The C Originals moniker may not be that well known to the British cyclist, but the outfit behind it – Chinese company COOO Sports – also makes helmets for better-known brand Limar. One of 10 in the C Originals road range, the less-than-snappily named SV000 features looks that have more in common with Catlike’s helmets, albeit with more numerous vents.
So many, in fact, that we ran out of fingers and toes counting them, but we’re assured that there are 58. As a result, the vents themselves are quite small, but well shaped for channelling air over your head. Though this isn’t the coolest-looking lid out there it proved reasonably effective at keeping us fresh during hot rides. There’s plenty of internal padding, with a large section of detachable webbing inside the crown. You also get smaller washable pads at the front, inside the retention cradle and around the strap.
The fit is adjustable single-handedly on the fly using the large ratcheted dial. As for safety, the Far East-manufactured helmet has European EN1078 accreditation. And unlike a lot of helmets, the SV000 isn’t elongated and doesn’t have any large external protuberances that could catch on things in the event of an accident. It’s also pleasing to see the co-moulded plastic outer shell extend in a single piece, though this doesn’t reach to the helmet’s underside.
Our initial impression that this is quite a wide helmet was confirmed when we took a tape measure to it, our 54-58cm model measuring 180x215mm internally. So this is indeed one of the wider lids out there – measuring 1cm more than most of the opposition. It’s also a good choice for those with rounder shaped heads who find that helmets pinch around the side.
Construction quality is reasonable for a helmet at this price, with neatly finished co-moulding, and the 281g weight is pretty decent for the price too. As for its unique looks, when you turn up at the office wearing this, expect to receive a few comments. One of our favourites? “It looks like you’re wearing a cauliflower on your head.”