#!markdown
I'd say number one it's passive venting - the ability to breath while grinding
up steep single track when air flow isn't enough to cool your head.
Number two, again climbing singletrack, would probably be visibility. A chin
bar isn't an issue descending because you're looking ahead but it's a
restriction pumping over roots in a uphill switchback corner.
If you were to design a full face with a fixed chin bar that had enough
visibility and passive venting the chin bar would likely be useless.
For winter riding - cosmetics aside - I love the idea of the Switchblade
without the chin bar. More protection when the trails are greasy and
unpredictable but I wouldn't generally wear the chin bar because I like to see
and I breath heavy. But there are a few trails for which having the chin bar -
from that helmet - would at least physiologicaly make a difference for me.
Oct. 7, 2016, 8:32 a.m. - DrewM
#!markdown I'd say number one it's passive venting - the ability to breath while grinding up steep single track when air flow isn't enough to cool your head. Number two, again climbing singletrack, would probably be visibility. A chin bar isn't an issue descending because you're looking ahead but it's a restriction pumping over roots in a uphill switchback corner. If you were to design a full face with a fixed chin bar that had enough visibility and passive venting the chin bar would likely be useless. For winter riding - cosmetics aside - I love the idea of the Switchblade without the chin bar. More protection when the trails are greasy and unpredictable but I wouldn't generally wear the chin bar because I like to see and I breath heavy. But there are a few trails for which having the chin bar - from that helmet - would at least physiologicaly make a difference for me.