Real Reviews - Lazer Tardiz Time Trial Helmet

Time trial helmets are often much of a muchness. Aerodynamics is the real “raison d’etre” for TT helmets and so a low, aero profile with a tapered shape is very much the accepted formula for building a great helmet. Lazer are a Belgium company who make some great helmets for the likes of the Katusha Pro Cycling team as well as many of the world’s top triathletes including GB’s Julie Dibens.

Lazer has taken a very comprehensive approach to their Tardiz. The helmet has been designed as an entire piece, rather than a protective shell covered by an aerodynamic covering. The helmet features three main vents at the front complete with three exhaust vents at the back; airflow through the helmet isn’t the most important thing for a time trialist such as myself, but for you long distance tri-ers out there I can report that the helmet’s kept my head nice and cool, while still remaining very aero.

The back of the helmet features some golf-ball like dimples; these were pioneered by the Discovery Cycling Team in the early part of the “noughties” on skin suits and certainly provide a striking visual effect on the Tardiz and doubtless their aero benefits are also tangible. There’s no doubt that this helmet helped us to go faster; our normal helmet is a Giro Ionos, a helmet renowned for sucking in air, so the Tardiz was a revelation. We could really feel the aero benefits in some recent TTs.

Lazer has cleverly incorporated a few proprietary features into the helmet which we really loved. The helmet features Lazer’s own patented Rollysys® Retention System, this system features an adjustment mechanism on the top of the helmet, simply roll the dial to the left to tighten and to the right to loosen; it allows easy adjustment mid race, something we found useful. The other feature not found on other helmets is the Aquavent water dispersal system. It’s designed so that during long races such as IronMan athletes can simply squeeze a water bottle into the vent and let the water run over their head via the dissipation system built into the helmet. The cover for this can be removed if you’re intending to use it, or left on for maximum aero benefit.

So what do we think? Well, Lazer’s really on to a winner here. The helmet’s structure is much more sturdy and convincing than other TT helmet’s we’ve ridden, some of which left us with lingering worries about crash protection. The fitting system is a great idea, we had some issues to start with working out the best fit for us, but once we’d got the strap length and fit dialled in all was well. The water dissipation system is a bit of a gimic for TT riders, unless you’re a 12 hour or 24 hour rider, but for triathletes and races in hot conditions we think it’s a cool idea.

Our only issue is the price. Of late TT helmets have been getting progressively more expensive, with new offerings from Giro topping £200 and Rudy Project’s Wingspan also retailing over £180. The Tardiz retail at £169.99, but shopping around will help you get it around £150 or less, pricey, but some great innovative features and brilliant fit make it competitively priced in our opinion!

Best price found at time of writing - £127 from Wiggle