Kali Protectives Carbon Prana Helmet - Sea Otter Day 1

33 1

geoffwarburton (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:06)

It looks like someone took a hedgehog and wrapped it in carbon.

17 4

bigburd (Apr 15, 2011 at 11:13)

lots of pricks to save the prick on the inside

6 13

cyfa89 (Apr 15, 2011 at 12:40) (Below Threshold)

wasnt that just the worst prick reference

14 0

bigburd (Apr 15, 2011 at 14:27)

I quite like it

1 0

beckhead (Apr 15, 2011 at 21:50)

and since when was 1200 grams lightweight???

1 0

realityloop (Apr 16, 2011 at 17:37)

stpguy that is light for a DOT approved lid.

17 2

josh24seven (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:29)

its quite cool though how much thought, experimenting and research go into making a helmet, i personally think the future is going to be something like a iron man helmet with HUD's for the best route and stuff that would be awesome

11 1

Matt-W (Apr 15, 2011 at 7:00)

Hydraulic visor adjuster and electric goggle de-fogger.

3 1

drc17 (Apr 15, 2011 at 7:40)

windshield wipers and navi, maybe some xm satelite radio

2 1

AznFireboi (Apr 15, 2011 at 11:08)

Actually matt, electric goggle de-foggers already exist. They're called fans lol

3 1

cyfa89 (Apr 15, 2011 at 12:42)

and a semi transparent screen so you can watch films while you ride

1 1

cyfa89 (Apr 15, 2011 at 14:02)

an wind turbien so you dont ahve to pedal they could link it to a turbine in the bb shell

6 0

cyrix (Apr 15, 2011 at 14:24)

Where have you guys been? www.zealoptics.com/transcend

1 0

cyfa89 (Apr 18, 2011 at 8:32)

wow effing awesome!

4 0

Straitline (Apr 15, 2011 at 10:40)

I ride Kali helmets and our Local Test Monkey Andrew Mitchell swears by them and he tends to crack his head into rocks a lot. He walks away with no concussions even when he cracks one. A good helmet saves your brain and Brad the owner has a savy military composite back ground. I'm taking Andrews word on the Helmets because he spits me the truth.

1 0

gnarbar (Apr 15, 2011 at 16:16)

like

3 0

cydaps (Apr 15, 2011 at 8:05)

It looks huge! There's a vid on the Transition Bikes website of Lars Sternberg wearing what looks like this helmet and it's mahoosive! Whether he's got the wrong size I dunno, but have a look... www.transitionbikes.com then select "Lars N' Bars Episode 2" video... Sure it's the same helmet and tell me that doesn't look way too big! If it works though, fair play, better safe that sorry!

4 0

smike (Apr 15, 2011 at 8:09)

Keep in mind it's DOT approved though, and compared to other DOT helmets it's about the same size.

3 0

jptothetree (Apr 15, 2011 at 9:39)

if "big" means keeping your dome safe, count me in. i always rocked a DOT lid.

2 0

KaliProtectives (Apr 25, 2011 at 19:49)

Straight from our engineer. "Thanks for your questions about g force data. I have not released g force data on the Prana. I have been testing helmets for about 14 years now and if any company released random g force data I would seriously question it. With that said your question is very fair.

What I have done substantiate (beyond theories) our technology is to take helmets with the exact same shell shape and produce them with different manufacturing processes. Geometry plays a factor in compressive g force readings. The issue here is that is costly to have enough molds to do direct testing, but I beleive testing samples with the same geometry in the exact same location and controlling your test data is the appropriate way to test you theory. Random impacts are not controlled enough.

We do have tooling for our Nira road helmet in both Standard technology and in Composite fusion. This allowed us to test this helmet in the exact same conditions and the exact same locations. What we discovered was that the g force readings were 15 to 20% lower in ambient conditions with composite fusion. In hot conditions it was even better then that. If Cold conditions it was 7 to 15% better, so not as dramatic. Cold makes the foam harder which transfers too much load to your brain. Softer foam next to your head is a good thing.

We also have tooling between Composite fusion and Composite fusion plus in our Naza helmet. The geometric shapes in the Composite fusion plus further help us lower the density of the foam and in the end lower g’s.

Shoot me back any questions you have.
tech@kaliprotectives.com

2 0

KaliProtectives (Apr 16, 2011 at 8:22)

Thanks for checking out our helmets. We'd be happy to explain the technology (and instrumentation, measurements, head forms, etc.) if you guys are interested. Just send us a note tech@kaliprotectives.com

4 1

zion-i (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:06)

The comparison made with the graphs is saying a lot. I interested to know how the helmets where tested to achieve this data?

3 0

derekr (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:12)

Probably used an accelerometer

4 1

MeAlex (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:16)

I agree, maybe i spend too long hanging around laboratories (but then i am a biochemist so it is to be expected) but any claim without empirical evidence or reference is not worth the digital ink its written in, hell they didnt even try and explain how it works. Please, pray tell?

2 0

Matt-W (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:18)

I agree, I always get suspicious when there is a fancy name like "Composite Fusion Plus Technology" but no proof of how it works. The Kali lids do look good this year though.

3 0

Rasterman (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:26)

I see how it _could_ work with the foam design, it makes sense, but actually working as illustrated in the graphics is a whole other story, and then it actually being better and reducing injury is another layer on top of that. What would be very useful is the results of the DOT certification tests, I assume they report back impact peak impact loads or maybe even graphics from various collision types. Even if this isn't the case testing in this manner isn't very difficult if you have the equipment so it should be within the realm of a big magazine or website. This would provide the evidence needed to back up their claims.

3 0

derekr (Apr 15, 2011 at 8:11)

I am guessing of course, but they probably sent a force impulse to the helmet and then measured the deceleration response as shown in the as energy absorption vs. time. Your brain is surrounded by fluid; a concussion occurs when your brain accelerates very quickly and bumps into your skull. Reducing the acceleration of your brain by absorbing more energy (as these guys claim) will reduce your risk of concussion. As Alex said it would be good to see some real data but IMHO it looks like these guys are legit.

3 0

gnarbar (Apr 15, 2011 at 9:03)

more info here about Composite Fusion Plus technology: www.kaliprotectives.com/moto/fusion-tech

2 0

MeAlex (Apr 15, 2011 at 13:33)

That, and if you want to get really geeky in when they overlay all their force curves (bottom of that link) it looks pretty evident the total area under the curves is different, thereby implying the total impulse delivered in each test was different with the "classic construction" being on the end of the biggest hit, and the trippy hegehog one on the end of the smallest hit (yes i know itsjust a representation but if your going to make mistakes that obvious i rapidly loose faith). normally i wouldt give two s**ts for marketing bull, but when it comes to buying something that could very potentially save ones life (and in truth i do need a new full face atm) i want to know i am getting the best.

2 0

MeAlex (Apr 15, 2011 at 13:41)

Also since when did people commenting PB become all intellectual, normally it's like a bunch of arguing 8 year olds and chanting football hooligans.

3 0

iamamodel (Apr 15, 2011 at 15:18)

I agree, it would be nice if they referenced the studies, but perhaps they didn't because most people wouldn't understand it and it may lead to confusion. We all know that The Man thinks we are morons. Also, the data may be unpublished, and there is nothing to reference.

The cone encrusted foam inner was invented by an old Australian dude and he presented it to an Australian show called 'The New Inventors' (the was an older show called 'The Inventors', hence the disambiguation). This invention won the award for the best of the year, and the show set the guy up with contacts in the industry. It is good to see that his invention made it into production.

www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/inventions/finalists_2007.htm

1 0

gnarbar (Apr 15, 2011 at 16:15)

@iamamodel - I can assure you nobody at Kali is "the man", they're all riders of different disciplines and/or experienced industry people from a range of backgrounds - and my impression of everyone I've talked with at Kali is that none of them think mountain bikers are morons. just my 2c

1 0

miff (Apr 15, 2011 at 16:41)

@iamamodel

That's what got me looking - the original invention on the ABC a while back.

1 0

iamamodel (Apr 18, 2011 at 20:24)

@gnarbar - So sorry, I was talking in general, not specifically about Kali. Now that I reread what I wrote, I can see it reads how you interpreted it, not how I meant it. My apologies to Kali.

I meant that, in general, the public aren't privvy to higher level information because so often it is dumbed down for us.

1 1

ubcdh (Apr 15, 2011 at 12:55)

I'm gona have to call bs. I'm sure it's a nice helmet and does a good job protecting your head maybe even slightly better than some of the competitors and I'm sure testing showed this but I doubt testing showed numbers anywhere near what those graphs are suggesting. If I'm wrong correct me cause I'd buy the lid

4 0

steve2210 (Apr 15, 2011 at 7:38)

lol 1-0 mtbfraser

1 0

ldhbaker FL (Apr 15, 2011 at 14:49)

Graphs without axis units are useless...no frame of reference at all. I do like Kali helmets, though, they seem nice and light.

1 0

Downhill340 (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:10)

TOO much confusing technology shit for me,If it works better than most helmets then thats all I need.

5 1

yoki-bike (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:22)

thats why you should pay entention in physics and tech studies

18 0

mtbfraser (Apr 15, 2011 at 6:48)

That's why you should pay attention in English...

1 0

yoki-bike (Apr 15, 2011 at 11:02)

I know, I just wasn't bothered coming back to it.

1 0

coolj43 (Apr 16, 2011 at 19:55)

i have a feeling that those pricks r gona break after the first few wipeouts.....

1 0

Diehlei (Apr 23, 2011 at 4:24)

Other manufacturers are doing it the same way. The helmet is designed to take one impact and thats it. The foam pyramids will be compressed after the impact and wont work the same again.

1 0

coolj43 (Apr 25, 2011 at 17:20)

I'd have to get a new one of these after every ride if that's the case lol

1 1

gnarbar (Apr 15, 2011 at 9:03)

yay Amy......nice hat, loving my Carbon Prana

1 0

warganicc (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:51)

looks worm