The giro encinal helmet is a sport helmet that can be used for road and mtb riding. I was attracted to this helmet because of the price and the looks. I assumed all helmets that are certified offer the same amount of protection. Does anyone know much about this helmet that I am wearing? Should I upgrade to a real road helmet(for protection and style:) ? I know the importance of a helmet after laying down my motorcycle at 40 mph. I had just put it on and had been riding all day without it. Lucky, very lucky.

Thanks for your help folks.

I just bought one with my first Mtn.Bike. Nice fit...

Why would you upgrade? it is a road/mtn bike helmet...your not using it on a motorcycle are you??? ...bah..your fine

http://www.giro.com/main.html

As long as they're CSPC certified, which they should all be. They'll offer the same protection.

I usually like the helmets with a detacheable visor. Love it.

As operator says, as long as it's certified, it will provide a certain amount of protection. In fact, cheaper helmets probably offer MORE protection since they're not as open. But they all hot as hell, so the price you pay is for vents.

thanks all. those were the answers i was hoping for.

As a matter of fact, I dropped by the LBS today, encinal combined what I was looking for visor, with a semi-roadie look, and it's pretty cheap to boot! $64 CDN w/taxes.

Probably going to pick it up mid-next week.