likewater

What are some of your top helmets for the money? Adjustable is best for me

bmthom.gis

Most of the major bike manufactures make pretty good helmets, and then there are companies like Bell, Giro, etc etc. They are all pretty good, they all have to meet minimum safety requirements. I suggest buy one at a shop, especially since you are looking at a new bike. Most likely you can talk the shop into giving you a discount if they don't automatically give you one. I bought the cheapest helmet available at a LBS, I think it was $45. It's a Bell, and I am still using it 3 or 4 years later. I'm ready to replace it, but only because technology has come a long way since then. Look for a helmet with MIPS. Giant helmets are coming with a spot to mount a rear light on them now, which is pretty cool

Maxacceleration

Specialized.

MRT2

Whatever fits your head best and meets the minimum safety requirements. I have spent anywhere from $15 to $70 on helmets. My current go to helmet is the Limar 777. Bought it on sale at the beginning of the season on clearance for $35. Now the cheapest I can find it is $75. My second favorite is the Cannondale currently on sale at Nashbar for $60, which is about what I paid for mine a few years back from a lbs.

My wife has been using the Bell Solar for years and you can often find that helmet for $35 retail, often much less on sale. Her current Bell is one I bought for less then $20 with free shipping a few years back. I bought her a more expensive Limar similar to the one I bought myself, and she wore it for awhile, then went back to the Bell as she finds the Bell more comfortable.

likewater

What about bell Verge-R? Adjustable is best for me

What is mips

MRT2

Has it? I have read up on MIPS but I am not convinced. Frankly, other than color schemes and slight changes in shape, I don't see a lot of difference between today's helmets and those of 5 years ago.

indyfabz

Google. It.


BTW...One should always try on helmets to test for fit. Different makes are shaped differently, and sizing can vary. A M in one make might be the equivalent of a L in another. I know that means a visit to a LBS, which some consider heresy, but it really is the best way to end up with something that fits right the first time.

MRT2

Probably a good idea for a first helmet to buy it from a bike shop to test for fit. That said, I have found that it takes a couple of rides of a couple of hours for me to decide if I like a particular model or not. There has been a lot of trial and error over the years before I settled in on my two current go to helmets, one which I tried on and bought at a LBS, the other I took a chance on from an internet vendor.

bmthom.gis

At this point, helmet with MIPS are the same price as those without. If I'm going to bother wearing a helmet, it may as well have MIPS technology. Also, the adjustable parts seem to be a lot better than I saw for similar prices when I bought my helmet.

bikebodenberger

I have a Kask Rapido and love it. Affordable, lightweight, and fits really well. But as the other posters have mentioned, you should definitely try on any helmet before making a purchase.

fietsbob

SO..

What matters Most? "best" , or money

My LBS has some Sub $50 helmets . If least money spent is your prime criteria.

https://kaliprotectives.com/helmets is one of the brands stocked ..

Giro and Trek/Bontrager and others.. 'Best' is mostly an Opinion.

jefnvk

I agree. I take more blows to the head in an average hockey game than I have ever done cycling, and most helmets there don't have anything like MIPS. The amount of times I am hitting my head cycling, I just don't see the benefit in the system. Sure, you can get a concussion off one whack, but the real damage is generally built up hit after hit, not once every decade or three. I think it'd make a LOT more sense in hockey or football than cycling.

My helmet was $15 or so from a big box store. It fits my head well, is comfortable (moreso than a ball cap), and is ventilated well. If I crash, I won't be tempted to try to reuse it, because it is cheaply replaced.

idiotekniQues

My Lazer 02 helmet The Lazer O2 helmet - Mid- Level road helmet

It comes in XL for big noggins like mine. Main reason I bought it. Turns out it's also super comfortable, light and cool. Win win.

Cyclist0084

Good advice I wish I had been given when I bought my first helmet many, many moons ago. Bought it thru eBay and guessed at what size I would need...and guessed wrong. I figured a "large" size would fit my head but it was too big and loose. The seller was like, "Sorry. Once it's been on your head, no returns allowed." Now I make sure I always buy where I can try one on first.

rekmeyata

ALL helmets are adjustable. Helmets depend on the riding you're doing too, are you mostly MTBing; fast training and or racing; or fitness, leisure and commuting?

All helmets have to pass the same federal regulations even cheap Walmart helmets, what you get for more money is more durable materials, ventilation and looks (which I don't care about). The sweet spot today is around $100, for that you can get the Bell Annex for commuting, fitness, and leisure. The Bolle The One helmet can be used for different weather conditions, cost a bit more than the Bell but is more flexible. For training and racing the Lamar 555 is a great helmet for the money. And for MTBing the Scott Vivo Plus.

There are some good cheaper helmets if you want to spend around $50 like the Giro Revel, Specialize Covert for commuting, Kali Chakra for MTBing.

There are of course other helmets that are also good I didn't mention, but it would be crazy to list them all, but those are pretty good standouts.

Sy Reene

Best value helmets are always last season's colors. Typically not hard to find them discounted by 60-70% from MSRP. Eg. wait for a weekend with the usual 20% discount that Nashbar will tack on and visit this page
Nashbar - Road Helmets

up on two

Whatever helmet you buy, take a few minutes to properly adjust the fit to your head. That single action will make more of a difference in a crash that the brand of helmet you buy!

linberl

A lesson my son just learned is to think about the type of riding you do before buying a helmet. His was stolen in some luggage so he went to a shop to replace it and the guy sold him a BMX style helmet (Kali). My son rides 20-25 mph in warm Bay Area weather and he is already sweating bullets because of the minimal venting. I am sure it will save his head in a crash, but I am also sure when Spring comes he will be purchasing another helmet. Lesson learned. I ride with a Nutcase which is vented much like the Kali, but I'm a 15 mph rider so the venting isn't really an issue for me and I like the fuller coverage. This is the one item I don't order online - until you know what model fits you perfectly. And replace your helmet every 3 years or so - the foam can degrade over time.

rekmeyata

First off you don't need to replace your helmet every 3 years due to the foam degrading, that's BS propagated by LBS's trying to sell more of anything. My current helmet has lasted me 10 years, the pads wore out about 3 years ago but the helmet came with an extra set so I'm using those. The way you can tell if the foam is degrading is you'll feel what seems like tiny bits of grit on your forehead after a ride, that grit is the foam telling you it's time to get a new helmet...unless you rode in a sandstorm that day then obviously that's not foam.

The ventilation thing is critical, I wouldn't call Bay Area warm, more like mild to cool, but regardless even if it is cooler than Linberl makes it seem, then if you live in a warmer climate then the Bay Area you really need a well ventilated helmet. Some helmets have vents that you can close off so you can actually open or close them as you desire for comfort. Cheap helmets like Walmart junk doesn't have enough ventilation, but they do protect the head.

1989Pre 

I go to The Bell Store and get a previous year's model. You can do well there. I bought the Array for road and the (older) Image Pro for A.T.B.

fietsbob

Round heads fit Bell better , Giro has chosen a More oval shape.

was true long ago Bell has Bought out Gyro, since.

linberl

Snell says every 5 years. At $40-50 I consider it a lot cheaper than my medical co-pays in case they are right. To each their own. As for Bay Area weather, if you actually live here then you know we have micro-climates. And some are quite warm compared to others; in any case, how one rides and the effort expended will also impact how much your body heats up and the need for ventilation as well as your own personal physiology.
From Snell:
Why should you replace your helmet every five years?

The five-year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five-year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.

Jeremy_S

I've personally never had a helmet last 5 years without a good crash that resulted in a strike to the head that called for a replacement. 22 months is my record and I set it last night as I plowed my head into the pavement in my LG diamond. Today I tried on about 20 helmets and almost went with another LG but they had are Bell Mach with mips (dunno how much "better" it is) that fit my head like it was made for it so I came home with that instead. The back was also obnoxiously yellow which matches my shoes and is good since the days are short and a lot of my rides are in the dark now.

I've crashed in bontrager, LG, Giro, and Fox and my head has survived them all so I base my purchasing criteria off of comfort more than anything else now.

MRT2

You are saying you have crashed badly enough to crack or damage 4 helmets?

MRT2

I buy a new helmet every couple of years, usually before my old helmet needs to be retired. I just find deals so it is worth taking a chance on something new. If it works out, then I work it into the rotation. If not, I offer it to my wife or son, or gift it to a friend. Or keep it as a spare for out of town guests.