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The Clothesline cycling clothing review: Lazer Helium: Great helmet, lousy buckle

  • By Ben Delaney
  • Published Jul. 21, 2011
  • Updated Jul. 21, 2011 at 7:08 PM EDT
  • Most of the staff at VeloNews spent time riding in a Helium. The consensus? If it fits, it's a comfortable lid. But a handfull of folks fell outside the sweet spots of the three sizes (XXS-S, M-L, and XL-XXL). For example, our photo editor Brad Kaminski found the XXS-S too small, but the M-L too big. The Helium comes in nine color options.
  • The Helium features a cool one-finger barrel adjuster on the top that tightens and loosens the fit around the head.
  • The Rollsys barrel adjuster on the helmet's top contols the fit via a cable, which you can see exiting the side of the helmet at left and entering a white piece of housing that runs up to the Rollsys.
  • Just like with a bike, there are two important questions with a helmet. #1: Does it fit you? #2: Do you like how it looks? Unlike most helmets that are fairly flat horizontally, the Helium's lower edge curves down on the sides.
  • I've been wearing Specialized and Giro helmets for the last several years. In comparison, the Helium feels a bit heavier (a XXS-S is 265g), and the front portion is noticeable thicker. But is this really an issue? I mean, it's your head, man.
  • The buckle on the Helium sucks. More precisely, the buckle's inability to retain strap tension is a problem. When out for longer rides, especially hot rides where you are sweating, the straps loosen considerably. On one long climb, the straps loosened so much I was able to get my chin under the heavy buckle as it swung - which popped the thing clean off. However, the company will gladly replace the buckle at no charge if you have such a problem.
  • The Helium's buckle is magnetic. Instead of a simple clip system, this has a slide-on clasp with a magnetic charge to it. While the magnets do make attachment somewhat easier, they also add weight, which exacerbates the strap-loosening situation. All in all, the Helium is a good helmet; a better buckle would make it a great one.

Most of the staff at VeloNews spent time riding in a Helium. The consensus? If it fits, it's a comfortable lid. But a handfull of folks fell outside the sweet spots of the three sizes (XXS-S, M-L, and XL-XXL). For example, our photo editor Brad Kaminski found the XXS-S too small, but the M-L too big. The Helium comes in nine color options.

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