nsimpson

I need recommendations on a helmet that isn't bulky looking. I currently have a Giro Aeon and while it's comfortable, with my head shape it sits high up on my head and looks huge. Any suggestions?

PepeM

More riding less looking at the mirror.

nsimpson

Maybe I should've mentioned that I was clipped by a car so the helmet looks due for a replacement. But thanks for the helpful advice

PepeM

Fair enough. Are you looking for any other particular features? Ventilation, lightweight, aero? What about price?

QuakerProf

I know that to some, this is blasphemy, but all helmets sold in the United States are required to meet the same safety standards, so product differentiation depends on aesthetics and ventilation. If you are willing to pay 200 for a helmet that looks cool and has more vents, great. Otherwise, choose a cheap one with adjustable fit and save your money. There will always be folks ready to spend for a brand name or having the latest and greatest, but their heads are not meaningfully safer as a result. I wouldn't pay anything more than 60.

gsa103

That's getting to be less true with things like MIPS. Similar to cars, all helmets are required to meet minimum standards, which does not mean that they will behave identically in an impact. Five years ago, I would've agreed with your point, but the manufacturers are slowly recognizing that impact protection is a real issue.

SpeshulEd 

My favorite helmets at the moment are the Giro Synthe, the Kask Protone, and the POC Octal.

QuakerProf

Interesting, and I hope you're right. Have there been any independent tests of helmets with MIPS vs. without? If they have been shown to improve safety by someone other than the manufacturers, that would indeed be worth paying for.

Bunyanderman

There is a cheap/light/aero helmet, that is the giro attack. It can be found for under $100 new. It is a pretty hot helmet, and that is why it is so cheap. It is decently aero, but there are helmets that are much better. The giro synthe is a much better helmet, but is more than 2x the cost.

cthenn

Then don't buy anything from POC, especially the aero road helmet.

FrozenK

Just because all helmets meet a minimum it doesn't mean all helmets are equally safe. All cars must meet the same minimum for safety, but that doesn't mean a Kia Rio is as safe as a Volvo XC90.

Lower end helmets tend to be a "one size fits most" while more expensive helmets provide different sizes. Fit being key not only for comfort bur for the thing staying on your head during a crash, this is an improvement.

Then we move to retention systems, where, again you see a difference between price ranges. Finally, ventilation and weight are something to consider if you do long rides.

As for recommendations, obviously something that fits. If I was looking at a helmet I'd consider Kali helmets, they seem to have done some serious R&D.

SpeshulEd 

This is a fun article to check out if you're looking at aero helmets...
Best aero road helmets: tunnel- and road-tested - BikeRadar

cydewaze

Giro never fits me properly. I have a Bell kind of head. Try out some different brands and see which one fits the shape of your head best.

sced

I looked into this a few months ago and couldn't find anything resembling a scientific case for MIPS, more conjecture than anything and a new thingy to market.

Pactin

If you like the fit of your Giro, look at Performance bike's Reza (sp?), or another Giro like the Atmos. I have the latter and found the fit to be near perfect compared to Specialized offerings which fit a more oblong noggin.

I too was somewhat set on aesthetics and found those two lower profile helmets to be the least ****-head looking.

GlennR

I'm looking to replace my 5 year old Bontrager helmet and the Giro Synthe looks interesting. Light weight and good cooling.

Do you have one and if so any pros and cons?

floridamtb

Specialized S3 or Propero. GREAT ventilation! Looks good as well. The other thing I like about Specialized is the helmet crash replacement policy. Keep the receipt, walk into any dealer with the receipt within 2 years and get 20% off the new helmet. I've done this TWICE!

Square Wheels

I had a Synthe. I hated the straps. $200+ helmet with straps that come on their bottom of the line helmets. Also, close to no padding inside. I didn't find it comfortable. I sent it back.

SpeshulEd 

I have no experience with the Synthe, it was on my want list until I saw that article I published earlier in the thread, where Bike Radar ran tests on all of the new aero helmets and the Synthe fared horribly. I do have an Aeon and an Air Attack and like the fit of Giro helmets, never had an issue with the straps, but the Air Attack is hot in the summer and the Aeon is getting to be rather bulky by today's standards. Which is also my issue with the Octal, it's just huge on my head...so now I'm leaning more towards the Kask Protone. I have a buddy that has one and it has a very low profile, of course he has a small head so he fits into a small. I need at least a medium, so I couldn't really test it to see how it looked on me and haven't been to a shop yet that sells them.

TrojanHorse

The synthe MIPS definitely looks interesting... $270 MSRP though, what the heck.

GlennR

Giro Synthe helmet review | road.cc

Verdict
Lightweight, comfortable and very well ventilated helmet designed for aerodynamic efficiency



Giro Synthe helmet - review

Conclusion
The Synthe is sleek, comfortable, incredibly well ventilated and (apparently) pretty aero too. It’s a big step forward in aero road helmet terms as it makes the genre more accessible to the average rider who’s after comfort and acceptable looks as well as performance


Giro Synthe helmet review - BikeRadar USA

BikeRadar ***** score5/5 (5 stars)

Out on the road, we found the Synthe to be exceptionally well ventilated not just at cruising speed (where even helmets with minimal ports can often move sufficient air to feel cool) but also when slogging up steep inclines in stifling summer heat (where even many non-aero helmets often fall flat).

Moreover, the Synthe is also comfortable for all-day rides despite its relatively sparse padding.

Otherwise, however, we can't think of any compelling reasons not to get one of these if you're in the market for a new road helmet.

woodcraft

Depending on one's riding position, helmet weight makes a difference to the neck muscles.

I got a Giro Prolight that is close to half the weight of the other one- 192 g vs. 347 g.

SpeshulEd 

Yep, but in the aero test, it did pretty badly when ranked against other helmets...so badly that Giro even threw a fit at the end of the article.
Best aero road helmets: tunnel- and road-tested - BikeRadar

It's all subjective tho. It is a great looking helmet. A local shop had all of their helmets, including the Synthe on sale for 40% off last month and I went in with an intention of buying one but all they had was white/silver, white/red/blue, and black/red. None of which would match any of my bike stuff.

GlennR

With fantastic ventilation at both high speeds and low, far and away the lightest helmet on test, and appealing looks that garnered praise all around, how on earth did the Synthe only manage a seventh place ranking?

Because it apparently isn’t all that fast.

Aero is the least of my parameters. Safety, ventilation, weight and looks, in that order, are ahead of aero.


BTW, I stopped by the LBS and tried one on... fits really nice. But I decided to think about it and maybe wait for the MIPS version to come out next month.

SpeshulEd 

Haha, I hear ya.

Both of my current helmets have a year left in them if you follow the "replace every 3-5 years depending on storing conditions" rule. Mine have been stored in a garage and shed for the past two years, neither of which have AC, so I'd assume the AZ heat has broken down the foam a bit. *shrug* I'm hoping in the next year something else comes along.