Road Cycling - Buying a good helmet

I am currently looking for a good biking helmet. Should I go for the great looking, aero-dynamic, $160 Giro pneumo, or buy a more budget friendly one? Did I mention that I was on a budget?

Any suggestions please


:)

Try on as many as possible. If you find one that fits and the price is right Bada-Bing...Fit Fit Fit is the main thing. Took me two hours to pick my last helmet....................Happy hunting :)

Since a helmet is a one-hit proposition, just get one that is useable and cheap. Bell makes a full line of inexpensive helmets that give superior protection (better than the $160 Giro's!). When you spend big $$ on a Giro, half of that cost is going towards supporting their racing programs. For $30, I can get a decent Bell, one with lots of slots, and it will protect my head better. Why spend another $130?

Look for a secure mounting system, a comfortable, snug fitting headband, and a construction in which the polystyrene is moulded into the sheel, not taped in.
Given that, cheape ones are just as effective as expensive ones.
Expensive models give you less helmet and more air (vents).

I use a $35 ($40-50) Met helmet.

Keep in mind that it's recommended to replace a helmet after a crash - where you've hit your head, of course.

I like a helmet with some adjustability since sometimes I use a sweatband, skull cap or hat underneath - depending on conditions.

I use a Giro Havoc which has their adjustable Roc Loc system. I recommend it. It's about $100, but I bought my 2001 model on clearance for $50.

Prior to the Havoc I was using a $30 no-name model. It did the trick, though, when I crashed hard last year at Mt. Snow and slammed my head so hard into a tree that it cracked the helmet. I got up and finished fifth.

I concur with the other respondents. I believe that fit and retention system are a helmet's most important features for any given cyclist. The way you adjust the straps and wear the helmet is far more important than the brand, model, or type of certification.

I also like the in-mold shell helmets. Helmets get banged around when you drop them on the garage florr, when you throw it off in disgust after a bad ride, whatever... And I find that the taped-on hardshells tend to crack and peel rather easily. The in-mold hardshells are a lot tougher and last longer, even if you aren't taking headers off your bike.

Just this year I bought a TREK Vapor from my LBS. Only $40.00 It is my second Vapor, the last one I bought 6 years ago. Did not crash it, just wanted a new one. The adjustment for the way you tighten it changed. At the back of the helmet there is a knob you turn to loosen or tighten so it fits comfortably and correctly on your head. The Vapor is one of, if the best selling helmet they have ever made.

Try several on to see how they fit. Do not have anything on your head, like a head band, bandanna, barrets, clip, etc. Even though you may have those things in your hair or on your head when you ride, try the helmet on with nothing there for proper fit. You can always adjust the fit to accomidate for things on your head or in your hair after you buy the helmet. But you may not always wear have those things on your head when you ride.

i spent about 60 seconds picking out my helmet, just picked up a cheap bell (35 bucks) with a visor... i duno if a visor is a good thing or not.. but the guy told me it would be better. And it fit perfect. I guess i got lucky, i had it in my car the other day and a couple frineds were messing around putting it on and they both thoguht it was a really comfortable helmet.

I bought a Giro Stelvio and paid less than $40 for it.
Has the roc-lock3 system, and is reasonably well
ventilated (21 vents?) I've seen them for as low
as $25 since they are older design.
For that price wear it and toss it if it gets
dinged.

Marty

Originally posted by WoodyUpstate
Keep in mind that it's recommended to replace a helmet after a crash - where you've hit your head, of course.
Bell and Giro will replace a crash-damaged helmet for a significant discount. I'm sure other reputable helmet makers (Briko, Limar, etc.) will too.

People used to advise you to check for ANSI and Snell crash testing approvals. I guess now there are the US CPSC safety standards and European Personal Protective Equipment Directive 89/686/EEC. Again, any helmet by a reputable company will have these, and they should be advertised on the box and/or in a sticker inside the helmet.

Hey! Check this out!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7712

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check out all the Bell, Trek, and the less expensive Giro's to find a good helmet that fits.
:D

Check out Nashbar.com. I have bought a couple of good helmets for about $10.00 on closeout. Sometimes you have to take the color available, but I am no fashion guru, so any color is pretty ok for me.

If you want to save a few bucks and get a quality helmet check out the Limar F-18 --- Retails for approximately $80.00 -- $85.00 -- I got mine at Sierra Trading Post for $46.00 +$6.00 S&H. Although it is an "entry level helmet" it serves the purpose without breaking the bank! The Limar 107+ and the 118 are also great but costly --- not nearly as much as the Giro Pneumo --- somewhere in the range of $100 -- $120. I also like the Briko Twinner --- this goes for approximately $139.00 ---$159.00. Got mine at The Snow Shack.com for a cool $99.00! Both Limar and Briko are Italian made helmets that have excellant ratings by the Helmet Institute Standards. I liked the Giro Pneumo but when I realized it was nothing more than a high priced Bell helmet (Giro is the high end of the Bell helmet line --found this out via Helmet Institute) --- I sort of fell out of love with it! The asking price ($179.00 + S&H) is highway robbery! If you purchase one of the team style Pneumos' you get a cutesy helmet pod that can be purchashed separately from Giro for about $18.00! Earlier this year I learned my lesson about helmets! I spouted the wrong information (due to the sellers' site) and I took a beating for it here online! It taught me a good lesson though -- never believe entirely what is advertised -- research it before purchasing or referring someone! Good Luck!

I already ordered a Giro Pneumo USPS helmet from supergo.com...It just looked soo cool, I had to have it!:thumbup: