Tag Archive for "Lazer"

Remember the Aeroshell? Lazer’s innovative, if simple, plastic helmet fairings have allowed users to convert ventilated models to aero alternatives for several years. It’s a smart accessory adding versatility for users, but with no way to stow it, you better make peace with the level of head sweat you committed to at the start of the ride.

Enter the Bullet 2.0, the latest iteration of a creative, aero-profile Lazer lid that allows quick and easy toggling of the closure of its front-facing vents. Riders can keep things breezy when desiring better comfort and close the vents for better aerodynamics when needed, all without the need for some additional accessory. How does this interesting approach perform in the real world, and how does the 2.0 improve on the original?

First, the specs. Lazer reports the Bullet 2.0 weights 315 grams in size small. The helmet ships with several swappable panels (more on that later) and large Zeiss lens that is specific to this model. Lazer built a rear-facing red LED into the ratcheting retention mechanism for the Bullet 2.0, and finally, there’s a branded cloth bag with a drawstring to keep everything together. Prices vary, but this tester found costs of about $270 online.

The headlining feature of this helmet is clearly the ability to change modes on the fly. The default front vent is more complex than it might appear to a casual observer – there are four “fins” in the sliding mechanism that direct air over the head and pivot to sit flush while closed. The whole system is easy to operate, though this tester found it tricky to apply enough force while in motion in the saddle without much to grab on to. Still, it’s easy, and it works.

It’s difficult for a layman rider to comment on the aerodynamic benefits of “closed” mode, but Lazer offers some figures. If users swap for the alternative panels included with the helmet, turning the transforming vents into a flat surface, the Bullet 2.0 unlocks seven watts of power at about 35 miles per hour. Lazer says this equates to about eight meters in the last kilometer of racing, and for those out there who have lost races by millimeters, it’s a compelling statistic.

Some reviews of Lazer’s first version of the Bullet complained of inadequate airflow even while vents were open, but this was no issue for this tester with the 2.0 version, even on hot summer days at Portland Oregon’s Alpenrose Velodrome. The 2.0 has deeper channels in the helmet than the original version, and a new top-of-the-helmet vent Lazer calls the Venturi Cap is meant to accelerate the air flowing over the top of the head. Even with the solid panels installed, users can still open up the front to reveal a decently large port.

The fit is extremely comfortable – this tester has been using Lazer helmets for years, and true to his previous experience, the Bullet 2.0 applies even pressure around the head. Lazer secures the helmet using what it calls the “Advanced Turnfit System,” a back-of-the-head dial reminiscent of other helmet brands. This tester wondered whether the pivot from the Rollsys system Lazer uses for its other high-end lids would impact fit, but while the Advanced Turnfit System is bulkier in appearance, it is comfortable – and the build-in LED is a nice touch.

The Bullet is noticeably heavier than this tester’s typical high-end lid, about 100 grams heavier. But weight isn’t everything – the old adage was that aero came at a weight penalty, and for weight weenies, Lazer’s own Z1 is advertised at 190 grams for size small. It’s all relative, as this tester’s go-to helmet for many track events is Lazer’s Victor, a space helmet that exceeds 400 grams.

The Zeiss lens for the bullet is a really great touch. Lazer argues that the lens improves the aerodynamics of the helmet, and it fits flush, via magnets, to create a smooth and rounded profile facing into the wind. The optics of the lens are excellent, and there are zero contact points on the face. A single magnet exists at the rear of the helmet to stow the lens when desired.

One minor issue for this tester was that the Bullet would seem to tilt forward over time in an aero position and the un-cushioned bridge of the lens would wind up resting on the nose – I wonder whether a lightweight pad might make for a nice contingency, though perhaps it wouldn’t be worth it in terms of aerodynamics and weight. For those who prefer to use different shades, I had no issues with compatibility with long-armed eyewear such as the Oakley Radar.

Lazer manufactures a host of helmet accessories, and the Bullet is compatible with a heart-rate monitor and an alarm to remind riders to keep their head in the proper position.

So what was life like with the Bullet 2.0 this summer? For this tester, the Bullet addressed a very annoying problem at the velodrome – carrying two helmets. This tester would traditionally use an airier lid for warmups on the track, and only break out the space helmet for time trials. The ability to lean on an all-in-one helmet was a great convenience.

For the versatile competitive cyclist, the Bullet is just a great everyday lid. Keep it open for road climbs and training rides, close it down for criteriums, swap for the solid panels for time trials. With the Zeiss lens and the interchangeable panels, this is a very versatile helmet and a great way to buy some free speed.

www.lazersport.com

The Lazer M2 Magneto and a Lazer Blade helmet chilling in sunny NorCal. Photo: Eric Gneckow/Element.ly

Plenty of vents on this Lazer Blade. Photo: Stephen Lam/Element.ly

Lazer AeroShell deployment. Photo: Stephen Lam/ Element.ly

Let’s get this out of the way—yes, you will feel like a gigantic Fred when you first click Lazer’s Magneto M2 shades to the specially-designed magnetic bits that hold them to your helmet straps. “What will they think of next?,” you’ll ask yourself, as you lament today’s cyberpunk age of cycling while reminiscing fondly of Bernard Hinault’s aviators gleaming in the sun.

But once you feel the air flow over your unencumbered ears, you’ll quickly get over it.

Long among the rarified “I can get this because I work in a bike shop” helmet brands (for me, anyway), Belgium-based Lazer has gained widespread attention in recent years for a series of thoughtful accessories that solve problems many riders never knew they had. The M2 is the second-generation flagship of the company’s Magneto line of sunglasses, which ditch the armature of traditional shades in favor of a stubby magnetic attachment.

Magnets, how do they work?

The magnetic anchor points are easy to install on the straps of any helmet—in this case, Lazer’s own Blade—and provide a great deal of adjustment in combination with multiple rows of magnets on the sunglasses themselves. After a few minutes of fiddling, the arrangement provides a snug fit mimicking that of typical shades.

It’s hard at first to understand why any of this actually matters, but it hits you after the first pedal stroke. Other high-end shades have various intakes to channel air across the ear, but Lazer’s system has nothing in the way that would limit air flow. It’s glorious, and it only gets better as the sun cranks up and the miles tick on.

Have you ever wrapped up a huge ride and found your ears sore from your sunglasses? Sure, you’ll probably survive, but it’s not even an issue with the Magneto system. The attachment also comes with the ancillary benefit of keeping your helmet strap well-behaved by providing a rigid axis across the front of the face—another example of Lazer solving a problem you didn’t realize existed until these crafty Belgians figured it out.

Zeiss is nice

This all would be moot if the business end of the shades were crap, but Lazer did a fantastic job with the M2. The Carl Zeiss lenses are stunningly clear with zero distortion, and the close-fitting design does wonders to block the wind. A treatment to the lenses also keeps them from fogging up, though it’s hard to say if that will last over the long term.

Lazer kindly includes an easy-to-swap set of spare armatures that convert the M2 to a more traditional design, but in a bit of irony, the arms actually extended back far enough for this tester to hit the structure of the company’s Blade helmet. It is possible to get them into position with some determined wiggling.

Over-engineering you’ll love

The Blade itself is a lightweight lid with an updated version of Lazer’s cozy Rollsys system, which tightens the helmet through a top-mounted rolling mechanism instead of the more common rear ratchet. I’ve found it to be the most comfortable fit mechanism by far among the many I’ve tried over the years, providing light and equal pressure across the head reminiscent of a well-fitting (and safer) beanie.

The simple strap guides along the sides of the helmet are also a slam dunk in a subtle way—the stay-flat design spreads the straps wide around the ear, making it easier to achieve a comfortable fit. The low-profile helmet still manages to wrap around a large portion of the head, providing ample protection in a stylish package.

But wait, this is Lazer! Simply making a helmet is not enough! This Blade also comes with an optional plastic windshield called the Aeroshell, a tight-fitting cover offering an aerodynamic boost at the expense of ventilation. It can be a fair trade-off depending on the circumstances, be it racing a time trial or even just a spin on a cold day.

Accessorize!

The Blade is also made to work with many of the Lazer’s other bits and bobs—a helmet-based heart rate monitor eschewing the old-school chest strap, an always-there rear LED and a little strap-based lock for quick coffee breaks. It’s a trove of well-considered accessories that each address a nagging problem, issues that Lazer has thoughtfully accommodated in a way that improves the overall pleasure of cycling.

Add on the Magneto system, and it’s a lot of goodies on offer for the humble helmet. A Lazer spokesperson was not available to confirm whether the company is developing a sleek helmet mirror for the Blade, probably due to the fact that I never attempted to identify or contact that person.

I will say that the Blade probably doesn’t come out on top of the competition in terms of ventilation, something I’ve longed joked is a consequence of the company’s Belgian roots. Yet Lazer has appeared to improve significantly in this area since the similarly styled Genesis was my go-to lid, and with so much going on with the Blade and Magneto combo, it might be time for another look.

Lazer’s Bullet 2.0 Offers On-Demand Airflow or Aero

Armless Shades Are All the Rage