Helmet for the hot head

[tchazzard]

I am in the market for a new helmet. This new helmet will be the one I primarily use when tooling around in my VM.nl Mango velomobile. For this reason, the main feature I am looking for is a helmet which has the best venting when going slow. I have some long uphill climbs which pull my speed down to 9-10mph and my head literally boils (I often pull my helmet off until I reach the peak). I have read that MTB helmets are better designed for air flow at slower speeds, but not too sure about this.

I welcome any suggestions as I assume bent and trike riders suffer from the same air flow problems (not to mention our heads are not leaned forward as they would be on a DF bike).

Thanks.

TC Hazzard
http://www.hazbro.com/mango

[bnet1]

I ride my 'bent with a regular (Vigor) helmet. Yes, my hair is usually soaked at the end of a ride, more of a function of humidity than heat. I really haven't noticed a difference between the DF or the 'bent. When I rode DF I used an older Bell helmet that was short on venting. Maybe I just got used to it.

'bent Brian

[bentrox!]

It's very pricey, but the Giro Atmos seems to be more hole than helmet. If it works for Lance climbing
Alpe d'Huez in stifling heat it must ventilate well ( I assume he wore it - didn't actually watch the TdF.)

[Arnold Layne]

I've been using the Bell Metro: http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/main/product/metro.html I got it because it is designed for the upright riding position and I also liked the light attachment on the rear. At first glance it appears to be short on ventillation but the vents are designed and placed well, giving good ventillation (at least in my opinion). It feels cooler to me than the high-end road helmet that I was using prior to getting the Metro. It also has some nice accessories available. It's a little pricey at $80 but I like it. That's just my opinion and the mileage you get may vary.

[catatonic]

Louis Garneau T-Bone. This thing is so ventilated that it's scary. Something in the area of 33 vents, at 8mph if feels great....at 20 it feels like I'm not even wearing it. i dont ride a bent though...so your mileage may vary.

[bruceha_2000]

My wife has a Giro Havoc ($69.99 at our LBS) she got when she bought the EZ SC-1 Lite this summer. I used it a few weeks ago with her bike when I took the kids on the bike path. Given I was coasting or braking about 80% of the ride into town trying to 'keep up' with the kids, you know I wasn't moving fast. I pedaled more on the way back as it was slightly uphill. I never even thought about my head, so it must not have been hot. The dealer told us the slotting in the new helmets makes you cooler than if you weren't wearing one at all. My wife is very happy with hers. Of course, her prior helmet was about 30 years old and closer to a styrofoam cooler with holes than the sleek helmets of today :-)