Road Cycling - Giro Atmos--HEAVY!

Well, I made the mistake this morning of weighing my brand spanking new Giro Atmos helmet (large)—11.5 oz!!!!!!! That’s heavier than the two other large helmets I own (Giro Eclipse and a $20 Bell something-or other)!!!

Giro’s website lists the Atmos as weighing 8.5 oz (which I’m sure is an average weight based on multiple sizes). But they also list the Eclipse (my old helmet) as weighing 9 oz, which is MUCH closer to what my size large Eclipse actually weights (10oz).

I’m kind of ticked off right now, if you can’t tell. I feel like I’ve been a little duped--did I really just drop $200 for style? I think I'm going to be sick

Yes, yes you did. :)
That's a little under how much I paid for my sunglasses which other than style, seem to work just as well as a $20 pair from your local pharmacy.
Look on the bright side, you're lookin' good.

There may also be more structure in the Atmos- structure that might save your melon if you ever hit the deck head-first.

I'm really disappointed in Giro for the way they are marketing this as one of the lightest helmets around. I know that the buyer should always beware, but honestly, who walks around w/ a scale?

Probably at one point during the production phase the Atmos was indeed quite light, but was subsequently bulked up to meet safety standards. Now the Atmos MAY be the HEAVIEST helmet they sell-- Giro MUST know this, so why don't they fess up?

Yeah, it still looks cool and the ventilation is quite good and I may even have bought it if I knew about the weight, I just don’t like surprises, I guess.

does it feel heavy on your head? if so I recommend neck exercises

does it feel heavy on your head? if so I recommend neck exercises

no, it's fine, just should never have weighed it, that's all. ignorance is bliss ;)

BTW judging by your screen name, you and I are in the same camp, hair-wise, and the Atmos *requires* the wearing of sunscreen and/or a headsweat--it is noticably more open than any other helmet I've seen

BTW judging by your screen name, you and I are in the same camp, hair-wise, and the Atmos *requires* the wearing of sunscreen and/or a headsweat--it is noticably more open than any other helmet I've seen

I shave my head, wear a Giro Pneumo, and don't use sunblock. Stripes baby, stripes!

I just weighed my Atmos and it came in at a slim 9.8 oz. Mine is a medium.

Not to hijack you're thread but I saw the Atmos "red" and it's a dark metalic red not a real basic red. Just thought you guys would like to know.

You're truly miffed about 2.5 ounces?

Not to hijack you're thread but I saw the Atmos "red" and it's a dark metalic red not a real basic red. Just thought you guys would like to know.

Those heartless bastards!!

I hear Giro is doing a special eddition one with a carbon outer shell. Apparently it saves 4 grams, so you should sell me yours for 20 bucks and buy that.

I have a good quality helmet and It is a lot heavier than an elcheapo which I bought for a spare, scince in Oz they have to pass pretty tuff testing to be sold I now where the elcheapo one.
Most of the dearer ones Ive handled seem to be on the heavy side but with better venting and man some of them look sweet.:)

I just bought a new "high Zoot" helmet and it feels like it is weightless...... Not gonna tell ya which one....someone will tell me what it actually weighs. :p

There may also be more structure in the Atmos- structure that might save your melon if you ever hit the deck head-first.

I'm extremely skeptical. High zoot helmets sell on style and "ventilation". The only objective safety standards are the ones that even the cheapies have to pass, so there's no marketing points to be made by making a safer helmet. If it were provably safer, you'd hear about it in the marketing.

You're truly miffed about 2.5 ounces?

I agree. If I got pissed off about everything that happens to me during the day that is this meaningless, I'd be pissed off all day long. You should put your scale away and have a beer . . . or seven.

My helmet was heavy, so I lost 10 lbs...Then it felt lighter. ;)

Well, I made the mistake this morning of weighing my brand spanking new Giro Atmos helmet (large)—11.5 oz!!!!!!! That’s heavier than the two other large helmets I own (Giro Eclipse and a $20 Bell something-or other)!!!

Giro’s website lists the Atmos as weighing 8.5 oz (which I’m sure is an average weight based on multiple sizes). But they also list the Eclipse (my old helmet) as weighing 9 oz, which is MUCH closer to what my size large Eclipse actually weights (10oz).

I’m kind of ticked off right now, if you can’t tell. I feel like I’ve been a little duped--did I really just drop $200 for style? I think I'm going to be sick

Sorry, but your wrong...the advertised weight is 270 grams or 9.5 oz. I just went and weighed my new Atmos and it comes in at 280 grams, close enough for me. It's a small by the way, kind of snug, but a good fit, and WAY cooler (in both ways) than my old Bell Alchera with an advertised weight of 300 grams that comes in at 290 grams on my scale (no it's not a bath scale). Get a smaller mellon and your helmet won't need to be so big. :D :D :D

The Atmos is an awesome helmet. Shave your head and cut your toenails to make up for the 3 oz. Sheesh!

ExMachina,
I see you are filling out your OCP member form. :D

Don't get sick about it. When I used to hike and was a weight weenie or ultralighter as they call them, I used to find all kinds of discrepancies in the advertised weight and the actual weight. Usually in sizing the medium or average size the weight given. I would actually take a scale with me to the outdoor store or use theirs. Yes, I sought treatment and I ended up here. Go figure. :rolleyes:

--it is noticably more open than any other helmet I've seen

Then go look at a Decibel - pretty "open" if you axe me. Cools great, fits nice, looks good, and mine tastes like lemons. ;)

The Giro Boreas in this picture is size L and weighs 350 gm., but I've had to belatedly retire it after about 6 years of fine service and one big fat head-on argument with a very solid rock. The rock won - the Boreas cracked. But my gourd didn't.

The Decibel is also size L and weighs 354 gm., sans visor.

I didn't buy an Atmos BECAUSE they list it as being so light. I'd rather not be on the bleeding edge there... excuse the pun.

The Atmos is an awesome helmet. Shave your head and cut your toenails to make up for the 3 oz. Sheesh!


LOL Im imagining what 3 oz of toe nails looks like. Anyone ever seen Dumb and Dumber?

I had the opportunity to test out the Giro Atmos in a local crit over the weekend when two gentlemen right in front of me in the center of the pack decided to cross wheels at 25+ on a straightaway. When I was in the emergency room the attending doctor, while examining my separated AC clavicle, asked if I hit my head . I told him no. Although I was a little dazed after the crash. When I arrived home I checked out my helmet and noticed some scratches on the side. Upon further examination I found two cracks in the foam lining where I imagined the impact occurred. I originally bought the Atmos for the weight, the venting, the reputation and yes the Rabobank version matched my clubs colors. If the couple of extra ounces of weight went into improving the shell reinforcement, as it turns out for me, it was worth it. I will be replacing the helmet with the exact same model through the Giro crash replacement warranty. The cost is 30% off the list price. Like the Visa commericial, Giro helmet... $130, head still intact... priceless.

Is the helmet black? The extra UV that you're soaking up could be weighing you down significantly, not to mention the drag caused by the photodynamics.

Speaking of the bleeding edge that I referred to on 08/09... this weekend I managed to destory my Bell Ghisallo:

http://www.basaltic.com/photos/crashhelmetsir100k/

REI had the Pneumo on sale (same weight, better color, and in stock), so trying that out, hoping I'll be on the bike again in a couple days.

Rabobank Atmos, mmmm, just picked one up two weeks ago.

Then go look at a Decibel - pretty "open" if you axe me. Cools great, fits nice, looks good, and mine tastes like lemons. ;)

The Giro Boreas in this picture is size L and weighs 350 gm., but I've had to belatedly retire it after about 6 years of fine service and one big fat head-on argument with a very solid rock. The rock won - the Boreas cracked. But my gourd didn't.

The Decibel is also size L and weighs 354 gm., sans visor.

thats right, Im still supposed to hate you for having that helmet!

RAR! It fit me soo perfectley!

how is it working out for you?

There is really no reason to suspect that the higher priced helmets offer any more protection. In fact, some pretty convincing arguments have been made that cheaper helmets tend to protect better.

Me? I'm rocking a 252gram Bell Arc.

$29. I see them on sale for $20.

did I really just drop $200 for style? I think I'm going to be sick


I bet if you puked, you'd lose those extra ounces, AND you'd look good.

What did you weigh it with, and when was that last calibrated

Giro’s website lists the Atmos as weighing 8.5 oz (which I’m sure is an average weight based on multiple sizes). But they also list the Eclipse (my old helmet) as weighing 9 oz, which is MUCH closer to what my size large Eclipse actually weights (10oz).

Note that all helmet weights from Giro and Bell I've seen are for a small helmet. Every Giro helmet I looked at had the estimated # of grams printed on a label inside of the actual helmet.

I had the opportunity to test out the Giro Atmos in a local crit over the weekend when two gentlemen right in front of me in the center of the pack decided to cross wheels at 25+ on a straightaway. When I was in the emergency room the attending doctor, while examining my separated AC clavicle, asked if I hit my head . I told him no. Although I was a little dazed after the crash. When I arrived home I checked out my helmet and noticed some scratches on the side. Upon further examination I found two cracks in the foam lining where I imagined the impact occurred. I originally bought the Atmos for the weight, the venting, the reputation and yes the Rabobank version matched my clubs colors. If the couple of extra ounces of weight went into improving the shell reinforcement, as it turns out for me, it was worth it. I will be replacing the helmet with the exact same model through the Giro crash replacement warranty. The cost is 30% off the list price. Like the Visa commericial, Giro helmet... $130, head still intact... priceless.
Before you drop another $130, I recommend you read this website. They indicate cheap Walmart helmets are safer.
http://www.helmets.org/helmet05.htm

Well, I made the mistake this morning of weighing my brand spanking new Giro Atmos helmet (large)—11.5 oz!!!!!!! That’s heavier than the two other large helmets I own (Giro Eclipse and a $20 Bell something-or other)!!!

Giro’s website lists the Atmos as weighing 8.5 oz (which I’m sure is an average weight based on multiple sizes). But they also list the Eclipse (my old helmet) as weighing 9 oz, which is MUCH closer to what my size large Eclipse actually weights (10oz).

I’m kind of ticked off right now, if you can’t tell. I feel like I’ve been a little duped--did I really just drop $200 for style? I think I'm going to be sick

Wow...stunned by this news I sent mine to an independent lab (my niece is starting her PhD in physics, so they put it on the "special scale"), and I also called L'Equipe to look in.... :D

11.5 ounces for my large helmet...L'Equipe is launching an investigation into helmet weights and advertising... :eek:

Seriously...the weight they publish is for a small. Remember a couple of years ago, the big campaign Cannondale was waging on "Legalize my Cannondale"....the Six/13 was "too light for UCI standards..."?? The weight they were talking about was Simoni's frame which, if my memory is decent, is 48cm (he's like a jockey). I got the same frame in a 60cm with Dura Ace on it, it was a little over 16 pounds.
Whew...I was nervous... ;)

I like the Atmos due to the carbon in the top. I like the extra strength (without extra weight) where my control system is concerned.

My helmet was heavy, so I lost 10 lbs...Then it felt lighter. ;)


Exactly!
I bought my Atmos much different reasons.
It matched my bike~
and bonus....it was an '04 leftover at half the price.

Haha, I bought my atmos because it matched my bike too. I have the Fassa Atmos and my bike is blue and silver. Go figure (along with silver/gray DA cables, Silver bar tape, blue tires)

I really love the look of the atmos but got a virtually free pneumo (small) with the purchase of my new bike. I have no idea what it actually weighs compaired to a small atmos, but I hardly notice I'm wearing it. Bottom line though is if the fit isn't right, if it isn't one of the safer helmets for your bowl of noodles, then either don't buy it or buy some pasta sauce with it.

Me? I'm rocking a 252gram Bell Arc.

$29. I see them on sale for $20.

I use the same helmet. Great helmet for the price.

thats right, Im still supposed to hate you for having that helmet!

RAR! It fit me soo perfectley!

how is it working out for you?

It's been a great lid so far. No issues at all. The good thing was I got it at shop cost.

Holy crap! Where did this thread come from?!

Halloween's a few weeks off, and you guys are already raising the dead! :eek:

Since this thread has boomeranged, I'd like to state for the record that I have since gotten over my sticker-shock/false advertising hissy-fit and I absolutely **love** my Atmos :)

FWIW just weighed my large Pneumo, 330 grams, 336 (stamped in the helmet).

At Weight Weenies, large Atmos weighed 327 and advertised at 319.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings/components.php?type=helmets

Before you drop another $130, I recommend you read this website. They indicate cheap Walmart helmets are safer.
http://www.helmets.org/helmet05.htm

I could not find where they say that Walmart helmets are safer. However, they speculate that less vents (less expensive) are better, but offer no proof or test data. In fact, they admit that they have not tested out their theory. Why offer unproven theories to the public? I am a design engineer. I work with a bunch of folks that come up with theories all day. These theories are proved wrong or right by testing. It is a very humbling job to say the least. You learn to shut up and test! Then you can talk.

CardiacKid, this is not directed at you, but at this lazy organization that doesn't mind spouting their mouth off without the facts.

I could not find where they say that Walmart helmets are safer. However, they speculate that less vents (less expensive) are better, but offer no proof or test data.

He might be referring to this page they link to (which was based on Consumer Reports tests in 2002):

http://www.helmets.org/cu_2002.htm

Some lines:

"The only model rated excellent for impact is a youth helmet, the Specialized Air Wave Mega, a $35 model rated as a Best Buy."

"Price was not an indicator of impact protection, since the top [rated by safety] models were mostly much cheaper than the lower rated ones."

...and they show their lack of objectivity:

"But in fact we believe that some of the most protective helmets are out there in the discount stores at prices from ten to twenty dollars. At least the message was clear that higher prices do not mean more protection."

I just picked up an atamos for 136$ and i love it it ways 285g mine is medium , i heard that the Specialized decibel are amazing as well .
50 to a 100 g difference here and ther is not that much anyways.

I can't believe the Specialized Decibel is 350+ grams, I have held a Specialized S1 (the 2003 model the Decibel replaced) and my mountain bike helmet in two hands side by side, and the Specialized felt at least 75g lighter. My mountain helmet is 357g.

Exactly!
I bought my Atmos much different reasons.
It matched my bike~



I bought a Rabobank to match my track bike for style. I loved the feel and the the ventaliation so much taht i bought the Fasso Bortolo to match my Mountain bike. I'm not worried about the 4 ounces, cuz i just doubled my cumulative helmet wieght.

Are you sure your scale is accurate? Mine weighs 283 gr.

..rickko..

I could not find where they say that Walmart helmets are safer. However, they speculate that less vents (less expensive) are better, but offer no proof or test data. In fact, they admit that they have not tested out their theory. Why offer unproven theories to the public? I am a design engineer. I work with a bunch of folks that come up with theories all day. These theories are proved wrong or right by testing. It is a very humbling job to say the least. You learn to shut up and test! Then you can talk.

CardiacKid, this is not directed at you, but at this lazy organization that doesn't mind spouting their mouth off without the facts.

No, I read that also in several places--including Consumer Reports. The rational is that the thicker styrofoam may offer better protection...

My head is smaller than the smallest adult helmet, so I didn't have much choice but to go with a youth helmet. It received a high rating, was only $14 on sale at Walmart, and has cute little bears all over it!