I just got a Louis Garneau helmet (Enigma...where do they come up with these names?)
Just going out for a ride in about 10 minutes to check it out, but I was wondering what other people use/ recommend.
One big thing is ventilation - most helmets make my head hot! (I'm working on an airconditioned helmet.)

One that fits.

I whole heartedly recomend the one YOU will WEAR! :D

Names for helmets? Explane where they get names for cars?? :eek:

I like red ones.

I like red ones.
Ferrari red... :)

Mine has a chin strap.

And I didn't even have to pay extra for it... it was in the box with the helmet.

Enigma...where do they come up with these names?It's a mystery! :)

I've had cheap helmets, I've had expensive helmets. The important thing is fit. Everything else is secondary, although, ventilation is always a good thing

What they all said. Fit, chin strap, ventilation. And you wear it.

What they all said, plus light shell color. Dark helmets get hotter, and aren't as visible at night.

Did anyone see the bicycle helmets evaluations a month or two back in Consumer Reports? I have forgotten the name of their top-rated helmet.

Having said that, I concur that fit and retention system are probably more important than impact acceleration test results.

I have a low end Schwinn I bought at Target for $20. It has served me well for over a year - it is comfortable (for me).

The main downside is the lack of ventilation. With temperatures now exceeding 110degF I am just starting my search for a better ventilated one.

Can anyone suggest their top choices for the best ventilated helmets or helmets that feel the coolest. After I get a list of 3-5 I'll be able to try them for fit.

Al

I have a low end Schwinn I bought at Target for $20. It has served me well for over a year - it is comfortable (for me).

The main downside is the lack of ventilation. With temperatures now exceeding 110degF I am just starting my search for a better ventilated one.

Can anyone suggest their top choices for the best ventilated helmets or helmets that feel the coolest. After I get a list of 3-5 I'll be able to try them for fit.

Al
These would be my choices. I personally have a Specialized M-1
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/equip/04HelmetM1_d.jpg (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=9114&JServSessionIdroot=jiabndnshj.j27006)
Specialized Telluride
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/equip/04HelmetTelluride_d.jpg (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?minisite=10080&spid=9121&=)
Specialized Chamonix
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/equip/04HelmetChamonix_d.jpg (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?minisite=10080&spid=9119&=)
Bear in mind that most of the bike shop level helmets will provide better ventilation than a Wally World special. Giro is another good brand as is Louis Garneau. Trek also produces their own line of helmets.

I have a low end Schwinn I bought at Target for $20. It has served me well for over a year - it is comfortable (for me).

The main downside is the lack of ventilation. With temperatures now exceeding 110degF I am just starting my search for a better ventilated one.

Can anyone suggest their top choices for the best ventilated helmets or helmets that feel the coolest. After I get a list of 3-5 I'll be able to try them for fit.

Al


I just bought one of these a couple of weeks ago and I LOVE it. Big vents... fits my head nicely... very comfortable. And you can't beat the deal from Performance.

Bell Alchera (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15883&subcategory_ID=4210)

I have a Giro Xen. Most money I have ever spent on a helmet ($100). It was on sale from $170. I always wondered why people bought those expensive helmets, but now understand. It is noticeably lighter and provides much better ventilation. I love it!

Did anyone see the bicycle helmets evaluations a month or two back in Consumer Reports? I have forgotten the name of their top-rated helmet.

Having said that, I concur that fit and retention system are probably more important than impact acceleration test results.


I checked out the Consumer Reports site for July 04.
Here are the helmets they rated - the best helemts are at the top of each category.


ADULT HELMETS
1
Louis Garneau Zen CR Best Buy
Rev $45
2
Trek Interval 60
3
Specialized M1 60
4
Giro Pneumo 140
5
Bell X-Ray 100
6
Bell Ghisallo 100
7
Bell Aquilla 45
8
Giro Torrent II
Atlas II, Venus II, Transit II, Kickfire II 40
9
Bell Ukon II
Bella II, Arc II, Cognito II, Craze II 35
10
Serfas Cosmos
Curva, Flea 35
11
Giro Semi MX 60
12
W Ripper2 BMX/Skate 80
13
Bell Scuffle
Wicked, Mirra Special Edition, X Games Backlash 25


Not recommended because several of the samples failed our retention test and could come off in an accident.
14
Specialized Telluride 60
15
Bell Influx 60


YOUTH HELMET
16
Specialized Air Wave Mega $30
17
Louis Garneau Grunge 2-V 45
18
Bell Amigo 30
19
Schwinn Thrasher 20
20
Specialized Airforce Youth 40
21
Bell Deuce 30
22
Serfas Rookie 30
23
Mongoose BMX Hardshell MG119 45


TODDLER HELMETS
24
Bell Boomerang $30
25
Giro Me2 Rodeo 30
26
Schwinn Toddler Value Pack
Child Value Pack 20
27
Specialized Kid Cobra 30
28
Fisher-Price Toddler
Bell Bellino 20


Not recommended because several of the samples failed our retention test and could come off in an accident.
29
Trek Little Dipper 40
*

I use an extreme sport helment, not quite as nerdy looking as the others, it allows room for some cool stickers you can get from your bike shop
lets face it, most of those who dont ride think we look pretty weird as it is hee hee. Just ask your friends who dont ride! I say hoop it up....be different!
"In God we trust"

I use a Louis Garneau T-Bone. The ventilation on the helm is jsut sickening....has i think 33 vents on it, 2/3rds of them on top, and the rest in back. Once your moving it's like having your own AC for your head. It's also rather compact, but slightly delicate...i already broke some foam around a vent when trying to shove it into my messenger bag at work...fortunately i jsut bent it back to place and it doesnt look too bad.

The break wont affect anyhting, but it doesnt look good....made me mad too, that's an $80 helmet :(

I'm still kinda partial to the old Bell Bumble-Bee helmet. Thing is about 10 years old.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Yesterday after work I tired a Specialized M1. I really wanted it to work as it was on sale for $75. But the large (with fitting system, brain trust?, set to smallest) was too big and the medium (with fitting set as big as possible) was too small. Oh well.

I tried a Giro Eclipse for $100. It fit great. I compared it to a Giro Pnuemo ($160) - it didn't feel much different, in fact I liked the Eclipse fit a bit better.

I was very surprised at how little material the Pneumo is made from - it seemed mosly venting. This was a big draw for me - Yes I will be commuting home every day when it is 115deg, so venting is critical. I also realize these helmets all meet the same standards and the high end ones are engineering to just meet them, but the Pneumo seemed like so little it couldn't imagine it being as protective as even the slightly less vented Eclipse. The Eclipse seemed to expose a lot more of my back of head though.

The other thing that surprised me is that the $20 Schwinn helment I have was not that bad in terms of fit compared to these helmets that cost 5-8x more. Its only the venting that lacks.

Anyway I thought I'd give it more thought and bought nothing yet.

Yes these are locally owned LBS prices. I probably can get these helmets for less on the net, but I want to pay for the service, convienience and support local shops.

Al

From experience standpoint - I use a Giro Pneumo, and the helmet saved my life in a crash I took on May 20th. I replaced my crashed Pneumo with another Pneumo because not only did it save my life but I like the venting - which as you said is much better than the cheaper helmets. From a price standpoint, my local bike shop charged $139 for the Pneumo.

If you're interested in seeing the effects of a crash on this helmet, I have a quick summary of my experience along with some photos on Oops! page (http://www.denisegoldberg.com/_wsn/page4.html) of my website. I'm also working on a journal of my recovery and return to cycling. There will be a link to the journal on my Oops! page once it's ready for publication and sharing.

Good luck with your helmet choice!

-----------------
www.denisegoldberg.com (http://www.denisegoldberg.com)

i wanted one that matched my bike.. so bought the specialized wsd m1

I'm still kinda partial to the old Bell Bumble-Bee helmet. Thing is about 10 years old.

Just wondering, is it still recommended that one replace their helmet every so often due to the foam deteriorating?

Just wondering, is it still recommended that one replace their helmet every so often due to the foam deteriorating?
Yes it is. It's recommended every 2-5 years. It's also a good idea to get a new helmet every so often because of advances in technology.

From experience standpoint - I use a Giro Pneumo, and the helmet saved my life in a crash I took on May 20th. I replaced my crashed Pneumo with another Pneumo because not only did it save my life but I like the venting - which as you said is much better than the cheaper helmets. From a price standpoint, my local bike shop charged $139 for the Pneumo.

If you're interested in seeing the effects of a crash on this helmet, I have a quick summary of my experience along with some photos on Oops! page (http://www.denisegoldberg.com/_wsn/page4.html) of my website. I'm also working on a journal of my recovery and return to cycling. There will be a link to the journal on my Oops! page once it's ready for publication and sharing.

Good luck with your helmet choice!

-----------------
www.denisegoldberg.com (http://www.denisegoldberg.com)

Denise:

I'm glad you're recovering from the accident. However. I noticed you're riding a folding bike.

As a folding bike rider myself, I have to be very careful about large ruts, bumps and potholes on the road. A 20' inch wheel bike is not as stable as one with 700 cc tires. A large patch of deep cuted ruts or a dip at high speed could easily throw you off the bike. I would suggest you go down hills a lot slower than in the past.

During the summer, I was going down a large hill at about 34 -40 mph. All of a sudden, I noticed a large patch of ruts where a road construction crew did a number on the surface. Needless to say, there was no way I could stop and had to go through at full speed. I was shaken so much going through that patch of bad road that for a second, I could not see the road! The situation was dangerous. Fortunately, I was not on my folding bike (but a larger hybrid with a longer wheel base) or it could have been very painful fall. I don't think I could have kept control on a bike with a smaller wheel and wheelbase.

It's no wonder touring bikes come with a larger wheel base and thicker tires. The only time I was ever thrown off one of my bikes was a night on my folder when the front wheel dipped into a large pimple on the road. Please be careful when riding folding bikes at night.

Well I bought a Giro Pneumo yesterday and used it for the ride home.

I was disapointed to find that it does not come with a visor, yes some don't care for visors, but in my situation I found that it greatly cuts the glare on my perscription sunglasses and improves contrast. In fact on the way home I switched back to my old helmet because the sun was at such an angle it was right in my eye.

It turns out the pre-2004 Pneumos did come with a visor, hence my confusion.

Does anyone have an idea how to add one? Sure I could wear a hat, but that defeats the purpose of a highly venting helmet. The store wont let me return it since its used.

Al

Denise:

I'm glad you're recovering from the accident. However. I noticed you're riding a folding bike.

As a folding bike rider myself, I have to be very careful about large ruts, bumps and potholes on the road. A 20' inch wheel bike is not as stable as one with 700 cc tires. A large patch of deep cuted ruts or a dip at high speed could easily throw you off the bike. I would suggest you go down hills a lot slower than in the past.

During the summer, I was going down a large hill at about 34 -40 mph. All of a sudden, I noticed a large patch of ruts where a road construction crew did a number on the surface. Needless to say, there was no way I could stop and had to go through at full speed. I was shaken so much going through that patch of bad road that for a second, I could not see the road! The situation was dangerous. Fortunately, I was not on my folding bike (but a larger hybrid with a longer wheel base) or it could have been very painful fall. I don't think I could have kept control on a bike with a smaller wheel and wheelbase.

It's no wonder touring bikes come with a larger wheel base and thicker tires. The only time I was ever thrown off one of my bikes was a night on my folder when the front wheel dipped into a large pimple on the road. Please be careful when riding folding bikes at night.

Steve -
Thanks for your comments about my little-tired bike. I haven't noticed any difference in stability as I switch between my little- and big-tired bikes. You're right in that the wheelbase on the bike I was on is a little bit shorter than that of my touring bikes - and that bike definitely had skinny tires, but the wheelbase of both my little-wheeled and big-wheeled touring bikes is identical to each other (and a little bit longer than the bike I crashed on, but not much). Interesting... In any case, I'm not a very fast rider, and the terrain I crashed on is actually pretty close to flat, and it was likely I was going no faster than 15 or 16 miles per hour! At this point - after riding over the same road again - I've pretty much accepted that I'm not going to figure out what caused that crash. I've only crashed a couple of times in my many years of riding (and no, I don't ride mountain bikes at all!), and the other crashes were on a big-wheeled bike... Funny thing - my orthopedic surgeon told me a friend of his had an almost identical crash to mine on a big-wheeled bike. So while I intend to be careful when riding, I don't think I can blame my crash on the bike.

I agree with DieselDan...the one that fits; and to add to that thought, the one that fits with the least amount of added padding. I tried about 4 or 5 different helmet brands and the one that fit me was the Louis Garneau. I've had for 5 years and have yet to use it...in an accident!! And that's fine with me.