General Cycling Discussion - Helmet decisions??? Hmmmmmm, scratches head.

I can't decide between these two helmets. The Giro has a couple more vents and is better looking, yet the Bell weighs less. They are both on sale at Nashbar but my decision is only on one of these. Is Giro better than Bell or vice versa? Any suggestions?? I have decided to get a helmet after reading all of the scare stories and almost plowing into some ladies dog that she let wander into my lane. I guess it's o.k. as long as she was on the right side of the rail trail.:rolleyes:

Bell Helmet (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&brand=&sku=5584&storetype=&estoreid=)

Giro Helmet (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&brand=&sku=3841&storetype=&estoreid=)

I'd buy the one that fit better. for me it's the Giro. I have a big melon.

Three rules of thumb for a helmet. First: It Must Fit. Second: If you've got a $10 head buy a $10 helmet. Basically the more expensive helmets have the benefit of the latest technology while the cheaper ones are either trickle down tech or just plain obsolete. Third: See Rule #1

zman92atl: I have the Bell Ukon and have been very pleased with it. I paid $39.95 for mine and feel it gives me just as much protection as a helmet that costs double or triple the same amount.

BTW, the visor is removable.

Zack

that bell helmet is one size fits all, the giro has several sizes for different sized heads. for $5 more I would get the helmet that has the better fit.

Buy your first helmet from a shop where you can actually try it on. Different brands of helmets fit differently. For instance, Ritalin says the Giro fits his big melon, but Giro helmets won't fit my melon, also big. When you replace the first one, you'll know how that brand fits. Don't rule out a helmet because of price, either. Your head is worth more than the most expensive helmet, so get the helmet that feels most comfortable.

Originally posted by Prosody
Don't rule out a helmet because of price, either. Your head is worth more than the most expensive helmet, so get the helmet that feels most comfortable.

I think this is one of the best, smartest quotes I've ever read.

I recently had an accident and had a concussion, lost a few hours of memory. I'm very thankful that I was wearing a helmet because I think hitting the pavement at 30mph without one would have proved fatal.

Besides cycling I'm also into rock climbing. In climbing your life depends on your rope. It's funny how people will want to save money on a rope, not wanting to pay $150 on a rope designed for climbing (i could explain what makes a climbing rope, but they absorb the impact of the fall.. much like a helmet). I've seen people using a $3 piece of nylon rope that they purchased at walmart!!

How much is your life worth?

I am one for saving money when it makes sense, but a few things I do not skimp on are :

1. Helmet: My life is worth whatever the best helmet is priced at.

2. Tires/ Tubes: At 30+ MPH I want to be reasonable certain my tires can handle it.

3. Stem / Bars: Don't need some $3 part snapping like a dry twig in a sprint.

My advice (for what it's worth) is to go to your local bike shop and be properly fitted for a good helmet. It WILL cost you more, but a poorly fitted helmet can actually be more dangerous than no helmet at all.

Chances are you will have this helmet for a few years at least (Unless you crash) so the cost is spread out over a long period of time. Plus if you do crash, a better helmet will certainly minimize your injuries.

I watched my friend crash in last weeks crit going 25+. His head hit the pavement with an audible WHACK. By the time we came around for the next lap, he was up and walking around. After the race I checked on him and his helmet was shattered but he was unscathed!! He spent $125 for that helmet and I am certain he would tell you that it was worth EVERY cent!

Save the money elsewhere, DO NOT BE CHEAP WITH YOUR LIFE!

How can I determine if my helmet fits properly? I have one I bought a few years ago, and it slides a little front-to-back if I try to move it on my head. Does it mean its too big?

Anuta. that's probably more of a strap adjustment than a fit problem.

if it it sitting on top of your head it should be comfortable, not wobble around. my head is pretty long and narrow so i have to get a big helmet and put foam pads on the sides to keep it from moving side to side.

it should cover your forehead. if it slides back and leaves your forehead exposed it really reduces the benefit of the helmet. that's why it's important to have the straps adjusted so it doesn't slide back. you're trying to protect your noodle, so you gotta keep it all wrapped up.

here's pics
BAD:
http://students.etsu.edu/zjdw25/bad.jpg


BETTER: (probably always have a problem with a PERFECT fit)
http://students.etsu.edu/zjdw25/good.jpg

Ritalin,

thank you!

Yes, it does slide like in the first picture, but only if I push it. I think my straps are adjusted as tight as possible though. I have straps like yours, nothing fancier.

It does feel comfortable and doesn't wobble around when on top of my head, but when I push it back I can really push it far, so that the back of the helmet almost touches my neck.

I will try readjusting the straps again and see what happens. Where can I get the foam pads? I don't think my helmet is too big on the sides, so I am not sure if getting a different size will solve the problem.

the foam pads came with my helmet. i just have a problem since my head is really long and narrow. you'd know if you need them.

to keep it from sliding back you have to keep the front strap taught. and i constantly check to make sure my helmet has moved back. guess it's from years of cycling and paddling where eventually the helmet works forward, i always want my melon protected so i'm compulisve about checking

Go with the one that fits the best. Just don't go to cheap, this is your head we are talking about. This is one place you don't want to scimp.

Also if you're into saving money, check if either helmet has a replacement warranty. If you break it in a crash some manufacturers will give you a discount on a new helmet. Trek does this. Specialized used to but no longer does I learned; I've broken two Specialized helmets.
Those are the only helmet brands I'm familiar with.

My current helmet is a Bell. About $20, and very comfortable.

I had to remove the pads, which were glued on, and re-attach them with tiny velcro self-adehesive discs from the dollar store.
(You have to wash these out after a while so they don't stink, then after you wash them the first time, you have to start washing them frequently. But that's easy to do.)

zman, I have 3 Giro helmets. The 2 older ones fit ok but the new one has a the Roc Lok 3 system. It fits my head much better than my other helmets. They don't have the Roc Lok feature.
Go to a bike shop and try the helmets on to compare fit and features.

I was under the impression that as long as a helmet is CPSC certified, a $15 department store helmet offered the same level of protection as a $100 helmet. I thought the advantages of a more expensive helmet are more comfort, better cooling, lighter weight, etc.

Many posts in this thread said don’t be cheap when it comes to a helmet. I checked several manufacturers’ websites and all say that their helmets are certified, and not one says anything about providing more protection.

So what’s the deal, are more expensive helmets actually safer?

Good question. Anyone know?:confused:

bump.

Originally posted by NW NJ Biker

So what’s the deal, are more expensive helmets actually safer?

Although you can get a CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commison) certified helmet at K-Mart, that does not make it a good helmet. CPSC just certifies that a product meets it's specifications. What you have to take into consideration is how that product is used, and that is usually the problem.

If a cheap-o helmet is CPSC certified but does not fit you well, then it does not protect you as it is intended.

Your helmet is normally comprised of four elements: rigid outer shell, crushable liner, chin strap and fit or comfort padding. The rigid outer shell, when present, may add load-spreading capacity and prevent objects from penetrating the helmet. The liner, usually made of EPS (expanded polystyrene), or similar types of materials, absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing. The chin strap, when properly buckled and adjusted, along with the fit padding helps the helmet remain in position during a crash.

Although still CPSC certified, Cheaper helmets may skimp on padding, EPS and chin strap materials. Also they may use a foam outer shell covered by a helmet cap that does not deflect friction as well as a hard shell.

Think of it this way, all cars meet the same standards for safety as regulated by the federal govt., but what would you rather be driving in if you crashed; a Ford Festiva or a Volvo XC?

A better certification for bike helmets is SNELL and ANSI certified. SNELL certification is far more stringent and usually means that the helmet has passed some pretty vigorous testing.

Other factors like comfort, cooling and supplimental retention play a huge factor in the functional useage of a helmet.

Again, bottom line is you get what you pay for. I prefer to play it safe and get the maximum protection for my noggin in the event that I might actually need to use it someday. :)