The Lazer 02 helmet is light, superbly ventilated, and equipped with a top-mounted adjustment dial that is easy to use and delivers a secure and comfortable fit.
We took our ‘first look’ at this Lotto-Belisol-liveried incarnation of the Belgian firm’s third from top offering at the end of April and have worn it in a variety of conditions since.
The Rollsys closure mechanism, mounted in the crown of the helmet, was the first aspect of the 02 to catch our attention. In practice, the dial proved simple enough to operate, although we’ve never had any difficulty with mechanisms mounted at the rear. To this degree, Rollsys seems to be a solution looking for a problem.
Its real beauty, however, lies inside the helmet with the cradle operated by the top-mounted dial. The cradle is a two-piece system, with a yoke at the back to support the base of the skull and a band at the front. Both were united by what looks like electrical wire, and tightened to a close, but not constricting fit that held the helmet securely while distributing pressure evenly across the skull. There were times when we had to remind ourselves we were wearing the 02.
The 02 is offered in a single size, which Lazer claim will accommodate head circumferences from 53cm to 61cm, but the latter end of the scale may be a little optimistic. One further click on the Rollsys dial would have made it perfect for our 55cm noggin.
The X-Static padding is provided in a range of thicknesses, an offering Lazer describe as MTP – multiple thickness padding. It was a clear contributor to the 02’s comfort, but perhaps not quite as sophisticated as the acronym suggests. The reality is three different thicknesses of padding: thickest at the crown, slightly thinner at the front, and extremely thin at the top.
They were simple enough to remove and refasten for washing, thanks to Velcro patches mounted in the EPS shell. Lazer claim microbe and odour defeating capabilities from the 99.9 per cent silver construction, and we’re happy to report returning from test rides without smelling and free from scalp complaints.
Nylon straps proved simple enough to adjust. The hinged clips snapped shut with a positive click to retain our preferred adjustment around the ears, and the chin strap fed simply through the retaining clip. We found the strap a little too long after adjustment, trimmed it with scissors, and held it briefly to a match to seal the ends and prevent fraying.
The Lazer 02’s ventilation was excellent. Its 24 ports channelled air effectively over our head, with the largest, positioned front centre and measuring 8.5cm x 2cm, unsurprisingly proving the most effective of all. Our final ride took place in a season’s best 17 degrees, when we were glad of the airflow.
Finally, the aesthetics. Lazer have opted for a long, flat design, which in the matt black colourway creates a seriously stealthy impression. Ours came in the colours of the mighty Lotto-Belisol UCI WorldTour squad of Andre Greipel, and although he wears the flagship Helium in an un-missable chrome finish, the 02 will accept the Aeroshell cover used by the Gorilla and his aero-conscious colleagues.
The long, flat aesthetic might not be for everyone, but the combination of low weight (we weighed it at 276 grams), superb comfort from the Rollsys-operated cradle, and excellent ventilation, makes the performance of the Lazer 02 hard to beat.
Website: Lazer Sport
UK distributor: Madison
Price: £69.99
