Author : Avalon
As early as 6 years ago, when MET first entered the Chinese market, the main models were divided into the breathable RIVALE and the pneumatic MANTA. After many years, these two helmets were finally replaced last year and launched a new model. For reasons that are well known, MANTA, which went public in March last year, did not arrive until the second half of the year.
I have been using MET's top model TRENTA 3K for a while, and overall it is still quite satisfactory to me ("Value |MET TRENTA Carbon Fiber Road Bike Helmet"), so naturally I also want to try a new generation of MANTA. In this first thanks to the test helmet provided by the US ride e-commerce, we will share this helmet below.
First of all, the packaging of this helmet is really too thin, just an ordinary carton, the thickness is also average, and there is no packaging that the top helmet should have. And what the hell is this "YOUR PASSION"?
Originally to be connected to the side to see, DEDEND YOUR PASSION, defend your passion. Spent more than 1,000, get this package, the passion is not half good!
Italian design, well, not to mention functionality, I am still more confident in the aesthetic design of Italian products.
Product information, MANTA provides S (52/56), M (56/58) and L (58/61) three yards, 6 ordinary paints and 1 team version of the paint.
At the bottom of the box is the introduction of MIPS technology, after years of promotion, I think everyone is quite familiar with this sliding layer to prevent secondary damage. Anyway, it's a "you can use it, but it's better to have it" and "you definitely don't want to use it for a day" stuff...
After opening the box, the heart is even cooler, there is no sponge limit and protection, only a thin layer of foam paper. Before defending my passion, can you protect my helmet first...
These are the things in the package, with a helmet bag attached, but still no spare lining, as always, the door is slammed.
One side of the helmet bag is mesh cloth, which increases breathability, makes it more convenient to save the helmet after use, and allows sweat to evaporate quickly.
Thanks again to the Beauty Ride e-commerce, let me choose my favorite in all the paintings, and the more expensive team version can also be selected. But I personally rarely use the team version of the equipment, so I chose it in the standard livery. Although the all-red "Soul Moving Red" is beautiful, it feels a little less layered. Originally wanted to choose fog blue / metal blue, but there is no M code, so I still chose a classic black and red collocation. Wait, it's not sending me, so why pick it?
Oh yes, this helmet is mainly dark color, only a white paint, like white helmet friends do not have so many choices.
The helmet's matte black, shiny black gradient metallic red is very beautiful, rich in layering, and the aesthetic design of the Yilao is still very reliable.
As an aerodynamic helmet, it is natural to close most of the windward surface to reduce the wind resistance. There are only 2 slender ventilation holes in the entire front, ensuring basic ventilation and permeability. There is also a black and red gradient coating at the ventilation holes, which echo the coating on both sides.
The new MANTA was developed using a special wind tunnel in the Newton Laboratory in Milan. The new aerodynamic improvements are mainly due to the new rear profile design, and like most pneumatic helmets today, the rear contour of the MANTA is downward/adductive to guide airflow. However, the inward gain is not as large as TRENTA.
According to the results of the wind tunnel test, the new MANTA can save 3-4W compared to the old model and other competitors, depending on the posture.
There are two ventilation holes on the left and right, the upper ventilation hole is mainly used to form the air duct, and the lower hole provides a place for your glasses while providing breathability.
The design of the rear exhaust port is really annoying, and the rear 45 degree angle is what I think this helmet looks the best. The left and right logos also use an asymmetrical design.
The style of the exhaust outlet is always reminiscent of the exhaust pipes and blinds of a supercar. Xiaobian personally thinks that the four black helmets with bright metallic exhaust ports are very stuffy.
The NACA catheter-shaped vent at the top is the most important vent, which forms an air duct with the vent and, through the venturi effect, quickly takes away the hot and humid air overhead and discharges it from the rear. Many of today's pneumatic helmets use this duct design to provide basic heat dissipation.
However, in the figure, some drawbacks of MET's use of evolve-level MIPS systems can be found, that is, MIPS may block the ventilation holes and affect heat dissipation.
▲MANTA's air duct design concept
In terms of helmet inner cage, as always, although it is an oval inner cage shape, it is relatively compatible with the round head type of Asians, which has always been the advantage of MET. Only a few riders who have tried on a MET helmet around them will feel a chuck or a head.
Since it is an Evolve level MIPS system, a large area of yellow MIPS can be seen inside the helmet. For the price of MANTA, it should be more appropriate to have a higher AIR level MIPS. The lining is soft and smooth, has a good touch and is very comfortable to wear.
▲The sliding connection point between the MIPS system and the helmet
The forehead is the part that is most prone to sweat, so the forehead part of the helmet body has three openings to increase the ventilation and heat dissipation of the forehead. The shape of the leading edge is not as pointed as TRENTA, more rounded, and does not have the abruptness of the TRENRA leading edge that is too prominent.
MANTA uses the same 360° suspension system as TRENTA to avoid local pressure points that can cause discomfort. The suspension is still 4 steps up and down, in addition, the suspension plate has 1 gear of adjustment, making the suspension and occipital bone fit more comfortably. In addition, the straps were all changed to hidden anchor points to make the appearance more tidy.
The splitter uses a new one-piece sliding splitter that makes adjustment simpler and reduces the foreign body sensation of contact. The straps are very soft and comfortable enough to fit the skin.
The lock buckle has been upgraded to the popular FIDLOCK magnetic buckle, which is more convenient to wear. However, it seems that the magnetic snap will be slightly heavier than the traditional snap clasp.
When it comes to safe personal equipment, it is natural to be CE certified. The weight of the official label M code is 250 grams, let's take a look at whether there is a false mark, after all, it is a good thing, everyone understands.
The actual M-code MANTA weighs 253.2 grams, a little heavier than the official weight, within tolerances. As an aerodynamic helmet equipped with MIPS, this is already a good weight. Compared to my other two pneumatic helmets, it's lighter than the 270-plus ABUS GAMECHANGER, but heavier than the 210-gram HJC FURION, both without MIPS.
Try it out
Manta put on the head, immediately can feel a familiar feeling, exactly the same as my TRENTA, the lining is very comfortable, the suspension system is also comfortable enough, there is no feeling of clipping the head, the comfort is full. Wearing a beautiful helmet is of course to look in the mirror first, the MANTA helmet design will not have the feeling of "mushroom head", the appearance is more smooth.
In terms of wearing, the first difference from TRENTA is the improvement in the lock clasp. Although the magnetic suction buckle will be heavier, it is more convenient to use, and after wearing it, the magnetic suction buckle can be automatically inhaled close. When you take it off, it feels cool to slide it out with one hand.
Sliding integrated splitter is also very convenient to use, find a good position, directly push it into place, much more convenient than TRENTA's traditional splitter, foreign body feeling is also reduced. The strap fits more closely to the face.
▲The adjusted suspension wrapping is very good, and the knob feels good
After taking the picture, the colleague who took the photo said that the gradient effect of MANTA is very natural, with the feeling of light and shadow effects, and the visual effect is good.
Since it is in winter, the current riding wear experience is based on the environment of 10-20 ° C, and autumn and winter are the most suitable seasons for wearing pneumatic helmets. First of all, of course, we must say that everyone is most concerned about the ventilation and breathability performance, after all, riding with a stuffy head is still very uncomfortable.
MANTA's duct design is good, I originally thought that the addition of MIPS would affect ventilation, but in the actual experience, you can clearly feel the cooling effect of the air duct, and feel that the air flow above your head is more smooth than my HJC FURION. The night around 10 degrees does not feel "frozen"; the daytime fast-paced team ride around 20 degrees does not feel stuffy, it feels just right. The bottom opening of the forehead cools well, and with a strong absorbent lining, there is no obvious feeling of sweat beads in the fast-paced ride. In the autumn and winter of Guangdong, even if MANTA adds MIPS, the ventilation and temperature control effect is still relatively balanced.
I speculate that this helmet can adapt to the environment of up to 28 ° C, and it may be a little stuffy to use in summer, after all, there are fewer openings. Specifically, when the temperature rises, I will update the experience of spring and summer.
The weight is not heavy, which relieves the pressure on the neck during long-distance riding, and it is easier to swing the head. Don't look at the tens of grams of the number is not large, in the long distance long riding, can provide a lot of extra comfort.
As for the aerodynamic effect, I'm not sure how many watts can be saved, but it can still bring some slight advantages. If you're not constantly fighting sprints and TT, then the focus should be on appearance, comfort, and ventilation. On these three points, MANTA has done a good job, the appearance is handsome enough, suitable for most Asian head shapes, good ventilation effect, good weight control, and the recent hot Emirates team royal helmet halo bonus, which can undoubtedly make MANTA a strong contender among the top aero helmets.
Thanks to the addition of MIPS, as well as the sponsorship of popular top World Tour racing teams and external factors such as the supply chain, the price increase of the new generation of MANTA is inevitable. Now MANTA asks for 1699 yuan (the team version will be more expensive... Buy it as a sponsorship of Bogacha bar ~), much more expensive than the old model, but safety, design and workmanship have been improved. So don't look at it with the eyes of the previous generation, the current MANTA is the top aerodynamic helmet of the Eight Classics.
Finally, I am personally satisfied with MANTA, consider selling GAMECHANGER or TRENTA, and go to the e-commerce company to get a PY price to take it for yourself. After all, there are no three heads and six arms, and so many helmets cannot be worn. In the near future, small partners who have plans to start an aerodynamic helmet can pay attention to this MANTA.
Ride Reviews
Advantages: Italian design, air duct ventilation design, comfortable suspension lining, high head tolerance, weight is not heavy, MIPS, magnetic buckle
Disadvantages: The price has increased, the packaging is too simple and rough, only one light color system, MIPS level can be higher
If you think MANTA is too expensive and RIVALE is more in line with your budget, please tell the editor in the comment area, I will see if I can borrow a RIVALE to test it for everyone.