A rain-specific helmet from POC, the new Rough-Stuff Archive book, a cozy go-fast winter jacket and more

By Jack Luke

Published: Friday, 19 November 2021 at 12:00 am

Happy nearly-the-weekend cycling tech fans and welcome to this week’s edition of First Look Friday – your regular round-up of the best garden-fresh cycling swag to land at BikeRadar HQ.

We have an accidentally winter-flavoured theme to this week’s products with a rain-specific helmet from POC; a cozy jacket from MAAP; a goth-approved black bottle cage that reflects the gloomy skies hovering above Bristol as I write this; and a nice book I can sit indoors with when I decide I don’t want to face those gloomy skies.

If that isn’t quite enough to tickle your tech pickle, we’ve had a week genuinely packed to the gunnels with interesting news and reviews on BikeRadar.

Kicking things off, we spoke to Wahoo’s Mac Cassin on the BikeRadar podcast for a coaching Q&A.

Tuesday saw a new track bike from Look, new sunnies from 100%, $85 titanium cleats from Silca and an in-depth review of the redesigned Trek Roscoe.

Wednesday then brought our round-up of the very best gravel tyres as tested by the BikeRadar team. If you’re in the market for some new shred-ready rubber, be sure to check this one out.

Thursday then saw a veritable potpourri of new products from Rapha, Brompton, Trek, Zwift and Giant – phew!

However, most importantly of all, we welcomed Jack Evans as BikeRadar’s newest digital writer. I’m yet to be treated to a ride with Jack but, taking a nose at his Strava, I worry I’m going to have to give up my title as the fastest Jack on the BikeRadar team.

POC Ventral Tempus Spin

"POC
It might look a bit Mario Kart, but this is a serious bit of kit for serious-weather cyclists.
Jack Luke / Immediate Media

The POC Ventral Tempus Spin is a road cycling helmet that is designed specifically for riding in the rain (yes, really).

The helmet is based on the POC Ventral Air Spin (which is probably my favourite helmet of all time – I’m rarely seen riding in anything else).

A non-removable rigid shell that covers the top vents of the helmet and extends as far back as the rear-most vents is then glued onto the helmet.

"POC
The shell is permanently affixed to the helmet.
Jack Luke / Immediate Media

While the edge of the shell can be lifted off the helmet, to be absolutely clear, it is permanently bonded on there.

This may seem like an odd approach – Lazer has long offered clip-on Aeroshells for a number of its helmets (including the Z1 and Genesis), for example.

However, as these shells are removable, they would not be permitted for use in UCI-sanctioned races as, according to UCI rules, “adding a removable cover is not allowed”.

Admittedly, few of you reading here would be affected, but it was out of this rule that the POC Ventral Tempus Spin helmet was born.

"POC
POC sticks with its signature fixed straps for the Ventral Tempus.
Jack Luke / Immediate Media

POC-sponsored pro teams such as EF Education-Nippo use the helmet in wet, snowy or cold races. For punters who enjoy riding in such conditions, it could also be a valuable (albeit expensive) addition to your riding wardrobe.

Of course, a classic cycling cap or a dorky elasticated helmet cover would accomplish exactly the same thing.

However, if you’re like me and loathe wearing a hat under a helmet (sacrilege, I know), or are too much of a fashion victim to use one of those covers, then this might be a good shout.

The helmet is available in the pictured high-visibility AVIP Orange or a handsome shade of green.

  • £230 / $260 / €260 / AU$ N/A