I recently bought a new helmet, and I pretty much always get whatever feels nice that costs ~$50. The guy working the floor at this particular LBS was very nice and helpful. I didn't need much help, but he didn't know that. As I tried on a $45 helmet, he told me that all of the helmets pass the same safety tests, then asked what I was using it for. "Racing."

"Why are you buying such a cheap helmet?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"How much do you spend on shoes?"

"Umm, $300?" (well, that's retail value anyway)

"Why would you spend 6x as much covering your feet as you do protecting your head?"

"Didn't you just tell me that all the helmets pass the same tests?"

<crickets>

"On a 3 hour ride, my feet have been uncomfortable in $50 shoes. My head has not been uncomfortable in a $50 helmet. I'll take this one."

Nice try though.