Road Cycling - what helmet to buy

need to buy first helmet... inspired by the helmet thread i just read

my first thought was to get the cheapest one i could find, because they were all basically made of the same material, and more or less close-enough in integrity to provide the same protection... then i thought it would be silly to try to skimp money on such an important component... which contradicts the (lack of) correlation of money->quality initially implied..

so i last thought to ask you all for some recommendation :D.

do they vary much in shapes and comfort or could i just order one off the web given i have the right size?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=16383&Store=Bike

Thats my helmet, a Giro Animas '03(not much difference between '03 and '04) I like it. Its comfortable, light, fairly cool and it will (hopefully) save my skull if I ever get in a crash.

Helmets do vary alot in shapes and comfort. Its not something I would order without trying it on.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/subcategory.cfm?Cat_ID=11&Sub_ID=4210
you can have a look at some helmets there.

Whatever helmet you get make sure it is CPSC certified.

i guess a few criteria would help narrow the field down somewhat:

1. i live in texas... summer is coming... its HOT and HUMID... so good ventilation my biggest focus
2. comfortable with 50$, could press for 75$, and even 100$ if necessary (tho it means ill be ramen)... i think that this is the 'sweetspot' for helmets

In terms of name brand helmets, I think Bell helmets gives the most bang for the buck. Aside from that, you've got to try them on for fit.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=16383&Store=Bike

Thats my helmet, a Giro Animas '03(not much difference between '03 and '04) I like it. Its comfortable, light, fairly cool and it will (hopefully) save my skull if I ever get in a crash.

Helmets do vary alot in shapes and comfort. Its not something I would order without trying it on.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/subcategory.cfm?Cat_ID=11&Sub_ID=4210
you can have a look at some helmets there.

Whatever helmet you get make sure it is CPSC certified.

Animas is actually an off road helmet....bigger vents for cooling at slower off road speeds. The road helmets have more vents, smaller in size to reduce noise and helmet lift at faster speeds. Depending on how fast a rider likes to go, it can make a difference.

I'm on my second Giro Pneumo. Light and comfortable and the Roc Loc secures the helmet to your head very well.
I have also worn a Limar F107...their system to secure the helmet to the back of your head is actually a padded strap, a very nice feature.

More expensive helmets are lighter, cooler, and have better fit. Less expensive helmets are not vented as much or as well (more whistling at speed), a bit heavier, and the universal fit helmets are not nearly as comfortable. But it depends on how long the helmet will be on your head to justify the additional expense. You put it on your head for a minute at the shop, or for a half hour of riding and think it feels OK. Three hours into a ride, it does not feel as nice.

I have the Giro Pneumo, it's light as hell, so light, you don't even know your wearing it, with many vents.

I have a red/white '03 Animas (minus the visor). I like number of vents. I bought it last May and by Oct the red had faded to orange.
I'm keeping the Animas but am thinking about getting a new '04 Giro Eclipse.
http://www.giro.com/usa/images/cycling/helmets/eclipse_bluewhite.jpg



Can't quite afford the Atmos. :(
http://www.giro.com/usa/images/cycling/helmets/atmos_lonestar.jpg

I also run a Pneumo. Where I live it gets REALLY hot and the Pneumo does a great job of cooling my noggin.
You can find the Bell stuff on sale for a great deal (try Supergo or WCP). If you want a really stylish (and warm) helmet get a Briko.

If you want a good road helmet without breaking the bank look at the Giro Monza.

It is new this year. I picked one up. It has the looks and venting of the Pneumo at a considerably lesser price.

Given that I refuse to buy "Made in China", my suggestion is to look at Limar, MET, and Lazer.

Here is the perfect helmet, wear it with pride :D

If anything, a more expensinve helmet may offer less protection than a cheap one. For additional money you usually get a helmet with a fancier color scheme and more vents. The more openings there are, the less material to provide protection. As I recall, a couple years ago, a major consumer organization did test helmets to see which offered the best protection. The winner was a lower price model.

However, any adult helmet offered for sale in the US must meet the same testing standard. Beyond that, there is no guarantee that more money equals more protection.

The more you pay , the less helmet you get. I use a quality, low-end one for riding in a cool climate, where ventilation is not a big deal. Its a Met Bad Boy.
Look for a helmet that fits your head shape as well as size. I like fitting systems with flexible bands rather than stick-on pads.
Helmets with a glued-on shell are not as good as moulded-in ones.
Get a light colour to reflect radiation.

Make sure it fits and is comfortable. I use a Gyro. i don't even notice that I have it on.

Fit is THE most important feature. Aside from that the more you pay, the lighter and better ventilated it will be as a general rule.

When it is well fitted you should be able to grab the helmet and not move it without also moving your head. Make sure you can still breathe though :-)

Fitted correctly it will save your scone as mine did two weeks ago in a training crash, all I needed was something to prevent the broken collarbone as well :-(

Lindsay

I have a Met stradivarius and it is ABSOLUTELY the most comfortable helmet that i have ever tried. I think that the met fitting system (behind the back of your head) is the best on the market. Quite expensive though.

One other thing, and I don't know if it means much but I don't think that the Giro Pneumo meets the Australian Standard for imact (being an Australian) but I might be wrrong on that one so don't quote me. Whether that means anything is also open for speculation, i am sure that they are very good, very safe helmets.

Take into account that getting an MET helmet in North America means ordering from Europe...

I wear a Giro E2. I'm on my second one. I tend to go through a helmet every 18 months or so... usually mountain bike crashes are thye culprit. The E2 is regarded as a MTB helmet but I wear it for both road and mountain biking. I find that it fits my head perfectly. Mine's the special edition with the blue flames and came with the helmet pod.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/images/cycling/helmet/PICT0016.JPG

Pneumo

I liked the fit of the Bell Furio and Giro Monza at the local shops

neither are cheap, tho. I can get the E2 for cheaper. Do you guys who use the E2 for road find it quiet and well ventilated? I'm worried about the MTB scoops generating noise and stuff at faster speeds

Do you guys who use the E2 for road find it quiet and well ventilated? I'm worried about the MTB scoops generating noise and stuff at faster speeds

To be honest, I really don't have much basis for comparison. I'm not sure how the wind noise of my E2 compares to say a Pneumo. I do notice that it's louder (not significantly) than cheaper helmets I've owned in the past which had smaller and less number of vents. However, my head stays much cooler with the E2 than it did with those other helmets.

All in all, I don't think the noise is of much concern. I certainly find it quiet enough to enjoy the sounds of birds, frogs and crickets chirping while moving at 25MPH. And I don't have problems hearing my fellow riders when we ride together. I think the sound of the gears, tyres and road noise coming from cars are much more a factour than the wind noise from my helmet.

i guess since i do do MTB, E2 would make a good compromise. and here i gotta worry about the heat alot more than i do about noise, anyways.

now if i only could fine a store with the E2 for me to try on...

thanks for your input :)

Giro Eclipse: mid-range with sufficient ventilation. I also have a less expensive Bell that I use in the winter: less vents for the cold morning air to pass through, and great head protection.

Cheers

I have an eclipse and like it... although I feel the straps behind my ears sometimes and that annoys me..but only when going slow or stopped ;) (I think I just need to adjust it a little bit)

http://www.giro.com/usa/images/cycling/helmets/eclipse_white.jpg

Giro Eclipse - light and not quite as expensive as the top of line Giro's. Great vents and good fit.

I read somewhere on this BB about a Consumer's Reports test of bicycle helmets early last year. They said while you could pay a lot more, the Trek Vapor and Giro Gila were top performers in protecting your noggin', which is what it's all about. Both are less than $100.

I have the Giro Gila and it is light and well ventilated. My only complaint is the straps stretch when they get sweat-soaked, but that woud be a problem with all helmets.

Here is the perfect helmet, wear it with pride :D

Looks exactly like the one I use! :D

Giro is overrated!! my helmet of choice is a Specialized M1 its not as expensive as a S1 but their are few differences. check it out at

http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5244&JServSessionIdroot=bmi2szusbd.j27003

Giro is overrated!!

Maybe so but if it fits and the others don't then the choice is obvious. I've tried Bells, Specialized, Limars and Giros. The Bells worked reasonably well on my head but the Giros fit the best.

Giro Eclipse

I like the fit of Loius Garneau helmets. I currently use the Bikini model which is nicely ventilated and fits my big round noggin well. I'd like to try out the new Oz-zy helmet. Kinda of expensive, however its nicely made and it looks pretty sweet.

http://www.louisgarneau.com/media/images/catalogs/CE4/4405315/4405315_111_large.jpg

Whatever you do dont buys anything from Bell...they make complete junk...so does specialized for that matter.

is the giro transit really the best deal in the $35 range?

Whatever you do dont buys anything from Bell...they make complete junk...so does specialized for that matter.

what are you talking about specialized helmets put giro and other top line helmet companies to shame!! i wouldnt own anything else

At least of you order a met from europe you will be the only one who has one... I ordered mine from europe even though you can easily buy them in any shop here because it was half the cost...

need to buy first helmet... inspired by the helmet thread i just read

my first thought was to get the cheapest one i could find, because they were all basically made of the same material, and more or less close-enough in integrity to provide the same protection... then i thought it would be silly to try to skimp money on such an important component... which contradicts the (lack of) correlation of money->quality initially implied..

so i last thought to ask you all for some recommendation :D.

do they vary much in shapes and comfort or could i just order one off the web given i have the right size?

TREK sells excellent helmets, according to both Bicycling magazine and Consumer's Reports. The TREK Vapor costs about $50, I believe, and, according to Bicycling, the only negative is the huge TREK logo. According to CR, it is the equal in performance and comfort of helmets costing three times as much. For a first helmet, you can't beat it.

Giro Eclipse


Ditto here for me.........
;)

Just bought the new Catlike. Very comfortable.

need to buy first helmet... inspired by the helmet thread i just read

my first thought was to get the cheapest one i could find, because they were all basically made of the same material, and more or less close-enough in integrity to provide the same protection... then i thought it would be silly to try to skimp money on such an important component... which contradicts the (lack of) correlation of money->quality initially implied..

so i last thought to ask you all for some recommendation :D.

do they vary much in shapes and comfort or could i just order one off the web given i have the right size?

This is my thought on Helmets. Look at a well known brand like Bell ect..., and then just pick the one that fits your lid the best. The different in price most times is not in protection but rather venilation and design.

I use a Gyro E2. I did buy it for MTB and then transferred to road. I just took the visor off and it seems fine. I haven't actually tried a real road helmet though.

Don't buy a bargain helmet. It will not be comfortable. With a good helmet, you won't even know you have it on.

Whatever you do, make sure your helmet doesn't obdcure your vision when you ride the drops (assming yu'll be doing so). Sit on a bike in the shop when you are trying them on. I failed to do so and ended up with the wrong helmet. Like most cycling gear, a good fit is essential.

Given that I refuse to buy "Made in China", my suggestion is to look at Limar, MET, and Lazer.

Oops. don't talk politics here you might get yelled at. For what it's worth I agree with you!! But just try to find toys or anything in Walmart not made in China, in fact it's becoming the norm. This should make you stop and ponder your naval as to why we are giving so much industry over to the Chinese who are turning around and using all this wealth to build a military that is projected in 10 years to exceed ours; they also went from 12 nuclear missiles aimed at us to now over 100 in the last 8 years and that number is growing alarmingly fast. Did you also know that the Chinese have signed a military corperation pact with Russia? Hmmm.

Whatever you do dont buys anything from Bell...they make complete junk...so does specialized for that matter.
What's wrong with Bell?

For those who say Bell is crap, well Bell owns Giro, and......... and after all the votes for Giro I feel the need to interject the following brand Vigor. Inexpensive in comparison to most any Giro model, fits great, works well, have never had a complaint or a return on one in 2 years. I have one my wife has two. http://vigorsports.com/#

is the giro transit really the best deal in the $35 range? I was wondering the same thing. Nashbar has them on sale for $15 right now! Although I don't like to do it, I'm thinking about going to my LBS and see if they have it so I can try it on. I have a $20 credit, so I'll buy something while I'm there, but I doubt they'll have the Transit that cheap!

VIncent