TESTED: 7iDP Project 23 Fibreglass Fullface Helmet

The 7IDP Project 23 Fibreglass is a lightweight full-face helmet that’s aimed at a broad array of riders, from downhillers to enduro racers. With bikes getting more and more capable, it makes sense to have a full face at your disposal if your ideal ride involves pushing yourself and your bike to the limit.

The Project 23 is named after the 23 vents the helmet features, and this is something I noticed right off the bat. Whilst it’s not as cool as the TLD Stage or Fox Proframe, it feels like it’s protecting more of your head. In comparison to the Fox Rampage and the TLD D4, the Project 23 wins the battle for cooling, but the Rampage and D4 feel sturdier on your head. This gives you a good idea of where the Project 23 sits in the market, as a helmet that’s on the fence between being a lightweight enduro helmet, and a full-on downhill lid.

In terms of comfort, the Project 23 fitted my head nicely. The cheek pads felt a touch tight when I first put the helmet on, but they quickly became comfortable. The helmet is offered in four sizes to fit heads from 55cm – 62cm, and I appreciated the tighter sizing that allows you to find a better fit. In terms of hygiene, the cheek pads are removable and washable, and the helmet features an anti-microbial liner.

Getting the helmet on and off is a breeze with the use of Fidlock straps, which seem to be popping up on lots of helmets these days. Fidlock straps use a simple to operate magnetic system, which is much easier to use than the classic D ring system. Whilst it’s a small touch, when you’re doing shuttle laps or at the bike park and taking your helmet on and off regularly, it’s a nice feature to have.

Another clever feature is the helmet’s visor adjustments. Doing away with the classic screws that loosen every second ride, the Project 23 is adjusted simply by pushing the visor up or down, and it stayed put throughout testing. As a rider who has experienced my visor flapping down during a run because one of the tiny plastic screws has fallen out, I appreciated this small touch. The visor is also designed to release during a crash to remove the potential for additional rotational forces impacting the brain. As the visor has no bolts to sheer, it’s easy to put back on.

Continuing with the safety theme, the Project 23 features SERT (Seven Energy Reduction Technology) technology, which is a foam liner that apparently absorbs up to 20 percent more energy than standard helmet liners, as well as reducing the all-important rotational forces. The idea behind SERT is that the liner will disperse the load of an impact by compressing, rotating, and sheering, rather than bearing the full brunt of an impact and cracking like a traditional EPS foam helmet.

The Project 23 Fibreglass is priced similarly helmets such as the Fox Proframe and the 100 Percent Trajecta at $440.95. The top of the line Project 23 Carbon retails for $619.95, putting it more in line with the TLD Stage MIPS. The carbon helmet saves close to 200 grams compared to the Fibreglass model, weighing in at 922 grams for a size large (claimed), compared with an actual weight of 1135 grams for our size medium fibreglass model. If you’re looking for a lower priced option, the Project 23 ABS features many of the same features at a more budget friendly price of $275.95.

Overall, the Project 23 Fibreglass is a great option for riders looking for a one size fits all solution for both Enduro riding and racing, as well as downhill. I appreciated the little details like the simple to adjust visor, Fidlock straps, and tight sizing range.

RRP: $440.95

From: echelonsports.com.au

Hits:

Lots of size options for a snug fit

Good ventilation and smart protection

A visor that stays put!

Versatile full-face protection

Misses:

– Not many