hinclly

I am new to the forum, and I often ride my bike for both purposes training and recreational ride.

I used a snowboard helmet. but I am considering buying one helmet. I seen that there are more helmets for athletic or training, than commuter helmets.

Here is where I want to ask you what do you consider when buying a helmet, what do you look for, who do you ask and finally what is your top decision making.

rumrunn6

for me it was this factors and I bought mine in person

1. fit
2. visibility
3. style
4. accepted norm for the sport (meaning what do most ppl use)

dpeters11

Fit and comfort is the most important, though if you don't like the way it looks, you won't wear it. The less helmet there is, the more expensive it is but they all conform to the same safety standards.

I have a Bell Muni I like, though I didn't care for the rear mirror they had for it. It does have spots for a front and rear light on it for night riding (I'd still use lights on the bike itself)

genec

Fit.

howsteepisit

Necessity

mconlonx

Style, fit, weight, price.

Working (PT) in a bike shop, I keep up on things like the latest helmets from the brands we sell, so I'm relatively informed about the different choices out there. For resources, you should ask at your local bike shop and try some helmets on. Or just noodle along online and check out manufacturer sites.

I prefer a more "skate" oriented style, like the Giro Sutton (although I currently wear a now discontinued model, the Surface), and various Bern helmets. Most helmet manufacturers make something along this style, marketing them as commuter or urban style helmets. POC is another great brand and there seems to be crossover in their line between snow and cycle sports, notably the Backcountry model.

Once I figure out what style I want, I'll check fit, make sure there's no pressure spots from the helmet on my skull and that it will adjust to fit correctly. Weight is a concern, but if it was huge with me, I'd go with a lighter-weight, more ventilated style, probably a mtn bike helmet so I'd still get a visor out of the deal. And finally price -- while I'd love to get a POC Backcountry MIPS at $260, I actually wear a Giro Surface which retailed for $55.

gpburdell

Strictly speaking necessity is more related to whether to buy rather than what to consider WHEN buying...


As states above, fit/comfort are the most important things. You have to get out from in front of the computer and go try on helmets. Different brands tend to fit different head shapes better so one person's dreamy-confort could be your screaming-headache.


Second to fit would be factors such as style, looks, price, weight, ventilation, etc. in order of which are most meaningful to you.

Worknomore

Fit, price, style

GlennR

Safety and fit are directly related

Ventilation

Style

Weight

Price

bmthom.gis

Ventilation - if you insist on strapping on a foam head bumper, why be miserable and sweaty when you don't have to be
Fit - it goes hand in hand with ventilation.
Price - I am not spending $100 on a stupid head bumper. max I will go is $50.

I have no other considerations

Looigi

The less it feels like you have a helmet on the better so fit, weight, and ventilation are the primary considerations. After that, cosmetics, aero-ness, price, features, ...

echale3

My first two considerations are how well the helmet fits (I have a big, odd-shaped head) and whether it meets safety standards. After that, it's the color(s), style and price...

ItsJustMe

1) safety
2) fit
3) see above.

That's why I wound up buying a MIPS helmet.

I couldn't possibly care less about anything else really.

kickstart

Value......not strictly bottom line price.
Functionality..... Fit and retention systems that work well with minimum effort.
Features......I like small removable visors for sun and rain.
Style......some racing and urban helmets are way to goofy looking for my taste

daihard 

I take it you have one of those helmets with a removable visor? Mind sharing with me which one it is?

rekmeyata

Fit (I have a oblong head so few helmets fit right)
Safety (there are a couple brands that do exceed the Federal recommendations)
Build quality (some helmets use cheap plastic bits that break)
Ventilation (and the ability to close off some vent for cool weather riding)
Functionality (how well does the fit system work, and does the company offer replacement pads)
Price (I look for closeout models)
Style (is last because I'm not putting on a fashion show to look like Joe Blow the drugstore racer)

kickstart

Its a Specialized Chamonix, Got it at Center cycle in Renton for $65ish. Feature, function, and quality wise it compares well to helmets costing much more, the snap on visor is small enough to fit in pocket or seat bag. Not as much ventilation as some top of the line helmets, but a good match for our climate.
I highly recommend it and have no criticisms.

daihard 

Thanks! I will take a look. Hopefully the local shops carry it.

Chris516

Checkout Helmets: Bicycle Helmets

That is the Bike Helmet Safety Institute.

RaleighSport

Safety>Fit>Looks
Seriously though.. it's not going to be safe enough unless the fit is good enough IMO, and looks are irrelevant compared to the first two.

rekmeyata

If you haven't bought your helmet yet do seriously consider fit as first and foremost in importance. The Specialized Chamonix helmet is a good helmet but if your head is oblong like mine it won't fit right there will be too much side to side movement of the helmet.

The Bike Helmet Safety Institute says this about the forward fit: "B. Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle, shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again."

That's great advice for front to rear movement but the same is true for side to side which they don't even address. If after you adjusted the helmet as they stated above you can move the helmet from side to side more than 2 fingers distance it's not the right helmet for your head. This is why after trying several helmets at a LBS and not finding one I tried the Lazer after I heard they fit oblong heads, and that one fits great.

daihard 

Thanks for the advice! No, I haven't had the chance to try the Charmonix yet. None of the LBSs nearby carry it. I agree, fit is the most important criterion in choosing the right helmet. My current one (Giro Atmos) fits perfectly - very little front-rear or side-to-side movement. In fact, that's the main reason I bought the Atmos. I hope the Charmonix fits my head as well.

kickstart

I also have a Giro, they have a similar fit so it should be ok. Center Cycle in Renton has them, and they're not far from the Interurban trail.

daihard 

Sounds good. I may swallow it and drive over there this weekend.

dicktill

Hi,

Slightly off-topic question: Why do some consider a helmet visor to be nerdy or Fredly?

Thanks, Dick