Aiming to change the way riders think about brain-protection in a helmet, Lazer has unveiled its new KinetiCore technology.
Belgium-based Lazer’s all-new built-in helmet technology claims to provide improved protection for cyclists and increased comfort at a lighter weight, boosting riders’ protection in the saddle.
According to the company… ‘KinetiCore is unlike any other helmet technology in existence. Lazer worked for over a decade to create a new technology that completely changes the current way of thinking about brain protection. The result is KinetiCore: advanced protection technology that’s built into the helmet rather than added on.’
As KinetiCore is built-in and fully integrated within the helmet’s core, it results in less weight and more ventilation.
Around 10 years ago, as awareness of rotational-impact injuries began to advance and other technologies developed, Lazer started developing its own innovative proprietary (rotational)-impact technology that was built into a helmet rather than added on as an extra.
The design team began by assessing how different types of impact affect cyclists. Using simulations to examine what happens to riders’ skulls and brains in the event of direct and rotational impacts, thousands of templates were created in the quest for the new tech.
The breakthrough moment came when the team examined cars’ crumple zones. This inspired them to build cone-like crumple zones on the inside of the helmet, designed to break under impact and dissipate energy away from the cyclist’s skull.
The result is KinetiCore’s Controlled Crumple Zones – a unique set of EPS foam blocks built into the helmet designed to buckle in the event of direct and rotational impact, redirecting energy away from the brain.
As KinetiCore is integrated into the helmet, it reduces the overall weight of the helmet. It also means that Lazer is able to design each helmet to the company’s own specifications and build KinetiCore in rather than having to add it on afterwards.
In turn, this means Lazer can increase ventilation and improve airflow through each design. It also results in less plastic being used in construction than with previous models.
Lazer’s Commercial Director Mike Smink said “Our aim has always been to protect cyclists in the event of crashes in the most effective, comfortable and stylish way possible.
“KinetiCore aligns to our mission, based on a principle that has been our foundation for over 100 years: ‘To contribute to a society where cyclists can enjoy riding in safety.’”
Lazer’s General Manager Sean van Waes added “We use the pro peloton as a statement for our helmets, because if it’s good for riding 250km and then sprinting and winning, then it’s good for our customers as well.
“That’s why at Lazer we’re not working for the pro riders, we’re using them to make sure our customers have the best helmets possible.”
Lazer’s R&D Manager Guido de Bruyne said “With our position of holding the most 5-star rated helmets within the independent Virginia Tech bicycle helmet rating, the moment they confirmed our first KinetiCore helmets with 5 stars was hugely important.
“This is because this standard is recognised as the leading independent reference to cyclist brain-protection technology.”
Lazer’s range of KinetiCore helmets is released globally on 31 March 2022 and will be available through global Lazer helmet dealerships.
www.lazersport.com/kineticore
www.freewheel.co.uk/brands/lazer
