Road Cycling - What helmet should I get?

What kind of things should I look for in a helmet? I really like Giro's Atmos, I tried it on and its super light, super comfortable, and super pricey. I feel I might be falling for that one because Lance wears it. What are some more affordable alternatives?

Thanks... :)

Well, I guess the first obvious answer would be the Giro Pneumo ... I have one, very happy with it.

What kind of things should I look for in a helmet? I really like Giro's Atmos, I tried it on and its super light, super comfortable, and super pricey. I feel I might be falling for that one because Lance wears it. What are some more affordable alternatives?

Thanks... :)

You may find this article helpful:
http://www.helmets.org/history.htm

basically it argues that your best bet is a smooth, rounded, visorless model. The price of a helmet has more to do with fashion than practical technology. A $20 helmet that meets ANSI/Snell standards will protect your head as well (in some cases better) than a $150 one. Keep in mind that helmets essentially single use devices (single impact, that is).

BK

July '04 CR rated the Louis Garneau Zen (or Rev) a Best Buy at $45 ... it was their top rated helmet (keep in mind they only rated 15 helmets - rated the Pneumo 4th and didn't rate the Atmos) ...

I got a Catlike helmet for $130.00. It is super light and well vented. The main reason I got it was I liked the style. I had a $10.00 lid I got from a bicycle club. But I never wore it cause I looked like a geek. I'm sure it has as much protection as my Catlike, but if it's not on my head, it's not going to matter. So go with something you look good in. If wearing an Atmos makes you feel like Lance, go for it. I like wearing my helmet now. And that is why I spent the extra money. :D

I have a Giro Monza ($100), it's nice too, 9 oz. (Atmos is 8.5 oz) with 24 vents and looks stylish.

I still wear my $30 Specialized (only 13 vents) helmet every once in a while because it's still in good condition. I lost the visor to this and I wish I still had it for the rainy days, it was useful to have a visor.

Go with what fits your budget and makes you feel good.

I just bought a Louis Garneau helmet from Nashbar for $45. I love it it has tons of vents.

I have a Limar 107, currently on sale at a bunch of places for under $50. It is a very comfortable helmet with a great fit.

I have the Bell Ghisallo, lite,well vented and fairly cheap, most have it for $100.

i wear a pot on my head...j/k

i just got something from Giro on closeout from i believe 2 years ago for like $10 or something. I think it's the Giro transit. After my puppy ate my giro eclipse, i said to myself, no more helmets above $50... :( as long as it protects my head, i'm fine with it :p

melloboy

Take a look at the new Shain (pronounced Shine) from Italy. They are an helmet company that has been making helmets for other brand names and have only recently started producing helmets under their own name. I have one and really like it. Repartocorse.com had it on sale for $130 - pricey but it has some unique features. Looking at the adjustmen system I wonder if they didn't have something to do with Limar helmets - who knows. Still use my Giro Eclipse for training rides. He*l we're all a little vain.

Selev makes some of the lightest helmets out there. (made in Italy)

I have the Selev Alien and am very happy with it. They are available from www.glorycycles.com

The Bell Alchera for $42 at Nashbar is my vote for best value. It has lots of vents and has a slick adjustable cradle so it fits well. It's 95% as nice as the Ghisallo for about 1/2 the cost.


http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=91&subcategory=1045&brand=&sku=8012&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Good luck.

Ed

I second the Catlike Kompact2, great helmet!

I just bought the Bell Ghisallo as well. $100 from my LBS. When I was shopping around, I learned two things.

1. I also thought that the differance in prices was largely due to the look of a helmet. Maybe also the number of vents and the cool new cinching devices. But mostly it was fashion. But the LBS told me that the higher priced ones also had the 'in-mold' technology which makes them a little safer. Basically, the way it was explained to me was, if you hit the ground in a helmet w/o the 'in-mold' technology you're fine, but you could be in trouble if you roll over and over. The 'in-mold' technology stays 'intact' longer and helps protect your mellon should you hit the pavement multiple times, like should you roll. Maybe it was a sales pitch to get me to buy the more expensive helmet, maybe not. But I figured when talkling about hitting your cranium on the pavement, it is best not to go cheap.

2. Bell owns and makes Giro so they are the same helmet. The only difference is that Giro is a more rounded fit whereas Bell is a little more oblong or oval. For my mishapen head, the Bell definitely fit better.

That is just what I found out when shopping for a new helmet. Hope it helped.

I have a Giro Transit. It does me just fine.

I have a Bell helmet, I want to say it's a Raptor but I can't remember exactly. They probably don't make it anymore, whatever it was, because it's about 5 years old, more, and I forgot how much it cost. $20? It was allright, but a bit on the heavy side and didn't fit my ponytail. As long hair HAS to be tied up somehow on a bike else it gets buggy, this meant no helmet for me. If you've got shorter hair, it'll probably work.

Later I got a Specialized, I forget what model of that too. It was about fifty bucks, fit like a charm, even the ponytail. I wore it for a bit but there was a matter of the wind in the vents maKing a sort of hollow whine. I never could get it to stop, and because I ride my bike like I think I"m a car, I need unimpeded hearing to serve in place of rearview mirrors. The Specialized had to go too...

I wear a bandanna now, that I've sewn some padding into. It's light, silent, comfortable, and if I ever get into an accient it will give me absolutely no protection. :D I'd recommend anything else but that to anyone else but me.

The price of a helmet has more to do with fashion than practical technology. A $20 helmet that meets ANSI/Snell standards will protect your head as well (in some cases better) than a $150 one.

Never spend more on a helmet than your head is worth :lol: :lol:

Actually, I think the venting is better on some helmets than others. I wouldn't recommend buying online since the fit can vary greatly.

-murray

get one that fits and makes you feel cool.. in looks and temp.