uvex surge aero MIPS helmet
Aero or lightweight? Well-ventilated or extra safe? The era of compromises in road biking is coming to an end. At least when it comes to headgear.
Helmet specialist uvex has set out with the “surge aero MIPS” to create a stylish squaring of the circle. We were there for you at “Rad am Ring”, the 24-hour race on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, testing the new top model under extreme conditions!
Jan still has a good laugh before the race.
Marcel after the race. The Nürburgring is no joke.
Mark at full speed
24 Hours on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
Rad am Ring, that means 24 hours full throttle. The car racetrack demands everything from road cyclists. Each lap is 26 kilometers long, with 560 meters of elevation and over 90 curves. The steepest climb up to the Hohe Acht is up to 17 percent steep, in the legendary Fuchsröhre it goes downhill at over 100 kilometers per hour. The asphalt heats up mercilessly under the blazing summer sun, and the participants as well, rain showers interrupt the rhythm, plus exhaustion and lack of sleep. We guarantee you: Our three testers, Jan, Marcel, and Mark, will notice every weak point here. And spoiler: there weren’t many.
uvex surge aero MIPS: Numbers, Data, Facts
Short and sweet!
- Stylish, very well-ventilated road bike helmet with 16 vents that can be closed with a clip-on cover (“Aero-Cover”) for even better aerodynamics
- Developed with the pros from the UCI World Team Intermarché-Wanty
- Awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award
- Three colors and sizes each
- Anatomic-IAS size adjustment and FAS webbing system for a good all-around fit
- Sunglasses garage for safe storage of glasses when not in use
- In-Mold construction and integrated MIPS-Airnode for maximum safety
- Weight: 290 g (manufacturer's specification)
The Aero Cover can be mounted optionally.
A Helmet for Everything
The highlight feature of the surge aero MIPS is definitely the Aero-Cover. It turns a highly ventilated road bike helmet into a very good aero helmet in no time. As tester Mark points out, the helmet is just right for all demanding roadies, “who are looking for a very versatile helmet, from mountain rides and outings in high temperatures to criteriums and time trials.”
When the Aero-Cover is not mounted, all three bc-testers praise the outstanding ventilation – despite temperatures well over 30 degrees Celsius above the hot tarmac strip of the auto racing track. Even with the Aero-Cover mounted, the ventilation during the ride is still completely sufficient, as Marcel emphasizes: “During the ride, enough air blows through the openings at the front so it doesn't get too warm. Only when standing still can it get warm. But that's a known phenomenon with aero helmets!”
Less known, but definitely an issue at the high speeds in time trial sections or “on the flat”: the noise development. Here, the uvex helmet scores points, finds Mark: “Even at 100 km/h in the Fuchsröhre, I couldn't hear the helmet!”
The uvex surge with mounted aero cover...
...and here "open" for more ventilation.
Versatile Adjustment System with Precise Fit
Manufacturer uvex has delved deep into the tech toolbox for the helmet, equipping it with its Anatomic-IAS (internal adjustment system) and FAS (fast adapting system). The result: millimeter-precise adjustability of the helmet width and straps to one's own head shape. The further developed MIPS-Airnode, which keeps harmful rotational forces away from the brain in the event of a fall, also contributes to a significantly flatter fit.
Marcel noticed this too: “The helmet sits around the head, not on top of it. Nothing wobbles. It not only feels good, but it also looks good.”
Jan especially highlights the precise adjustability: “It's really just as good as the manufacturer promises. Especially with the head width, the fine gradation is very pleasant.”
Helmet <3 Glasses
An important feature for road bike helmets: How is the fit with glasses? Our three testers wanted to find out and tried three glasses. As expected, the sport sunglasses uvex pace stage CV fit perfectly with the Uvex helmet. But the Oakley Sutro Lite and the 100% S2 also fit very well. All of this is worth nothing if the parked glasses don't sit firmly on the helmet. Absolute all-clear here too. “Good glasses garage,” says Mark. “Rock solid,” says Marcel.
High-Quality Manufacturing and Excellent Design
In one more thing, the bc-Nordschleife triumvirate absolutely agrees. The helmet is very high-quality manufactured and looks good. The jury of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award also thought so and awarded the helmet as a “Winner” in 2024!
Ready to race.
Test Conclusion
For a non-binding recommended retail price of 249.95 Euro, you get two helmets in one. An outstandingly ventilated helmet for hot summer, tough climbs, and long mountain passes. And a very good aero helmet, which hardly lags behind the absolute specialists in the wind and also shines with its flexibility.
Marcel nails it:
"Thanks to the removable Aero-Cover, the helmet is really versatile. Without the cover, you've got a super breezy helmet, perfect for hot summer rides. With the Aero-Cover on, it turns into a fast helmet when speed matters. And during bad weather, the cover is also a smart way to keep cold wind and rain off your head."
"The helmet looks good, has great features, and fits well, I'd buy it!"
Read more about uvex in our section "bc on the move" during our Uvex house visit.
