O'Neal's Magnetic Goggles and Greg Minnaar Signature DH Helmet - Eurobike 2017

Sep 1, 2017 at 4:43
by Mike Kazimer  
Eurobike 2017

O'Neal have a new full face helmet on the way, the result of the company's collaboration with DH legend Greg Minnaar. The Blade has a carbon fiber shell and generous venting, especially at the front of the chin bar, where mesh is in place to keep mud and bugs from getting stuck between your teeth.


Eurobike 2017
There's plenty of ventilation, part of the reason for the helmet's light weight.
Eurobike 2017
These visceoelastic IPX ACells are designed to help with slower speed impacts.


Attached to the inside of the helmet are IPX ACells, star shaped pieces of Armourgel mounted onto a low friction disc. The ACells are intended to help with low speed impact absorption, particularly at the front of the the helmet. During a crash, the visceoelastic material hardens up, which should reduce the amount of force trasnsmitted to a rider's head.

The Blade is ASTM DH certified, and weighs in at a claimed 900 grams, which is quite light for this style of helmet. The carbon shelled version will retail for 349 Euro, and the fiberglass version will be 249 Euro.



Views: 6,513    Faves: 8    Comments: 2


O'Neal also had their innovative new B50 goggles on display. What sets the B50 apart from the scores of other goggles on the market? Magnets. That's right, rather than using the traditional method of cutting notches into the edge of a lens, on the B50 the lens is attached to the frame by a series of magnets.

Swapping it out only takes a matter of seconds – there's no need to waste time fiddling around and getting greasy fingerprints on a lens while you try to get it lined up with an uncooperative frame. The pro model comes with three different lens options – clear, radium red, and radium blue – and is priced at 199 Euro. With only one lens the B50 goggles retail for 89.95 Euro.

Eurobike 2017
Eurobike 2017


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

76 Comments
  • 67 0
 Taking off tear-offs will be interssting Big Grin
  • 20 1
 the price of spare lenses as well Big Grin
  • 2 1
 what if they use magnets too Razz
  • 1 0
 @DragRider: it's an easy answer really. They don't! Just look at the pic Wink
  • 10 0
 Maybe the roll offs will work better for these goggles. Honestly though, this is a great idea and I am shocked no one else has thought of this before
  • 3 0
 @airsoftesneeto: They have I forget the brand but we had them at our ski shop at least 5 years ago
  • 3 0
 at least the lens will fly out of the way during a crash
  • 3 0
 @airsoftesneeto:
Anon has been making goggles like this since 2012. My buddy used them for a season but got tired of losing the lenses when he would crash. I think they might work better for biking than for snowboarding.
  • 1 0
 @airsoftesneeto: problem is the magnets cost way more than plastic and not many people would spend $200+ on a bike goggle
  • 2 0
 @SpruceRipper @Ride406orDie @goprosantacruz

i didnt realize there were other companies that did this. Good points about the crashing and all, maybe thats why this design isnt as profound. Pricing could be high, but im all for different approaches instead of seeing the same design over and over
  • 1 0
 @SpruceRipper: ANON
  • 1 0
 @goprosantacruz: Oakley Airbrake..
  • 2 0
 @airsoftesneeto: it's been around in the snow world for a while.
  • 1 0
 @SpruceRipper: Anon M2
  • 2 0
 Funny. They took that idea from Anon and copied that same exact tech.
  • 1 0
 When I read the heading I thought it was a new strapless goggle. I'd buy a strapless goggle for sure. Stretching the goggle over the helmet is a pain (biking/skiing) and I hate having something around my neck after I'm done a run.

If not magnets, then clip slides with slides on the back of the helmet to hold them when you're done a run.

I'm totally on to something here. 2018: intro. 2019: make 'em fat. 2020: boost. . .
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: Everything on the Oakley Airbrake is 100% replaceable and 100% available...
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: actually I misread your comment. Disregard my comment above.
  • 3 0
 Sorry, those lenses look FAR too easy to knock off! When I crash I want something in front of my eyes for protection, if that means fiddling around with a lens that clips in properly, then so be it.
  • 1 0
 @excavator666: agreed. I wouldn't feel safe in them.
  • 45 0
 f*ckin' magnets, how do they work?
  • 33 3
 I'll tell you what I tell my kids when they ask such questions. Fuckin' magic dude.
  • 17 0
 Hey Pinkbike, when will you post the sick bikes that you can see at eurobike ? thanks.
  • 8 1
 Manufacturers of sick bikes don't exhibit on eurobike anymore. They have their own press days to get full attention. No rush to have it finished nor wait and hide for eurobike.
  • 6 0
 thats all the new pinkEbike stuff
  • 6 0
 @vinay: The new saracen looks pretty sick
  • 3 2
 @vinay: please make a list of "sick" bikes according to you?
  • 6 0
 Don't know how innovative the magnet thing is? My Anon (Burton) snowboard goggles already have them. That being said, they do work well and changing lenses is super quick.
  • 3 3
 Until the lens flies off from a dramatic force. I work in the ski industry and have seen it a ton. Sure Anon will send you a new lens but why even mess with the hassle? Usually takes two weeks to get a new lens. Just get the Dragon goggles with the swiftlock technology. Just as easy as the magnets but they're much more stationary and secure.
  • 2 1
 @andnyleswillriot: the anon lenses are supposed to withstands 8g.. I've had some pretty heavy tomahawks on kicker days wearing mine and have only ever lost a lens once, that slam i knocked myself out... (i also work in the industry and have not seen it as much as i thought i would)..
  • 1 2
 @ad15: shouldn't happen even once if it's a bonafide product. But alas, it isn't. Doesn't really matter if you haven't seen it, I have seen it a bunch and it has caused a lot of headaches for many people.
  • 4 1
 @ad15: I have been wearing my Anons for years, and have only ever had the lens come off once, from a good slam. The goggles, have come off of me more times than the lens come out of the goggle. It's nice to see some cross over into biking though.
  • 5 1
 @andnyleswillriot: sorry but i've lost normal goggles too in tomahawks,, its not just a magnet thing, i wasn't saying it doesn't happen, but it's not just tied to magnet goggles, .. I've been using them since launch and have no issues, the benefits outweigh the one possible concern for me,,agree to disagree yeh? its only a bloody goggle,,Wink
  • 1 2
 @ad15: I'm talking about losing the lens not the whole goggle, which does in fact pertain to the magnets. My point is you get the same easy change lens benefit from dragon swiftlock goggles but without the worry of losing a lens since the locks secure it into place. In reality the only magnet that can stand up to massive force is hydroelectric but obviously you will never see that on a goggle.
  • 5 0
 @andnyleswillriot: Maybe I don't shred the gnar hard enough while snowboarding to lose the lenses in the icy East Coast. Lol. Anyway, Burton turns out solid gear but since you're an expert in the ski industry I will probably just throw them in the trash and buy the "Magical" Dragon goggles. While I'm at it I'll toss my Lib Tech board in the trash. Any recommendations on a replacement?
  • 1 0
 @andnyleswillriot: Oakley Airbrakes are awesome too. Snowboard and moto.
  • 1 0
 @Joyride75: Never Summer.
  • 1 0
 @krashDH85: Can't argue with that. They make sweet boards too.
  • 1 0
 @Joyride75: Yea they do. Been riding them going on 10 years now
  • 1 0
 @Joyride75: Arbor Coda Camber. Great for the ice coast.
  • 4 0
 Well at least his helmet held up. Plenty of crash testing the last two rounds. Frame, tires and rims on the other hand........was that too soon?
  • 1 0
 I'm loving this innovation in helmet safety and design. In the past, most helmets followed DOT, even if they weren't fully certified, and DOT is stupid and not safe for cycling speeds
  • 1 0
 Ruroc, a ski/snowboard helmet company, has been making magnetic goggles for a couple years
I'm glad to finally see it happen for MTB goggles, makes swapping lenses so quick & easy

However - Ruroc has clamps on either side of their goggle to keep the lense in place for obvious safety reasons... I'd like to see the same kind of clamping mechanism here
  • 3 0
 when will we see strapless goggles? maybe held in the Helmet by magnet also Smile
  • 1 0
 Lazer magneto glasses use the same principle, and yes,they're shite.
  • 1 0
 @doe222: Smile its surprising with all the tech these days that it hasn't been developed more. Straps seem so old fashioned, I suppose its cheap and works.
  • 2 0
 @sundaycookie Fox has a magnetic visor on the V3 moto helmet now. I dont think it will be long before they introduce the same for the goggles. I had a look at one yesterday and it looks pretty slick, the magnets hold really tight so no flying visor on a Huck to flat scenario
  • 1 0
 @indydave124: Good to hear! Thanks.
  • 2 0
 But do you have to push from the inside to get the lens out? Most lenses have a coating on the inside which is very vulnerable to oily finger prints.
  • 3 0
 No, there's a little tab on the outside edge - I had to do it that way due to the one-handed filming.
  • 3 0
 There's a small tab bottom right of lens, external. Use that to swap lenses, no need to touch lens or make contact from inside. Can me done with goggles in situ on helmet...
  • 2 0
 the problem with magnetic goggles is that if you crash hard enough the lens can fly off the frame and thus you lose your eye protection...
  • 1 0
 Curious, will these things be available in the US? Seeing as how all their good stuff that's come out since their colab with Minnar seems to be Europe only. Extra strange for a company HQ'd in CA.
  • 10 8
 so....the helmet...does it snap in two...?
  • 5 0
 Too right, aluminium helmets ftw.
  • 2 0
 GOOD ONE Smile
  • 1 0
 @j-davin: don't get me wrong i'm his biggest fan there is! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 first Leat now O'Neal stepping up their Helmet design. Noice
  • 4 0
 thats true, finally!
BUT I have to say it looks extremely similar to a 100% aircraft Wink
  • 2 0
 @MalleCommencal: It looks at first sight like aircraft, but the shell and air vents are totally different. I had an opportunity to see and test it on their booth.
  • 3 0
 @MalleCommencal: a 100% Aircraft crossbred with an Airoh
  • 2 2
 -Okay, alright what’s your favorite hobby?
- Uhhh, magnets
- Playing with magnets?
-Just magnets
- I'm just going to put snowboarding
  • 1 0
 Blace? I believe they call it blade,check oneall website, is this a new different helmet?
  • 1 0
 Also the pricing for the fiberglass version is off, according to oneall europe web the price will be 200 euros
  • 1 0
 it's a spelling mistake.
  • 1 0
 @jamp: There will be two versions of the fiberglass helmet: with IPX ACells and w/o.
  • 1 0
 Love it how everyone like OOOO magnetic lenses, when oakley has been doing it for years lol
  • 1 0
 Like how the guy pushes the lens off from the inside, when a tab on the lower right of the lens is clearly visible;
  • 2 1
 I was seriously wondering about how the magnets would affect that region. Eyes or brain.... long term.
  • 1 0
 LOL. So, dont put magnets on face. But I should wire a 9v battery into my helmet. Got it.
  • 1 0
 really Looks Nice MR,MINNAAR
  • 1 0
 First crash, lens will disappear into the bushes never to be seen again!
  • 1 0
 @SpruceRipper the Goggles were burton anon
  • 1 4
 If it's anything like those Anon snow goggles, the magnets are a joke. So easy to have a big force send the lenses flying off your face (I work in the ski industry and it happens a ton). Sure anon has a replacement program but why even mess with it? You'll be without lenses for a couple weeks in that case.
  • 1 0
 Pinned Pro shoes. Need.







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.034941
Mobile Version of Website