NewbyJN

Can anybody tell me if there is a Helmet law that I don't know about yet. I heard it was manditory for Under 16 to wear a helmet while riding a bike, but nobody has said anything about over 16. And I probably will wear one, so what are some suggestions, not a lot of off-roading, mosting just to and from work, but looking the LEAST GAY POSSIBLE is a huge +!

roccobike

Where do you live?

idleuser

Whoever said wearing a helmet was gay looking? Just choose the right one for your head shape and you'll look fine. Laws depend on city, but of course you'll be wearing one regardless right? ;-)

roccobike

To the best of my knowledge, helmet laws vary by state, county, municipality and function within any of those areas. As an example, where I live you must where a helmet under 16 or on any mountain bike trail or MUP path. I do not beleive it is a requirement for road cycling, but I wear one anyway.
As for what to wear. There is only one difference between a road helmet and a mountain bike helmet, the mountain biker attaches a visor, road helmets do not. Some people buy one helmet and take the visor on and off. Then there are folks like me that just wear the darn visor and don't care that it is not 'correct' on the road. There are other helmets for other types of cycling but I'm not familiar with them.
As for quality of helmet, I purchase some of my helmets at discount stores since all helmets must meet the same safety standard. I do have one Specialized helmet purchased at a LBS, and I must admit it has slightly better construction than the X-mart helmets, but it is doubtful that it provides better protection.
As for helmet appearance, my X-mart helmet is all black, sort of like a Darth Vader look. I think it looks cool, but then I'm no expert on cool. There are so many variations in helmet colors you should have no trouble finding a helmet you like, just shop around. If you want to buy a helmet with a recognized pricey brand name, Giro is probably one of the most recognized, Specialized sells mid-priced helmets and their name is also respected. Hope this helps. I'm sure others will add posts.

NewbyJN

Honestly this is a little embarrasing, but I'm going to spring training in Phoenix to hope and make a team (minor League) and you and I both know that pro athletes are the biggest SMART @$$'s as to how something looks, so can anybody tell me what i might be looking for. I don't mind the visor, cuz I am hoping it will shade my face a little more. That AZ sun is a killer!

EJ123

+100000000

I use to wear skateboarding helmets.

NewbyJN

I'm not bagging on you or anything, but i show up to the first day of camp in a helmet of any kind I am going to get a ton of SH(*&T, but the better the look, but less crap I get! I mean i'm pretty sure I"m going to be the only guy on a bike! Most of the guys I play with have Million Dollar contracts and i'm just a little Free Agent!

Jason222

Get a Dirt jump helmet (skater/street helmet).

roccobike

Get a full face Motocross helmet with sunshade. Even your mother won't recognize you in that set up. OF course, expect to sweat a lot as they don't have the same ventialation as a cycling helmet.
If it were me, I'd be more concerned about the bike I rode up on. I don't know what your ride is, but I'll bet some of those boys know their mountain bikes.

As an example, Jason's ride would do nicely.

Dannihilator

You play baseball?

NewbyJN

Yeah, i play baseball.

NewbyJN

The bike I'm not too worried about, most the those guys are so caught up in "Hey, does my Range Rover look better with 22" spinners or just straight 24's"....... my bike is a Trek 4500, blk/grey hardtail and I've only had it for a few days, I love the damn thing!

ankush

what is so bizzare about this thread is that it is actually sincere. funny how the mundane can suddenly snap into focus leaving you wondering when the hell did it get to be like this..

ps: i dont mean any offense to the OP, the thread does attract attention to a very normal and everyday phenomenon, something i and i am sure everybody else too has encountered personally on a very usual basis, but it is just weird when you realise how important we have let things like this become.. anyway. sorry for the distraction.

roccobike

I think you're making a good point ankush. I'm tired of reading posts about what is correct OCP wear and what sort of cloths make you a FRED etc. In this case the OP has a legitimate reason to be concerned about the reaction of mostly non-cyclists. But as for me, I never knew there was a difference between a road helmet and a mountain bike helmet. And if I wasn't a member of this forum, I still would not know. But now that I know, I don't really care, but my 17 year old does, cause he wants to be 'cool'.

roccobike

IMHO, I think you made a good choice, that's a nice bike.

idleuser

I wouldn't think using a freeride/fullface helmet would make you look too good. Get a full face helmet when you get a motor bike =P But I'd get one that's black/flat black. It's the least flashy and IMO people won't take note of it as often than if you were wearing a orange one.

These are just my opinions being that my bro owns a bright orange helmet and i own a black one.

Maelstrom 

I despise xc helmets. Large mobile penis...thats all it makes people look like. I wear one because my full face is to hot for xc. But I promise you, the second I can, when I know the ride is worth the full face, I will wear it...

Flak

If they give you crap about the helmet, tell em you need it.

Pitchers look stupid with the bags of ice taped on thier shoulders and elbows. Ask them if they think its a good idea not to do it because it doesnt look cool? Afterall, the really cool pitchers can throw 96mph fastballs for 7 innings and not need no stinking ice....right.....right? Err...wrong.

In other words, tell em to go shove it, right before you hit a HR at your 1st at bat

Good luck with the baseball.

bigz00

If the high paid players give you a hard time give them the bird. You may not make as much as them but you'll make even less with brain damage

Drunken Chicken

Yeah, I absolutely hate XC helmets too, they don't give me enough protection (for me, anyway), in my opinion.
Maelstrom: Have you thought about looking into something like a Giro Switchblade or MET Parachute for your XC needs? Not half as hot in the summer as a normal FF helmet yet still protects well.
idleuser: You'd be surprised at how good some people look in a nice black Giro Madmax II with some white framed goggles, or any other fullface helmet.

Mookout

https://specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=12742

get something like that, in black. Not dorky at all... looks even cooler with the chin strap un-done I'm sure, if that makes a difference to you.

NewbyJN

I would love to tell them to shove it, but I am a pitcher and I can only manage to top out at around 94, and yeah, I look gay with the ice on, but I think anybody looks pretty damn lame with 5lb's of ice wrapped on their arm and shoulder. Thank you all for the info, I'll go out for the least *****exual / Least Attention Attracting helmet I can find!

Maelstrom 

Several issues I have with the switchblade.

a) it doesn't work, the "protection" is null and void in a real crash, I have seen this in person too
b) 350cdn for a piece of crap ...
c) It still looks like a xc helmet

I don't mind wearing the xc helmet as I know I need it for the way I ride, but a full face always looks better.

leonardotmnt

94 isn't that bad really. Maddux tops out lower than that and look at him If you perform I don't think anyone will care at all what you come to the park in. Good luck at spring training and with the helmet finding.

Drunken Chicken

a) Obviously, but it's designed more around aggressive XC/Enduro/AM in my opinion where you don't have as big crashes as in DH/FR (generally).
b) True. xD
c) It does, but not as much as an XC helmet.