Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Helmets With or Without Sun Visor

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Helmets With or Without Sun Visor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-24-10, 10:09 AM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
midgetmaestro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,362

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Pinyon
I like my visor. I'm an over 45 year-old super-Fred, though (double-sided spd pedals, reflective tape on the back of helmet and all over shoes, two rear blinkies, etc.). I don't care about speed that much. I just like to ride on the road, and the visor really comes in handy for stuff like blocking oncoming headlights on my pre-dawn training rides before to work, shielding my prescription glasses from rain, and using it to block the sun when the sun is just about level with the traffic signal (too lazy to use my hand?).

If you want to fit in with the serious roadies, though, leave off the visor. If you don't mind being seen as a Fred, then it does not matter.
Training rides and Fred in the same paragraph? I don't think so buddy.
__________________
SocialCyclists Forum
midgetmaestro is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 10:23 AM
  #27  
Arrogant Roadie Punk
 
save10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 2,353
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
helmet. no visor. I wear a cycling cap even in the summer. I'm weird like that
save10 is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 10:42 AM
  #28  
OM boy
 
cyclezen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,389

Bikes: a bunch

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 532 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times in 442 Posts
interesting, this pops up just as there's a thread in the Geezer forum about skin problems/cancer.
when you've been exposed to sun for almost 30yrs, I guess it's not a big issue... yet...
but when you've been roasted for 50, 60+yrs, all of a sudden what you did way back when comes back at you...
especially if you spend time at altitude...
people die regularly from skin cancer...

visor - helps a bit to keep the direct sun off my face, and every little bit helps.
way better than without.
visibility issues? Iff'n I can't keep my head up enough for decent visibility, then the shoulders are prolly slumped, the elbows are locked, then this turkey is cooked and prolly 'shelled' and blowin off the back of the group anyway...

i've taken, this year, to wearing 'arm coolers' / covers on any rides over 1 hr...
they actually work - arms are cooler and longterm, should help reduce risk of problems

if losin the visor is a self-confidence, 'posing' related concern (which, I suspect, it is for many...) then you better spend more time in front of the mirror, before headin out to cruise the 'vard', make sure it's all present and correct...
cyclezen is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 10:48 AM
  #29  
Boom.
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclezen
interesting, this pops up just as there's a thread in the Geezer forum about skin problems/cancer.
when you've been exposed to sun for almost 30yrs, I guess it's not a big issue... yet...
but when you've been roasted for 50, 60+yrs, all of a sudden what you did way back when comes back at you...
especially if you spend time at altitude...
people die regularly from skin cancer...

visor - helps a bit to keep the direct sun off my face, and every little bit helps.
way better than without.
visibility issues? Iff'n I can't keep my head up enough for decent visibility, then the shoulders are prolly slumped, the elbows are locked, then this turkey is cooked and prolly 'shelled' and blowin off the back of the group anyway...

i've taken, this year, to wearing 'arm coolers' / covers on any rides over 1 hr...
they actually work - arms are cooler and longterm, should help reduce risk of problems

if losin the visor is a self-confidence, 'posing' related concern (which, I suspect, it is for many...) then you better spend more time in front of the mirror, before headin out to cruise the 'vard', make sure it's all present and correct...
Or, you know, you could just wear a cycling cap.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:06 AM
  #30  
OM boy
 
cyclezen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,389

Bikes: a bunch

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 532 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times in 442 Posts
Originally Posted by Blackdays
Or, you know, you could just wear a cycling cap.
cap coverage

helmutt
https://photos.demandstudios.com/231/...3000140_XS.jpg
standing in front of the mirror...
https://www.danielpjohnston.com/graph...ndurain-93.jpg
reality
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/...54025120a9.jpg

actually, iff'n I could spend a day riding where this guy is, I'd be happy to be similarly outfitted to do it...

have a bunch of caps, all hot on a sunny day
helmutt, way moe betta...
cyclezen is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:07 AM
  #31  
Recreational Commuter
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 1,024

Bikes: One brand-less build-up, and a Connondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc. A nicer bike than I need, but it was a good deal, so... ;-)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by scottcpa
Hi Everyone

I know this may be a lame question, but I would appreciate some feedback. My current Bell helmet has a sun visor. I found a Giro helmet that fits snug and is on sale at a deep discount. However, it does not come equiped with a sun visor.

For those of you who have used both over the years, do visors really block out sun and glare? Will I notice a difference without the visor? What are the pros and cons of visors?

Any opinions would be grealy welcomed.

Thanks
I have found visors to be a pain in the neck, literally. Down in the drops or even up on the hoods, I have to crane my neck too far back to be able to see clearly ahead. Visorless and sunglesses for me. Besides, sunglasses keep my eyes better protected from bugs, road grit, etc.

BTW: The visors on all the Bell helmets I have seen are removable.
Kotts is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:10 AM
  #32  
Faster but still slow
 
slowandsteady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978

Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by midgetmaestro
Ding Ding Ding! We have a correct answer!
Learn something new every day.....
slowandsteady is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:16 AM
  #33  
Fitter of road/ironman
 
TriEngineer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GTA, Ontario
Posts: 530
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by scottcpa
Hi Everyone

I know this may be a lame question, but I would appreciate some feedback. My current Bell helmet has a sun visor. I found a Giro helmet that fits snug and is on sale at a deep discount. However, it does not come equiped with a sun visor.

For those of you who have used both over the years, do visors really block out sun and glare? Will I notice a difference without the visor? What are the pros and cons of visors?

Any opinions would be grealy welcomed.

Thanks
helmets with visor are meant for mountain biking, with most road bikes' geometry, you are leaning forward more, having a visor greatly increase the angle you have to bend your head in order to see the road ahead.
TriEngineer is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:26 AM
  #34  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,243
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 343 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times in 9 Posts
Originally Posted by midgetmaestro
Ding Ding Ding! We have a correct answer!
All of them are correct. Except Columbo's.

In the heat of summer, I will clip a visor on in the rain. It keeps the glasses cleaner/longer. Don't really care how it looks. Otherwise cycling caps work well.
jdon is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:38 AM
  #35  
'09 Synapse Carbon 3
 
lpolliard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 727

Bikes: '09 Synapse Carbon 3, R5000, R2000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have no problems with vision while using a visor, even in the drops. They also seem to help with glare or maybe I just need a pair of darker sunglasses. It seems stock lens are never dark enough for SoCal. Another benefit is to deflect those on coming hoards of gnats. Holding the visor down creates a bubble around your face so you don't have to eat so many

That said my newest helmet, Giro Atmos, does not have a visor and I don't have a problem with that either.
lpolliard is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 03:04 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
Pinyon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 1,380
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by midgetmaestro
Training rides and Fred in the same paragraph? I don't think so buddy.
I guess you have to race for it to be considered a training ride? Is there a distance cut-off?

I don't race, and can only fit 250-300 miles per week into my schedule. Should I call them "exercise" or "be able to keep up with my group-ride buddies" rides?

Meh. I'm just going to keep calling them training rides.
Pinyon is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 05:10 PM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
midgetmaestro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,362

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Pinyon
I guess you have to race for it to be considered a training ride? Is there a distance cut-off?

I don't race, and can only fit 250-300 miles per week into my schedule. Should I call them "exercise" or "be able to keep up with my group-ride buddies" rides?

Meh. I'm just going to keep calling them training rides.
I was kidding bud.
__________________
SocialCyclists Forum
midgetmaestro is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 05:20 PM
  #38  
Peddler
 
Seamless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 337

Bikes: Cannondale Road Warrior 800 & H400

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by gazelle5333
The guy at the LBS told me pretty much what's already been said...road = no visor, mtn. = visor. He said the real benefit is when you're biking through the woods, you can use the visor to knock the small branches out of your way. It gives your face a little more protection. Really no need for the visor on the road b/c it's too small/high to really do anything to help with the sun unless you're riding around noon.
Nope. High noon is the time of the least shading effect: assuming you look forward approximately level to the horizon, if the sun is directly overhead, its rays wouldn't be in your eyes. Only when the visor can cast a shadow across your face would it make a difference.
Seamless is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 05:49 PM
  #39  
Senior Member?
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,977

Bikes: orbea onix, Cervelo SLC, Specialzed Allez, Cervelo P3 Alu

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
https://cyclistrules.blogspot.com/201...t-savages.html
brianappleby is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 05:52 PM
  #40  
"Chooch"
 
ciocc_cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Prairieville, Louisiana
Posts: 1,659

Bikes: Late 1990s Ciocc Titan

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
The visor on my current Bell helmet partially blocked my view of the road ahead, so I removed it for safety. My next helmet (I'm looking at a Louis Garneau Quartz) has no visor.
ciocc_cat is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 07:58 PM
  #41  
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
 
BarracksSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 13,861

Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by mcjimbosandwich
the pearl izumi tech caps work fine (at least for me) in 90 degree weather when paired with a halo headband
The heat is half the reason I'm not sure if I like caps under a helmet; the other half is how much higher the helmet is forced to sit on my head. I'd rather have the airflow without the cap, and since my hair is short anyway (I use a 1/2" guard on my trimmers), I can feel it.

Originally Posted by gazelle5333
The guy at the LBS told me pretty much what's already been said...road = no visor, mtn. = visor. He said the real benefit is when you're biking through the woods, you can use the visor to knock the small branches out of your way. It gives your face a little more protection. Really no need for the visor on the road b/c it's too small/high to really do anything to help with the sun unless you're riding around noon.
Funny thing is, over in the MTB forum, I've heard the visor referred to as a "mudguard." Makes sense, and it's basically the same reasoning your LBS guy talked about.
BarracksSi is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 08:38 PM
  #42  
Ridin' South Cackalacky
 
dahut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Road rider here. No visor.
dahut is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 09:22 PM
  #43  
wants185s
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Burr Ridge, IL
Posts: 176

Bikes: Cannondale 2003 Caad 4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sourpuss Magee
I thought this was the purpose of the visor. It had nothing to do with the sun.
+1
wants185s is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 10:13 PM
  #44  
It's ALL base...
 
DScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,716
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
At speed, visors catch the wind and pull the helmet and your head back in a very annoying and uncomfortable way. Blocking vision in the drops just seals the deal. No visors for me.
DScott is offline  
Old 09-24-10, 11:08 PM
  #45  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Road bike = no visor. Just wear shades and toss a cycling cap in your jersey when it looks like rain.
DIGNYC is offline  
Old 09-25-10, 09:36 AM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
No visor.

They're not meant for blocking the sun or headlights. They're meant for mountain biking helmets to keep low trees off your face. I know some visors aren't completely solid and have holes in them... which wouldn't be good for blocking out the sun.

Just use sunglasses. Plus it blocks your vision especially when in the drops.
ptle is offline  
Old 09-25-10, 09:40 AM
  #47  
meow
 
bostongarden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hint: check out my BF name
Posts: 5,831

Bikes: 2016 Parlee Altum, 2013 Cannondale Super Six Evo Hi Mod Di2 only, 2011 Cannondale Super Six, Dura Ace 7800, 2007 Cannondale System Six Dura Ace 7800, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1, MB-2, MB-3, MB-5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Sans visor!
bostongarden is offline  
Old 09-25-10, 09:54 AM
  #48  
Senior Member
 
carlspeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pinellas County, FL
Posts: 176

Bikes: '06 Giant TCR2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by mihlbach
You should use a visor if it works for you. More importantly, if someone on BF asks you about it, just lie and say you ride visorless. Then you will still be cool.
+1!
carlspeed is offline  
Old 09-25-10, 10:16 AM
  #49  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SoCal T.O.
Posts: 2,172

Bikes: CAAD9-6, 13' Dawes Haymaker 1500

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
I don't like sunglasses because they make everything really dark. I always use a visor they really help.
fishymamba is offline  
Old 09-25-10, 10:23 AM
  #50  
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
 
BarracksSi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 13,861

Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by fishymamba
I don't like sunglasses because they make everything really dark.
I forgot about that -- yeah, the shadows are even darker.

I still don't like direct sunlight in my eyes anyway. During my last optometrist visit, after dilating my pupils and right before searing my retinas... I mean, examining them with a light, the doctor said that people with light-colored eyes like mine are usually more sensitive to bright light. I still want to shield my eyes even with sunglasses on.
BarracksSi is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.