ShadowGray

Well, currently I'm sporting a budget mountain bike helmet and I think I would like to get a better road-worthy helmet. I don't want to spend too much money (hopefully under $100). What are some budget ones that you would recommend for longer rides (lighter/ventilated/doesn't look like a rock)?

I kinda want the Bell Sweep but the price ($130) is wayy too much and I don't think I ride/race enough to warrant that kind of helmet. Just a 40 mile spin every weekend.. any helmets that look close to the Sweep?

Seedy J

I picked up a MET Estro a while ago for about $110 US. Fits my head really well and has good ventilation. You could probably find one for under $100 in the states.

canam73

If you take a large the sweep is on sale here for $88:

https://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm...ategory_id=189

If that is still to much, I have the Furio on sale at the same sight for $52 and like it. Or check out the other Hot Deals.

Steven.

primov8

I picked up a Giro Stylus a couple weeks ago at a LBS for $75. even a better deal right now at REI/Giro Stylus sale; currently on sale for $54.

nepg

Dang, nice. Too bad I take an XL...

ShadowGray

Oh, anyone know the difference between a Sweep R and Sweep XC, besides the visor?

Szczuldo

Giro Animas, good ventilation, marketed as a MTB helmet but it's good enough for me for the road. Just remove the visor and your set.

halfspeed

Take off the visor and you have a road helmet without spending a nickle.

robvas

I bought a Bell Ukon for like $19, fell on my head a couple Saturdays ago and I was find other than some neck pain

ILUVUK

Don't need to spend anywhere near that much if that's what you're looking for (sentence ended with preposition..big deal). The Bell Alchera from Nashbar can be had for $50 and sometimes on sale for $40. Great helmet for the price. I wear the Ascent R-18, also from Nashbar, that I purchased for $30.....it's nice as well. The Alchera is better though, I think. I just wanted to be a little different.

banerjek

Bell Alchera is decent. Looks good, ventilation is better than average, and adjustment mechanism is easy to use.

ShadowGray

Well I already did that.

I'm just looking for something a bit lighter and doesn't look as terrible. I'm taking the names down of all these helmets and will probably head over to the performance tomorrow to try them out, but either way I want something that fits a bit better than this thing right now.

crydee

You could find a Limar on performance or cheepandsteep for under 100. Or you could do like I did buy a $50 helmet then upgrade to a giro atmos for 140 and end up spending close to 200. The returns pay off in the helmet department. The venting on the atmos vs cheap helmet makes a huge perfromance difference.

ragboy

Bell Furio FTW

halfspeed

Well you could just skip the cheap stuff and get a Las. They're better than any Giro or Bell I've tried.

anfieldmx5

go to ebay and search for a limar 909.

ShadowGray

Well the problem is that wouldn't a helmet be a wear-and-tear item? After a crash it's pretty much junk too... do the more expensive helmets have a replacement program? I remember hearing about one floating around? I don't want to drop $xxx on a helmet and then break it to have to replace it.

The limar 909 looks amazing... but I'd definitely want to try one on before I buy it, and I don't think any of the LBS's carry one (that I've seen).

Well the Sweep XC is on clearance for $80 (but in silver... yuck)... is it essentially the same as a Sweep R with the visor?

Szczuldo

Helmets have a replacement policy, you get a certain discount on your next helmet but I don't know if it's a large % or not.

Bacciagalupe

Another vote for the Bell Furio, $50-60.

ptle

I like my Bell Furio. It's light (small is 259 grams) and looks good. And its pretty cheap.

Hunt-man

I had a good crash last year and my Giro saved my ass. Pinch flat on a fast downhill curve and over the bars I went. Couldn't quite get stopped before I hit a rock.... I asked but I didn't get a % off a new one. I was happy I was able to buy a new one. It was a good smack on the cement right on the helmet.

crydee

I know what you're saying. I felt the exact same way with a Carbon frame and racing it. Thinking one crash and it's done. Whatever though! It's worth the enjoyment of always riding on that frame the same goes with my expensive helmet. You bought it to USE it and you should do so. Do you think you'll crash that much? If so, you have self esteem issues or something.

If cycling is something you love and enjoy, don't skimp on a helmet. It will make your ride experience that much better. You'll get 2 years out of it without crashing. Just enjoy the helmet and not crashing!

Ralleh

I just wore my Alchera for the first time today and it wasn't too bad. It fit a lot better than my last helmet, but I'm beginning to think that ventilation never gets to the point where you feel air flowing over your head. It was in the low 90s/high 80s when I rode though.

arexjay

what's the consensus on the specialized air force 3?

Ahall14

Specialized does a nice job with their helmets. I picked one up super cheap based on their website. Keep an eye out for the sales, also some times they discount certain sizes and colors.