Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - help with picking a helment

dear you all:
well, after almost getting by and semi earlier this year and a few near fatal crashes ( i did not get hit but man falling is not fun), i have decided to buy a helmet.
the thing is, i have never really look at helmet before, plus, i dont feel like spending 150 for a expensive Giro.
anyone can please help me picking a nice and reasonable priced helmet?

thank you all


Qcsky

hey qcsky
definitely a good question because there are a lot of helmets out there and sometimes it seems like the expensive ones are best but just too damn expensive.

well, i have a 40$ bell city style helmet and i've heard, credibly, that often companies like bell offer cheap 40 dollar range helmets that test to be much safer and stronger than the expensive helmets.
basically, you don't need a superbly designed ultra light aero helmet because all of that just compromises general strength.... and i doubt you race enough to warrant one.

So just go get a simple, cheap bell or something.

yea bell helmets are good helmets.

or try a ribcap and tell me how they work

ribcap
dude man, that is like snow boarding and stuff
:]

Giro Monza. I love mine! real light, super breathable and not super flashy or overly "pointy" in person. got mine for $65 @ my LBS when they got their new models in. The adjustment system works great too. Highly recommended for a real nice helmet without going too crazy on price and features. Good luck on your search!

Giro Monza. I love mine! real light, super breathable and not super flashy or overly "pointy" in person. got mine for $65 @ my LBS when they got their new models in. The adjustment system works great too. Highly recommended for a real nice helmet without going too crazy on price and features. Good luck on your search!

I also have a Monza. Just got it a few weeks ago and everything seems great so far!

I could be wrong, but from what I've heard is that fancier helmets with more holes will still meet standards, however because of all of the holes they are not as strong as cheaper helmets with less holes. Don't quote me on this, just what I've heard.

The best thing to do is to just go to the LBS and try them on. Different brands fit different heads better. For example Bell and Uvex fit my head very well while Giro and Creitoni fit horribly.

If you live in America, try your city's department of safety. Usually they have a butt-ton of free helmets to give away.

Just get whatever fits your head best while not looking too horrible. I have only found one model of helmet with a size that fits my odd head, not too well mind you; and I've tried on lots. Extreme venting and other super expensive fearures are nice but not necessary---lots of helmets under $50 will be fine for the average rider.

In order to be sold as a "helmet" in the US every helmet has to meet the same CPSC standards. In effect any helmet is at least as safe as any other helmet. When you start spending more money on a helmet, you are paying for three things. 1)better ventilation. 2) lighter weight and 3) fit specificity (ever wonder why a $35 helmet is a Universal size and at around $50msrp you really start seeing sized lids?)

all that being said, go to your LBS, try some on, and then buy the one that fits you best from them.

I like my Giro Makai; like 20 bucks and not too flashy (but itz got flamez!)

Bell Solar. Cheap, fits well, gets the job done.

i had a close call this past week and decided to get a helmet (amazing what it takes to make you think sometimes). i read quite a bit and tried on a few of the "better" helmets. i ended up buying a bell citi for <$50 (gets awesome reviews-consumer reports gives it a top rating on impact protection).

my thoughts so far...

good ventilation...great fit...only looks slightly dumb.

The best thing to do is to just go to the LBS and try them on. Different brands fit different heads better. For example Bell and Uvex fit my head very well while Giro and Creitoni fit horribly.

Yes. I was looking for a more solid helmet after my old, Target-purchased "Schwinn" helmet's shell fell off, and I found that Giro fit my head much better than Bell helmets of similar style.

I ended up going with the Giro Flak, which is very similar to the Makai mentioned by Dr. PooLittle, except without the flames. I love its minimalist design and it's got a nice, thick shell.

It also depends on the kind of riding you do. I'm thinking of getting a plain black Pro-tec skate helmet for short fast city commutes and acting foolish. They are very bland and plain.
If I needed one for long rides (I don't wear a helmet for long stuff) or if I raced I would go more aero and well vented. At that point I think fit would be my main concern.
When I was purchasing a motorcyle helmet at first I went budget, then after a close call I bought a $500 Aria and never had a regret. fit was phenomenal and just made me more confident.
If there is one thing to spend money on, it's protecting your head from hitting the ground.

In order to be sold as a "helmet" in the US every helmet has to meet the same CPSC standards. In effect any helmet is at least as safe as any other helmet. When you start spending more money on a helmet, you are paying for three things. 1)better ventilation. 2) lighter weight and 3) fit specificity (ever wonder why a $35 helmet is a Universal size and at around $50msrp you really start seeing sized lids?)

all that being said, go to your LBS, try some on, and then buy the one that fits you best from them.

According to your statement, all helmets are identical in terms of safety ("any helmet is at least as safe as any other helmet"). This is not true. All helmets sold in the US meet the same minimum safety requirements - but some exceed the minimum. Unfortunately there is no truly objective way to figure out how much better one helmet is than another.

You can make some informed guesses however - you want a helmet that doesn't have any protruding elements that can snag during a crash (strap anchors, visors, etc) and you want a helmet that has a good amount of material (so generally cheaper, less ventilated helmets).

All that said, the best thing to do is to buy a helmet that you will always wear. If the safest helmet is uncomfortable or really ugly, you may end up leaving it at home which doesn't do you any good.

i find that organic helmets work really great.http://ldopa.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/cat_as_helmet_head.jpg

I'm impressed that no one has yet to make fun of the OP's spelling in the title. Good job guys.

I'm impressed that no one has yet to make fun of the OP's spelling in the title. Good job guys.

here you go...http://www.nextag.com/helments/products-html

The best thing to do is to just go to the LBS and try them on. Different brands fit different heads better. For example Bell and Uvex fit my head very well while Giro and Creitoni fit horribly.


+1 Don't buy over the internet unless you know for sure it'll fit.

When the helmet fits properly and the chin strap is on correctly, you should be able to shake your head and the helmet not move.

More vents means more money but for where I live it's money well spent. Rode a century last summer and it was 95 degrees with the air so thick you could cut it. Passed a guy wearing a BMX bucket with almost no vents, not very smart.

I bought a Bern Baker for around $60. Looks like an old school polo helmet.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lg7zxBxqL._SS500_.jpg

here you go...http://www.nextag.com/helments/products-html

And here you go... http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/helment

According to your statement, all helmets are identical in terms of safety ("any helmet is at least as safe as any other helmet"). This is not true. All helmets sold in the US meet the same minimum safety requirements - but some exceed the minimum. Unfortunately there is no truly objective way to figure out how much better one helmet is than another.
.

I'm sorry, I meant AT LEAST AS SAFE as in, meets that minimum. Helmets are identical in terms of "at least (x) safe". this reply was in between cup one and cup two of coffee this morning so pardon my fuzzy use of language.

http://www.clicket.com/images/4199.jpg

bugs in the teeth no more!

well, i have a 40$ bell city style helmet and i've heard, credibly, that often companies like bell offer cheap 40 dollar range helmets that test to be much safer and stronger than the expensive helmets.

I've got the Bell Citi, too. It's not all flashy and race-styled, and it doesn't have the hugest vents, but it was only $35 and performs the same function as a $135 helmet.

Old school hairnets are the ultimate in style and venting.Tokyu Hands had a bunch when i went to tokyo.All too small though:(

Old school hairnets are the ultimate in style and venting.Tokyu Hands had a bunch when i went to tokyo.All too small though:(

Also the ultimate in broken necks and concussions!

I bought a Bern Baker for around $60. Looks like an old school polo helmet.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lg7zxBxqL._SS500_.jpg

Getting a helmet that looks t3h sexy will make you want to wear it more even if it makes you sweat like hell.


Had a motorcycle cop roll up next to me, 4 other dudes all around me in the biek lane noone wearing helmets.

Cop turns over to us all and makes an example of me telling all the other dudes they should be safer like me and wear helmets it's dangerous to ride without one etc.

Every time I go to put my helmet on before a ride now I shudder a little and have to force myself to put it on.

If I'd opted maybe for 20 bucks more on the Bern, I'd be a little more stokedier.

Also the ultimate in broken necks and concussions!

Goin' out in style...:D


I have to admit that when i do wear a helmet it's a giro makai:eek:.The hairnet would just be so much more comfortable:)

giro atmos...niiiiice and expensive haha

I bought a Bern Baker for around $60. Looks like an old school polo helmet.


Bern makes some good looking helmets. I bought a Bern Brentwood the other day for about $45 on Sierra Trading Post.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41474yU0asL._SS500_.jpg

Make sure if you get multi sport helmets that they are pass CPSC and ASTM2040 compliances... that means they are certified for both skateboarding and biking. I was also looking at the Pro-tec SXP helmets which looked very nice as well.

+1 on the brentwood. i got mine a while ago in matte grey which is a nice nondescript colour. they're a bit on the warm side in the summer, but not as bad as you might think. the vents flow pretty well.

Getting a helmet that looks t3h sexy will make you want to wear it more even if it makes you sweat like hell.

It's actually not that hot but I want to see how it is in the July heat.

Make sure if you get multi sport helmets that they are pass CPSC and ASTM2040 compliances... that means they are certified for both skateboarding and biking. I was also looking at the Pro-tec SXP helmets which looked very nice as well.

Yeah Bern calls it EPS foam.

i got a giro monza on ebay for under 60 bucks and love it. i wear it always now, even on the short rides for just a couple blocks.

i went to a trek store around here and scored an all black trek vapor w/minimal logos (tiny little "trek" on the sides dissapeared quick with some sharpie marker...also took off lame visor) on sale for $40. kinda roadie looking, but fits real good and i don't hate wearing it. f-it, better safe than sorry.

Yeah Bern calls it EPS foam.

Actually, according to this graphic the SXP padding from Pro-Tec is better than EPS, and we all know that graphics never lie.

http://pro-tec.net/bike/images/bike_tech_r2_c1.gif
http://pro-tec.net/bike/images/bike_tech_r3_c1.gif
http://pro-tec.net/bike/images/bike_tech_r4_c1.gif
http://pro-tec.net/bike/images/bike_tech_r5_c1.gif (http://pro-tec.net/bike/tech/index.html)

I recommend checking out the informative site, helmets.org (http://helmets.org/). A feature they consistently look for in helmets is a rounded shape. Their reasoning is that the points found on many of the expensive helmets may snag on things while riding or in a crash. A few rounded helmets are the Giro Xen, Giro Hex, Bell Citi, Bell Metro (discontinued this year, so they are on sale now), Bell Variant, and all the Pro-Tec helmets.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h4b2QNnVrY0

1:13

i would hesitate before buying a bern... i have one (brentwood, off of sierratradingpost, they're way cheaper on there) and all i found was that they have little padding, nearly no ventilation/poorly designed ventilation, and are kind of rough. the strap system is extremely basic, and the molding on the hardshell just looked.. sloppy. plus, it never really fit correctly. the baker looks awesome, but i would seriously rethink buying a helmet with 0 ventilation holes.

i got a bell solar ($20) with the ratchet wheel fit system and it's awesome. sure, it looks dorky and mushroomy, but it feels so good... i wear it for almost every single ride.

Another vote for the Bern Brentwood from me. True, it's a little warm, but it's super comfortable and, although not the most important factor, the look pretty good. Much more low profile than others I tried on.

I may try the citi for my "summer" helmet.

http://www.pro-tec.net/bike/ace/4.jpgThe Protec Ace sxp bike is what i'm looking at.




Also CCS has a basic helmut for $25 that is CPSC cert http://shop.ccs.com/item.do?categoryID=12&itemID=14284&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

This:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ztdbIurtL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I highly recommend Bern now that it's harder to find the Capix Sportscap model (in L/XL).

http://www.pro-tec.net/bike/ace/4.jpgThe Protec Ace sxp bike is what i'm looking at.




Also CCS has a basic helmut for $25 that is CPSC cert http://shop.ccs.com/item.do?categoryID=12&itemID=14284&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

I have a protec ace. It's great, ventilation is fine, defintely would protect your dome and has a fancy goggle catch.

It is huge and makes you look like dork of the future though.

:)

As a side bonus if you buy the Ace military model it's the same price, and the protec shop will pre-drill it for night vision mounts for 5 bucks extra for your extreme night riding needs.

Another vote for the Bern Brentwood from me. True, it's a little warm, but it's super comfortable and, although not the most important factor, the look pretty good. Much more low profile than others I tried on.

I may try the citi for my "summer" helmet.

let me preface this by saying that i live in miami... i have a brentwood that sits on a shelf for 11 months out of the year. it gets way too hot under there. if you live in a cold weather climate then i'm sure it's great.

As a side bonus if you buy the Ace military model it's the same price, and the protec shop will pre-drill it for night vision mounts for 5 bucks extra for your extreme night riding needs.



Hmm...Night vision.....i like it.

Specialized Propero is what I use.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/IMG_4125.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/IMG_4127.jpg

http://www.steepandcheap.com/?CMP_ID=ODAL_FFP001&mv_pc=r239

Bern Baker for 31 dollars + shipping for a limited time...

i would hesitate before buying a bern... i have one (brentwood, off of sierratradingpost, they're way cheaper on there) and all i found was that they have little padding, nearly no ventilation/poorly designed ventilation, and are kind of rough. the strap system is extremely basic, and the molding on the hardshell just looked.. sloppy. plus, it never really fit correctly. the baker looks awesome, but i would seriously rethink buying a helmet with 0 ventilation holes.

Hmm you might have a version without the EPS foam cause my Baker has a ton of padding, so much so that the helmet is a little tight on me. About an inch of ESP foam and then a very soft padding between that and your head. The strap system is very simple but it also feels well made to me and the straps are made out of a soft cloth so your chin doesn't get all irritated. I agree that there is very little ventilation and so far it's been fine for me. I want to see how it is in July.

Overall the helmet is top quality in my option.