Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Helmets anyone?

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Helmets anyone?

Old 06-05-08, 02:52 PM
  #1  
.
Thread Starter
 
i86o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 155
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Helmets anyone?

i was hoping someone could recommend me a decent looking helmet, im going to use it for commuting, general jackassery, and a big touring ride i'm going to be doing this summer

so comfort, a visor, and looks are all important to me

so is price

anyone?
i86o is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 03:04 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 177
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What price were you thinking?
Muttsta is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 05:22 PM
  #3  
.
Thread Starter
 
i86o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 155
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sub 80$
i86o is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 05:48 PM
  #4  
Lentement mais sûrement
 
Erick L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
I think fit is too important and you'd be better trying some at a bike shop.
Erick L is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 06:13 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
pasopia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 617

Bikes: soma double cross DC, giant reign

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bell metro is nice and simple looking, plus it has a little slot in the back to hold a light.

Last edited by pasopia; 06-05-08 at 06:16 PM.
pasopia is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 08:03 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
zeppinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 2,016

Bikes: Giant FCR3, Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
I have a ****ing huge head. Most brands extra large size does not fit me I ended up buying a Giro for $25 that fits well but looks absolutely ******** on me. My head is so big for my body, plus the extra size of the helmet= me looking dumb. Everyone join me in buying the most ridiculous looking helmet you can find so that us with big heads can not feel ashamed! WOOT!
zeppinger is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 09:39 PM
  #7  
Padovano
 
Mike552's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boston
Posts: 698
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Limar helmets are pretty slim looking.
Mike552 is offline  
Old 06-05-08, 10:20 PM
  #8  
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I don't wear them for touring, I get passed by joggers. The metro is a good looking modern helmet that is shaped for the kind of riding we do. I think if I didn't have an old Bell I would probably look for something with a hard shell like a Black Diamond climbing helmet, or a novelty carbon helmet.
NoReg is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 04:51 AM
  #9  
Tinkerer since 1980
 
TheBrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: London
Posts: 922

Bikes: Coppi racer, Old school BMX, some random a fixed wheel convertion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Oxymoron. I wear a helmet most of the time but I know it looks ***** and I have never seen a good looking helmet despite looking long and hard. Personally opinion I guess but I reckon if you wear a helmet you have to suck up the fact that you look like a bit of a prick.
TheBrick is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 05:41 AM
  #10  
Full Member
 
jurjan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 236

Bikes: Idworx Easy Rohler (2012) / Velotraum Speedster Single Speed (2019) / Batavus Stabilo (1995, now decommisioned)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
I would go to your LBS'es and try as many as possible.
buy the one that fits you best.
Like TheBrick said: everybody (even TdF-riders ;-) ) looks, mmmhhh, how to say this.. not their best with a helmet.
But that's NOT why you wear one.
jurjan is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 06:39 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
staehpj1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 11,837
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 744 Times in 554 Posts
+1 on fit being the biggest deciding factor. It greatly effects comfort and safety.

Those with big heads should try the Bell Triton.
staehpj1 is online now  
Old 06-06-08, 07:01 AM
  #12  
Tinkerer since 1980
 
TheBrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: London
Posts: 922

Bikes: Coppi racer, Old school BMX, some random a fixed wheel convertion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Oh yeah I'll add my name to the list of fit is the most important thing, as with most things really. I think I read somewhere Bell are good for large heads in general?
TheBrick is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 08:10 AM
  #13  
Lentement mais sûrement
 
Erick L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
What I've heard is Bell is for round heads while Giro is for ovals. I thought my head was more oval until I tried some helmets. The Bell had a better fit (Bell Venture, ~35$). I think the Metro is just as ugly as other helmets.
Erick L is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 08:16 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
BigBlueToe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392

Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I wanted a helmet that went down the back of my head a little. I have a big melon, and my previous helmet perched on top like a mushroom cap. I went to my local shop and tried them all on. I settled on a Giro Xen.

It has a visor, but I find on my road bike when I'm in the drops it blocks my vision. Luckily it's removable. I take it off on my road bike, and put it on when I ride my mountain bike.
BigBlueToe is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 08:28 AM
  #15  
Scott
 
n4zou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,393

Bikes: Too Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Helmet rule. Purchase a helmet that costs at least what you think your heads estimated value is.
If you think your heads value is $80 or less then a sub $80 helmet will be fine. My heads value is at least $750,000 cause thats what my health insurance spent to remove a brain tumor. I purchase nice helmets but can't fine any that cost anywhere near the value of my head so I consider all of them to be cheap no matter what they cost.
n4zou is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 10:03 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like catlike helmets, had one when i lived in europe... dunno if they are available in the US though.

not to hijack, but what sort of brain tumor did you have? I work on models of glioblastoma multiforme... I am dong MRI on one right now...
positron is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 11:53 AM
  #17  
Velocipedic Practitioner
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 488

Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 5000, Santana Arriva tandem, Pashley Sovereign, among others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The Bell Citi. Looks virtually identical to the Metro, and the 08 models have the rear blinkie strip. You have your choice of colors from subdued matte's to Hi-vis orange or yellow. Most comfortable helmet I've ever gotten and it doesn't have that pointy "racer" look.
https://www.bellbikehelmets.com/produ....asp?prodID=10
PurpleK is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 12:26 PM
  #18  
.
Thread Starter
 
i86o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 155
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i have a citi, and i hate it, its hot and uncomfortable

i think i need to suck it up and go try some on in store and just buy one in person :|

and correct me if im wrong, but the more expensive the helmet, the less material, the less weight, less protection, and while all helmets must meet federal or w/e governing body standards, i would almost expect a cheaper bulky helmet to serve me better in an accident

eh?
i86o is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 12:52 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Posts: 912

Bikes: A bunch

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Look at Bell. The Variant is a visored model and a pretty good fit. MSRP is $100 but I got one for half that at Dick's.
CHenry is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 01:42 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Skyler_WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 141

Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Rodriguez Classic Tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like my Bell Delirium:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=21137

In addition to fit, pay attention to how easy it is to adjust in the back. In colder weather, I may have alternating days where I do or don't wear a fleece skullcap under my helmet. I love how easy my Bell is to adjust tighter or looser depending on what's on my head each day.
Skyler_WA is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 01:50 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
zeppinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 2,016

Bikes: Giant FCR3, Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Independent testing has confirmed that almost all helmets do very well in a crash. More expensive helmets fared not better than cheap ones, but they did make their riders look a lot cooler while getting hit by a car. Your head is an investment that is worth putting some money into and looking decent can be important to some people. Do not buy a helmet based on price point but on fit. If an expensive helmet looks cool and cost a lot but fits poorly, it can fly off your head in an accident and generally not protect you nearly as well as a cheap good fitting helmet. Make sure you buy from a well know brand so that they meet all the crash standards!
zeppinger is offline  
Old 06-06-08, 04:17 PM
  #22  
Scott
 
n4zou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,393

Bikes: Too Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by positron
I like catlike helmets, had one when i lived in europe... dunno if they are available in the US though.

not to hijack, but what sort of brain tumor did you have? I work on models of glioblastoma multiforme... I am dong MRI on one right now...
Ependymoma ; Left hemisphere next to the optic nerve. My doctor did a wonderful job. I have a few disability's but since the surgery put me into retirement I don't need to worry about math and the spell check in Firefox is wonderful. My optic nerve was bruised so I had visual abnormality's for a couple of months. My vision is normal now and I got my drivers license back one year after the surgery. I got into cycling 6 months after the surgery due to the loss of my drivers license.
I continue to ride bicycles because I enjoy it so much.
n4zou is offline  
Old 06-07-08, 06:38 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Its good to hear a success story... Being in the field can get quite depressing at times, and I have had a number of friends succumb. All the best!
positron is offline  
Old 06-07-08, 04:03 PM
  #24  
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ROBOTA by Garneau has large air vents. It is light and very comfortable for under $80.
bikeaway2003 is offline  
Old 06-07-08, 05:05 PM
  #25  
jwa
moron
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 287
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by n4zou
Helmet rule. Purchase a helmet that costs at least what you think your heads estimated value is. If you think your heads value is $80 or less then a sub $80 helmet will be fine....
15+ years ago Bell had a clever ad - pic of a cute pre-adolescent kid, caption something along the lines of "Does your child have $80.00 tennis shoes and a $30.00 helmet?"
jwa is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

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.