Road Cycling - Catlike Helmets In The US?

I did a search and couldnt find anything.. I thought I saw where some people had posted that CatLike helmets were available in the US now. Anyone got a link where they can be purchased?

The only link I could find was http://www.catlike-usa.com/ and they definitely arent selling helmets there.

Thanks

Every Catlike helmet I've seen was purchased in Europe and brought back by the owner.

I did a search and couldnt find anything.. I thought I saw where some people had posted that CatLike helmets were available in the US now. Anyone got a link where they can be purchased?

The only link I could find was http://www.catlike-usa.com/ and they definitely arent selling helmets there.

Thanks


Order from Prendas in the UK. I ordered a Kompact, and it came in about five days. Very legit, very fast.

probikekit? free shipping to US i think.

PBK wont sell Catlike to anyone in the US and they have pretty much discontinued all Catlike helmets anyway.

I bet the folks at Downland Cycles in the UK would sell you one. www.downlandcycles.co.uk

I got mine from UK eBay

I bet the folks at Downland Cycles in the UK would sell you one. www.downlandcycles.co.uk


I got mine from Downland Cycles, but I live in the UK.

Order from Prendas in the UK. I ordered a Kompact, and it came in about five days. Very legit, very fast.

+1

http://www.prendas.co.uk/default.asp

Thanks for the replies. Guess I need to look at Prendas. I got a reply from Catlike this morning telling me that Orbea is going to be their US distributor and it doesnt look like it's going to happen anytime soon so I guess I need to start looking elsewhere.

PBK wont sell Catlike to anyone in the US and they have pretty much discontinued all Catlike helmets anyway.

I have heard but never tired this on PBK.com
1. enter country as UK
2. USD
3. purchase catlike and put mailing address to the US

I learned this from a guy that I saw wearing a catlike helmet. Good luck those are pretty sweet helmets...Its to bad the USD is trading so low compared to Pound right now b/c it would definitly be priced differently if being sold in the US.

I have heard but never tired this on PBK.com
1. enter country as UK
2. USD
3. purchase catlike and put mailing address to the US

I learned this from a guy that I saw wearing a catlike helmet. Good luck those are pretty sweet helmets...Its to bad the USD is trading so low compared to Pound right now b/c it would definitly be priced differently if being sold in the US.

Yea.. thats why I was looking for a US Source.

PBK doesnt have anything but the Catlike TT helmets, all the good stuff is gone.

If you end up finding one...keep us updated and post a picture of that beauty..

Important information for Customers Outside the European Union: The Whisper Helmet is designed for use in the European pro peleton and therefore meets the EN1078 European safety standard. If your country requires a different and/or more stringent standard neither Prendas Ciclismo nor Catlike can take any responsibility for the use of the Whisper in these circumstances.
Additional information for USA Customers: Whilst the Whisper does not meet the CPSC standard, as of the 3rd March 2006, USA Cycling added the European helmet standard to its list of approved standards.





From the Prendas website...

Here's mine. I took the "Whisper" stickers off because they were cheap, and looked like they would come off on their own eventually.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/x43x/DSC01394.jpg

Newbie question... what's the big deal about them? Is it because it's a hard to find Euro helmet? you just want to be different?

I'm not a big fan of the eyelet looking holes but I guess they work.

Not trying to be facetious, just curious.

Thanks!

Just something different plus I do like the netting inside the helmet. I had a bug fly into my helmet last year, not a lot of fun try to shake a bug out while you're in a pace line.

I thought about getting an Atmos but I was afraid if I did, R600 might come find me and drop me for being a poseur.

Newbie question... what's the big deal about them? Is it because it's a hard to find Euro helmet? you just want to be different?

I'm not a big fan of the eyelet looking holes but I guess they work.

Not trying to be facetious, just curious.

Thanks!

I like the look of them. Plus they're new (or they were) so I was the first person in my street (maybe in London) with one. And I needed a new helmet.

Newbie question... what's the big deal about them? Is it because it's a hard to find Euro helmet? you just want to be different?

I'm not a big fan of the eyelet looking holes but I guess they work.

Not trying to be facetious, just curious.

Thanks!

Catlike helmets have at least 2 design features that I like a lot. Firstly I wear a Catlike Kompact helmet which gets the "kompact" name because it uses higher density foam than other cycle helmets which isn't as thick, hence compact. The Whisper helmet apears to be the same and this is a feature that makes Catlike helmets stronger. The other important feature, which is what first atracted me to Catlike helmets is the fully encompasing micro-shell. Every nook and cranny has some shell covering it and this is a VERY important feature that gives the helmets a lot of strength when compared to flimsier designs.
Basicaly foam has not structual integrity of its own. It only works in compression IF it has a shell to compress against. Many modern designs expose the foam which will just crumble the first time it see's the pavement and if it crumbles its not compressing properly to cushion you from the sudden impact of a fall.

Catlike helmets have reasonably good ventilation while still being fairly substantial helmets with considerable strength. I have some design background and I have looked into helmet design in the past. Catlike helmets look very much to me like a safety minded engineer is having a large say where as much of the competition looks like its been designed for ventilation first, safety second.

Regards, Anthony

x43x,

Is that the R248? This is color/model I want as well...

What size head to you have? Mine is 58.5 CM.....very top of a M and just below a large. I amthinking a large would be best..

I actually ended up with not one, not two but 3 Catlike helmets.

I have 2 Whispers, a yellow and white one and a black, white and carbon like x43x's and a Team Phonak Kompact edition I bought off Ebay. I guess Phonak was supposed to use Catlike helmets and ended up switching sponsors at the last minute or something.

Looking at the Prendas website, mine seems to be the R236. Carbon, Silver, and White, but I got mine off eBay UK. The R248 is the Kompact model. My head is 55cm. I think I could have gone with a size small for a tighter fit, but wouldn't have been able to fit a skull cap or ear warmer band underneath. I have a small Giro helmet that fits like a glove, but I can fit anything on my head to keep it warm. I actually took some of the extra padding from the Giro that I didn't use and put it in the Whisper on the sides towards the rear. I think my head is more long than wide.

I think these helmets run slightly small.... if you're borderline, I'd go up in size.

<snip>I have some design background and I have looked into helmet design in the past. Catlike helmets look very much to me like a safety minded engineer is having a large say where as much of the competition looks like its been designed for ventilation first, safety second.

Regards, Anthony

No engineering background here, so I have to accept your evaluation, but that doesn't explain why their helmets don't meet US safety standards, which I are assume are based on how they respond to force testing. Comments?

They pass European safety standards, and I thought the US started accepting the Euro standards since last year. So I guess they pass by default?

USA Cycling accepts the Europeon standard, but they still do not meet the US CPSC standard.

USA Cycling accepts the Europeon standard, but they still do not meet the US CPSC standard.

Is this why there is no real US distribution/sales?

Most likely, too much potential liability for the distributor/retailer.

No engineering background here, so I have to accept your evaluation, but that doesn't explain why their helmets don't meet US safety standards, which I are assume are based on how they respond to force testing. Comments?

They dont have a US distributor so maybe they never submitted them for approval?

Apparently at some point, Orbea is going to be selling them in the US. Orbea is the UK distributor also I believe.

No engineering background here, so I have to accept your evaluation, but that doesn't explain why their helmets don't meet US safety standards, which I are assume are based on how they respond to force testing. Comments?

I'm not realy familiar with the why's and wherefores of why the Catlike helmets don't pass the US standards. I think the origional Kompact helmet had a retention issue which was fixed with the Kompact Pro model.

Sometimes however its probably more a jurisdictional issue rather than anything serious. The Giro helmet that Lance wore which you guys all love doesn't pass the Australian standards however Catlike helmets do. I suspect management at Catlike took a dislike to the US standards people and simply decided not to resubmit thier helmets for evaluation. Who knows realy?

My two bobs worth was that the Catlike helmets had many desirable design features and the one feature I didn't like on the Kompact, the pointy bits at the back were removed for the Whisper design which looks better to me.

Regards, Anthony

Lot of people like them... they are different. I just like a cleaner look... I use a Rudy Project Kontact- light, sleek, not something every other guy is wearing... and although they go for a hundred something in the stores, I got mine off eBay for 40 shipped. Wasn't even listed in cycling, the seller had it listed as "Brand new and boxed sports/bike riding helmet"... steal. Sweet.

Hate to bring a thread back from the dead, but is there any word on Catlike distribution in the US?

I have looked around quite a bit but can not seem to be able to source a Whisper helmet without getting it shipped from across the pond.

Hate to bring a thread back from the dead, but is there any word on Catlike distribution in the US?

I have looked around quite a bit but can not seem to be able to source a Whisper helmet without getting it shipped from across the pond.

They've been permanently banned for crimes against aesthetic design.

http://www.prendas.co.uk/

This place sells them and ships to the US as well....

It's funny that they don't list/have a US dist; http://www.catlike.es/english/index.html...I bought mine from my LBS (http://www.pedalheadroadworks.com/ $309),...I dont think they fit small either, My Whisper plus is a Small while my Specialized S-Works is a Medium, I guess it all depends on your head...good luck with your search.

They even come with a nice case :thumb:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg293/cale262/BIKES/CatlikeW.jpg

I just checked the prices of these helmets here in France since they are supposed to be a Euro thing.. They are incredibly expensive. All the good looking models are about twice the price of top of the line models by other makers. Ouch!

I just checked the prices of these helmets here in France since they are supposed to be a Euro thing.. They are incredibly expensive. All the good looking models are about twice the price of top of the line models by other makers. Ouch!

How much are they?

It's funny that they don't list/have a US dist; ht tp://www.c atlike.es/english/index.html...I bought mine from my LBS (htt p://ww w. pedalheadroadworks.com/ $309),...I dont think they fit small either, My Whisper plus is a Small while my Specialized S-Works is a Medium, I guess it all depends on your head...good luck with your search.

They even come with a nice case :thum b:
h ttp://i251. photobucket.com/albums/gg293/cale262/BIKES/CatlikeW.jpg

:wtf: ?

Catlike Kompact Pro: £74.95 ($147.089375)
Catlike Whisper Plus: £119.95 ($235.401875)

I have not seen any model with a price below EUR 150 which is roughly USD 250. I hope they do fit as good as I'm told at this price.

I have not seen any model with a price below EUR 150 which is roughly USD 250. I hope they do fit as good as I'm told at this price.

stop. stop. stop...

WTF are you thinking?

$234 (todays ideal exchange rate for €150) is a ridiculous price to pay for a helmet when a giro pneumo can be had for $90, or an atmos for $100.

stop. stop. stop...

WTF are you thinking?

$234 (todays ideal exchange rate for €150) is a ridiculous price to pay for a helmet when a giro pneumo can be had for $90, or an atmos for $100.

+1

The catlike helmets are not very good aero anyway. Those holes cause a lot of turbulence. Although they direct the air to your head well it causes more aero drag.

That is probably a moot point though when you consider they are just hands down way more expensive. I see a catlike helmet registering somewhere on my radar near carbon pulleys. Sure it would be nice and yes i might someday if i have the money burning a hole in my pocket but probably not.

Firstly I wear a Catlike Kompact helmet which gets the "kompact" name because it uses higher density foam than other cycle helmets which isn't as thick, hence compact. The Whisper helmet apears to be the same and this is a feature that makes Catlike helmets stronger.

I thought helmets with higher volume of lower-density foam are better at reducing impact forces. The deceleration of your head would be more gradual, the brain less likely to bruise.

+1

The catlike helmets are not very good aero anyway. Those holes cause a lot of turbulence. Although they direct the air to your head well it causes more aero drag.

That is probably a moot point though when you consider they are just hands down way more expensive. I see a catlike helmet registering somewhere on my radar near carbon pulleys. Sure it would be nice and yes i might someday if i have the money burning a hole in my pocket but probably not.

Actually my Whisper was the quietest helmet I ever wore.. it just didnt fit all that well with my big melon.

ive always thought they looked like some kinda dried out sea creature... they do stand out really well though...

i prefer the look of my rudy kontact+

I thought helmets with higher volume of lower-density foam are better at reducing impact forces. The deceleration of your head would be more gradual, the brain less likely to bruise.

Catlike are using the same grade of foam as for motorcycle helmets where as most bicycle helmets are using lighter grade material. It may seem counterintuitive but a helmet made from the higher grade foam with a completely encompassing shell is much stronger and will provide greater protection to a blunt impact (Road) than a helmet made from lighter foam and a flimsy shell which is at risk of breaking. It sounds right to say that you want a slower de-acceleration but the forces are really great and a soft foam will completely lose its compression ability before the job is done or what usually happens, just disintegrate. Lots of people post commentary that their helmet broke in a crash and therefore must have saved their head where as from a technical point of view once the helmet has broken it has stopped absorbing the impact and isn't really providing protection. I know someone somewhere posted a picture of a Catlike Compact with the rear fin broken and this is one of the reasons why I didn't like that design element of the helmet but otherwise it was quite intact.

Regards, Anthony

They're a bit pricey! I got my Whisper from a shop in the UK for ~£96. However, it's the best bike helmet I've ever worn! :thumb:

That is without question the dumbest looking bicycle helmet I could ever imagine. But I'm sure it would look good on you.

More vents does not equal more airflow. Channeling inside the helmet (getting air to move across the head and out the back) makes for a cooler helmet.

That is without question the dumbest looking bicycle helmet I could ever imagine. But I'm sure it would look good on you.

Fabulous! I've got pics coming.:D:D