Italian model Fizik, presently finest identified for producing saddles presently utilized by World Champion Tadej Pogačar, in addition to sneakers for each highway and gravel, seems to be taking its first leap into the world of helmets. In an Instagram put up shared by the Orbea Fox Manufacturing unit MTB crew, Belgian rider Pierre de Froidmont may be seen utilizing a white helmet with a gray Fizik wordmark on the facet.
Naturally, we simply have these pictures to go off, and so the whole lot is solely speculative, however we will make some educated guesses nonetheless.
An all-rounder with MIPS
Visually this primary helmet from Fizik does bear a hanging resemblance to the POC Omne, itself an all-rounder with aero leanings. That is what we suspect this new Fizik helmet to be pitched at, particularly because it’s getting used initially on this planet of cross-country mountain biking, the place speeds are decrease, and the necessity for air flow probably outweighs any aero concerns.
Inside, a lightweight gray expanded polystyrene hull seems to be offering the padding and crumple zones which can be frequent throughout almost each bike helmet available on the market, save for some uncommon inflatable fashions. A transverse strut seems to attach the lengthwise ribs, so we don’t suppose we’re about to see carbon fibre scaffolding as is the case within the Specialised Prevail 3, or the brand new Poc Cytal.
On the rear, we’re taking a look at a basic dial closure system frequent to many helmets, and a yellow round brand on the rear quarter signifies that Fizik has opted to utilize MIPS (multidirectional influence safety system) know-how, designed to assist with the rotational forces concerned in head impacts. This additionally signifies that the helmet may even be not less than mid-range, as we’re but to see MIPS proliferate to the actually price range finish of the market with any nice vigour simply but.
A brand new product stream
These new to the model, not less than in recent times, might solely affiliate Fizik with catering to touchpoints. Sneakers, saddles, bar tape – these are the bread and butter now, and so headwear is sensible as the following frontier for the model. Nevertheless, this isn’t the primary time that Fizik has entered a brand new area, with forays into {hardware} previously with seatposts, stems, and handlebars all centred round an idea of categorising riders into totally different levels of flexibility – both a bull, a chameleon, or a snake, so as of accelerating bendy-ness.
Whereas Fizik does presently sponsor some professional groups, most prominently being UAE Staff Emirates-XRG, we don’t suspect to see this helmet getting used on the high stage of racing until it comes with some wind tunnel testing to go along with it. Our personal wind tunnel take a look at of helmets reveals that they will have an outsized influence on efficiency, and so for now not less than it could be that the corporate goes to concentrate on shoppers quite than opponents.
