Sport And Biking Talk: Lazer Revolution FF helmet review

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Lazer Revolution FF helmet review

In full-face mode, this size medium test model weighed a reasonable 700 grams, which is 60 grams less than Bell’s similar Super 3R removable chinbar helmet.

What is it

Lazer’s version of the convertible enduro helmet, the Revolution FF has 23 vents, a five-position breakaway visor, accessory mount, and passes ASTM DH certification. It’s also semi-customizable, with the wearer able to mix and match chinbar and ear cover colors. The main shell and chinbar come stock in black, but you can choose from orange, green, and blue for the visor, safety mount, side cover, ear cover, and chin vent. The helmet with ear covers sells for $ 130, with the chinbar sold separately for $ 120.

In full-face mode, it’s a great looking helmet with unique design lines.

Unlike similar helmets such as the Bell Super 3R Mtbr also tested, three screws attach the Revolution FF’s chinbar to helmet, meaning you need a screwdriver or coin to switch between full-face and half-shell mode on the trail. However, you can snap the extended ear covers in place sans tools if you’re looking for more protection, but not a full-face set-up.

Not all will like the half-shell look, but coverage is deep around the head.

The Lazer Revolution FF also has a safety-enhancing accessory mount that’s made from a flexible plastic, decreasing the potential for a snag during an impact. Additionally, Lazer drop tested the helmet with an accessory mounted to assure that it would not intrude the helmet’s outer shell.

There’s plenty of shelf space for goggle storage and the shape of the helmet’s rear helps keep the strap in place.

Weight for Mtbr’s size medium test model was 700 grams in full-face mode, 468 grams with ear covers pictured below, and 420 grams in standard half-shell set-up pictured above.

Pros

Functions as full-face and half-shell helmet
Passes ASTM DH certification in full-face mode
Plays well with goggles in either set-up
Five-position breakaway visor
Includes removable 2-position accessory mount
Well vented front and rear, including chinbar
Good looking helmet in DH mode
Can mix and match colors for custom look
Includes two visors
Comparatively light
Deep coverage on rear and sides in either mode
Wide range of fit adjustment

Cons

Tool or coin required to switch from full-face to half-shell
Awkward looking in half-shell mode
Soft screws easy to strip
Chin strap lays awkward in half shell mode

Getting some hang time in the Lazer Revolution FF.

Mtbr’s Take

Yet another entrant into the removable chinbar helmet game, the Lazer Revolution FF was among the first of its genre to pass full ASTM DH certification. In either mode, it’s well ventilated and highly adjustable, the ATS (or advanced turnfit system) delivering 62 clicks of customization. The cradle also has an eight-position height range adjuster, and the X-static padding helps keep funk at a minimum. Mtbr did, however, find that the helmet has a tendency to push down your goggles unless you have the fit adjustment perfectly dialed.

Here’s a side-by-side look at the helmet in all three of its modes.

Other highlights include great goggle strap security and a removable accessory mount that’s designed to break away without damaging rider or helmet. And as mentioned above, you can mix and match chinbar and earpiece colors, which isn’t really our thing but could appeal to other users.

The fit of the helmet is very deep, as though it envelopes your head rather than just sitting on top. That combined with the high amount of adjustability, resulted in a snug but comfortable fit that left us feeling very well protected on the trail.

To toggle from full-face to half-shell you need to remove these three screws, plus three more on the other side of the helmet.

Unlike other helmets in this category, though, three screws (instead of buckles) on each side hold the chinbar in place. That means if you want to toggle between full-face and half-shell mode in the middle of a ride you need to remember to pack a flathead screwdriver or coin (a nickel works best). The switch itself is fairly straightforward, but does take a few minutes versus the seconds it takes to change a Bell Super 3R. The other hitch is that you have to keep track of six small screws and the two clip-in ear pieces that mount on the helmet when you take off the chinbar.

You can also clip on these semi-padded ear covers if you are looking for something in between.

This all begs the question would you use this helmet in both modes on one ride, or is the Lazer Revolution FF better suited to riders looking for one helmet to serve two purposes, but not on the same ride. After a summer’s worth of testing, Mtbr would lean to the later usage. While it’s not hard to carry the necessary equipment to do a mid-ride mode swap (as long as you have a hydration pack), we’re guessing it’s a little more rigmarole than many riders will likely be willing to put up with. Instead, this could be your full-face helmet at the bike park one day, then switch to enduro/all-mountain mode for regular trail rides.

The visor has five positions and is designed to break away in a crash.

But frankly, while we’re fans of this helmet’s stealth look in its full-face configuration, it’s a little too Star Wars X-wing fighter in half-shell mode, never mind with the modular ear covers in place. Bottom line, the Lazer Revolution FF is reasonably priced 2-for-1 helmet, but its look is likely to be polarizing, and swapping between modes takes time, tools, and requires that you keep track of small parts.