I've recently decided to upgrade my Bell Super 2R trail helmet to something a bit more substantial to cope with my ever increasing challenges within Mountain Biking!
The TroyLee Stage is essentially an all day enduro full face lid, that is well ventilated, lightweight and fully DH rated!
Features:
It has no adjustable retention system but instead comes complete with a selection of pads to customise your fit. In total you get two liner thicknesses (10mm and 13mm) to sit over the MIPS (description below) device, two neck rolls (15mm and 25mm) and three jawpads (15mm, 25mm and 35mm). All are neatly labelled to make them super easy to identify.
The large visor has 40° of angle adjustment, which is enough to provide sufficient space to park your goggles out of the way for those long climbs and provide an air scoop to give more air flow into the lid when at speed! There are 25 ports to help with ventilation, 11 of which are intake and 14 are exhaust ports.
The chin strap is connected by a magnetic Fidlock buckle system that is much quicker and easier to secure than a typical D-ring system; it's much more secure than the standard clip buckle found on most trail lids. For hygiene, TLD ( TroyLee Designs) have included an X-Static® pure silver helmet liner that is moisture-absorbing, quick-drying and odour-eliminating.
Protection:
It is the lightest full-face helmet in it’s class; has an excellent pedigree of safety, including dual density foam EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for high speed impacts; EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) for slow speed impacts and a MIPS liner (Multi-directional Impact System), as well as reinforced Polylite shell with fibre reenforcing + Polyacrilite injected chin bar with a built in EXOskeleton.
Weight comparison:
I went for the M-L size (57-59cm) and right out of the box it tipped the scales at 690g. Compared to my Bell Super 2R (with the removable chin bar fitted), it was a full 140g lighter!
My opinion:
First of all and most importantly, this is one of the safest enduro helmets that money can buy, though my only negative is that the price, at £275 ($299) it is quite expensive - but for something that is going to protect your brain, face, teeth and life, it's a small price to pay in my mind. I did try to come up with more "constructive criticism" but I really struggled!
As for the positives, there’s so many! Where do I begin? Well, It’s super safe, looks incredible, is by far the most comfortable helmet I’ve owned due to the custom pad arrangement, amazing venting and breathability; you can also wear riding glasses or goggles, both of which fit really well. I’ve ridden on short and long rides in cool and hot conditions so, overall, I’m very happy to report that it’s equally suited to both. I’ll be wearing this helmet on all my rides from now on.
The one thing that I’d love to see is a chin bar GoPro mount as an addition, since this is one of my favoured filming positions.
Overall, I’d give this helmet a grand UHP score of 9/10, Nice one TLD!
My positives:
Sick looking helmet
Super comfortable
Excellent ventilation
Lightweight
DH certified
Sick looking helmet (have I said that already?)
My negatives: (I've really struggled with this one!)
Cost
No GoPro mount on the chin bar
Tech spec’s:
Weight = from 690g (my M-L is 708g)
Sizes = XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL
Full DH (Down Hill) certification = CPSC 1203*, CE EN1078*, ASTM F1952-DH, ASTM 2032-BMX, *Varies by regional standards
🎥 Check out the full ride review video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CvH9PO0QuX0
Shout out to:
I purchased my TLD Stage from Velocipede cycles in Tunbridge Wells, Kent (UK) who are my "GoTo" local bike shop, I can't recommend them highly enough! Talk to Jack or Chris and tell them Phill sent you!
Check out the Velocipede site here: http://velocipedecycles.co.uk/about-us/
Disclaimer: I have purchased this helmet myself and I am not sponsored in any way.
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