Say goodbye to MIPS? Lazer's KinetiCore Vento helmet

Lazer doesn't just have a new helmet out but a new technology to keep you safe, KinetiCore. A tech that they are hoping will rival MIPS.

[@markrushton1516]

Good to see you back Dave.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Much thanks- Dave

[@JC-pt2tw]

CyclingTips, you tickle my fancy with these videos!

[@molybdnum]

Nice work reporting on the practicalities of use at the end. As for the KinetiCore concept itself ... transparently an attempt to charge the same amount as a MIPS helmet but collect more as profit since they won't have to pay a license fee. We'll see if the safety ratings match up (I assume KinetiCore get 5*, or Lazer wouldn't be inviting comparisons) and if they actually push the tech to cheaper helmets. Since we're now in a mature ecosystem of helmets designed to meet that Virginia Tech testing standard, I'd love to see a deep dive into whether it the final word or if there is still some grey area to distinguish one helmet over another.

[@manueldeubler1127]

I am little bit shocked that Lazer does not price this helmet more competitively. In the end, they just found a way to mold the EPS foam in a way that improves safety. No MIPS liner that needs to be added, no license fees whatsoever. It is a premium helmet - but damn - they could be dominating this market.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Start at the top and trickle down, they'll have all their road lids redesigned with this and hopfully by then the cost they've output for development will allow them to bring them in a great price. Saying that, the Strada seems great at €110. - Dave

[@chefgav1]

Are you saying it’s cheap or expensive?

[@DaveCM]

You stated the main reason I hate MiPS. Reduced ventilation. Especially when you climb as slowly as I do.

[@adanielweaver]

For me it's the little nubs to hold the liner digging into my head, although some brands, like specialized, have mostly sorted it out.

[@smdjuhurr9474]

I invite you to check out the specialized align II. It has improved ventilation with mips and its affordable

[@mdewdney]

Interesting that in the virginia tech tests the mips helmets still perform better with the keneticore helmets performing below the average for a 5 star helmet. So while good, potentially has room for improvement.

[@chefgav1]

Yep. Like wavecell both technology underperforms compared to mips/eps

[@butternutbikes2751]

These are really good. We ordered a bunch for our shop in London, when someone tries one on, they find it hard to pick a non-kineticore helmet afterwards. They look good too. Unfortunately the integrated lights don't seem to be available yet in the UK.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Glad to hear people are liking them. Hope the lights become available soon. They're crazy bright! - Dave

[@butternutbikes2751]

@@VeloVeloVeloTV August in the UK, mate! Argh! Ah well. People will cope. Apart from that ONE customer last week who has always wanted this thing he didn't know existed until ten minutes before and now his life is ruined.

[@hbade]

Love the look-rather contemporary and less pointy compared to the likes of the Evade, Utopia, Eclipse. The roller design is genius. I'd be hard pressed between this and a Met Manta for looks alone!

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

It looks great in the flesh too. I'm not usually a fan of dark lids either, but they've done a good job. - Dave

[@thebespokecyclist3624]

Manta is superior in every regards. In fact if I can only have 1 helmet it'd be my white MIPS Manta.

[@RB-xv4si]

Well, let’s just say the roller design is different; not necessarily genius. A lot of people find it super annoying compared to a traditional dial retention system.

[@thebespokecyclist3624]

@@RB-xv4si Yeap I find it hella annoying. Give me normal Boa.

[@hbade]

@@RB-xv4si After seeing and feeling one in person, I must agree and redact my original compliment of it.

[@moussaouiaabdi78]

It looks good, too

[@lincolnlu9869]

Any chance they'll bring this to the Z1, G1 (Genesis), and other existing helmets or will this only be going forward?

[@ariffau]

No MIPS, no BOA. They sure are smart when it comes to keeping their prices low

[@NoBrakes23]

I would love an alternative to the Migraine Inducing Punishment System.

[@lethargic_cow]

Hahahahaha

[@lethargic_cow]

Bontrager wavecel might be anoption too

[@DM-jh5rs]

I want to like Lazer helmets. I love their designs. I've tried a couple of them and I HATE their roller retention system. Just give us a traditional dial on the back like every other helmet. Some of their helmets have one so I don't know why it's a problem. I can never get the helmet tight enough and it moves around while i'm riding. Also rear cages don't play nicely with any of my sunglasses. Lazer could be great but they are the most annoying helmet to use imo. Some people may love them.

[@ericksantos-nw6cj]

Best decision you'll make.

[@onenotesolo256]

Slightly tongue in cheek, but interesting that you are more likely to have an accident in this helmet, having to use two hands to adjust the roller while on the move, so the tech inside had better be good! Does seem like room for improvement there, and currently a bit form-over-function.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

That's what I found, others may have the skills to do it one handed. - Dave

[@mathiasvanwynsberghe3061]

“You mean a venti?”

[@jimmyhor78]

I absolutely hate how mips helmets slides around on my head I am going over uneven bumps on the road.

[@lethargic_cow]

Ouch, that sounds annoying

[@thebespokecyclist3624]

I bought this while I already own two G1 MIPS. Let's cut the BS. This Kineticore is a far less safe alternative to the MIPS and is actually heavier but it gives Lazer more profit. The only thing it has over the G1 is the aerodynamics. The fit is worse as well. The G1 is also massively discounted right now as they're discontinuing it making it much cheaper than the Vento. If I want to nitpick the glue around the side vents also peel off and made the brand new helmet looks ugly. I don't see this issue with the G1 MIPS and their other current helmets that I own. Also Lazer's universal light is stupidly protruding at the back which may make it a safety issue during a crash compared to MET and Giro's lights that are installed around the BOA knob. I won't be buying any more Lazer helmets until they actually improve their safety ratings back to where they were.

[@thebespokecyclist3624]

Update: The light small mounting plastic already broke off since it's the only thing holding the light on the helmet and a small nudge just broke it off. Crap design.

[@enuazeal]

mine scott centric plus with mips was cheaper and its lighter than this one :)

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

I also like the Centric. Good lid - Dave

[@mothaybabonnam5632]

indipendent tests.

[@youtube_chose_word_for_you]

One time used helmet. Once you down it's over. That system will break not very pleasing for tight budget rider. MIPS still win

[@chefgav1]

KinetiCore is another over hyped safety technology like wavecell. Both underperform compared to MIPS

[@neilwheel]

'IndEpendent'...

[@neilwheel]

@James Huang god loves a trier 😄

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Thank god for that- Dave

[@fisharefriends598]

Cost half as much as my bike!

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

Bike stuff can be expensive. But they also have other options. The Strada with the same tech starts at €110. Also, how much is hat one head you have worth? - Dave

[@butternutbikes2751]

You need a better bike!

[@kargi42]

MIPS or all other similar stuff seems bogus/marketing to me: 1) Most of the people have hair or a cycling cap etc. on their head, unlike crash dummies they use in these test. 2) Who are those bald people who crank down the their cycling helmets all the way, so that MIPS liner absorbs but the helmet doesn't move on your head? 3) Put your hand on your sclap and move it. See you have MIPS all ready! 4) All those fancy bits are needed to justify price of foam helmetd 5) Who are the victim of crashes who would be save by MIPS, but not a proper cycling helmet?

[@ktakashismith]

That's a bit like hitting a car fender with a hammer and saying, "see? crumple zone. it crumples. crumple zones are just marketing". It's a system specifically engineered to de-couple your head from angular impacts so you're less likely to snap your neck. The data are not really debatable, there's a significant difference in the transfer of rotational energy between slip-plane helmets and those without such a system. If you want to see why a helmet costs so much, Giro has a 6-year old video on the production of the Synthe, which might give you some idea as to why a helmet can cost a decent bit of money. But hey, if you want to go cheap on safety equipment, that's your choice. I personally don't like to buy knock-off brake pads or second-hand tires, but some people pride themselves on their frugality, even if it happens to eclipse common sense.

[@kargi42]

@@ktakashismith crumple zones work because they are firmly attached to the front of the car. Please refer to my arguments that cycling helmets are not attached to head that firmly and most of the time there is hair and fabric between them. For example a MIPS knee or spine protector would be much more sense, because they are firmly attached. FYI, I am not cheap on helmets I had a Protone, crashed an Airbreaker. Currently have a Valegro, a second Airbreaker and an Oakley ARO5 MIPS :( And I won't buy anything knock-off like yourself and pretty strict about my tires. So we are probably on the same page, just see through marketing please.

[@ktakashismith]

@@kargi42 Compared to non-crumple zone panels, no, they are not attached to a car firmly at all. When there is a literal ton of force applied to your helmet, the helmet most certainly becomes "firmly attached" to your head. If it's not, your helmet will not be of any consequence regardless of what technologies it employs. There is a fabric liner, hair and skin acting as a barrier between knee pads and human, so that argument is nullified by your own logic. Basically what it comes down to, is you can't extrapolate the behavior of a safety device in a crash by wiggling your helmet around on your head, that's a bit like tugging on a climbing rope in a shop and saying, "I think the fall ratings on this one are all marketing bollocks". I mean, you have access to reams of public engineering data, crash test results, customer testimonials...but if you want to think that putting a cycling cap under your helmet is the same thing as MIPS, you won't be changing your mind, because there isn't much of a mind left to change.

[@kargi42]

@@ktakashismith if your knees or back are as hairy as your head, that is your problem :) By your logic under ton of force helmet is firmly attached your head, but MIPS liner doesn't? Those little elastomer strings making miracles happen? You do your own way and protect your ideas with your own ideas of helmet design. I'll wear my lightweight and brezzy Abus Airbreaker and wish for a head on collision, not rotational.

[@ktakashismith]

@@kargi42 Yeah, in the case of something like the Giro Spherical MIPS design, the shells of the helmet would have to be so structurally compromised that they fused together, if the slip-plane was to fail. And also yes, believe it or not, they've found a way to engineer it so that even under thousands of pounds of force those little MIPS tabs do not fail and the helmet still slides a little bit on your head. But sure, feel free to feel smart praying for a head-on impact, that sounds like some really sound logic.

[@JFomo]

290g is heavy.

[@mikejackson1949]

Not for an aero helmet.

[@VeloVeloVeloTV]

You're right, for an aero lid it's pretty light. And feels light on the head, which is where it matters. - Dave