I'm hoping someone can give me some specific suggestions. I know that helmet fit is a personal, and random thing but I need somewhere to start. I definitely want to keep my helmet under $100US, and hopefully under $50.

You see, I have a big head. Not freakishly large, but bigger than most. Even when I was fitter than I am now I was considered a clydesdale type rider. I'm 6' 3", 260 lbs., size 13US shoes, big honkin' melon on top of it all. Most helmets I try on now, even if they fit in circumfrence sit on top of my head like a beanie. My first helmet I bought in 1986 was a Vetta brand and I had the largest size and used the thinnest pads that came with it. I later bought the ubiquitous Bell hardshell that was one of the most popular helmets of the late 80's to early 90's. Can't remember the model name/number but if you were riding then you probably know what I am talking about. About that time helmets started to proliferate, get lighter, but for me not better. I wore that old Bell well past the suggested time limit due to fit problems with newer ones.

My latest helmet is a Specialized Air Wave I got a few years ago and I wish I had never bought it. It sits so far up on my head I am afraid it isn't really protecting my brain bin like it should. I have read that the Bell Sequoia is made for bigger heads but can't find one at any LBS to try on. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help!

I have a similar problem. For years I have bought Giro helmets, the Torero model in particular, but like all good things it was discontinued. I recently purchased a Giro Eclipse which is not as comfortable but does fit reasonably well. Some Giro models come in one-size-fits-all, others are sized. My experience is that if you have a large head you have to go with one of the sized models, in L/XL. Unfortunately these tend to be quite a bit more expensive.

Helmet fit is very personal, just like fitting shoes, so you have to try it on. Not all large heads are the same shape. Some people swear by the Bell Kinghead, but I had one for a while and it didn't fit my longish head very well.

Helmet fit is very personal, just like fitting shoes, so you have to try it on. Not all large heads are the same shape. Some people swear by the Bell Kinghead, but I had one for a while and it didn't fit my longish head very well.

That is my problem in a rather large nutshell. My Speicalized brand helmet fits my head (it is a L/XL), but isn't deep enough. My head is also longish an a lot of helmets feel like I am putting a sauce pan on my head. I just wish there were better selections in the bike stores around here.

I can't find the Kinghead on the Bell site so they may not make it anymore anyway. Thanks for the reply DCCommuter.

What is your head circumference?

Try looking at a Giro Atlas 2. I'm considering looking at one myself due to my large noggin

What is your head circumference?

A little over 25". I had my wife measure tonight with her sewing measuring tape. It is hard to tell at the moment because I need a haircut and my hair is pretty thick.

I found this excellent article while searching for the Kinghead.

http://www.bhsi.org/bighead.htm

If I could find the bighead Giro model and the Kinghead and Sequoia to try on I would be a happy camper. I'll have to see if one of my local shops minds ordering some, even if I may not buy them. Apprently the Kinghead isn't listed on Bell's website but they still have them in stock. I would be happier with the Kinghead if the shell weren't just taped on, but that is the least of my worries. I just want to keep my big brain in my big head and not in a big puddle on the ground. :cry:

Try looking at a Giro Atlas 2. I'm considering looking at one myself due to my large noggin

At least I'm not the only one. I think next I will start a whiner thread about why most new pedal clips are too tiny. I will probably go clipless pretty soon, at least on my "decent" bikes, but my beater needs new clips.

A little over 25".
Sounds familiar.

At least I'm not the only one. I think next I will start a whiner thread about why most new pedal clips are too tiny. I will probably go clipless pretty soon, at least on my "decent" bikes, but my beater needs new clips.
Look at the Time ATAC series specifically the "Z" and "Z-control" models. Never cared for clips personally.

I can never find hats that fit me but my Bell Furio does pretty good. It is the Large size. No complaints so far and the plastic has lasted a lot longer than my Giro helmet which was getting UV rot after a year (I ride arouond 7000 miles a year and the summer sun is really strong here)..

Try looking at a Giro Atlas 2. I'm considering looking at one myself due to my large noggin

I have one of these and it holds my supersize brain quite nicely.

Nashbar sometimes has these on sale for ~$25. (although I don't see it listed now)

-Ron (aka BuddhaHead)

I can never find hats that fit me but my Bell Furio does pretty good. It is the Large size. No complaints so far and the plastic has lasted a lot longer than my Giro helmet which was getting UV rot after a year (I ride arouond 7000 miles a year and the summer sun is really strong here)..

Paul L.,
I'll have to give the Furio a try. I will probably stand a better chance of finding that model in the stores than I will the Sequoia. It looks like it might be fairly deep too which would help. I wish the Metro helmets ran bigger, but c'est la vie. I hear you on the hat thing too. I haven't bought anything from the following website, but I have been thinking about it.

http://www.bigheadcaps.com/index.html

rnagaoka,
That one has a lot of promise. I like the style of it too.

Thanks again to everybody for the replies.

I forgot to mention to my cranially blessed amigos, a customer service person at Bell told me today that they no longer make the Kinghead, and don't plan to do so again. I just hope one of these other style will be sufficient. If you need a Kinghead it sounds like you had better find one at retailer now.

It is a good thing I don't ride Downhill, and don't intend to start. Most of the helmets for downhillers seem to run small. I would need to buy a motorcycle helmet. I always thought a full face mask would be great in the winter. I just used a couple of neoprene masks though, which incidentally I had to have my sister modify on her sewing machine so they wouldn't be too tight. :eek: :D

Froogle is your friend:

http://www.google.com/froogle?q=bell+kinghead

DC,

Danka Shane! I have used Froogle before, but tend to forget about it.

I bought a Bell Sequoia today at Bichop's Cycles here in the Cinti area. They actually had a Kinghead too. It was too big for me! :eek: Never had that happen before. The Kinghead would be a good winter helmet for me, but the Sequoia should work with the light polypro liner I have if need be.

Thanks for the assistance from everyone. My noggin is safer now, and I feel a little less dorky with a helmet that fit correctly.