Casco Roadster

The Casco Roadster is effectively the only helmet in this comparison that speed pedelec riders can seriously consider, because since 1 January 2017 the Netherlands has required the NTA 8776 standard for 45 km/h bikes. That standard — stricter than EN 1078 — tests at higher impact speeds, demands broader coverage around temples and the back of the head, and uses heavier test projectiles. Rivals like the ABUS Urban-I 3.0, Lumos Ultra, MET Allroad and Closca Loop all fall short. For speed-pedelec commuters on routes like Amersfoort-Utrecht or Haarlem-Amsterdam, it's not a discussion but a requirement. The Roadster feels noticeably more substantial than a regular city helmet: more shell around the ears and at the back of the neck, denser in-mold construction, visibly thicker EPS core.

That translates to 460 g — nearly 120 g heavier than the MET Allroad. At speed-pedelec velocities you notice the weight less than expected because the wind itself stabilises the helmet. The removable visor isn't a luxury at 45 km/h but a necessity: insects, raindrops and grit hit hard at that speed. Ventilation is surprisingly good for a heavy helmet — Casco's air channels behave like an active ventilation system once you're moving.

In Dutch winters at 2 degrees a cycling cap is still welcome. The lack of an integrated LED rear light is a miss at 130 euros; plan a clip-on on the bike itself. Comfort after an hour in the saddle is excellent, and the fit runs more neutral than many racing helmets — handy for the broader Dutch head shapes. For the specific speed pedelec market, this is one of the rare helmets that is both legally correct and genuinely comfortable.