Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Catlike owners?

Hi,

As some of you may've heard, I need a new helmet (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=140006).

I had a Bell Metro, which fit OK, but not spectacularly well. It was a little on the bulky side, but at least it covered my melon adequately. I went to the LBS this morning to try on some helmets, and it was a pretty frustrating affair. I have a weird shaped head, I guess, as I don't really fall into either the Bell or Giro fits. A medium Giro is good in terms of circumference, but sits waaay too high on my head. A large Giro is deep enough, but is enormous in terms of circumference. The Bells are more or less the same: the mediums don't fit at all, and the larges have to be cinched to the tightest setting to stay on.

So, the only other brand that any of the stores in town stock is Catlike, but the place is pretty far away and I don't want to drive out there to try on a helmet if it's going to be more of the same - so I'm wondering if anyone out there who has had trouble fitting into Giros or Bells has found Catlike to be a nice-fitting alternative.

Thanks!
m.

sorry, i'm of no help, but you might get a better response in the roadie forum.
Catlikes are more racer-y and less hipster-y, no?

The European models (Limar, Catlike and such) apparently fit really, really well. I've only tried on some Limar's and I'm considering the F111.

I've always wanted to try out a Catlike but haven't found any place yet that stocks 'em here. A friend of mine has one but it's small so I've never actually put it on my noggin'.

I need to start wearing a helmet, but my head is big enough as it is and they all look silly. Maybe I should get one of those zippy-looking olympic TT helmets, and ride that around town with my groceries and laptop on my back

it's so hard to find a good looking, helmet. so i just gave up.
bought a lightweight one that fit well, had lots of vents.
the bell ghisallololo or soemthing.

If I was you I would also check out Specialized helmets, they are super nice. They outfit many of the teams on the Pro Tour, including some of the riders on Bianchi Liquigas. I had a Catlike before my Specialized and the Specialized has a smaller profile and is lighter.

http://specialized.com/bc/SBCEqSection.jsp?sid=05EquipHelmetEnthusiast

Also look for the older older Specialized S1 helmet, very similar to Catlike, but has a larger vent in front and sits lower.

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/clothing/helmets/specialized-bicycle/PRD_287733_1636crx.aspx

If you're talking about the Specialized Decibel there's no way it has a smaller profile, the Chamonix maybe.

The Catlike Kompact2 rocks! They've replaced it this year with the KompactPro, however US distribution is limited.

The retention system is great, go fit one!

http://prendas.co.uk/images/full/catlike_group_wide.jpg

trackstar had a catlike they were stocking for a minute, looked pretty hot actually, more angular then the bell/giro stuff. Just make sure whatever you buy is up to American safety standards, ones that only meet the euro specs are not nearly as strong.

more then you ever want to know about new helmets can be found here: http://www.bhsi.org/helmet05.htm

ask the trackstar guys how it fits. Msngr had one so you can ask him. I don't think catlike distribute to the us anymore so it's harder to find the colors and sizes you want now. I think Msngr also crashed on his at cmwc so he can tell you how well that worked...

I need to start wearing a helmet, but my head is big enough as it is and they all look silly. Drool cups strapped to your chin look silly...

I've been rocking the Catlike Kompact for a couple of years, and it is probably the best fitting helmet I've ever owned. It stays on my head and there is no velcro in the strap system to wear out. Best, it's got that full-on Eurotrash look to it, so everyone knows I'm a poseur de majeur.

I just got a catlike off ebay, and it is really nice. Fits very comfy, and I really like the looks.

From little rumours flying around, I think distribution of catike is going to come back to the US sometime soon.

jonathan wearing a helmet?! WHATTHE!

man, what's going on in this world.

jonathan wearing a helmet?! WHATTHE!

man, what's going on in this world.

just for races sucka.

Drool cups strapped to your chin look silly...

does trackstar sell drool cups??? I'm so there

I'm sure they can special order some for you when they get back from Japan.

I've got the Catlike Compact Pro. got it in Barcelona. It fits me better than the Bell or Giro. The way I would describe the fit is that your head fits "in the helmet" as opposed to some of the other helmets that sit more on the top of your head.

The Catlike helmet was pulled from US distibution because it hadn't gone through the US safety certification (It has been certified through the Euro)

Its a great helmet. Hopefully they will get their US Safety cert soon.

does trackstar sell drool cups??? I'm so there

If so, the next question is this: can you get them with double straps?

Regarding the Specialized Decibel, it is a bit wedge-like, being not so low-profile in back, but overall I think it's a very good-looking helmet. I absolutely love mine. Fits perfectly and my head stays nice and cool.

Drool cups strapped to your chin look silly...

Nevermind the drool cups. Think of the poor sod who has to change your diapers. Yes it is possible. :eek:

I went out and checked them out. They fit really, really, really well. They are really, really, really expensive. Ah well - my melon is worth it. I'm going to see if they can order less offensive colours than what they had in stock. Otherwise, I'll be picking up the white w/ red stripes version I tried on. Thanks for the recommendations, y'all.

(back from the dead)

i have a catlike kompact (not "2" and not "pro"). got it off ebay for $50* from a track racer from the uk. i, like you, m, as far as i can tell from your mangled head in the other thread (glad to hear you're ok), have that head that just doesn't fit well in most helmets--except the catlike.

mine doesn't meet the US standards, though. am i gonna die now?

*there ARE deals out there, my friends; there is hope!

(back from the dead)

i have a catlike kompact (not "2" and not "pro"). got it off ebay for $50* from a track racer from the uk. i, like you, m, as far as i can tell from your mangled head in the other thread (glad to hear you're ok), have that head that just doesn't fit well in most helmets--except the catlike.

mine doesn't meet the US standards, though. am i gonna die now?

*there ARE deals out there, my friends; there is hope!


Its not that your helmet doesn't meet US Standards, the Catlike just hasn't been through the US Standards board yet. (slow and political like the FDA)

Anyone happen to know if any places in Toronto stock Catlike?

Yeah similar question here, anyone know any shops in london that rock catlike?