blk

My Giro Atmos is toast after a crash four weeks ago where I broke my collarbone. I got a good deal on the helmet and am mulling over the replacement costs.

a) What, if any, is the difference between more expensive and less expensive helmets besides venting and weight? Have you found the more expensive ones to be worth it, or found a sweet spot? I ride (well, rode) every day, so it is probably my most frequently worn item of clothing.

b) Giro fits me well but isn't Snell certified. Should I be concerned?

c) Any recommendations for a well vented helmet that is easy to mount a camera to? I'm thinking of rolling with video now as my crash was caused by a hit and run and I don't have a full vehicle description or plate number.

Thanks for your advice.

MegaTom

a) Nothing. Venting and weight are pretty much it. Maybe a better retention system too, but whatever. Oh, and bling.

b) All bicycle helmets sold in the US are required to be CPSC certified, not Snell; so that's the certification they get. No, you shouldn't be concerned.

c) Nothing specifically. I haven't had a vented helmet yet that I had a hard time mounting lights to... I'd imagine it would be pretty much the same for a camera.

johnny99

The biggest differences between cheap helmets and expensive helmets are weight, venting, and adjustability. A helmet that fits you well is safer because it holds on to your head better in a crash. More adjustments or easier adjustments help the helmet fit you better. Better helmets come in multiple sizes and have a variety of adjustment features to let you fine tune the fit. Some people can get a good fit with the cheap one-size-fits-all helmets, but I cannot.

Regarding cameras, some of the latest MTB helmets have built-in GoPro mounts, but I haven't heard of any road helmets with that feature. MTB helmets are generally heavier because of beefed up protection around the sides of the helmet.

carpediemracing 

I've been on a buying spree for helmets after an epiphany that led me to learn that Bell helmets fit me better than Giro and that the ventilation problems of the old Bells is gone now, or at least irrelevant.

So ventilation is the biggest difference in marketing. However, to get a helmet to absorb a certain amount of force, the helmet needs to be made with a very consistent, very dense foam. That foam is so dense that compressing it will force the skull to absorb some energy. I know that cheap helmets, back in the SNELL/ANSI days, would absorb low levels of shock that a "high end" helmet would simply ignore (because the foam wouldn't compress on those high end helmets). The problem is looks - the big helmet isn't as popular, and even a super safe helmet won't do anyone any good if it just sits on the shelf in the showroom.

However helmet companies, I'm guessing here (since I've been out of the biz for a bit) will probably use lower density, less expensive foam in their lower end helmets. We're talking really low end because the mid range helmets were top line helmets just a few years ago. For myself I have a Bell Volt (high end), Gauge? (high end), and a commuter helmet, a Giro whose name escapes me. I also have a Specialized that I use. Ventilation-wise I can't tell the difference in hot weather between the more and less ventilated helmets - I use a Halo headband and it keeps sweat from dripping into my eyes, and no matter how well ventilated a helmet is I sweat quicker than the atmosphere can absorb moisture so I always have sweat dripping down my forehead.

I do notice the difference in cold weather. A high end helmet chills me immediately due to the higher amount of air flow (and since it doesn't have to evaporate sweat it's much better at making me too cold instead of cooling me off). I have resorted to taping my vents, putting on an old helmet cover, or using a lower end helmet. I have contemplated getting a ski helmet, believe it or not, but I'm not sure if that approval carries over to bikes.

Giros fit round heads. I thought I had a round head. I don't. I tried on a Bell and it was like putting on a baseball cap - nice even firmness all the way around. Try helmets on before you commit to a brand. I went from using Giros from the Lemond days to getting a Specialized (the Missus gave it to me for my birthday so I used it), and now I'm mainly wearing Bells.

I highly, highly recommend riding with a camera. I do, every ride I can. HD is a must since non-HD won't pick up plates well. 30 fps is fine although 60 fps is nice. I use a ContourHD (discontinued model) on my helmet. I've mounted it on the Specialized (S-Works and Prevail I think), Bell Volt, Giro something-I-borrowed-maybe-Atmos. It works fine on all of them.

I'd also recommend a rear facing camera. I'm working on a mount for a Contour for myself but I don't know of one that's already made.

This is an illustration of a 720p @ 60fps still, taken from a clip from a training ride with a teammate:

Not intentional but the truck was going just under 40 mph (we think) and we're rolling at about 21 mph. My teammate actually dropped his shoulder a couple inches. If he hadn't the truck would have hit him.

I hope you recover fully.

cdr

Garfield Cat

That third thing: adjustability. Even then, the adjustment mechanisms may be too complicated and can easily become "out of adjustment" after a few rides. I can imagine that some day helmets will be custom made for your particular head shape.

Even baseball type caps are prevalent in all sports disciplines. There's that adjustment in the back. But on some heads, the cap itself reaches onto the ear where it connects to the side of the head.

At the Las Vegas Interbike expo, I complained to the lady at the Catlike booth about the Whisper Plus. Then she showed me their newest helmet soon to roll out. Lots of adjustments inside the helmet. I tried it on after she adjusted it. Much lower profile and the fit works so that the helmet doesn't hit the sunglasses forcing it downwards.