Urge Endur-O-Matic MTB helmet review

This is my first time using blogger.  I thought I'd try it to post a review of the new Urge Endur-o-matic bike helmet as there is very little information on the internet about this helmet and I hope this will help others in the future.  Please add your comments.


This helmet is new to the UK in late December 2010.  Mine arrived on Christmas eve after ordering it from Chain Reaction Cycles a few weeks ago.

As a middle aged bloke who's recently got back into mountain biking again, I wanted a new helmet.  After a recent fall, I wanted one with the best protection available.  I've never been impressed with the trend of having more and larger air vents.  Fine for the road, but it would be far too easy for a stick or stone to come through these vents when falling in rough terrain.  I also wanted one that gave you protection around the back of the head.  I considered the Fox Flux and the Uvex XP100 - both of which seemed to offer the best protection of the traditional styled helmets.  Then I saw pictures of the new POC Trabec helmet due in April 2011 and then the Urge Endur-O-Matic.  Both seem to offer similar protection and after researching (the limited) information on the net, I decided to get the Urge as it was available sooner and is much cheaper.


Firstly, the sizing isn't clear.  Many online retailers aren't yet displaying the sizing information.  The helmet is available in two sizes: S/M and L/XL. After emailing the distribution company, they told me that S/M = 54-57cm and L/XL = 58-61cm.  I therefore ordered a L/XL.  Now that mine has arrived, the label inside says 57-60cm.
My head is 59.5cm and the helmet is not tight.  In fact I've changed one of the pads to the thicker one.


Inside the box you get:

• the helmet
• a storage bag
• two replacement pads
• a sheet of stickers
• instruction leaflet

The helmet is very light.  I weighed mine at 322 grams with one thin pad and one thick pad fitted.  The outer plastic shell is very high gloss and looks great.  The construction is a dense polystyrene of between 15-24mm thickness.  The fitting is pretty basic.  There's no internal headband.  Instead there is a front and rear pad, which fixes by a few small velcro adhesive discs.  One set of pads is about 5mm thick and the other about 10mm.  You simply install which combination is most suitable.  Therefore, I think some people may find it might not fit as well as some others and should check it first.  Trouble is that you can't if buying online.  However, I find it fits well and is very comfortable, so take the plunge!

Cooling is via eight 30mm round vents - four at the front, two on top and two at the rear.  They are meant to be positioned to create a venturi effect and the flexible visor is meant to aid airflow.  I've only used it for one 2 hour ride so far and I didn't find it hot at all.  Seemed no worse than my Met helmet.  I was only 5 degC today, so it might be a different story in the summer, but so far the cooling certainly works.  

The helmet comes in a range of colours.  See http://www.urgebike.com/accueil_gb.html  for the details.  I chose the black/white/red (red straps) and have already added some of the additional stickers in these photos.

So far, I'm very impressed with the helmet. It seems to offer superior protection and looks different.  It's an ideal compromise between a full face helmet and a traditional bike helmet.  Some will not like the styling and may find it (or think it will be) too hot, but that's personal preferences.  It looks a looks a lot more helmet for £79.99 than anything else at this price.  My only criticism so far is that the buckle could do with some sort of protection to stop pinching your skin when doing it up.

My rating: 9/10