Difference between expensive helmets and cheap helmets?
 

Hi,

I was just wondering what the differences are between expensive helmets and cheaper ones? Is it just the amount of venting or do they provide better protection, fitting and straps?

Thanks

Daven

This is a good question, I've often wondered the same thing. I hope someone answers

Nothing IMO other than a couple of more vents or weird designs. I use a $30 GIRO I got at the LBS and prior to that had a $40 bell. Both worked just fine.

Bicycling magazine likes to advertise helmets that cost $160, super-thin lightweight inner tubes, carbon fiber water bottle cages, titanium bolts, and tons of other useless crap that no one really needs. A regular helmet from your LBS will do just fine ;)

Make sure it fits your head securely...that's more important.

The problem is that you can only really "know" that which has been tested. There are a couple of different standards. DOT and Snell come to mind. You could look in to those and what they mean.

I myself avoid the very low-end of the scale. It's like with bikes. A department-store bike probably passes the same CPSC tests as a high-end bike, but I'm still not going to trust my life to the dept-store bike on a trail. Ditto helmets. I just believe there is too much economic pressure towards marginal parts and manufacturing processes at the very low-end.

To be utterly honest, my first worry is looks. I only ever try on a helmet that I like the looks of. I'm not saying looks are most important, but they are quick and easy to judge.

Then I look at shape. I'm not keen on helmets with protrusions and weird shapes that might catch and snap my neck as a I drag along the ground in a crash. The Fox Flux is a good example here. I won't buy one of those, because Fox put a "fin" or something towards the back to make the design look cool. I'm not into that sort of thing. My belief is in a smooth profile.

If I'm happy with the looks, and there aren't any weird protrusions, then I try on for fit. Fit is my most important criteria. Some brands of helmet match my head shape better than others. Some strap mechanisms are easier to adjust and fiddle with than others.

I also like a helmet that provides good coverage on the back of my head. Many helmets do not. So-called "all mountain" helmets tend to be a bit better in this regard.

There are enough helmet designs out there that I can manage to find one that fits well, and also that looks well.

Pricewise, after all the above, I typically land in the middle of the road.

Good helmet, or should I try them at the LBS?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Expensive helmet won't protect you any better. As long as it has the label inside specifying that it has been certified to national safety standards, it's as safe as the next one. It's about weight and venting.

When I got my bike, I got a $60 helmet, which was fine. After a few years of riding I found it really hot in the summer, saved up and got Giro Atmos (on sale at the end of the season is was $200, crazy, I know but not on sale it was $350). I love it, it's very light and vents well. To me it was worth the money, because I got exactly what I wanted, and I've been using that helmet for 4 years now. The only thing is, with more vents, there's more places for bugs to get caught, when you're riding. ;) I still keep my old helmet for cold day rides, as it fits the little cap underneath very well.

i think you might be crossing motorcycle helmets & bike helmets. Are bike helmets even DOT or Snell rated? I've never seen that on any packaging...

also, I have a hard time imagining that you will ever be moving so fast on your bike that you have to worry about your helmet catching and snapping your neck. It would take a lot more force to snap your neck than you can apply by sliding at 20mph. If you break your neck, its more likely that you did so simply by landing wrong. It is also more likely that in a slide, that part of your helment that you worry about catching will break first.

Helmet price is based on vents, fit & styling. They all should have the certification sticker... after that, game's on! More vents usually = more $$, but will also cool your head in the hot months better. Adjustable inner stapping will allow you to fit the helmet to your head better. Style is style - you get what you pay for.

Best bet is to but past year's models new at a discount. After years of buying helmets for growing MTB racers, I generally found that the $30-$40 range provided them with a good fit & a look they were pleased with.

As lucille points out, you have to consider where & when you ride. Winter = fewer vents, darker color. Buggy? inner net lining. Very hot? more vents, light color.

The biggy is that when you dent or crack the outer shell, you need a new one. They are designed to break on impact, and that thin little shell evidently has something to do with the helmet's overall integrity and tensile strength.

Sounds good guys, thanks. Was just wondering as I don't want to spend loads and have to replace it every 3 years if it isn't necessary.

Daven

You won't have to replace it, if you don't crash. And let's hope you won't.

trees - especially this time of year - tend to jump out in front of you! So watch out!

My wife and I started out with the $39 Trek helmets. After 5 years I figured new ones were in order. This time we went for the $99 Trek helmets. Big difference in weight, fit and effectiveness of the cooling vents. We are now sorry we did not start out with the higher price models.

The only significant difference? $$$, that's it. They are all equal in their alleged capability to reduce cycling risk.

The lowest tier generic bicycle helmets are not quite as adjustable and come in fewer sizes (S,M,L) than slightly more expensive helmets. I use a cheaper helmet in the winter because there is extra room to fit a fleece winter hat underneath.

The difference between inexpensive helmets and the more expensive ones is based on 2 things: weight and the number of vents. They both pass the same safety standards. The weight difference is small and the vent issue is not really that important either.

I agree that the weight difference is fairly small, but for some of us, the total volume of vent space is important. My head gets hot and sweaty easily, and I find that it's worth the money for me to get a helmet with more and larger vent holes. It makes a significant difference in how comfortable I feel once the temperature gets over 60 F. But it doesn't seem to matter for other people.

You're right. I should have said CPSC and Snell. I have actually seen Snell-approved bicycle helmets.

Are there any helmets which have straps that don't press against your throat?

Helmets that fit?

Better straps
More vents
Lighter
Looks nicer
Fits better

that's what you get from paying more.
but the protection is the same. though Strap-wise, you might look at mid-range helmets for a better fit and better straps.It'll be a lot more comfortable.

If the helmet fits it should not. U should leave yourself 2 "fingers" of room to get in there to unsnap.


Not a days the internal frame of the helmet is what keeps it snug to your head. The strap is there simply to make sure it does not fly off your head when hit.

Ah perhaps I have overdone the tightening!!

I have two helmets, both made by Bell. The first one was purchased at a bike shop for about $50. The second was purchased when I was out of state, and forgot my helmet. There were no bike shops nearby, so I bought it at Wal-Mart for $20. The only difference between the two helmets is the size adjustment. The more expensive one has a ratcheting dial to adjust for head size. The cheaper one uses elastic. They both work fine.

At the moment I have a very cheap one (£10), it has a ratcheting dial for fit which seems like it does the job - fits well, and not easy to move around.

I use an entry-level helmet from Met. The strap and fitting is totally adjustable. There are fewer vents and they are larger so I can fit a shackle lock though the helmet. They are warmer in winter then high-end models.