gh-ap

I know all you hipsters will scoff, but I honestly could care less:
I want a helmet. What's a good-looking, (relatively) cheap, and
functional (it protect de head) helmet?

I seriously dig the look of Tomity's keirin helmets (especially that
second group- the kevlar/carbon, and the old-school "Italia one)...
So, what's the word?

filtersweep

Do they offer any real protection, or are they for aerodynamics. If it is just fashion, you might just want a cycling cap.

ETQC

Personal uneducated guess: They look expensive, and should not be able to protect from more then a frontal slide on hard track wood. Look at the back part, nothing but CF back there, no padding, nothing securing it to your melon.

SamHouston

Cycling helmets may not offer near the protectin they should/could, bu they do offer some against particular types of unplanned dismounts/stopping.

They all rate differently in protection but are held to loose standards, you can't go any more wrong choosing for style than protection. Fit is a different question that relates to both. For me the shape of just about any Giro works and Bell doesn't, all depends on yer head. Stablization systems are good though, beats the old days before roc-loc and the like.

For style...I go for road versions. Off-road helmets are all up front, visored eye sores IMO. Road helmets at least conform to the riding position of the urban rider. The only drawback is if you have a really swept back helmet, with lots of stuff ticking ou tthe back to make it look good well it'll interfere with your load if you're carrying a large one. Your load ain't gonna move, so you find yourself navigating while looking mostly at your front wheel and everything 20 feet in front of it. No good for fixing let me tell you.

HereNT

Hehehe - someone just found my page by googling for that helmet. Now I know what it is

gh-ap

If I cared about fashion, I wouldn't be asking about a bike helmet, would I?

I agree. However, the one I was referring to is here, on the bottom right: More protection, no?


My buddy recommends skate helmets 'cause they're cheaper and kinda lightweight.
Everyone else seems to sport CatLike or Giro road helmets, the fancy-pants ones.

icithecat

Unfortunately, if you want a helmet that will actually save your 'noggin, you need something like this.
oops

gh-ap

are those kittens njs-approved?

Ken Cox

How cheap?

I wear a Bell Metro.
I like it because it has a snap on fabric cover that closes all the holes and makes them water and wind proof over the winter.
It also has a place on the back to put a flashing light.
Super adustable fit.
About $80.
I had it on for my crash last month and it saved my noggin.

icithecat

damm. Now I've lost the photo I wanted to post, but that one in the middle does look like me after a few brooskie.

ETQC

As far as use, I picked up the only one that fits my x-large noggin, just go to a LBS, pick and choose. I have been looking for a bmx-style helmet that offers good protection (i.e. not just a plastic shell) for a year, to no avail.

Currently wearing a mtn helmet (louis-garneau legend) with the visor ripped off.

filtersweep

Hmmm.... an expensive helmet that offers nothing in the way of crash protection, isn't used as fashion? What other use is there?

Judah

Next helmet I buy will either be a Pro-Tec skate/bmx helmet or one or those cool road helmets that looks like some weird alien sitting on your head...

gh-ap

well, just because it's useless doesn't make it fashionable.

icithecat

A co-worker who has suffered from brain damage in the past now wears a 'downhill' helmet, or a volvo 240, depending on his mood. A serious question. 100% protection is to drive a Mac truck. 0% is to ride helmet free. We must choose our own limits.

gh-ap

...so now i'm checking out the standard roadbike brands, and giro is the only one on ebay.
atmos and pneumo: any personal experience? any recommendations?

oh, and this one has headphones.... built in!

and

to prove my point on the "coolness" of helmets, one ebay
seller described thier giro atmos as "ponytail-compatible".

BlastRadius

I love my Bell Metro.
The Bell Citi is the same style, is cheaper, and is one-size-fits-all (most).

BlastRadius

I tried a Pro-Tec "old school" helmet and it was too hot. Not enough ventilation.
On the other hand, the Giro Pneumo has tons of ventilation.

filtersweep

I have a Selev Atom that is quite unique as well as a Limar F911 (I think?)... something about those Italian helmets. Selev cannot usually be sold in the US because they haven't been through ANSI or Snell testing, but they are euro-approved- both of which are less expensive than the top Giros if you buy them on the grey market, or the Limar through Performance or Nashbar.


The Atom definitely looks like an alien on the head- moreso than their less-aptly named "Alien" model.

Jose R

I would stick with the available helmets approved for use here in US. Usually, people have either a Giro head (oval shaped) or a Bell head (round shaped). There are other good helmets I haven't tried, but I assume they fit similar to either Bell or Giro.

I fit Bells, not Giros. I have the Ghisallo and two Alcheras. I got all three from Nashbar during their frequent sales. Paid $80 for the Ghisallo and ~$40 for the Alcheras.

Any decision should be based on fit. If you buy off the net, then buy from someplace with a return policy. If you buy a helmet that doesn't fit you won't wear it.

delay

I use a limar road hemlet 505 or something like that. It is really decent, and in my opinion far more subtle than the giros. My dad is a firm defender of the pneumo. I don't know, it looks a bit rediculous for my tastes.

Oh, and their spokeswoman had nothing to do with my descision.
https://emma.limar.info/

HereNT

What about us coneheads?

gh-ap

alright, my mind is made up. limar is cheap, good-lookin',
and has a crass ad campaign. go, euroticism.

Jose R

there you go, nothing like having a hot babe make your life decisions for you

STEEKER

I use a snow boarder helmet rather than a bike helmet it has a higher safty rating and feels really good and has surprising air flow ,, rather have that than a dent in the head