URGE Planet Friendly Helmet

You will have noticed world champion downhill legend Fabien Barel wearing a distinctly differently styled helmet.
DBSs Chris Cumming had a look at an early world cup appearance and commented on the unique port hole vents and flexible peak that will deform and not snap in a crash.

Image WideopenMag
Fabien is known for being his own man and following his own path. So the link with new company URGE is no surprise. Some of the unique ideas and ways of looking at things however are. Fabien has been involved in the design form the beginning and as you can see the Urge Down-o-matic definitely stands out from the crowd.

The most interesting development in the Urge helmet line is the Veggie. The world’s first linennatural fibre helmet. Traditionally helmets are constructed from glass fibre or carbon fibre layered up with bonding resins. These materials although ideal for protecting your head do have negative effect of the environment in their production and sustainable use.URGE have used the centuries old technology of linen as the mat for the laying up process.

URGE state that. The natural resources needed to produce this helmet are low because of the low energy needed to produce the fibres compared to traditional composite materials. This also allows a healthier working environment of the people producing the helmet. Most of this helmet is naturally biodegradable, although it is not yet possible to make a totally recyclable helmet, the Down-o-matic veggie starts a new way of thinking about these produces and hopefully this will be solved in the near future.
Helmets are a highly personal choice of equipment with, comfort, weight, protection and fashion all being considered. First impression of the URGE are that the unique styling is popular enhanced by technical details like the venturi effect produced by the round vents cooling the head and the flexible peak not cracking off. Weight wise the veggie is in the 900grm range comparable to other helmets.

Without sounding cheesy we can now choose to save our heads at the same time as saving the planet. Some of the DBS team riders have chosen URGE for the 2001 season and we will give you and update through the year on how they fair.

For a video of fabien talking aboutthe helmet goto Urgebike