Helmet Shopping
 

Hi all,

I didn't think the first thread I'd start in the 41 would be a helmet thread, but here I go.
I'm looking to get a new helmet to replace the Bell I'm currently wearing. I'm at the point where I'd like to start upgrading some of my gear and don't mind spending a bit more this time around. The Smith Overtake is one I am interested in at the moment. None of the LBSs in my area carry them (they have Bell, Giro- which would be my second choice-, and Lazer), so I thought I'd ask here if anyone has one and are they worth the money- particularly in terms of comfort and fit. And whether you have the MIPS version or not (I am leaning towards MIPS myself). I'm commuting a couple of times a week via bike and I'm slowly increasing my weekly mileage and ride lengths, and I do wear a Headsweats cap as well. Amazon in particular has reviews that state that the chin straps leave something to be desired, so that would be another point I'd be interested in hearing about.

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

Helmet fit is SOOOO personal that I would not buy one without trying one first. Too risky. Maybe you can find a friend who has one?

Not sure which Bell you currently have, but don't be afraid to upgrade to another Bell. They make fine, fine helmets, at all price levels.

MIPS is sooooo 2016...

https://www.bikerumor.com/2017/08/17...e-new-helmets/

I've no experience with Smith helmets but I like the look of the Overtake. Some pretty cool colors too.

What is that honeycomb layer? The website doesn't make it clear. Does it have to do with MIPS? I'm ignorant of MIPS.

The straps on that helmet looks exactly like the straps on my Giro Aeon. I don't find any problems with it, works fine.

Performance Bike has some Overtakes on closeout for $149. If you live near a store you could return it pretty quickly if you don't like it.-Tim-

Just saw this at Competitive...

Really interesting product. Now I want one.


-Tim-

It's the lowest level one they offer. I'm just looking for something different to try this time around.

That would be ideal, but I'm the only one in my circle that rides bikes. I know I should broaden my horizons on this level, but that's a topic for another thread :p.

That's funny, because usually when you post something in the latest purchases thread I find myself interested in that as well.

We need to put each other on ignore :lol:

I have an all matte black non-MIPS Overtake. Best helmet I've ever had.

Pros

• acts like an aero helmet, but cools like a normal helmet
• absolutely bee-proof
• doesn't shove the earpieces of my sunglasses into my ears (which my Kali liked to do)
• alarmingly light, even in Large
• comes in like a zillion colors
• looks moderately less dorky than other helmets, which all look pretty dorky... so it is marginally less dorky
• comes with two complete inner pad sets, which is just nice

Cons

• okay, maybe it doesn't cool exactly as well as a traditional helmet-- but I've worn it above 100º and been fine. So this is a maybe-con.
• if you don't have hair ( I don't) the bit at the back with the click adjuster can press on your neck, so I have to position my helmet liner just right
• sits a little higher-- which for some may actually be a pro-- but I had gotten used to the rim of the helmet being barely above the tops of my glasses. The Overtake sits up about an inch above the glasses, but I think that's because it's designed to be ridden with the head angled down a little. So it's a sorta-con for me, but not for everyone

I haven't ridden it in the rain to see what the Koroyd does in that situation-- but probably won't, as I still have a Bolle The One which has clip-in covers making it about 95% rainproof. The Overtake is significantly lighter (nearly 25%,) and even cooler than the Bolle. No issues at all with the straps or clip.

Full disclosure, I bought it specifically to combat bees. Prior to owning the Smith, I had so many bees go in the vents I'd lost count. And I'm not gonna cut up some old nylons and wrap them over the helmet to keep bees out.

A bee-proof helmet? Sign me up, please.

The Overtake was on my list of possible future helmets, and I think it just rose to the top.

Just making sure you know that Bell and Giro are made by the same company. Just two different product lines. Secondly, helmets are very personal, so if Smith does it for you, go for it. OTOH I have always been perfectly satisfied with Bell/Giro. There is nothing I want in a helmet that they don't provide. Light, great fit, excellent retention system, very good cooling and fully approved protection. At a fair price.

This is a strong argument in favor of purchasing it. And I had almost convinced myself not to do it :rolleyes:.

Sorry, I missed this yesterday. Well gee whiz, and POC is also on my short list (even before reading this). Choices, choices.

Hmmm. No, I wasn't aware of that. Realistically, I understand that for me and my riding style, anything over a midrange Bell or Giro is completely unnecessary. I'm just looking for something a little different as well as probably overcompensating for years of lower-end gear :D. Plus no one knows what to get me for my birthday anymore, so some extra money is probably coming my way quite soon.

I can't think of a better reason to splurge or a better item to splurge on. Go for it.

Thanks for that link. I have the Octal Mips and like it a lot. If this is better than the MIPs, that's all good. My family has too much experience with head injuries and two of us need to take more care than most. So this would be a good upgrade. I do like the idea that they are using EPP foam - none of the cumulative damage issues that EPS has.

I had looked at the Overtake helmet but this review put me off. I know it's an oldish review, but their claim is that the material used makes it difficult for cooling and it makes sense to me that it might. Maybe that's been fixed. The other reason is that I can scratch my head through the vents of my current helmet which is kind of a big deal for me (for some stupid reason).

But as mentioned prior - you need to try them on. It's hard to get it right otherwise. So my vote would be to check the POC Octals if they're on your list and maybe hold out for the new one early next year.


J.

I must live in an alternative bike universe..bee issues? Hogs and deer, yes. Bees, no.
I rode with a $50 Bell for years. I switched to a LG Diamond last year and for twice the price it was only ok. A Cannondale rep gave me a new one of their helmets a few weeks ago. He said it was around $225. This thing is really light and cools off well. I was not a believer in paying more for a helmet until now. Free is better but I would pay more for it in the future. As for the bees, perhaps all my other helmets were bee proof and never knew it.

To the OP, good fit and comfort is most important and after trying on many helmets I found that Kask helmets fit me best of all.

The chin straps are super comfortable as they're a leatherette material. I got the middle level model "mojito".

One of my favorite roads is known as Apple Blossom. The apple orchards are lovely, but apple blossoms = bees. The bees seem to like the cornfields as well. And the weeds growing around dairy farms. Fortunately, no hogs - but deer and bats can be a nuisance.

Safety wise - would the overtake be the better option here? 30% more absorption seems like a big deal

I'd take that review with a grain of salt. The helmet is presented as an aero helmet, and direct airflow through vents is traditionally non-aero. The helmet purports to be aero and yet still provide cooling airflow without the turbulence of vents - that's the main point, which complaining about vents misses entirely.

Secondly the helmet does provide cooling airflow (or purports to) from the Venturi effect of flowing air causing a low pressure region which pulls air up through the little tubes, regardless of their orientation. It won't be a cool breeze but it will be moving air which does provide cooling.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to take my opinion with a grain of salt either, since I'm not inclined to spend $300 for any bicycle helmet. But the MIPS version of the Overtake would be on my list if I did feel like doing that.

I'm not a big fan of points and the Overtake has that at the back. Having said that, the Overtake uses Koroyd technology which, I believe offers good protection. The helmets look great and are reasonably priced right now. So, I say go for it but see if you can find a helmet to try on.

By the way, there's also the Scott Arx Plus at the same price and without the problematic point. Consumer Reports considers this one of the best helmets on the market from a safety perspective.

This scheme of the Overtake might help with the hogs and deer:
http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/smit..._not_available

Something else to think about if you are looking at MIPS/non-MIPS is if you wear a Headsweats or other skull cap, I have heard that the MIPS technology is supposed to work best with nothing between your head and the helmet.

Anyone have experience with the new Bell Z20? Reviews are pretty much non-existent right now. I'm also in the market for a new high end helmet, and this one really caught my eye.

Me too!
Too bad I ATE THE BEE.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to go to my LBS to double-check what they've got in stock before ordering anything sight unseen (in real life).



The point at the back is a little odd to me as well, and one reason why I'm also considering the POC. I'll look into the Scott, as well.


I will keep that in mind as well. Thanks!