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TECH NEWS

TorchONE helmet with a removable 360-degree light launched on Kickstarter

The new fully water resistant helmet promises improved year-round versatility compared to the brand’s previously popular T1 and T2 series

Torch Apparel Ltd has launched its TorchONE helmet with removable front and rear lights on Kickstarter today, with the campaign running until 31 December 2020. The brand says the new helmet is designed to support “individuals that care about safety, style and human connection” by offering “appropriate technology to enhance visibility”.

The TorchONE helmet had been shortlisted in the innovative products category at the 2020 Eurobike awards, prior to the cancellation of the event.

2021 TorchONE

Being seen is said to be key to the TorchONE’s ethos and approach, and this is delivered with a removable 360-degree lighting display on a fully water-resistant helmet.

With a reported weight of 266 grams without lights and 382 grams with lights attached, Torch Apparel claims their helmet is the lightest in its category, while reportedly offering the largest lighting display.

For use in warmer conditions, the helmet design includes 10 wide vents. For widespread compatibility, the lighting lenses are fully rechargeable using Micro USB3.

20201 TorchONE 2

Four brightness modes are also promised, but the battery life for each of these settings awaits the results of further testing.

> Buyer's guide: Best 2020 front lights for cycling - our beam comparison engine plus how-to-choose guide

The TorchONE helmet is available in sizes ranging from 54-62cm in a wide range of colours: Slate Grey, Midnight Black, Neon Yellow and Arctic White.

With further functionality thought through, the TorchVISOR accessory can be paired with the helmet for use in sunny conditions.

Delivery to customers is said to be in Spring 2021 and a sign up page can be found here.

All the usual Kickstarter rules and regulations apply which can be found here.

www.torchapparel.com

Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.

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12 comments

Avatar
RoubaixCube | 3 years ago
1 like

if i remember correctly, there has been quite a few of these that have come and gone.

Lumos being the one i remember most while another was on Dragons Den one time. Cant remember if they walked away with an investment though.

After I googled around, it is the same guys. Torchapparel...

Their T1 helmet failed. Their T2 helmet also failed and im guessing this is Attempt3

Roadcc did a review of their T2 helmet and it scored 3/10.

I guess one of the co-owners who is also a millionaire (or at least he was at the time he was on Dragons Den) still hasnt given up on this idea.

I feel sorry for the average joe who sees this concept and thinks its a great idea and backs it. Given TorchApparel's track record. The final product will leave a lot to be desired but they'll still charge you as much as a really good KASK for it. Then they'll be forgotten about till they decide to come back with T4

If Hugh Roper is still with the company then hasnt learned anything from their past attempts because he's not the one investing huge amount of his own money into it.

Also there used to be loads of Chinese knock offs of the Lumos helmet available on amazon so if you REALLY had to have one, you wouldnt need to wait 6-12 months for TorchApparel to have stock ready for the market to get one.

Avatar
bikeandy61 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Isn't it about time that Giro, Specialized, Bontrager etc started making helmets that have provision for front and rear lights. Spesh and Bontrager both make helmets and lights so surely not beyond their powers to design and produce.

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janusz0 | 3 years ago
0 likes

There would be two less things to remember if the lights weren't removable!

For winter use they need to produce a moulded vent cover like Casco do, or a Goretex helmet cover with windows for the lights and slack for the visor.

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Yorky-M | 3 years ago
1 like

I just had a look and there are 6 other helmets with lights and indicators on kickstarter.

Must bea gap in the market for #7

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NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
2 likes

I bought a Rockbros helmet light (red light back, white front, rechargeable) for $21NZ (I think) and clear taped over the holes in my bright green winter helmet to create the perfect Winter helmet.  3

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Hirsute | 3 years ago
5 likes

Fully water resistant whatever that means.
Fully water resistant apart from all the holes.

Avatar
Losd | 3 years ago
2 likes

That's a horrible idea. It's not important which way you are looking. It's important which way your bike is going.

With this stupid thing, car drivers will have a pretty damn hard time predicting your path in low visibility conditions.

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Accessibility f... replied to Losd | 3 years ago
7 likes

Kickstarter + cycling = shite.  It never fails.  Next they'll be inventing radical new spoke reflectors.

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Shake replied to Accessibility for all | 3 years ago
3 likes
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fwhite181 replied to Shake | 3 years ago
2 likes

I achieved this for pennies using a strip of Scotchlite tape. About £5 of tape covered most of the bike too.  The only problem is I now can't get the tape off the blooming spokes. 

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Wales56 replied to Shake | 3 years ago
0 likes

Gosh! I have these fitted on my bike following being hit by a driver of the car. At night now cars slow down and move round me as far away as they can, no kidding – they return so much of the car’s headlamps, coupled with my bright red LEDs lights I must look like one of those all over flashing Police cars you see. (They are much more effective than R104 tape)

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franta replied to Losd | 3 years ago
0 likes

They are also going to blind oncoming traffic every time you look up.

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