The Certimoov site is a reference site which tests, analyzes and rates bicycle and motorcycle helmets, based on a scientific methodology designed with the University of Strasbourg. The opportunity to establish the top 5 safest bicycle helmets for the city, but not only that.
Certimoov is a project launched by the MAIF Foundation in 2014, in partnership with the University of Strasbourg. The latter has imagined and established an advanced methodology to analyze the shocks perceived by motorcycle and bicycle helmets. Since 2018, Mutuelle des Motards has taken up the torch to perpetuate the project.
Today, nearly 250 references are listed on its official website. For cycling, several categories exist: off-road, road, city, BMX, new mobility, children and others. This article focuses specifically on urban bicycle helmets, and more precisely on the top 5 drawn up by Certimoov. But you will find at the end of the article some models intended for broader uses.
A word on Certimoov’s methodology
Before going into details, it is appropriate to spend a few moments on Certimoov’s famous methodology. And this in order to fully understand the reliability of the results obtained.
A total of six types of impacts constitute the testing process: three linear impacts (frontal, lateral and occipital) and three oblique impacts (RotY, RotX and RotZ). For the sake of precision and clarity, we will use Certimoov’s exact words to explain the three oblique impacts.
- RotY: “ administered in the frontal area and causes rotation around the left-right axis » ;
- RotX: “ administered in the lateral area and causes rotation around the anteroposterior axis » ;
- RotZ: “administered in the lateral area and causes rotation around the vertical axis “.
The organization specifies: “each impact being reproduced 3 times, this leads us to 18 tests“. All these shocks are represented by curves which represent linear and rotary accelerations, we can read.
To push the scientific cursor even further, Certimoov introduces the said curves “in mechanical modeling of the brain, which allows biomechanists to estimate the level of injury risk for each impact and produce a score between 0 and 5“. Then simply average the 6 scores to obtain a final score.
LAZER Anverz NTA-MIPS
Several helmets received a rating of 4/5, the best awarded by Certimoov in the “Bicycle helmet for the city” category. The LAZER Anverz NTA-MIPS model was particularly reassuring in the rear impact, the oblique frontal impact and the oblique side impact 2. This is demonstrated by its results, tarnished by a poor score:
- Frontal impact: 4/5;
- Side impact: 2/5;
- Rear impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique frontal impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique side impact 1: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 2: 4.5/5.
Weighing 480 grams, this model can be found on various specialized sites, for a sum ranging between 160 and 180 euros. Bonus: it has a very practical magnetic closure.
Note that this model incorporates Mips technology (Multi directional Impact Protection System, or Multidirectional Shock Protection System in French), which reduces the risk of concussions thanks to an integrated safety system. Our colleagues fromNumeramahave written an excellent explanatory file on this subject.
POC Ventral-Air-Spin
Rated (4/5) by Certimoov, the POC Ventral-Air-Spin stands out on other types of shocks. This is evidenced by the scores obtained, which overall prove to be more balanced than the Lazer model previously cited:
- Frontal impact: 4/5;
- Side impact: 3.5/5;
- Rear impact: 4/5;
- Oblique frontal impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique side impact 1: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 2: 3/5.
The POC Ventral-Air-Spin is slightly road-style, and has numerous openings to ventilate your skull as much as possible – however, be careful in bad weather. Weighing 220 grams – it’s very light – its attachment system with a conventional buckle is more classic. This model is available on the Alltricks website at a price of 149.99 euros.
Uvex City-i-vo-MIPS
The Uvex City-i-vo-MIPS model particularly stands out in terms of rear impact and oblique frontal impact. Like the Poc, none of its scores go below a score of 3:
- Frontal impact: 4/5;
- Side impact: 3/5;
- Rear impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique frontal impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique side impact 1: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 2: 3/5.
Available for around 100 euros on Amazon, the Uvex City-i-vo-MIPS benefits from an always welcome MIPS system, all for a weight of 250 grams. At the back, a dial has been added to adjust the helmet. Finally, a micrometric buckle – a strip must be inserted into the tightening system – serves as a fastening system.
Alpina DELFT-MIPS
The Alpina DELFT-MIPS scores almost the same as the Uvex City-i-vo-MIPS, with a half-point difference in frontal oblique impact and side oblique impact 1. Overall, its scores are balanced.
- Frontal impact: 4/5;
- Side impact: 3/5;
- Rear impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique frontal impact: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 1: 3.5/5;
- Oblique side impact 2: 3/5.
As the name suggests, MIPS technology is integrated into the model. Here again, a micrometric buckle serves as a fastening system, while a dial has been added to adjust everything. The ventilation slots suggest that a certain amount of air will be able to ventilate your skull. Weighing 255 grams, this Alpira helmet is available for around 80 euros on Amazon.
Fischer Urban-Plus
The Fischer Urban-Plus does well in handling rear impacts, like the two previous helmets. For the rest, he doesn’t make any major false notes.
- Frontal impact: 4/5;
- Side impact: 3.5/5;
- Rear impact: 4.5/5;
- Oblique frontal impact: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 1: 4/5;
- Oblique side impact 2: 3.5/5.
Weighing 380 grams in size L/XL, this model is not the lightest on this list. It nevertheless has 19 air inlets to ventilate you, but visibly lacks any MIPS system. A small disadvantage compared to its competitors. Finally, a dial as a headband is available at the back, as is an LED to improve your visibility. This headset is available on Amazon for 60 euros.
Some other references
If this top 5 mainly focused on helmets categorized as “city” by Certimoov, the site tested many other references. We can for example cite the Limar 555 for road bikes, the COOP Rawlink for children, the Scott ARX for the road or the Bontrager Starvos-Wavecel for the city. All these models received a rating of 4/5.
Interesting fact: the KASK lifestyle helmet that we come across on every street corner in Paris in particular, is one of the worst performers with a score of 2.5/5, for a price of around 150 euros. This reference undoubtedly focuses on its style, less on safety.
What does UFC-Que Choisir think?
The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has also established its ranking of the best headsets, which nevertheless has far fewer references than Certimoov – 33 in total. By comparing them, it is clear that common patterns emerge.
These include the Scott ARX Plus MIPS (100 euros) and the Uvex City-i-vo-MIPS. The tests carried out by the association make it possible to discover other products deemed reliable, such as the Giro Synthe MIPS (269 euros) or the Specialized Align II MIPS (60 euros).