WHAT IS S.E.R.T?

A FIRST LOOK INTO 7iDP’S NEW
PROJECT.23 FULL-FACE HELMET

7iDP recently released their new Project.23 Full-Face Helmet and we’ve been lucky enough to already have a couple solid hours riding in it. Being that we are mountain bikers with a history of concussions, we take our brain protection seriously and don’t take brand’s claims and marketing hype without a grain or five of salt. As such, when we started reading the 7iDP press release talking about experts studying numbers and developing new technologies to protect our brains, naturally we wanted to know more. Despite what you think, we don’t just stick our heads inside anything! Below is an interview with 7iDP representatives who have given us a bit more insight into the SERT-equipped Project.23 helmet. After a few rides in the lid, we’re impressed so far and are happy to report that this protective technology looks quite promising. Stay tuned for a full review.

WHO DESIGNED/DEVELOPED SERT?
Our design team headed up by Tav Capewell our creative director had been working on rotational force reduction concepts for over a year. During a visit to Strategic Sports, our vendor, we discovered that they were very much on the same page. Rather than pursue our own technology we opted to work with Strategic on their concept which we named Seven Energy Reduction Technology. Strategic are looking to roll out ERT to other brands in the coming months.

WHO ARE THE EXPERTS USED BY SEVEN TO STUDY, VERIFY AND DEVELOP THE TECHNOLOGY?
ERT (Energy Reduction Technology) was developed by the team at Strategic Sports. The Strategic team build helmets for most of the key players in our market and there’s not much about MTB helmets that those guys don’t know. We’re fortunate to have a relationship with them going back over 20 years (predating 7iDP).

Strategic have an enviable R+D department and they tested SERT against standard helmets with just an EPS and the most prominent brands currently available, the results illustrated that SERT reduced impact energy transfer to the brain by up to 20%. Secondly the results indicated that SERT was on par with the market leader in terms of the reduction in rotational forces impacting the brain.

IS THE TECHNOLOGY SIMILAR TO CONEHEAD, WHERE A HARDER AND SOFTER LAYER OVERLAP TO HELP ABSORB HIGHER AND LOWER SPEED HITS?
ConeHead is a great technology that is part of the EPS construction. Both Conehead and SERT are trying to achieve the same goal of reducing the amount of energy that reaches the brain. However, SERT material is much softer than the low-density EPS found in Conehead. Because of this, SERT is very effective in improving the absorption of low G impacts.

HOW IS THE FOAM SMART?
SERT shifts and folds over to distribute energy – so it compresses, rotates and sheers. Because of this movement of SERT, it will also allow the reduction of rotational forces if necessary while also offering impact absorption.

WHERE/HOW DOES THE TECHNOLOGY DIFFER FROM OTHER OPTIONS THAT CONSUMERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND TRUST?
We concur with Snell and Helmets.org that real-world benefits are not proven and more studies need to be conducted when it comes to slip-plane technologies. Given that we all have a scalp and hair that operates as an inbuilt (no charge) slip-plane, compared to crash test dummies with grippers on the “skull,” brands and technology, including SERT, need further scrutiny and testing to always be improving on our quest to build the safest helmets possible. What is great about SERT though is it isn’t just a slip-plane layer, it actually reduces energy transfer to the brain and this for sure is a real-world benefit.

7iDP RELEASES PROJECT.23 FULL-FACE

When planning the release of Project.23 we had no idea that the world would be in the grip of such a horrendous pandemic. We salute our health and other key workers at this difficult time. Stay safe!

7iDP release a range of full protection, ASTM (DH) certified, lightweight, highly ventilated helmets; Introducing Project.23. A full-face helmet light enough to breeze through enduro transition stages or trail centres, yet up-to everything you can throw at it in the park or on a DH track.

Project.23 consists of Carbon and Glass Fibre models and will be followed by an ABS model in the coming month, as supply chains allow.

PROJECT.23

In debating the characteristics of the Project.23 helmet, we discussed the pros and cons of a hardshell compared to a microshell helmet. We all agreed the prospect of a full-on crash in a microshell helmet wasn’t something we’d want to experience. We just didn’t feel comfortable
with the idea of marketing such a design as a gravity helmet.

Our design group was unanimous in their opinion that the helmet should have a hard shell construction allied with great ventilation and be as light as possible without compromising its protective characteristics. These beliefs were backed up when we consulted a range of riders from EWS and downhill World Cup racers to local trail riders.

A hard shell (think DH/motocross helmet) – has an outer shell made typically of Carbon, Glass Fibre or ABS. The shell protects the EPS foam core from puncture and absorbs energy on impact. A typical micro shell helmet (think XC/trail/road helmet) does not have a substantial outer shell, as a consequence provides inferior protection.

Ventilation – The ‘23’ In Project.23 refers to the 23 full-bore vents that allow air to flow in at the front, move through the specifically designed channels and exhaust heat at the rear. This enables incredible through-flow for ease of breathing while helping you stay cool.

Weight – There was no compromise in our choice of materials to ensure the correct balance between protection and weight. This resulted in a weight of 945 grams for the Carbon and 1060 grams for the Glass Fibre model in a size large.

SERT – SEVEN ENERGY REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY

To further augment the safety features of the Project.23 helmet we examined the key questions of how to reduce energy transfer to the brain and reduce rotational force impact.

We studied what was currently on offer; some brands were certainly on the right line, others appeared to be buying into marketing hype. After studying the data it became evident that a reduction in impact energy transfer had to be our primary goal.

Hence the development of SERT – Seven Energy Reduction Technology.

SO WHAT IS SERT?
Essentially, SERT is a smart foam with two key functions:

1. Research and dialogue with experts indicated that it is absolutely key to reduce the amount of energy that reaches the brain on impact. SERT does this by absorbing greater levels of energy than an EPS liner alone and can reduce the energy transfer to the brain by up to 20%.

2. Test data indicated that SERT also leads to a reduction in the rotational motion of the brain on impact.

CRV – CRASH RELEASE VISOR

To further reduce the rotational motion of the brain, we designed our visor to break away on impact. The visor snaps on/off, so in the event of a crash it:

1. Releases on impact.
2. Can be snapped back into position or replaced quickly – no bolts to shear and get stuck
internally in the helmet.

PROJECT.23 FEATURES:

● SERT Technology – smart foam liner that absorbs up to 20% more energy and reduce rotational forces
● 23 big-bore vents – for in-and-out airflow to remove excess heat
● CRV (Crash Release Visor) system – allows the visor to release on impact to help reduce rotational forces
● Easy position adjustable visor angle
● Injection-moulded trim – protects helmet shell
● Goggle Dock – for perfect goggle fit and stability
● AegisTM anti-microbial liner – helps to keep internal fabric fresh
● Quick-release liner – for easy washing and cleaning
● FidlockTM – magnetic strap closure for quick and easy removal
● TF (through flow) goggle ventilation – allows airflow for improved visibility
● Carbon helmet supplied with padded Pro Helmet Bag.
● GF helmet supplied with drawstring bag.
● Micro sizing to ensure perfect fit – sizes XS(53-54cm), S(55-56cm), M(57-58cm), L(59-60cm), XL(61-62cm), XXL(63-64cm)

Project.23 helmets are available from 7Protection.com and 7iDP retailers.