Helmet at its peak
I mentioned when this lid first arrived that I wasn’t usually a fan of peaks on helmets, as back in the day they were pretty ordinary when you got up to highway speeds. But helmet design has come a long long way since then and this Just 1 is proof.
When we saddled up for our big AMCN adventure ride (Vol 67 No 01) I was contemplating using my daily road-riding helmet for the road run up to Mansfield, but in the end I decided to give this new adventure lid a real-world test. And I didn’t want to look like the odd one out.
When I first put it on I was really impressed by the amount of vision it provided – I expected the peak to create a dark intrusive overhang, but that wasn’t the case. It fit snuggly without being too tight, and I was able to insert my glasses easily without stabbing myself in the face thanks to the large eye port. You can even remove the visor completely and use MX goggles if you prefer.
Although the peak is removable I found no reason to take it off. Even on the highway there was no drag – the aerodynamics work well to pass air through and out, so no there was none of the dreaded head jerking. The modern, full-carbon shell is strong but lightweight and has great ventilation from multiple adjustable vents.
For the first early morning cold stretch with the vents closed I found the helmet to be reasonably quiet too. Over the three-hour trip from Gassit HQ to Mansfield I was happy with the way the Just 1 performed on road at speed. And once we got out and about at the Stump Hill farm the J14 was awesome. I had the vents all open for airflow and the sun was shining so it was nice to have the peak deflecting it from my eyes.
We stopped a lot to take photos of the riders and their shenanigans so I was thankful for the quick-release chin strap that was easy to use, even with my gloves on.
By the end of the few days belting around the bush, a bucket of sweat had leaked from my head so when I got home I removed the hypoallergenic, removable inner liner and was able to give it a soak so it will be fresh for the next adventure.
We liked
Not only was the helmet very lightweight and comfortable for my average-sized scone but as I mentioned earlier the vision was fantastic. There are no obstructions on the top, bottom or side so you have a completey normal field of vision.
We didn’t like
As a safety feature this helmet is fitted with the J.1.E.R. emergency cheek-pad removal system which is great in case of an emergency, but the straps that allow the quick release tend to flap around when you are in motion, which can be a little distracting.
Verdict
If you are looking for an adventure helmet you should definitely put the J14 on your list. It’s reasonably priced and it has completely changed my opinion on the peak-style design.
Pros
- Comfort
- Weight
- Price
Cons
- Tickle straps
Colours: Matte White, Matte Black, Grey
Sizes: XS – XXL
RRP $599.95
Ficeda
(02) 9827 7561 ficeda.com.au
DARREN KERSEY
As appeared in AMCN Vol 67 No 09