in most markets and will be the same version (apart from color) that is being used by riders from both EF Pro Cycling’s women’s and men’s teams.
PRODUCT AND TECHNICAL FEATURE
POC
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