ManBearPig

My last helmet, which I used when I was riding mountain bikes, cost me over $100 in the 90s. Now that I have a road bike I have been wanting a new helmet that better matched my road bike's paint. Well, yesterday I forgot my old helmet at home, and on my way to my riding spot I stopped at Wal-Mart to just get a "cheap" helmet to get me thru the ride.

What I found was that Wal-Mart was actually selling a name brand helmet - Bell. Moreover, I tried one on and it fit really well. The color was good too. The helmet cost me less than $20! Now then....WHY would I go to a bike shop and spend another $100+ on a bike shop helmet when I can get a good fitting one at Wal-Mart for so cheap? You can't tell me the $100 helmets are substantively different than the $20 helmet - I would be willing to bet it's the identical hard foam material, same plastic outer coating, etc.

Why pay more???

Brillig

Bike stores sell $20 Bell helmets also.

shaq-d

and wall mart has helmets for $8. BHSI has lotsa info. bicycle helmet safety institute. do a google, not sure of the website off the top of my head. there is no diff, safety wise, between helmets, and the cheaper ones might be even more safe. get the cheapest one that matches your style.

sd

Brillig

To answer the why pay more question, the more expensive ones generally give you better air circulation so you don't get as hot underneath. That and they might be a little lighter but that's not a big consideration for the normal riding dude.

If you dont' care about the extra air, then save yourself some bucks. I rode a $20 Bell helmet for a long time. It was fine. I upgraded to a $60 Bell helmet. It was better.

joejack951

I bought a $70 Bell helmet at the LBS. Comparing to my Specialized helmet from my teenage mountain biking years (~12 year old helmet) the new one is lighter, cooler, and has significantly better adjustments. It fits my head perfectly and never moves. My old one needed to be snugged on by the chin strap to get it to stay on well which was very uncomfortable. Plus it looks cool and matches my bike. The little sunvisor piece works well also.

Avalanche325

Light, strong, cheap.

Pick any two.

All of the helmets out there are going to meet the minimum safety requirements. The more expensive ones have much better air flow, better retention / adjustment systems, and generally fit better (not the case for everyone).

bg4533

I have a cheap Bell as well. I notice that at high speed on the road bike it howls a bit and gets a bit annoying. I have a feeling the more expensive ones are designed not to do this.

OneTinSloth

i have an old-school skateboard-style BMX helmet (it's a pro-tec). it's designed to take multiple impacts, and it has over the years. the airflow isn't that great, but i've been using it for the last four years year-round and haven't had any problems with overheating. i believe it cost me something like $35. great helmet. saved my noggin a number of times.

lsits

It' probably just my noggin, but a $30 helmet fit me better than the $60 one.

bhitour

Just cooling safety and style.

Paul L.

Lets see, around here on a 110 + degree day, I would say the difference would be between getting heatstroke and having a nice ride . Seriously, I rode a cheap helmet for a long time and the heat affected me much worse. I can ride much longer in the heat now and not be totally blasted for the rest of the evening now. My head actually feels cool when accelerating out of a light now or a wind picks up. The cheap helmets just didn't vent air as well.

ExMachina

Why pay a lot?

For the same reason some people desperately try NOT to pay a lot...

…Personal preferences and priorities

geist

I live in AZ also. No vents in not an option. I had a briko Twinner (not cheap) and had to trade it for a pneumo after a really hot day when I almost passed out.

RacerX

I think you can get really great helmets in the $50-$70 range nowadays that are very good in all parameters. All helmets must pass the same safety standards so thankfully, here is one area where economics doesn't penalize the thrifty or tight budgets.

My girlfriend uses a cheap helmet because her infrequent use of the bicycle doesn't justify the cost. I got it for $20 on sale, a nice Bell.

rottieruff

Well, some of the more expensive helmets are substanially different than the cheapies. For example, the Bell Gisallo, Furio, Influx and X-Ray have INTERNAL reinforcements, something that you would never find in a $20 cheapie model.

From bellbikehelmets.com:

In order to maximize venting and minimize bulk, high-end helmets like the Ghisallo and X-Ray now feature internal reinforcements. These composite skeletons fortify helmets the same way rebar makes concrete stronger. This allows for bigger, better vents, more advanced styling and lighter weight, while still meeting stringent safety standards.

Interestingly, my particular model (X-Ray) is heavier than the cheapies. Yes, all the helmets have the basic safety requirements but many of the newer expensive models are more solidly made. What sold me to the X-Ray was the reinforcement. When it comes to safety, I'll pay the $99.

zotma

more $ for more vents with equal safety (I'm hoping)
I'm also in Az, also have a briko, also need to get a cooler helmet
though the briko is nice in the winter

flyefisher

I have a Ghisallo, Bell's top of the line. I picked it up at Supergo.com for $65. You need to find them on sale, since it appears they have a lot of margin/markup in them. I have another less expensive helmet and it is fine. The more expensive one is extremely light, and fits like a glove. I ride a lot so it was worth the money to have a comfortable/cool helmet. But I would not pay over $100 because you can get them on sale frequently.

RacerX

I think you are mis-interpreting what they are saying.
The bigger vents (holes in the helmet) require the remaining structure to be stronger because there is less of it. Without the composite structure, they wouldn't pass safety standards.

When it comes to pure safety, nothing would beat a fat styro ball with a hardshell. The more holes you put in it, the more difficult it becomes to meet the standard of safety. Thus more work is required and expense. That's why it's pretty incredible that a Atmos or Pneumo can meet standards with such huge holes in them- but that's why they are expensive. but they aren't more safe or solid.
More quality features and aesthetics, technology, etc but not safety.

rottieruff

I can't misinterpret a direct quote from BELL.

Go to www.bellbikehelmets.com and look at any of the top end models. Look to the right where it says 'technology' and click on 'Internal Reinforcement'. There you will find the direct quote from Bell as well as the picture:

From www.bellbikehelmets.com
In order to maximize venting and minimize bulk, high-end helmets like the Ghisallo and X-Ray now feature internal reinforcements. These composite skeletons fortify helmets the same way rebar makes concrete stronger. This allows for bigger, better vents, more advanced styling and lighter weight, while still meeting stringent safety standards.


Giro also has a system that is sort of like a roll cage in their top of the line helmets. Here is a review of the Pneumo where they talk about the internal reinforcement.

https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=1116

Also here is another link from Giro

https://www.giro.com/usa/gir_pressrelease.html

Here's the part where they talk about the internal roll cage in their Atmos Helmet:

FROM GIRO:
"Beyond the Atmos' stunning, minimalist lines there are a few key features that set this helmet apart from the competition. The first is a radical advancement in reinforcement technology called Rib Cage™ - a system of precision carbon fiber subsections that complement our full internal Roll Cage™ reinforcement and the standard polycarbonate outer shell. By using carbon to reinforce critical areas of the helmet, the Rib Cage reduces overall weight without sacrificing the strength needed to pass the toughest impact standards. Other key features include: Giro’s patented Roc Loc® 4 fit and stability system; 26 vents and our proven Wind Tunnel™ ventilation channels; and durable lightweight in-mold construction."

leconkie

When you go into Walmart you leave your conscience at the door. Why pay more? To show you don't condone slave labour.

Ajay213

An Ultra-compact car also passes the exact same safety standards as the full size Volvo. Which one do you want to be in during a crash?

Although I basically agree with what you are saying, $50-70 should get you a good/great helmet. You may trade off some cooling, some comfort, etc, but I doubt the absolute safety levels aren't much different than a premium helmet.

For me? I refuse to take chances with my own safety, especially in Florida. That extra $100 not spent on a helmet will seem really cheap if something bad were to happen.

Dutchy

Interestingly the only Giro helmet know brought into Australia is the Eclipse. The Pneumo didn't meet Australian Design Regulations, so Giro have now stopped importing them. Apparently a number of them cracked straight through the middle.

Exactly. All helmets are designed to pass the minimum basic tests, only some will pass with flying colours and some will just scrape through.

From my experience the more expensive helmets have more vents, and a strap system that allows for more adjustment, than just the chin clip.

CHEERS.

Mark

roadwarrior

Yep...hold a less expensive and a more expensive helmet up side by side and you will see how it is designed to vent. Also, the cheaper ones do not have the additional plastic support on the back, it's typically just the polystyrene only. As a result, it is easier to crack the back open.

BTW...a helmet for a regular rider is good for about five years max...after that the polystyrene in the shell begins to really harden and then ability for this to crush when you hit your head on the pavement is mitigated a lot...as a result it is not going to keep you safe. Sun, sweat, heat all will begin to break the soft inside down so that it hardens. The grey stuff (polystyrene) inside the helmet actually crushes which is how is helps prevent the brain from hitting the inside of your skull, hard, creating a serious brain injury.

If you ride a lot, like every day, three years tops...

If you crash, that's it for the helmet.

geebee

I've noticed the cheaper helmets don't quite have the air flow but in general are noticably lighter and I suspect probaly safer as their is a larger amount of softer material to take/cushion the impact but the dearer ones have better straps etc.
I have 1 of each type and find I use the cheapy as it is so much lighter but I may swap over in summer?

DGUT

Thats what I used to think about motorcycle helmets. The guy at the shop warned me not to try on a 500 doller helmet. I tried it and I had to have it. It was that comfortable. But my bicycle helmet still only cost me 45 dollers.