XXX Wavecel

Speed finally meets protection

OVERVIEW

XXX Wavecel

Bontrager development and product goals are positioned around creating the safest as well as the best products in the industry. With the advancements in the cycling industry, we felt that the products that keep our riders safe. With the best in the world wearing traditional EPS helmets, we found an entry into the market to create a safer more effective helmet. The XXX doesn't just need to be one of the safest helmets in the world, it needs to be the fastest as well. Working with development and engineering teams to refine shape for aero and impact testing; its safe to say that the XXX is one of the most industry changing helmets to arrive and is a true testament to change.

In mold construction

In mold construction allows us to not only create a stronger helmet, but creates the opportunity to embed parts into the helmet to create a thinner material stack and create a thinner helmet.

Slippery

Designed and optimized for speed. The XXX is one of the fastest helmets that bontrager has made.

Impact is everything

Virginia Tech 5 star rated helmet. Wavecel integration allows for advanced safety and reduced risk for concussion.

DETAILS

WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN

Every product doesn't start with pretty sketches and concepts - I start every project with an in-depth research phase to identify key aspects of the product that our end users would like to see changed or updated. With the XXX, it was not only the first Wavecel helmet Bontrager has produced, but also the most labor intensive with an extra emphasis on aerodynamics, ventilation and comfort. Identifying the key riders and rides is something that is ingrained into my process and sets the base for the entire project.

THE CUSTOMER

The XXX was designed and developed to not only be the safest helmet on the market, but one of the highest performing for the worlds top athletes. We worked closely with the Trek men and women pro teams to create a helmet that would be ideal for a world tour stage. I also looked into amateur racers as well as your every day crit / road cyclist since these users are strictly there to enjoy the sport and not to get a paycheck. The common ground with all of these users is that they go home to a family every night, and that protection story of wavecel is able to bind all of our athletes in a common ground.

THE RIDE

The XXX lives for the rider that needs the most out of a helmet. Its aero benefit as well as protection makes it sought after by not only crit racers, but grand tour riders and every day training.

DETAILS

INSPIRATION AND DEVELOPMENT MODELING

Developing and conceptualizing products needs to be quick - developing the XXX we were able to utilize not only airflow parametric software to develop a fast and aero shape. But also design within CAD to develop concepts that allowed for quick and concise iterative development. With the combination of hand modeling we were able to develop a shape that not only was fast in the tunnel under ideal situations but also visual pleasing to be accepted and purchased from a storefront / website.

DETAILS

AERODYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT

With the pro peloton being extremely demanding for products that are pushing the envelope for speed. We set out to design one of the fastest helmets in the pro field. Bench marking best in class and using an evolution of Ballista (one of the fastest helmets on the market) we were able to refine and test our shapes not only in CFD but also in the wind tunnel. Design and refinement was done both in cad and in physical model that were implemented in the tunnel to prove out laminar flow. This development and design process allowed us to shave grams of drag off of the helmet that further pushed us ahead of the competition.

DETAILS

FINAL DESIGN

The culmination of design and engineering, working with a technology that, two years ago was only a conceptual model. The XXX represents the progression of safety in the sport of cycling. Countless hours in the wind tunnel and working with aerodynamic teams gave us the knowledge and drive to create a helmet that is truly a force in the peloton. Its design is developed to be interchangeable with any other wavecel helmet. The fit is the same meaning your transition from Road to Mtn is seamless. There is no more issues with fit and finish when switching between helmets within the same company.