The HJC HQ-1 carbon fibre helmet is its top of the range road helmet. Light and relatively cheap, it's well finished, well-padded and well-spec'd, no matter which way you look at it. Some folk didn't like the plain black carbon weave though.

2007 AMA champion Ben 'Elbowz' Spies (pronounced Speez, apparently) has an HQ-1 carbon lid, but, as you can see, his is painted up in a tasteful red, white and blue colours scheme. This 'Elbowz' replica has only been available in the USA, but HJC importers Oxford Products are trying to test the waters of demand before it commits to bringing the new paint scheme lid over to the UK. We've got one in the office and will be giving it a whirl, but it has to be said that so far the plain black has held up to a winter's worth of daily abuse extremely well.

In fact, I've now used the lid on a hot and sweaty track a few times and am further impressed. The fit has stayed snug and, just as important, there has never been a problem with fogging, thanks to the anti-fog nose-piece. And, as someone cursed to wear specs since I was 12, I can also report that the breath guard doesn't get in the way of the glasses perched on my nose either. All in all, it's highly recommended. And it got five stars in the SHARP test. A dubious accolade perhaps, but it's there.


More info, propaganda, stockists and so on at www.oxprod.com or www.hjchelmets.com