Advocacy & Safety - Recommend Most Protective Helmet

Hello,

I used to be an ardent cycler. I'd like to get back in it. Two years ago I sustained a non-cycling related skull fracture.

So I'm looking for recommendation on the most protective cycling helmet available.

Thanks for any and all recomendentions.

I wouldn't trust the skeletonized styrofoam beanies if you've got a medical reason to be very concerned about a head injury from normal cycling. Look into the stunt bicycling helmets - they have a hard shell which will hold the styrofoam in place during an impact so it can do some good.

You probably want a full face lid. You can get supprisingly light one that offer just as much protection - If of course your willing to spend the money

You probably want a full face lid. You can get supprisingly light one that offer just as much protection - If of course your willing to spend the money

Yeah, theres a full face BMX that offers much more protection than the standard bicycle helmet.

I've always wondered why helmet manufacturers couldn't just use a standard helmet and attach a plastic chin bar to it, like Bart Star's football helmet from the 60's, for a light, unobtrusive full face helmet.

The issue is also air flow. In the summer they are hot as hell unless you are moving. I would also make sure you can get an extra set of liners. Most full face makers assume the user will wear the thing for 5 min going down hill. If you use it on the road you will get it stinky fast. They are really nice in the winter as they guide the airflow away from your face.

A full face helmet is the same styrofoam helmet with a harder shell. only the styro foam absorbes shock. A FF helmet really only protects your teeth, and will not disintegrate if you go tumbling down a mountain side or are dragged down the street.

Oregon aero sells rubber upgrade thingies that supposedly are what the US military uses when they ride their bikes around Iraq.

http://www.oregonaero.com/p9091_2001.html#Bicycle

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Fortunately when I fractured my skull, I don't think the overall structural framework was too badly compromised. I probably don't need a face shield, especially here in S. California!

Stunt helmet with those extra pads look like a possible solution. I've seen guys here in Los Angeles on road bikes wearing them, but I wasn't sure of they were skateboard helmets? or a new type of bike helmet.

The best helmet is the one which fits your head shape best. I really like my Giro Xen.

Recommend Most Protective Helmet

The one you wear?

Also, in any general type of helmet from a flyweight roadie item to a full-coverage unit there will be pretty noticeable difference in the shape and proportioning of each model. There are even differences between models in the same brand. Try on as many as you possibly can.