Road Cycling - Sleek looking helmets...do they exist?

I have an older bell helmet and was thinking about upgrading to a newer sleeker one; its a tad big and heavy, which sometimes results in me not wearing a helmet because I cant stand the thing.

Anyone have suggestions on helmets that are sleek/non bulky/dorky looking that still protect well?

Im looking at the Bell Ghisallo right now 99 bucks at Nashbar....call me vain but I want a helmet that does the job while looking somewhat eye pleasing. Any other suggestions? What does the job for you?

I bought a Giro Eclipse recently on Ebay. Got a really good deal and I think it's a good looking helmet.

Can you get hold of Met helmets in the US?

If you can, then the Met Stradivarius is a nice looking thing. Sadly, though, they don't fit my head shape very well, but my partner likes hers.
For me, it's a toss up between the Bell Ghisallo & the Giro Pneumo, although each time I try on a Pneumo I'm surprised by how wide it is!

But in anycase, it's a bit risky starting a thread like this, isn't it?
You know it's just about to slide off into another 'I wear a helmet all the time, you must be stupid if you don't!' thing.

Blimey, Nikos can't even ask about cotton caps without it all falling apart.

Right about now, I should say....

Personally i like the look of Giro helmets - the Targa is nice if you like big vents.

Richard

Originally posted by joseba jones
Can you get hold of Met helmets in the US?

If you can, then the Met Stradivarius is a nice looking thing. Sadly, though, they don't fit my head shape very well, but my partner likes hers.
For me, it's a toss up between the Bell Ghisallo & the Giro Pneumo, although each time I try on a Pneumo I'm surprised by how wide it is!

But in anycase, it's a bit risky starting a thread like this, isn't it?
You know it's just about to slide off into another 'I wear a helmet all the time, you must be stupid if you don't!' thing.

Blimey, Nikos can't even ask about cotton caps without it all falling apart.

Right about now, I should say....

here goes...

some times I wear a helmet, some times I dont :D

however, with a lighter more form fitting helmet Ill probably enjoy wearing it, instead of dreading it! 'specially on hot days.....

The Louis Garneau line looks pretty good.
I think Velocipedio has the Garneau, I really like the
look of the vents and colour schemes.
I'm using Giro and I really don't mind that it looks
dorky. Like the Ad says (said)
"got a 10 dollar head? get a 10 dollar helmet."

Marty

I bought a Giro Pneumo about a year ago and really like it. It was very close between that and the Briko Twinner, which I think is a very good looking helmet. If I were buying one right now it would be a very difficult choice between the Twinner and the Bell Ghisallo. That one is really good looking, too.

The Giro pneumo is a pretty sweet looking helmet. It also has alot of vents which keeps your head cool.

I think the Limar F107
http://62.110.43.66/isroot/limar/SiteImages/prodotti/f107-stripe-blue-l.jpg
and F18
http://62.110.43.66/isroot/limar/SiteImages/prodotti/f18_yellowblue_l.jpg
look pretty cool too!!

The only time I ride without a helmet is when my bike is on the trainer. :beer:

I like the fit and look of limar and Giro. I noticed the other day that they are both on sale at Gearlink (http://www.gearlink.com/shop/enter.html?target=BLOW_OUTSHelmets.html).

I just bought the Giro pneumo. Excellent helmet. The one that I think is the COOLEST though, is the Briko Twinner. i would have bought one but they were all sold out!!!!!!!

Right now I have the Limar F-18 that is pictured just above in the yellow, got mine on sale for 30 bucks. However, I would like to get my hands on the type of helmet that is more shaped to the head, maybe a touch thiner in design. Ive seen some pros wearing such helmets, they look very cool - not the big mushroom effect!

I agree, I thin helmet would be nice, if it offers full coverage in a crash. For some reason, when watching othe cyclists, there helmet never looks overly large. No matter what helmet i wear, it feels large to me.

My LBS has a twinner on sale, but its not my size, great looking lid!

I like Giro helmets because when you crash... and there are two types of riders, those who have crashed and those who are going to crash.... anyway, when you crash and grate your cranium, they always replace it no questions asked... I had a leader skid lid once and got a pretty bad concussion. They wouldn't take it back. It is a good investment! I would have to guess that most helmets these days have a replacement policy. I just bough the pnuemo, replacing my old air attack. I like the vents, especially with the hot weather down here!

Giro replaces it? I just crashed my new E2 and sent an email to Giro asking about their replacement policy. They wrote back and said 20% off a new one, bought from them. With their costs I could get one online cheaper! How do you get them to replace it?

Giro E2 or the Pneumo
Bell X Ray Pro and remove the visor. It comes with plugs to fill the holes that the visor snaps into.
Louis Garneau T-Bone

I like the Giros and the L.G. but they do not fit me properly.
Befor you purchase your helmet make sure it fits well.
Slainte:beer:

I like my Giro, but my wife bought a Catlike Kompact in blue white and carbon. It looks fantastic. Especially the rear "exhaust " vents.

Originally posted by nikos
Right now I have the Limar F-18 that is pictured just above in the yellow, got mine on sale for 30 bucks. However, I would like to get my hands on the type of helmet that is more shaped to the head, maybe a touch thiner in design. Ive seen some pros wearing such helmets, they look very cool - not the big mushroom effect!

Ive noticed that too as I hate the mushroom effect.....

it looks like most pros wear the Giro Pneumo......Telekom wears the Limar F107, and I beleive Ibanesto wear the Bell Ghisallo.

The Ghisallo seems to be the thinnest most form fitting helmet Ive seen so far. I just wish they offered it in black.

Originally posted by Dirtgrinder
Giro replaces it? I just crashed my new E2 and sent an email to Giro asking about their replacement policy. They wrote back and said 20% off a new one, bought from them. With their costs I could get one online cheaper! How do you get them to replace it?

Well, I guess times have changed... I sent 3 giro helmets back and go new ones... this was back in the early 90's... i think they used the broken helmets for research. Oh well... still like my pneumo!

paller, so YOU are the one to blame for the rising helmet costs:D :D :D :D Heck , sue everybody!

Originally posted by paller
Get a lawyer and sue Giro for making a defective product.

Speaking of defective Giro products... my 2001 E2 has recently started having its velcro strip for the roc-loc peel off. I wonder if I can send it back for a replacement. I understand that the new E2s now use a more secure fastening system than glued on velcro strips. Barring a new helmet, I'll probably just go to Home Depot and pick up some 3M Super-77 adhesive like everyone seems to be recommending.

I recently picked up a Bell Ghisallo and love it, but I would not have gotten the right size if I had not tried it on. With every other helmet I have tried on, I required a Large, which always makes it look dorkier and bulky. The medium Ghisallo, though, slipped on and fit my head perfectly. If you had asked me to spend $120 on a helmet before that moment, I would have laughed, but in 30 seconds, I was standing at the cash register waving my credit card.

I also have the E2 and the velcro does come loose. I haven't had any problems with it though while riding so I guess it's not too much to worry about.