pinetreeforest1

I'm looking for a new comfortable airy road bicycle helmet. Price is somewhat of a factor, however I'm also willing to spend if it makes a big difference in quality. I'm looking mainly at the Giro Atmos, or the Bell Sweep Road Helmet, but if any of you have other recommendations I'd love to hear them. The Sweep is about 50 $ less than the atmos, but I wonder if the 50$ extra gets you more. I've been hearing great things about the atmos but it's an investment for me (college student). Thanks for any pointers! Yes!

scottmorrison99

Try them on for fit. I liked the look of the Atmos, but it didn't fit my head comfortably. All heads are different. I went with the Specialized Decibel because it fit comfortably. Bell seems to fit my head as well, YMMV. I might have gotten a Sweep if my LBS had them in stock. They are nice looking as well.

jschen

Yup... go to the LBS and just try everything on for fit. Then for your favorite color choice. More money doesn't equal better fit. You can get good helmets for WAY less than an Atmos.

Camilo

I have a Garneau and am very happy with fit and ventilation. Try on helmets and decide which one you like best.

Dr_Robert

I tried the Atmos - loved the look of it, but the fit wasn't that great, especially considering the price.

I went with the Trek Sonic Elite instead (closest LBS is a Trek store). Half the price of the Atmos, and it fits me better too. It is a little heavier though.

-DR

Dynamic

Atmos fit my head, lovin it. Lucky that it looks good as well.

Sweep R didn't work for me, thinkin about retryin it though, see if ive changed

Specialized didn't work.

schnee

Bell helmets fit narrow heads, Giro helmets fit wider heads.

I have a fat head, so Giros are comfy. I own an Eclipse, and was having serious problems with sweat in my eyes. I upgraded to an Atmos, and the change in weight and ventilation is striking; it's barely there and I'm barely sweating now even with much hotter weather. I'm keeping the Eclipse for winter rides.

I think you'll get the same results with many of the more expensive helmets. Lighter, better venting, nicer straps.

dekindy

It seems to be commonly accepted that Bell and Giros fit different size heads. I found the Bell Sweep and the Giros Monza both extremely comfortable. I chose the Sweep because of the convenience of the knob adjuster. I was looking mainly for better ventilation than my Trek Interval II and found it.

Try the Giros Monza. It is half the price of the Atmos and less than the Sweep. It used to be their top helmet and gets great ratings overall and especially for good ventilation. It actually felt the most comfortable of the too but I liked the Bell better. Obviously the Giros adjuster works great because a lot of people have them. Just personal preference.

kuan

I liked the Bell's fit better and that's what I went with. I tried on the Lazers the other day, they fit even nice than my Bell. Too bad I couldn't get one last year.

DocRay

All of these helmets tend to fit the same way, they squeeze the back of your head to the front on your head on two cheap little pads.

LAS -they use an internal, washable netting that holds your head all the way around evenly, plus a ratchet at the base of the skull, and even a padded, absorbent chin strap cover. Decide if you like the look, but you can't argue with comfort.

ViperZ

I love the way the Atmos feels on my head, I don't notice it's there.

I also use an Eclipse to commute with, and it does not ventilate nearly as well as the Atmos. I remember when I got my first Atmos, just trying it on around the house felt so cool for you could actually feel the cool air rushing through the helmet at walking speed. This sensation felt so enhanced over my Eclipse that I started to commute with the Atmos until it got colder out. Then I found the Atmos was way too cool even with a skull cap or balaclava underneath.

El Diablo Rojo

Bell/Giro=same company, helmets are basically equal in quality and contruction. Bell fits more oval shaped heads better. Giro fits more round shaped heads better. I wore a Pnuemo for years tried a Sweep fit better.

Terex

Luv my LAS Squalo. Had a Pneumo, which I liked, but anchor for retention system pulled out of helmet with normal use. Ruined. LAS is also more comfortable for me.

2Tired2Shift

My Bell Alchera ($40) is far more comfy (for me) than my Atmos. The Bell tensioning system rocks.