Polonswim

I read a thread that stated that Giro helmets are made by the Bell company. That didn't phase me, but on that thread was a comment about how Bell helmets fit different than Giro helmets. I went to a LBS and tried each of them on. They do fit differently. That made me think

I know this will be considered a dumb questions since I tried both of them on, but what is the difference in how the two brands of helmets fit? I know there is a difference, but I am having trouble figuring it out.

After thinking about that for a few minutes, I began to think about how a helmet is supposed to fit in general. I tried on an Giro Atmos in both small and medium. When I put the medium on, I had to close the ratchet fitting system almost all of the way. When I put on the small, it seemed to fit better, not closing all of the way.

That brings up my second question, how do you know if a helmet fits properly? How would you know if a Bell fits better than a Giro or some other brand? I know how a helmet is supposed to be worn, but after thinking about it, I have no idea how it is supposed to fit.

I can't be the only one who wonders this, so I am hoping that everyone here has a good way of answering the question. Thanks.

CardiacKid

If it doesn't hurt and it doesn't move, it fits. It is better to get one that is a little big, so it will fit if you ever wear a knit hat under it. But probably only Freds wear knit hats. In other words, the one you have to tighten more might be the better choice, as long as you can tighten it to the point it doesn't move.
Giros seem to fit me better, but I don't know why.
I go to the lbs and try them on. When I find one I like, I get on the internet and get last years model, which is usually about 40% less than the current model. Don't tell my lbs.

CPcyclist

I like the fit of the bell helmets over Giro but I like the giro style.
As for the difference it felt like the Giro sat higher on the head and was maybe a little rounder (felt like there was play side to side). Get the one that fits and you will wear.

Retro Grouch 

I think that the helmet makers use different head forms. I think that Giro's are a little more circular when viewed from the top and Bell's are a little more oval. Specialized helmets, for example, are even more oval from front to back. Depending on the shape of your head, one brand is likely to fit you better than another.

When sizing I look at how the helmet sits on your head. A too small helmet sits up on top of your head, kind of like a clown hat. A too large helmet fits down over your eyebrows.

Helmet fitting is one of the better services that a good LBS can do for you. An experienced fitter (my wife is one of the best) can do a really excellent strap adjustment in about the time it took me to type this post.

clausen

Way too much thinking going on. I try a few on, pick a colour and buy the one that is most comfortable.

roadwarrior

Bell sucks...buy Giro. It's better. How do I know? It's what I wear and since I wear it, it must be better!!




Isn't that how most of these threads go?

botto 

why would there be a flame war?

it's the same company!

baj32161

ViperZ

The Difference is All in your head


https://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/correct.html

cycle17

If you think about it....it's pretty smart of them. Bell and Giro are the same company and combined they have a HUGE market share. Brilliant! As far as materials and construction, they are the same. I find the Bell helmets fit me better, but again that's because of my head shape. So whichever fits you better, go for it. There shouldn't be a flame war over this one at all.

Not the stupid Shimano vs Campy thing.... that's just a bag of worms!

Dead Extra #2

Are you sure the difference isn't ON his head?

StanSeven

More like Giro adds 3 mph and 100 watts to my top end and Bell is for people that don't flip their stem

SpongeDad

+1 on the rounder comment. I went into my LBS thinking I would buy a Giro helmet, but the fit on the Bell was was much better. People have differently shaped heads, so I'm glad that there are small variations out there.

As for how it should fit, I shoot for snug, making contact all the way around but not binding. Giro helmets fit me tight front and back and not so well on the sides. Also, I think the Bell adjustments are a bit finer (or at least fit me better).

All said, if the Giro fits YOU better, that's what you should buy.

BTW, I have a Bell Sweep - always feels fine (not to hot) even on summer rides.

jsharr

I find that many brands of helmets such as Giro or specialized tend to contact my forehead, whereas Bell helmets do not. This leads me to believe that Bell may be a little more elongated front to rear than other brands. I just switched from Specialized to Bell and there is a world of difference in fit. My personal preference in fit is to have a helmet where on the internal support mechanism contacts head around the circumference. Do not like the helmet shell to touch my forehead.

blandin

I own Giro Atmos, Pneumo and Bell Sweep-R helmets, and although the fit may be somewhat different between them, it's not so significant for me to say that one is better than the other. My reason for owning all three is strictly OCP, as all of them are different colors. I'm sure Hipcycler would approve!

biker7

I have more of an oval shaped head with prodigious frontal lobe to contain my considerable gray matter and therefore a Bell fits my Bell better.

George

domestique

Forget Both and get this!!!
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...feb06/DSCN2112

Cyclingnews:
"Tom Boonen and his Quick.Step-Innergetic teammates will be wearing some expensive headgear this season, courtesy of Lazer helmets. Each rider will receive a helmet with a golden name plate and a small diamond embedded in it. Tom Boonen and Paolo Bettini will receive a 1.18 carat diamond in recognition of their World Champion and Olympic Champion titles, while all the other members of the team can win a 1 carat diamond if they win a ProTour race, like a stage in the Tour De France.

Tom Boonen will be the first rider of the team to wear the new helmet in the next Vuelta Andalucía."

By the way I have a Giro Monaza, and love it

biker7

News Update: In a shameless attempt at self promotion, Ben-euro has been seen of late riding with have a small zircon encrusted into his lamp shade.
George

baiskeli

For me helmet fit is a continuum rather than a discrete point. As long as when I tighten the straps the helmet does not move when pushed at the front I am okay. And of course I have to be somewhat comfortable

I have both a Giro Pneumo and a Bell Ghisallo and the Giro fits me okay (I rode with it for 2 years) but the Bell Ghisallo fits much better.

YMMV. I have a large round head.

Fox Farm

My understanding is that Bell bought Giro a few years back. I do not know if they come from the same factory in China but they do fit differently. I have used Giro since about 1998 and continue to do so not out of habit but they fit my head better. The Giro is a different sort of rounded shape than the Bell. I have friends who say that the Bell fits them better and good for them; the Bells are less expensive!

roadwarrior

Can't wait to watch these guys getting rid of their helmets on a stage with a final climb...

Dubbayoo

I have not owned a Bell in over 10 yrs; however the Giro medium is a pinch too tight but the large is way too loose.

cydewaze

That's the exact same thing I noticed. When I try on a Giro, it has "gaps" between the helmet and the sides of my head, yet it's quite tight against the forehead and back of the head.

It's good that they fit differently though. Not everyone has the same shape head.

bluyak

I use to wear a cheep bell helmet. It fit and I could wear it all day. Then I had to retire it. I was looking at some DeFeet socks at a vendors stand at the RAGBRAI XXXI Expo. Who walks up next to me and says, "Hello my name is Greg". I about died. Here was the great Greg Lemond. I asked if he would sign my helmet. I wore the lowly bell helmet proudly among a sea of Giro helmets. When I got home I desided to up grade to a Limar. I'm on my second Limar now. Just no comparision to Bell/Giro for fit and comfort. If you get a chance to try one on you'll know what I mean. Anyhow here is a couple of pics. There both classy helmets in there own right.

cs1

You mean Campy and Shimano aren't the same company! Who would have guessed.

Tim