I've been looking around at helmets for the past month or so. My budget is around 100 or less. I was looking at the Specialized propero, and a few bell models(ghisallo, maybe sweep). The bell felt wierd(I wear a medium and that felt big) and the specialized looked and almost fit the same as the 45 dollar specialized helmet I purchased a year and a half ago, but cost more than double.

Question: What helmets do you wear to ride, how do you like it, and where did you purchase it(if at a good price)?

Concern: I remember reading on the forum that a few specialized models failed to pass the snell(?) inspections. My helmet is pulled off the production line so it's got me thinking, might have been mine.

Thanks in advance, there are a ton of helmet threads but they don't directly answer or recommend questions for helmets in my price range(usually they are more expensive helmets).

I love my Giro. I got it for $25 at Performance (on sale). They have a huge selection and many on sale. You can buy online as well: www.performancebicycles.com

Wear what is comfortable and fits well.

The Specialized S-Works 2D helmet is the helmet in question. The faulty piece in question is the chin strap.

All the helmets sold by the major manufacturers are great, if they fit. My current lid is the Propero that I picked up with a shop discount. My best bang for the buck helmet is my Bell Sweep R I picked up at Performance on closeout. If you're not after a specific color, Performance is a good place to check.

Wear what is comfortable and fits well.+1.....major criteria for me too, before price and style.
I'm not at all concerned with crash tests results.

There have been many discussions on helmets, both here and in the road subforum. I think the consensus is that almost all the helmets (cheap to expensive) pass the tests; though it's best to look for the snell stickers just to be sure. The additional $ goes to design (look-wise), ventilation and perhaps weight.

Fit-wise, each individual and manufacturer are different. For me, Spec Aurora (discontinued; renamed to something else) and the Giro (Pneumo at the moment) fit me well, where's other current Spec's and Bell's don't.

LBS normally charges MSRP on helmets. I've only purchased it from them last time because I got it right after a crash and they took good care of me. Otherwise, I would have purchased it at a Performance Bikes retail store. With Perf Bikes, they normally have good discounts esp when they have their 10%-20% off sales.

The Specialized S-Works 2D helmet is the helmet in question. The faulty piece in question is the chin strap.




Yep, and it has been corrected. Specialized handled it like pro's too. I got a Decibel for free to use and keep . A hard case for the helmet for free, I guess for storage and when traveling. The S-Works I just picked up on Saturday, all same but the previous strap is on it instead. So for the price of 1 helmet I got 2 helmets plus the hard case.:D

All the helmets sold by the major manufacturers are great, if they fit. My current lid is the Propero that I picked up with a shop discount. My best bang for the buck helmet is my Bell Sweep R I picked up at Performance on closeout. If you're not after a specific color, Performance is a good place to check.

+1 on Performance. Right now, they have an Giro Atmos on sale for $100, if you don't mind light blue or pink ;) http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23102&subcategory_ID=4210

I love the Atmos, it's light, fits me well, vents well, and can be found discounted more often now that the Ionos is out there.

FWIW, I just went through this. Someplace on the forums is a link to a site that talks about looking for a helmet that is more rounded and has fewer snag points.

As mentioned above, price is not an indicator of safety; most helmets meet the specs. I went with a Bell Solar. It fit well, has been comfy and was a good price. On sale at Perfor. right now for about $20.

Sheldon

Which Specialized helmets were recalled? I love my Decibel, which I believe is no longer on the shelves because it was replaced with a new model. Bell and Giro helmets don't fit me all that well.

The online bike stores have models that are a few years old correct? I assume that similar to motorcycle helmets bike helmets have a suggested use date, and expiration date(hopefully I don't sound ridiculous). What year bike helmet would be considered expired or soon to be?

I've contacted a few lbs because the SC cycling club gets discounts at certain stores. But for the most part the stores that offer discounts have prices that equal other competitors prices once the discounts are given(go figure, business will be business). I'm using bike shops just to try the fits of the helmets, and possibly will purchase online.

You don't sound ridiculous. I've heard that sun exposure breaks down the foam over time and that they recommend a new helmet every 3-5 years. That means if the helmets were in a storage room, you're better off than one that had been on display by the front door, and that helmets that are riden more miles on will have a shorter lifespan, I guess. I intend to buy a new helmet every 5 years either way, but I'm sure there's a 20 year safety buffer in there somewhere (I see people on 1980's helmets that haven't visibly decomposed yet).

I am morally against using a shop's service and showroom space in order to give the sale to a different company, but you do what makes you feel right.

I love my Giro. I got it for $25 at Performance (on sale). They have a huge selection and many on sale. You can buy online as well: www.performancebicycles.com

Don't buy a helmet online unless you already know it's the right one for you and have tried it on. If you see one advertised online at Performance, make sure and print it out if you go and visit their store because they tend to cost more at their stores, but will give it to you for their online price if you mention it.

You don't sound ridiculous. I've heard that sun exposure breaks down the foam over time and that they recommend a new helmet every 3-5 years. That means if the helmets were in a storage room, you're better off than one that had been on display by the front door, and that helmets that are riden more miles on will have a shorter lifespan, I guess. I intend to buy a new helmet every 5 years either way, but I'm sure there's a 20 year safety buffer in there somewhere (I see people on 1980's helmets that haven't visibly decomposed yet).

I am morally against using a shop's service and showroom space in order to give the sale to a different company, but you do what makes you feel right.


True, that being said, and now that I think about it I have only baught my bike gear/bike etc, from one lbs that has been good to me(even though I don't get my school discount there). I'm too too loyal to my local stores. What I meant is that I'm at the local bike shops trying on helmets for size. I was going to buy a bell but stepped into a store and realized that most of their models don't fit me well.

My lbs only carriers one brand, any bikeshops with a large selection?

What area do you live in?

What area do you live in?

I live in the Glendale area.

Ahh, not too far. There's a Performance in Pasadena (Arroyo and Del Mar) and In Cycle on Colorado Blvd near PCC. Both great shops.

Also, I wouldn't feel guilty about trying them on at Performance and then ordering them online from Performance if they don't have the color you want or something.

Which Specialized helmets were recalled? I love my Decibel, which I believe is no longer on the shelves because it was replaced with a new model. Bell and Giro helmets don't fit me all that well.

It was only the S-Works D2. However I do believe the decibel is still available, atleast it is in my LBS. However I dont like the fit as well, not sure what is different about it. The S-Works is lighter so maybe that is it. I actually liked the clasp that was re-called. The updated S-Works is using the same clasp as the Decibel.

Ahh, not too far. There's a Performance in Pasadena (Arroyo and Del Mar) and In Cycle on Colorado Blvd near PCC. Both great shops.

Also, I wouldn't feel guilty about trying them on at Performance and then ordering them online from Performance if they don't have the color you want or something.

Thanks, I'll check it out. Maybe I'll see you once more around the rosebowl, it's been some time now.

Yeah, I have been adding a lap around the Rose Bowl on my commutes home Tue and Thu now that it's lighter longer. If I feel crazy enough in the Spring, I might even eat dinner on the way and do the Rose Bowl training ride on the way home for a nice 70 mile day with a hammer at the end!

I love my Giro. I got it for $5 at Goodwill.
Also bought 4 Bells @ 2.99 each

^ I'm a little skeptical about buying used safety equipment, although you can usually tell by visual inspection.

I am content with my Bell Solar which I found at REI on sale for about $22. Check REI, sometimes you can get great deals on bike gear and accessories.

Recent issue of Bicycle(?) a gear issue. Comments: for the head-save on helmets they're all crash rated with some caveats on venting etc, Splurge on glasses with relevant comments about uv and rubber grips etc. Not mentioned maybe the rider has insurance and can save $$$ with the optometrist and max quality and protection.

Wear what is comfortable and fits well.

Word ^ for me it is the Specialized Decibel. Got mine for $95 at my former LBS in Murrieta.

I just ordered a Limar Pro 104 - right at 200grams, very lightweight helmet..

For you, look more at fit than brand name.. Some brands fit great and others terrible.. Find a brand that fits you head well.. Giro's used to fit my head great 10 years ago and they did something to the sizing, so I am right in between there sizes now.. I have been using Limar for the past 5 years and they are a perfect fit, for me..