Mountain Biking - Helmets and Mtn Bikes - need knowledge

Although I never wore a helmet when i was younger, I do now enjoy a lesser tolerance to pain and a seemingly longer period to heal. And, when riding moto-x and hare & hound stuff as well as on the street, I never fired up a motorcycle without having a skidlid on.

Therefore, as I am preparing to buy a bike (I just ordered shoes, so I guess the wife cannot complain to much now, what is started is done :D), I am considering the options of a helmet. While the rest of me tends to be larger then normal, I fortunately have a somewhat normal sized noggin (unless you ask some friends of mine who would possibly claim it resides in a swollen state).

That in mind, I checked out a few helmets the other day at a local "sporting goods" store that handles mostly high end stuff. It seems as tho a size large will fit alright, but a size U (whatever that means) that adjusts fit better.

What are your recommendations for size, type, brand, etc. I have no idea what I should be looking for here.

TIA

grab a tape measure and measure the circumference of your head, just above your eyebrows....

go to www.giro.com and whatever bell's website is and see which size you fall into - try to get to the store to try them on - then buy one.

recommended: good deals on giro gila right now.

That was the brand i was looking at actually (remember now that you typed it) - Giro.


What makes a good brainbucket a good one? Anyway to tell? Anything to shy away from?

What she said.

Right now Nashbar has the Bell X-ray on sale for 1/2 off. Very adjustable and light. Just remember this: all of the helmets must meet standards for being certified as safe. So, in general, a $30 helmet will protect you as much as a $100 helmet. Usually, the more you pay for the helmet, the less material it has (it's lighter). Strange how that works.:confused:

I have a Giro Mojave and love it -- it's very comfortable and well ventilated and fits me well. I too have a hard-to-fit noggin - larger than normal I guess since I have a hard time finding hats that fit right - but after trying a few helmets on in the store I was easily able to find one that fit well.

More expensive makes more holes meaning lighter and more ventilation :)...

Definately try on. For example. Full faced helmets I only seem to fit Giro not Bell. My bud is the other way. You may like the look of giro but it may never work on your noggen.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
More expensive makes more holes meaning lighter and more ventilation :)...

Definately try on. For example. Full faced helmets I only seem to fit Giro not Bell. My bud is the other way. You may like the look of giro but it may never work on your noggen.

That's a good point. Make sure you try on different helmets on before buying. Giros don't fit my head as well as Bell.

I find that Bell Helmets are the best.. I bought a few of the Vertigo Pro awhile ago as they where changing models... Specialized fit me the worst! ... For my Full face, I have a Zeus X-Cross... and it's worth it! Whenever I bail DH'ing, that helmet has kept me safe.. it broke my collarbone a few weeks ago, but better that then a broken neck or skull!

Joe

Originally posted by Nephilim
What are your recommendations for size, type, brand, etc. I have no idea what I should be looking for here.

TIA

Much like saddles, helmets are a very personal thing. In other words, it's all about fit. Try on a bunch of brands in a variety of sizes, and pick a good helmet that fits your head well.

Good luck!

bell helmets will fit a rounder head better and Giro will fit a narrow head better.

Slainte:beer: