In 1998, Giro created the first mainstream mountain bike helmet with a removable chinbar – the Switchblade – described as a helmet that “easily converts from a full- featured cross-country helmet to one suitable for downhill.” It way ahead of its time.
With the growth in the popularity of assisted uplifting this type of helmet was potentially ideal, but they failed to catch on. Most riders using trail or enduro bikes for uplifts simply bought a full-face DH helmet and goggles to use on these gravity driven tracks. Maybe these convertible helmets seemed a compromise or looked a bit awkward and goofy?
