Editor Bruce Wilson gets his head around (and in) the Aeron GP from Shark…
I never like to take chances when it comes to riding kit, with perhaps the biggest red line being what I put on my head. After all, you’ve only got one of them, so why risk it? That said, price can have a lot of influence on decision-making, and when you hear that the new Shark Aeron GP will set you back £949.99 of King Charles’ finest pounds, it’ll possibly make you stop and think twice before clicking the ‘buy now’ button. Of course, there’s reason behind the GP’s price tag… in fact, there are many that add together to make up the marvel of this latest-generation lid.
At its heart is a class-leading level of safety, benefiting from an innovative COVA (Carbon On View: Aramid) construction type that not only brings strength to the party, but lightness, too. Hitting the scales at just 1410g, you’d be worried if it weighed much less, especially when you appreciate how many components come together within its shell, which comes in two sizes to suit different head shapes – larger or smaller. The inner protection is made up of tried and tested EPS, while three-dimensional ‘Morpho’ cheek pads also find themselves at home, alongside an emergency quick release system. The chin strap is a double-D type, and there are five air inlets plus seven exhausts, ensuring good air flow should you need it. There’s also a removable chin guard, an easy-fit system for glasses wearers, and the whole interior can also be removed and washed if you find yourself a sweaty mess. In short, this helmet doesn’t lack for anything.
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Its biggest talking point is its aerodynamic prowess. An industry first, the Aeron boasts some funky flaps on the rear spoiler that are actuated with speed to not only minimise drag in a straight line (by up to five per cent), but also to reduce turbulence by 50 per cent. Dubbed the Adaptive Aero System, Shark claims it can reduce the flag effect on riders by as much as 80 per cent also, which is no bad thing if you find yourself on the grid of a 24-hour endurance race.
So, that’s the spec, but what’s it like to ride in? I’ll admit, I’ve not always been a fan of past Shark helmets, my biggest complaint being that they just didn’t fit me that well. But time has moved on, and so has the shape and design of its flagship sports helmet, which is good news for me. Off the shelf with no tweaking, I was impressed by the fit and comfort of the lid, which gripped my face nicely without leaving any extreme pressure points to moan about. The thickness of the chin strap took a bit of getting used to, but the brilliance of the huge visor was appealing from the get-go. Shark helmets are pretty sizeable compared to some rival brands, but that’s not a bad thing when you get to benefit from such great peripheral. Within a few rides, I found myself accustomed to the helmet, which surprised me. It felt like I’d been wearing it for months, having become used to the weight, design, and the functions of the Aeron, which features a lockable visor to guarantee it doesn’t ping up when you’re pinning the throttle.
The first major use of the GP was on track, over two days and 14 sessions. That amount of riding, at a fair pace, tells you all you need to know about a helmet – short of what it’s like in a crash. The comfort was pretty exceptional, and while I can’t comment on whether I could feel if the Aeron’s aerodynamic virtues offered me a more pleasurable riding experience, what I would say is there was no buffeting to note and that my neck felt remarkably unstrained after so much riding in short succession. I should also point out that the quietness of the Shark was notable, and another great talking point is the ease with which you can change a visor. I hate instructions, and thanks to the simplicity of the foolproof system, none were needed to change from the stock clear visor to the dark tint that comes with every Aeron purchased, within its own helmet bag, alongside five tear-offs… in case you want to make yourself feel really fast.
Long story short, it’s a hard helmet to fault, and I’ve continued enjoying wearing it on many road rides since that track debut. Despite not being much of a Zarco fan, I quite like the colours of his replica, too, though there’s a whole range of colours and carbon designs to pick from. For more info, head to the Nevis website or, better still, pop down to your local dealer and try one on for size.
