Bicycles

ABUS and Casco provide different takes on integrated helmet visors

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Casco's SPEEDmask mechanism (left) and the slider mechanism from ABUS (right)
Casco's SPEEDmask mechanism (left) and the slider mechanism from ABUS (right)
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor in the down position
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor in the up position
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor in the down position
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor in the up position
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor
Dark visor for Casco's SPEEDairo helmet
Orange visor for Casco's SPEEDairo helmet
White visor for Casco's SPEEDairo helmet
Rear view of Casco's SPEEDairo helmet
Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet with visor down
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet with visor retracted
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet with visor retracted
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet with visor down
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet in white
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet in black
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet in green with visor down
The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet in green
View gallery - 20 images

The old adage that there’s more than one way to skin a cat was borne out at Eurobike 2013 with two companies showing racing helmets that each take a slightly different approach to integrating visors. Both systems allow the visor to be moved out of the way while riding, but one flips out of the way, while the second retracts into the helmet.

Casco SPEEDmask

Casco's SPEEDairo helmet with SPEEDmask flip-up visor in the up position

Casco’s patented SPEEDmask mechanism connects the visor to the helmet with elastic so it can be flipped up over the front of the helmet by pulling forward and lifting. When lowered, Casco says the visor’s snug fit prevents air swirling around the earpieces and provides an unimpeded view for the wearer.

Designed to completely replace sunglasses, the SPEEDmask visor is mirrored and tinted to provide UV400 protection and includes anti-glare and anti-fog technology. The visors can also be removed completely and are easy to replace with three different tints available.

Casco includes the flip-up SPEEDmask in its current SPEEDairo and SPEEDtime models – €250 (US$330) and €360 (US$475) respectively – and will also feature it in the new entry-level SPEEDster unit that is set for a release in Europe in early 2014.

ABUS In-Vizz

The ABUS In-Vizz racing helmet with visor retracted

ABUS (the company responsible for the Kranium cardboard-core helmet) takes a slightly different approach to visor integration with its In-Vizz racing helmet, which features a sliding mechanism that is easy to use with one hand.

The In-Vizz helmet allows the visor to be retracted into the helmet itself, with retraction or extraction a simple matter of pushing the slider on the top of the helmet in the appropriate direction. The high-impact polycarbonate visor is also user-replaceable, with ABUS planning to release different tints in the future.

Bernard Frankrone from ABUS said the In-Vizz is part of a concerted effort by the company to target the race market more than it has in the past. To this end, it trialed the helmet with pro team riders as well as mountain bike riders and says that the response has been positive.

The Eurobike 2013 award panel was also impressed, bestowing the In-Vizz with the Gold award in the accessories category.

ABUS will be releasing the In-Vizz in Germany in early 2014 with other markets to follow. It will be available in green, white or black and retail for €129.

Product pages: Casco, ABUS

View gallery - 20 images
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5 comments
duh3000
WHAT are those prices ?!
The EKOI City was selling for 59 euros when I bought mine a couple years back. Came with the basic opaque plastic visor, but flip-down visors could be purchased as an accessory item for 15 euros. I bought one black fake carbon fiber helmet & 2 visors: one tinted, one clear. Glad I did because EKOI has bizarrely stopped selling this item. For those looking for a great buy, the close-out "Brazil" version is now on sale at 27 euros. Comes with the built-in rear flashing light and basic visor, but not the cool flip-down visors. http://www.ekoi.fr/fr/casque/401-cityebrazil.html
For those who might wonder: No, I don't work for EKOI. I have nothing to do with the company. Just like the helmet, especially the look & price.
Gadgeteer
You like the look? Different strokes for different folks, duh3000. All I can tell you is that probably 99.9% of Americans would look at the helmet you linked to and say they would rather crack their skulls on the ground than be caught dead with such a hideous thing on their heads.
Synchro
I have a Casco helmet that looks like it's pretty much exactly the one they're showing, but without the visor. I think I paid about €75 for it. I've had several helmets but I'm very happy with this one as it feels like your head is in it, unlike most helmets that seem to perch right on the top of your head, with little or no side or rear protection. Any more enclosed and it would be full-face! Speaking of which, lightweight full-face helmets are not nearly common enough - the MET Parachute looks cool but is extremely uncomfortable - and I'd consider full-face (possibly detachable) provision more interesting than a built-in visor. H2 ski helmets have built in visors, but they're really not much good compared to using goggles, though they're just right if you want to look like a Top-Gun extra.
duh3000
Gadgeteer, Aside from the aesthetics, you may have noticed that the point was mainly the price: "WHAT are those prices?!" But, Yes, I agree that what pleases the eye is a question of taste. Of course. And then there's the price. I personally don't care for the "Brazilian" theme and, if the sale price is any indicator, not many other people do either. But the price is great! On the other hand, the simple carbon black one I own is quite pleasingly subtle to my eye while the black & yellow checkered "NY Cab" version was an instant sell-out, so I'm comfortable knowing that I'm not totally alone in my appreciation. And I liked the price.
Now, what about your "99.9%" figure? Is that science? Or are you perhaps just trying to dress up your own tastes to look like science?
Kęstutis Želnys
I designed and made same thing in ... 20 min. it cost 2 USD :) I use it for two years now :)