Tests & Awards
MELON® HELMETS RATED "BEST" AT KONSUMENT.AT
The brand Melon® Helmets is the winner of the current helmet test by the Austrian consumer association Konsument.at and is able to compete against established international brands. Thereby the array of awards of the last 24 months continues. The stylish lightweight helmet received the Eurobike Winner Award 2013, the Red Dot Winner Award 2014 and has been tested by the independent Swiss EMPA institute on behalf of the TV magazine “KASSENSTURZ” as the best tested trend helmet in its class. In 2015 the Melon “Urban Active” was awarded as “the editors recommendation” in the DIN-test of the magazine “aktivRadfahren” in Germany. Now with the victory in Konsument.at the test hat-trick is perfect.
The testers examined the helmets stricter than ever before. In the latest test: 18 helmets of popular manufacturers. Only three of them, scored with the test result “good”. The helmets were tested in the categories “accident protection”, “handling”, “comfort”, “heat resistance” and “chemicals”. Basis of the Konsument.at test was the European standard for bicycle helmets CE EN 1078, which was complemented by an extended new test program. Previously (with the old test method), only the acceleration of the formhead in direction of impact has been measured. The new method is testing primarily how well the forehead and temple are protected by the helmet and whether the formhead is subject to a rotational movement during the fall. Both scenarios have a major influence on the severity of injuries. The test winner Melon stands out due to positive results especially in the category “handling and comfort”.
“Aesthetics, handling, comfort and safety are the aspects on which we place very high value during development by using high quality materials and high quality suppliers.” says Michal Cervenka, CEO and creative head at Melon.
Quality matters, with this the Melon Urban Active Helmet stands even the new extended testing methods achieving the score “satisfying” in protection of the forehead and temple areas and against turning movements of the head during a fall. A result which belongs to the best. Thus Melon already fulfills standards that might become future EU standards.
Melon also achieved a suprising result in the sub-category “ventilation”. In this test the warm, helmeted formhead is cooled down within an air flow and afterwards the temperature is measured again. From all tested helmets with a “Classic Shell Shape” just one other helmet ventilated as well as Melon did. Despite the closed helmet shell this result is almost in the racing bike-helmet league.
Michal Cervenka’s conclusion: “We are very happy about the fact, that after the multiple awards during the last years, 3 independet tests certify what our goal was from the beginning: Helmets do not have to look strange. Helmets can look nice, be light and still win such an important test. It remains a serious topic, which still can be fun: NO BRAIN NO GAME is our everyday practice.
HELMET TEST „Aktiv Radfahren“
Setting the benchmark again!
The well-known independent German magazine „aktivRadfahren“ has tested twelve bicycle helmets, issue 04/2015.
The test was a lab test according to the EU standard EN1078 and was supported by helmet experts of Cratoni.
The Melon® Urban Active helmet received the mark „very good minus“ and the explicit recommendation of the magazine.
Thereby the Melon® Urban Active is the third-best helmet in the test and the best urban bicycle helmet with a closed helmet shell.
RED DOT AWARD - AND THE WINNER IS MELON®
March, 26th, 2014, Essen: with their outstanding design and product features, Melon® Urban Active bicycle and roller sports helmets set new standards. An international, high profile jury of 40 experts thought the same and have awarded the Melon® helmet collection the Red Dot Award 2014.
The Melon® multi-sport helmet is, after all, not only stylish and great-looking but also fulfils all the requirements of contemporary urban and sports use with its symbiosis of retro design and high tech features. In this way, Melon® Helmets also preserve the popular skate style of the 80s for the future.
“We started out with the conviction that lifestyle helmets should have not only visual qualities but should also work – design for a greater feel-good factor, high tech for more safety and comfort. To now be the winner out of 4,815 entries from 53 countries is a very special award for our young, globally oriented brand and also the second international award within 6 months of our market launch. In this context we would like to thank our team, our international sponsors, families and fans – without their support we would not be here as winners of the Red Dot Award,” said the brothers and founders David and Michal Cervenka of the Essen based sports helmet brand Melon® Helmets.
The proven in-mould outer shell from professional bicycle racing combined with an extra reinforced polycarbonate construction ensures a weight reduction of at least 30% compared to standard helmets in this category*. Many extras ensure a high degree of comfort, user friendliness and safety: MACS Cooling System, breathable and washable COOLMAX® padding in three labelled strengths and three helmet sizes, adjustable straps, Fidlock® magnetic buckle, 3M reflex logos and integrated straps anchor.
From the 7th July 2014, the Melon® Urban Active Helmets will also be on display, together with the other prize-winning products, in the exhibition “Design on stage” in the Red Dot Design Museum in the world heritage site “Zeche Zollverein” in Essen.
Melon® Answers on Red Dot Evaluation Criteria
The Seven Melon® Urban Active Statements
1. DEGREE OF INNOVATION
Not only beautiful - the Melon® „Urban Active“ achieves a symbiosis of retro design and high-tech to meet all the requirements for a contemporary urban and active application. Through this symbiosis, our Melon® has preserved the look of the popular skate shell from the 80’s to the future. Acceptance is achieved through contemporary functionality, amongst the current bicycle and roller sports scenes in an urban and active environment require.
Due to the in-mold process and reinforced polycarbonate construction used in bicycle racing sport our „Urban Active“ is at least 30% lighter than other helmets with a closed shell construction (from 250g in size XXS-S). Brand name component suppliers support our uncompromising approach to style, safety and comfort. (Fidlock®, 3M®, Coolmax®)
2. FUNCTIONALITY
With the many extras, the Melon® Urban Active helmet, offers a high level of comfort, safety and easy use. Natural ventilation is provided via MACS (Melon® Airflow Channel System). In every head positions 12 air openings running parallel along the longitudinal axis of the head ensure optimal airflow, regardless of the position of the body on different frame geometries and roller sport equipment. This is achieved, as the air openings themselves are aimed, perpendicular tangents to the on coming air. Further channels inside the helmet direct airflow via several axes and radii to approximately 75% of the covered head surface.
A secure individual and comfortable setting can be found simply through the use of a stable spin-dial adjuster on the back, breath-able, washable COOLMAX® foam padding in three labelled strengths, and the use of three helmet shell sizes.
The patented magnetic Fidlock® buckle offers easy one hand operation even with wet or cold fingers. Further it prevents pinching the skin when closing, in contrast to conventional closure systems. The 3M® reflective logo stickers and straps ensure 360° reflectivity. Chinstrap adjusters provide a secure individual belt adjustment. The in-mold direct cast anchor straps inside the EPS shell offer a large surface connection to the helmet.
3. ERGONOMICS
Melon allows the user to select from three helmet shell sizes, three different sized, breathable Coolmax® foam paddings in addition to the spin-dial adjuster. This allows a maximum ergonomic adaptation to the individual head shape.
The shape of the inner shell is aligned by default to a „universal fit“ with high fit for different ethnic head shapes. The chinstrap adjusters on either side allow an individual adjustment for correct front and rear belt geometry through securely locking down on the strap.
4. SYMBOLIC AND EMOTIONAL CONTENT
Melon® offers the cycling community a helmet with which they are able to identify themselves multi-dimensionally. This is due to the factors, stylish, comfortable and safety executed at a high technical level. In short, the Melon® is available in 23 styles and colours with loads of extras, and yet still very light!
The origin of the brand name Melon® is in the English expression „Watch your Melon!“, in combination with the natural properties of the watermelon. Melon® is an obvious metaphor for the head. This is very evident by the creative „Melon Helmet community“ and the number of images „Melonists“ place online. These can be seen when searched for under the term „Melon Helmets“.
5. PRODUCT PERIPHERY
It is nice that the Melon® helmet can also be fitted with unique extras such as the Melon® Vista Visor UV400 – a reminiscence to Bike Messengers, who often wear a baseball cap under their helmet. The Melon® Urban Active helmet was constructed in such a way that the mounting points for the Melon® Vista Visor have been directly integrated into the shell. This allows for optimal mounting and additional impact protection, as the anchor points are allow a direct connection to the impact blocker.
6. SELF-EXPLANATORY QUALITY
The handling of the helmet is largely self-explanatory even without a manual. Details, such as the opening direction of the magnetic closure, correct positioning on the head, or even the thickness of the different cushion elements, are clearly visible. This is achieved simply by having the required information on the product, in the right place.
7. ECOLOGICAL COMPATIBILITY
The Melon® packaging and display concept takes into account natural materials and environmentally friendly processing techniques such as natural cardboard, water-based inks and untreated wood elements for the display units.
For more information about the Red Dot Award: http://en.red-dot.org/
HELMET TEST SWITZERLAND -
Germany - Essen, June 2014. The Eurobike 2013 and Red Dot 2014 award winning Melon® Urban Active Helmet is one of the twelve most sold helmet brands in Switzerland. As such our helmet has been tested by the Swiss TV Magazine “Kassensturz”, the Swiss “Velojournal”, and “saldo”. Others to be included in the test were brands such as Scott, Giro, Uvex, Bern, POC, Kask.
The test was carried out by the independent and trusted EMPA Institution. We are happy to announce for the safety of all consumers, that all tested eight racing bike and four urban bike helmets fulfil the European Safety Standard CE EN-1078!
Being ranked and tested against our competitors, our own Melon® Urban Active Helmet scored highly in “practical use” and “safety” resulting in an end score of 5 points! Kassensturz: “Especially Melon is convincing among the lifestyle helmets!”
More information:
http://www.srf.ch/konsum/tests/kassensturz-tests/auch-trendige-velohelme-halten-mit
EUROBIKE IF AWARD 2013 FOR MELON HELMETS
We did it and won the Oscar of the international Bike Industry, the Eurobike Award 2013. The Melon “Urban Active” helmet satisfied the grand Jury with it’s lightweight construction. Congratulations to all award winners of the various categories!Many thanks to all supporters, like the awesome Melon-Team, Florian, Amy, Christoph, Bob, Patrick, Eli, Mr. Hendel, Rüdiger, Matthias “Itzi” with Betti and all Melonists and Melonettes, who believed in our vision!
We like to send a big “thank you” as well to our dealers for their time and feedback in interviews, on shows and at the phone and of course for your trustful pre orders, to bring many Melons early to market.
All of you are a part of our Melon-Story and this Award. We are happy to look in a common future for more adventures with great products and programs as a result.
Big fresh hug, Michal
Check it out at: http://www.eurobike-show.com/eb-en/eurobike-award/award-gallery-product/2013/189/
