Due to my work on the finest highway bike helmets consumers information, I take a look at lots of helmets. As that quantity of choices passes by way of my palms, one of many issues that is apparent is how stratified fashionable highway bike helmets are. In contrast to the UCI’s restrict on bike weight, there is no decrease weight restrict for helmets and every model is welcome to innovate in no matter method is sensible. On the high quality, some go for aero, others go for light-weight air flow.
Worth: £229.99 / $279.99 / €249,99
Accessible colors: White, Matte Black, Cosmic Blue, Harbor Gray, Metallic Pink, Flash Orange
Rotational Impression know-how: Kineticore
Weight: 226g as measured in dimension S
On this case, the Lazer Z1 helmet is the model’s premier climber’s helmet. It sits alongside the aero targeted Vento Kineticore within the lineup however to this point the Vento has had one thing the Z1 hasn’t. Although the Vento has been out since 2022, and we have seen a variety of decrease spec Lazer helmets get it, solely now’s the Z1 getting the Kineticore remedy. Kineticore is not the one change although and the most recent Z1 is coming to market as one of many lightest, if not the lightest, highway bike helmets accessible.
In case your desire for helmets is mild and ethereal, the Z1 is likely to be simply what you’re searching for. Preserve studying to see my expertise with the Z1 and resolve if it is time for a brand new light-weight helmet to your summer season, and even winter, driving.
Design and aesthetics
As I labored on the information article masking the launch of this new helmet, I spent a substantial period of time making an attempt to determine what’s new and what’s not. The obvious distinction is on the within of the brand new Lazer Z1 Kineticore. It is there the place issues begin with a change away from the well-known MIPS rotational impression know-how to Lazer’s personal proprietary Kineticore system.
Whereas fashionable MIPS applied sciences have come a good distance, the Lazer Z1 MIPS was new again in 2020. The MIPS the helmet was utilizing got here from a time when MIPS meant a layer between the laborious foam and the padding that lined your complete helmet. Though the tip results of making a slip airplane that enables a helmet to shift round your head in a crash hasn’t modified, the older model wasn’t universally cherished. Some folks did not discover it a lot however others rightly identified that it made helmets maintain warmth and will catch on lengthy hair. As a substitute of leaping to a contemporary model although, Lazer developed its personal resolution, which it launched in 2022, and it is now accessible within the Z1.
Kineticore accomplishes the identical factor as MIPS however there is no further layer. As a substitute, the EPS (expanded polystyrene) has blocks of froth with giant channels between them moulded instantly into its construction. The thought is that within the occasion of a crash, the EPS blocks will break and deform. As that occurs it would each take in power and permit your head to rotate inside the helmet as wanted.
After all, the change from MIPS to Kineticore additionally means a vital reimagining of the padding system used with the brand new Lazer Z1 Kineticore. The earlier model consisted of solely a entrance forehead pad and a easy “Y” formed rear pad on the prime of the top. The newest model makes use of a extra refined design that is much like what you could find within the Vento Kineticore. There are a pair of padding strips alongside the higher facet of your head plus a central “U” formed pad that extends entrance to rear. In comparison with the Vento, the padding is far thinner however each helmets share a floating entrance pad.
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The design of the entrance pad is indicative of how all the varied designs come collectively as an entire. For instance, a floating entrance pad permits airflow to assist dry it out when it is soaked with sweat however there must be one thing behind it. On this case Lazer depends on the inherent airflow benefit of Kineticore. As a substitute of a strong part of EPS, you’ll discover six Kineticore blocks organized to permit airflow but in addition take in power on the forehead. The opposite layer of fabric between the padding and the EPS is yet one more instance of the deep integration of applied sciences.
Straight behind the floating entrance pad you will discover a part of the Lazer Superior RollSys design. As a substitute of a rear cradle that floats separate from the remainder of the helmet and encompasses a dial on the rear, Lazer integrates the entire retention system. The rear cradle has no direct adjuster however a Rollsys dial sits on the highest of the helmet and when tightened it pulls on a pair of thick plastic ‘strains.’ These strains thread by way of the rear cradle earlier than increasing right into a flat piece that sits behind the entrance pad. Tightening Rollsys pulls from the entrance of the helmet and solely tightens the rear cradle by proxy. There’s nonetheless additionally a vertical adjustment of the rear cradle that’s separate.
Whereas Rollsys is not a brand new idea, this model of the Z1 does get an up to date model. The dial has moved rearward and the worm gear that powers the system is now enclosed and guarded. It appears to be each an aero enchancment and a reliability improve although Lazer does not make any claims on both entrance. In actual fact, it is value noting that in contrast to the Giro Aries, the one aero declare Lazer makes is that the helmet is “conserving aerodynamics in thoughts.”
For individuals who aerodynamics is of the utmost significance, there are as a substitute equipment to think about. As earlier than Lazer can have an Aeroshell accessible that works with the brand new Z1. There’s nonetheless no particular aero declare however on condition that it covers many of the venting it has to assist, proper? Fortunately it is cheap sufficient that it definitely will not damage if you wish to choose it up just for race day. The remainder of the time you may as a substitute use it for wet rides and there may be additionally the Common LED accent that mounts on the rear and provides visibility for those self same wet rides.
On the skin of the Z1 Kineticore there are additionally adjustments in comparison with the earlier model however they’re much more delicate. Lazer references a “new aggressive design” however recognizing the variations within the White, Matte Black, Cosmic Blue, Harbor Gray, Metallic Pink, or Flash Orange exterior will take an eagle eye. There are literally a variety of small adjustments to the small print however it’s not clear if there is a particular purpose behind something outdoors of the moved Rollsys dial. The general profile stays nearly the identical.
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Efficiency
Anybody who is aware of me will let you know that I am all about aero efficiency. I won’t be the quickest however I am prepared to journey farther. Sunup to sunset is only a begin and for those who float me a superb purpose to journey by way of the night time, I am in. When the distances stretch out like that, each little effectivity issues and given the large impact of an aero helmet it solely is sensible. The Lazer Z1 Kineticore throws a wrench into that calculation although.
With a claimed weight of 220 grams for dimension small (my evaluation pattern weighed 226 grams) Lazer is providing a unique form of effectivity and it is noticeable. After 16 hours on a race bike I am going to take something you supply me that reduces the pressure on my neck. With a 27 gram benefit over the following lightest helmet I’ve examined, the Z1 is one such benefit. You do not have to journey for that lengthy although, as quickly as you placed on the Z1 Kineticore it is noticeably mild. Even past the precise quantity on the size, the alternatives Lazer made to get there are additionally benefits.
MIPS shouldn’t be a heavy know-how. Eliminating MIPS shouldn’t be how the Lazer Z1 Kinticore slims down and for those who examine the earlier weight to the present weight, the 2 are just about similar. Truly, it could appear that the brand new model is barely heavier and getting the Z1 Kineticore right down to the quoted weight took some work. Notably that work got here within the straps.
The Lazer Z1 makes use of lighter straps with much less materials and no laborious plastic strap divider. Does it massively change the burden of the helmet? After all not, we’re splitting hairs right here however that is the character of saving just a few grams. There are different benefits too although.
The brand new Z1 straps sit excellent on the facet of my face. There isn’t any bunched materials, there are not any gaps, and the additional materials for adjustment stays simply as flat and tidy. You’ll be able to’t alter the strap place beneath your chin however, not less than for me, it is good and I need not.
It isn’t simply me that advantages from the brand new straps both. Whereas I am involved with effectivity, so is Lazer as a producer. Much less materials used is at all times an environmental profit and Lazer leans into that with a proportion of recycled content material. Sadly, the model does not point out how a lot so I’ll assume it is not an enormous quantity. Nonetheless, I feel it is a constructive.
The Lazer Z1 function I’m much less in love with is the Rollsys design. I think the design is a part of the Lazer DNA (a variation exists on the Vento additionally) at this level and it is seen as a product differentiator. Sadly whereas differentiation is sweet, I see no actual profit to the tip person. Lazer mentions that it makes extra room for lengthy hair within the rear besides the rear cradle does not have a beneficiant quantity of room within the rear. Trek, for instance, makes use of a BOA dial and has considerably extra room for hair within the rear cradle. Lazer additionally talks about how the design of Rollsys creates a 360-degree tightening system. Besides POC has an identical system, with an identical quantity of room for hair, and does not make you rethink the way you tighten a helmet.
Regardless of these points, my largest problem with Rollsys is not an actual drawback. What I imply is that it is extra conceptual. What makes the Lazer Z1 Kineticore improbable is how mild it’s, and that function overshadows every little thing else. Lazer claims the air flow with the Z1 is definitely 3% superior to not carrying a helmet in any respect however it’s hardly noticeable in comparison with different ethereal helmets. There’s additionally a five-star Virginia Tech score however different helmets match that too. What makes the helmet a pleasure to put on is that it is the lightest and I discover it laborious to imagine that Rollsys is lighter than a rear dial system. If it is value shaving grams through the use of lighter straps, should not it even be value eliminating a very complicated dial on prime of the helmet? I need to see what Lazer can do with out holding on to a legacy design.
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Verdict
I am reviewing a light-weight and extremely ventilated helmet within the winter. Sadly which means I can not let you know precisely how the sweat will drip down in your hottest rides. Happily, on this scenario, the US is having a heat winter so I can let you know that the sensation of air flowing over your head is superb. I’ve additionally executed sufficient climbing on this helmet to know I respect the airflow behind the entrance forehead pad. Switching backwards and forwards between helmets although, it is not the airflow I discover.
The perfect function, the function I instantly discover, is the light-weight design. Proper behind that may be a match I discover to be excellent. As I am sitting right here typing this I am swapping helmets backwards and forwards simply to verify. Positive sufficient, even whereas sitting in a snug chair, the burden is noticeable and it is a pleasure. On prime of that, the straps sit proper the place I would like them with no further materials to flap round and the rear cradle hugs the again of my head precisely like I would like it to.
Even supposing I want Lazer hadn’t used Rollsys for this helmet, I am a fan. That is the one helmet I’ve examined that critically has me contemplating driving with out an aero helmet this summer season. For those who already choose a light-weight and ethereal helmet, this is likely one of the finest.
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| Design and aesthetics | The metallic crimson is good as is the general look however from a design standpoint I’m not in love with Rollsys. | 7/10 |
| Consolation | It’s mild and the match is simply good for me. | 10/10 |
| Air flow | Very open and extremely vented. | 10/10 |
| Security | It’s too early to inform the precise Virginia Tech rating however 5-star is pretty much as good because it will get and there’s a nice passive security possibility (the rear mild) as nicely. | 10/10 |
| Worth | Not low cost, however a tad cheaper than competing top-shelf helmets. | 9/10 |
| General | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 94% |
