Product review

Giro Disciple Mips downhill helmet

By Dean Friedrich

My name is Dean Friedrich, I am 21 years old and live near Mannheim. I have been cycling for 10 years now. After 4 years on my BMX I was drawn back to mountain biking. Since then I can't imagine a week without getting on the dirtjump bike a few times. Meanwhile I ride international competitions like the Swatch Rocket Air in Switzerland, the Glemmride in Austria, the Big White Invitational in Canada and the Fox US Open. My biggest success was the 17th place at the Fox US Open. This placement is so special because the course not only contained 13 quite hard obstacles, but also that the temperature was 38°C, there was a extremely high humidity and my cranks and pedals were extremely bent after a crash. But I defied all these adversities and managed my "dream run".

Giro Disciple Mips Downhill MTB Helmet Details

The helmet is equipped with a fiberglass outer shell, a Mips system and vinyl nitrile padding on the chin strap, which should support the impact zone in this critical area. Due to the fiberglass outer shell, the helmet is somewhat heavier than its carbon colleagues (1200g, ±50g), but the weight distribution is so optimal that the extra 200g are not really noticeable.
The helmet provides excellent safety in all areas, even with the clasp. The D-ring strap closure works perfectly and with a little practice it can also be opened very quickly.

In the comfort range, the helmet scores further than there would be no end. With 14 ventilation slots, the Giro Disciple ensures a cool head even at the hottest temperatures.
The X-Static interior cushions prevent an unpleasant smell. Even after four days of absolute sweating, the helmet still smells pleasant, but should this change, it's no problem for the all-rounder: in no time at all, all pads are removed and can be cleaned so that the session can be continued as quickly as possible.

The 2-fold screwed visor not only gives an excellent look, but is also easy to adjust, does not slip and holds up well!
And the best feature is: An integrated POV camera mount for GoPro and Contour - an incredibly sophisticated feature.

Giro Disciple Mips Downhill MTB Helmet conclusion

The new Giro Disciple Mips helmet is not the first in the range for me. The predecessor was so convincing for me that another helmet was out of question. The fit is perfect, the handling incredibly simple, the helmet very safe and pleasant to wear even in summer. In dirtjump and slopestyle sport, visibility is very important, because how are you supposed to perform highly complicated tricks when you can't see your handlebar or pedals? The Giro helmet does it just excellently. I never had to get used to changing from half shell to full face.

Two months ago, I started preparing for some important competitions. That means: every session is 110%, no matter what the temperature. Even at 35°C you could stand it in the helmet, for which you have to blame the smart ventilation system.
Then we took off for Austria, Canada and the USA: 3 weekends, 3 competitions, 3 countries. That means stress, jetlag and from time to time a mistake on the bike, which led to crashs more often than usually. The Giro Disciple survived this test of fire with a lot of sweat, dirt and impacts and protected my head perfectly. It adapts so well to the head that you think it might be a part of it and even in the hardest falls it stays in place and performs its task phenomenally.

The icing on the cake is the design: very elegant, the shape looks high-quality and it doesn't look big on your head. I looked good and was optimally protected. Now only the performance had to be right and it did. I achieved my goals and topped myself:

• Glemmride (AUS):
  26. out of 38 riders
• Big White Tom Van Steenbergen Invitational (CAN):
  20. out of 31 riders
• Fox US Open – CLIF SLOPESTYLE (USA):
  17. out of 29 riders

All in all, this helmet is worth every cent. I hope you had fun reading and I was able to help you with your purchase decision.