I need some helmet advice

[p2000]

I also posted this in the Tri room.

Generally I don't wear a helmet when I ride. There I've said it. In the winter I do for warmth and in case I hit a patch of ice, but rarely in the summer. (Feel free to chastise me as you see fit)

However as I train for my first tri I know I will need to wear one. I also know I should probably get used to it before the event also.

Does anyone know which helmet is the smallest, lightest, least obtrusive, lowest profile (ok I think I've made my point) helmet that is still within the legal standards? I figure if I get something like that and get used to wearing it, it will be like a seatbelt- more of an automatic thing. Thanks.

[John E]

The most important characteristic of any new bicycle helmet currently legally available in the U.S. is how well it fits your head shape and how well its retention system will hold it in place, again on your head. For me, the expensive Giro Xen is far and away the best choice, but your mileage may vary. :)

[Mr York]

When I first started riding I went sans helmet. Now I am wearing one on each ride...well last week was really nice out and rode free and loved it. But the best advice I would say has already been given. Get the helmet that fits the best. I use a bell venture that came free with my last bike. The guy at the lbs fitted it for me and it has been very light and cool and I have no complaints with it. And you are right, it does become like a seat belt really quick. I even walk in the house with it still on not realizing it.

[bkrownd]

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Does anyone know which helmet is the smallest, lightest, least obtrusive, lowest profile (ok I think I've made my point) helmet that is still within the legal standards?

What exactly does "legal standards" mean to you? My Catlike Kompact (European) is the smallest/lightest I've used. However, I don't see much difference in size and weight between helmets from the perspective of wearing them. Airflow and comfort are the important things. It satisfies the European standards, whatever those are...

[BarracksSi]

Comfort first. You have to not care about whether it feels bad.

Like John E in the second post, the Xen plopped onto my head as if it were an old ballcap. It fit better than every other helmet in the store, so that's what I got. It's not exactly "aero" (as if I were even fast enough for that to matter... feh), but -- because of the fact that my head fits it nicely -- it's great for daily riding.

After that, go for airflow (so you don't sweat too much), ease of use, and color.

[chipcom]

I don't wear a helmet much myself, but I have tried a lot of them for those times when I have to. So far my favorite is the Uvex Touring. It looks decent, doesn't weigh too much, has enough ventilation, has screen over the front vents to keep the bugs out and best of all, the chinstrap has a quick adjust so you don't have to go fumbling around adjusting it when you feel the need to make it a little looser or a little tighter. It lists at only $50. Of course they have other styles too, go here http://www.uvexsports.com/category.aspx?categoryID=5 to check them out

[John E]

Like John E in the second post, the Xen plopped onto my head as if it were an old ballcap. It fit better than every other helmet in the store, so that's what I got. ...

This is where a good LBS really earns its profit. I was trying on various helmets and not really finding anything I liked as well as my old one when Fred, the proprietor, said, "I realize this one is a bit costlier than the others, but just try it on for size -- it's what I wear, and your head shape [spherical] is pretty similar to mine." One of the guys who works for me bought a Xen based on the safety/effectiveness rating in a mountain biking magazine. Until I find something that fits well, I cannot imagine mail-ordering a bike helmet any more than I would mail-order a pair of shoes without first having a "close encounter" with the brand, model, and size.

[AndrewP]

These look like helmets that would suit you http://www.trisports.com/aerohelmets.html

[closetbiker]

...Does anyone know which helmet is the smallest, lightest, least obtrusive, lowest profile (ok I think I've made my point) helmet that is still within the legal standards? ...

as long as they pass the tests, they're legal, but one has to wonder if those legal standards are worth the weight of the paper that they're printed on.

Read the disclaimers that come not only on and in the packaging of the helmet, but on the helmet itself. They're there for a reason.

Further, the courts have refused to impose compensation to victims families from the manufactures when the victim had been wearing the helmet that passed these standards.

The law offices of of Swanson, Thomas and Coon represented a cyclists estate when lawsuit was launched that involved the death of the cyclist after hitting his temple area at a speed of 9-12 mph.

He died because helmet standards only require energy absorption distribution from about 1 to 2 inches above the bottom portion of the side of the helmet leaving that most vunerable portion of the skull
exposed.

The judge wrote:

"Satisfaction of minimum standards that are not true performance standards (but instead only measure
certain areas on a helmet which are not involved in the majority of head injury accidents) is not sufficient for making a product safe enough for use on the streets."

so, the short of it is, you can buy whatever helmet is legal, but that doesn't mean that you'll be covered by protection of the law, if you're injured.

[Yan]

I always wear my helmet. It has saved me twice.

First in a road altercation fist fight (lost, but uninjured :P), then last month when I walked into a tree branch.

[OldRoadGuy]

It's a matter of habit.
You've heard the stories now you need to make the choice
to wear one.
I like Giro helmets. Back in the day I had a hairnet but was
too cool to wear it. I'm not so cool anymore.

[closetbiker]

It's a matter of habit.
You've heard the stories now you need to make the choice
to wear one.
I like Giro helmets. Back in the day I had a hairnet but was
too cool to wear it. I'm not so cool anymore.

That's great that you like Giro helmets, but the OP was asking advice because his choice was to go without in the summer and that choice is taken away if he wanted to participate in an event.

It may be a matter of habit for you, but for him, there is no choice.

[OldRoadGuy]

That's great that you like Giro helmets, but the OP was asking advice because his choice was to go without in the summer and that choice is taken away if he wanted to participate in an event.

It may be a matter of habit for you, but for him, there is no choice.

Maybe you should reread his post and see how my info was applicable.

[tomg]

i use Bell helmets, and will testify efficacy.

my first bicycle/car "event" happened in early 1979. i got my first Bell helmet (Bell Biker -1979). it was a big head bubble, stood out, but safty tested.

i've had Bell Image (1) and Bell Image-Pro (2), Performance (1), Paramount (2), and 2 other Bell helmets with-in the past 30 years of road, mountain, recumbent, commuting, and touring bicycling. on the one major accident with a car (after becoming domed bicyclist) was in 1999. i feel i was saved by Bell, verified by local police.

i hear that giro is a good helmet too, though i have never owned one, would wear it. make sure it fits, or are aware of adjustability, and i hope you never need it (but always ride domed)!

Bell micro-shells are aero-dynamic, lite-weight, and can range between $80 to $120. LBS will assist in your first choices.

tomg

[closetbiker]

Maybe you should reread his post and see how my info was applicable.

I did, and I can see your opinion and advice for the Giro as the smallest, lightest, least obtrusive, lowest profile helmet that is still within the legal standards being appreciated by the OP, but I don't get how my comment about the requirement to wear a helmet and it not being a choice isn't applicable.

The issue of choice is not the wearing of a helmet, but one of not being able to participate in his events if he chooses not to wear one.

Shouldn't it be a choice for individuals based on the merits of the benefits considered by the users rather than a simple habit someone does without consideration because they are simply told to do so?

Isn't that issue applicable to what you posted?

[BarracksSi]

Shouldn't it be a choice for individuals based on the merits of the benefits considered by the users rather than a simple habit someone does without consideration because they are simply told to do so?

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but --

It really doesn't matter what the individual thinks as long as the race organizers' insurance policy requires riders to wear helmets.

I go autocrossing every once in a while. It's at less than highway speeds in a huge, empty parking lot where the only regular hazard is getting my car's paint scuffed by two-foot-high traffic cones.

But, we're still required to wear helmets, thanks to the insurance policy covering the events.

[closetbiker]

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but --

It really doesn't matter what the individual thinks as long as the race organizers' insurance policy requires riders to wear helmets.

I go autocrossing every once in a while. It's at less than highway speeds in a huge, empty parking lot where the only regular hazard is getting my car's paint scuffed by two-foot-high traffic cones.

But, we're still required to wear helmets, thanks to the insurance policy covering the events.

Yup, and that's why my first response to the post pointed out the legal ironies.

The requirement doesn't seem to make legal sense, but it's there all the same until someone wants to challenge it.

Life isn't perfect, but at the least all the racers would be at the same relative disadvantage if the concern is overheating.

[OldRoadGuy]

I did, and I can see your opinion and advice for the Giro as the smallest, lightest, least obtrusive, lowest profile helmet that is still within the legal standards being appreciated by the OP, but I don't get how my comment about the requirement to wear a helmet and it not being a choice isn't applicable.

The issue of choice is not the wearing of a helmet, but one of not being able to participate in his events if he chooses not to wear one.

Shouldn't it be a choice for individuals based on the merits of the benefits considered by the users rather than a simple habit someone does without consideration because they are simply told to do so?

Isn't that issue applicable to what you posted?
I see the point you're getting at.
I didn't like them either for a variety of reasons. I began wearing one for
the margin of safety it provided me. Shortly after wearing one I got hit by a car
and my helmet made a difference.
Certainly different than the OP's intended.

[closetbiker]

I see the point you're getting at.
I didn't like them either for a variety of reasons. I began wearing one for
the margin of safety it provided me. Shortly after wearing one I got hit by a car
and my helmet made a difference.
Certainly different than the OP's intended.


I'm not sure if you do get my point if you're assuming I don't like them.

I do like them, I've worn one for 20 years, they have value.

But, they are not perfect of course and the legal requirement to wear one is on shaky ground as are the many exaggerated claims of need or effectiveness of helmets are.

It's unrealistic that a racer is going to get involved in a legal battle with insurance companies over an issue like this.

The reality is, there are these rules and people like p2000 are stuck with having to find something that they know not enough about and seek advice from those who might be able to shed some light on it.

[late]

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Ghisallo-Bike-Helmet/dp/B000BOB3X8

[OldRoadGuy]

I'm not sure if you do get my point if you're assuming I don't like them.

I do like them, I've worn one for 20 years, they have value.

But, they are not perfect of course and the legal requirement to wear one is on shaky ground as are the many exaggerated claims of need or effectiveness of helmets are.

It's unrealistic that a racer is going to get involved in a legal battle with insurance companies over an issue like this.

The reality is, there are these rules and people like p2000 are stuck with having to find something that they know not enough about and seek advice from those who might be able to shed some light on it.

Not assuming that.
Referring to my own past opinion and the OP's lack of use in the Summer.
It would be a losing battle I'm afraid trying to fight the helmet war with
an insurance provider or the government. Lighter and more ventilation
is his only option it would seem. Maybe ice packs attached to the helmet
would provide an air conditioned effect. :)

[closetbiker]

fair enough. I see when you wrote, "I didn't like them either", it was in response to the OP and not to my post.

I pretty much risk a fine and confiscation of my bike to be cooler and go without my helmet in the summer. EPS is an insulating material after all. Winter it helps but summer it doesn't. At least in competition, they all are dealing with the same impediment.

[StrangeWill]

I'd just go down to some local shops and start trying them on, you can't look at one online and know how well it will fit you.

[uniquebobc]

"as long as they pass the tests, they're legal, but one has to wonder if those legal standards are worth the weight of the paper that they're printed on."

There are anecdotal accounts and statements on the web that helmets, while legal, may not be safe, especially the lower sections of the helmet.

So, where does one go to find information about which helmets are truly protective? I have not been able to find any information about truly protective helmets--only "safe" (legally safe for the manufacturer, not necessarily the wearer) helmets that have passed tests. Does anyone make a truly protective helmet?

Saved by a Bell
uniquebobc

[closetbiker]

... Does anyone make a truly protective helmet?

Saved by a Bell
uniquebobc

depends on your definition of "truly protective" just as the definition of "saved" means different things to different people...but that's the subject of a different thread

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=96298