daniell

What is the actual difference between a road helmet and a mountain helmet? Also, Is there any disadvantage to a one size fits all helmet?

Elvo

Mountain helmets generally have visors and more protective coverage. Some are full face as well. Road helmets typically are lighter and have bigger vents and can come in aero shapes. Your head may be shaped differently from the "average" head that the one fits all helmet was designed for.

Iride01 

There are even differences in helmets of the same category. You need to go find out what you prefer.

I like light weight helmets that have a lot of airflow and don't come low on the brow and obstruct my view down the road when I am low and aero on the bike.

daniell

I do road riding early in the morning and the sun is quite annoying. In the past, I have had visors but they obscured my vision.

Iride01 

Dark tinted sunglasses. Or ride west till the sun is high.

daniell

. Or ride west till the sun is high.[/QUOTE]
Good idea, but then I will have to ride against the wind. Sometimes you cannot win!

Rolla

MTB helmets try to look like 4x4 trucks. Road helmets try to look like sportscars.

veganbikes

You really have to try on helmets. I ride mainly on the road for commuting so my main helmet is a Lazer Z1. I love it because it is very lightweight so I don't notice it on the head, is comfortable, well ventilated and looks decent. I would try and buy the nicest helmet you can that fits you well and is comfortable. The one size fits some helmets may work but tend to be lower cost and doesn't fit some heads and isn't going to be as comfortable and maybe less ventilated. All helmets in the U.S. are generally CSPC certified but it doesn't mean all helmets are equal some cheaper brands or stuff you find at non-bike shops use old designs or cheaper construction methods and maybe only barely pass standards while others might put a lot more R&D into their helmets to make them safer and more comfortable and other things like aerodynamics and ventilation.

I don't prefer a visor instead opting for a cycling cap which allows me to keep my helmet cleaner and gives my the "visor". Having something between head and helmet is just handy because in some situations it can keep your head from getting sunburnt or keep sweat out of your eyes or keep you warm on a cold day or cooler on a warm day (you can soak your cap in water and it will help cool you).

I do have an MTB helmet Lazer Revolution that I got mainly as a back up but now I have a mountain bike it does get more use mountain biking but I still don't love the visor but I guess that is the roadie in me!

pdlamb

I have a big head, literally as well as figuratively, so "one size fits all" helmets don't fit me.

YMMV.

When in doubt, try them on.

indyfabz

+1. I saw a woman the other day wearing a helmet that was WAY too small for her head. I have to believe she has no idea how one should fit and got no assistance with sizing.

easyupbug 

A helmet is there to save your head in a crash so please consider MIPS helmets as all good brands have them. Get one that fits well so that when you make a big yawn, jaws open, in snugs down tight around your head. MTB helmets don't have to be heavy and I like keeping sun off my face to the extent possible as basal cell carcinomas are not fun.

easyupbug 

Virginia Tech helmet rating for 2022: https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicyc...t-ratings.html

palimpsest

I have a MIPS helmet rated for pedelec bikes… German over-engineered. I ride in tight urban traffic; it can get really hairy in there, but… Charlie doesn’t surf. You don’t need a helmet for the inevitable time you get sent flying by a car in the street, but the opportunity to get sent flying by a car a second time should be the clincher.

Paul Barnard

Giro Isode or Register, both MIPS. Light weight, not ridiculous looking, low cost, very high comfort and good protection. I also have a $200 Giro Synthe. The Register is within a few grams of it in weight and is more comfortable.

BTinNYC

Thank you for the link, good stuff.

gpburdell

I'm not a fan of the one-size-fits-all type helmets. Kinda like shoes, fit is pretty specific to the individual. Head shapes are different, as are sizes. Different brands and models fit different people differently. A well fitted helmet is far more comfortable than the one that just sorta fits.

I'd suggest visiting different bike shops and trying different brands and models. Ideally the helmet should pretty much fit comfortably out of the box with the strap serving just to keep it secure. Wear the helmet around the store for a few minutes. Watch for pressure hot spots such at the top of your forehead.

I find sunglasses are fine, with a bit of tilting my head down if facing directly at the sun so the edge of the helmet blocks it.

If that's not sufficient, there's a wide variety of cycling caps to consider, with small brim which can be flipped up or down as needed. https://www.amazon.com/mens-cycling-...ode=2420100011

rsbob 

Ever try wearing a cycling cap under your helmet? Easy to flip the visor up and down as needed.

Deko

Well, I think MTB clothing and accessories are much different from the other cycling accessories. Such as MTB helmets or MTB shorts.