Italian model Fizik, presently greatest recognized for producing saddles presently utilized by World Champion Tadej Pogačar, in addition to footwear for each street and gravel, seems to be taking its first leap into the world of helmets. In an Instagram post shared by the Orbea Fox Factory MTB crew, Belgian rider Pierre de Froidmont might be seen utilizing a white helmet with a gray Fizik wordmark on the aspect.
Naturally, we simply have these photos 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 placing resemblance to the POC Omne, itself an all-rounder with aero leanings. This is what we suspect this new Fizik helmet to be pitched at, particularly because it’s getting used initially on the planet of cross-country mountain biking, the place speeds are decrease, and the necessity for air flow doubtlessly outweighs any aero issues.
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 Specialized Prevail 3, or the brand new Poc Cytal.
At the rear, we’re taking a look at a traditional 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 impression safety system) know-how, designed to assist with the rotational forces concerned in head impacts. This additionally signifies that the helmet may even be no less than mid-range, as we’re but to see MIPS proliferate to the actually finances finish of the market with any nice vigour simply but.
A brand new product stream
Those new to the model, no less than in recent times, might solely affiliate Fizik with catering to touchpoints. Shoes, saddles, bar tape – these are the bread and butter now, and so headwear is smart as the subsequent frontier for the model. However, this isn’t the primary time that Fizik has entered a brand new house, with forays into {hardware} prior to now with seatposts, stems, and handlebars all centred round an idea of categorising riders into completely different levels of flexibility – both a bull, a chameleon, or a snake, so as of accelerating bendy-ness.
While Fizik does presently sponsor some professional groups, most prominently being UAE Team Emirates-XRG, we don’t suspect to see this helmet getting used on the prime degree of racing except it comes with some wind tunnel testing to go together with it. Our personal wind tunnel take a look at of helmets reveals that they will have an outsized impression on efficiency, and so for now no less than it might be that the corporate goes to give attention to shoppers quite than opponents.
