Best Sub-$100 Helmet?
12-26-09 | 02:44 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,022
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From: Northern N.J.
Bikes: '11 TIME NXR Instinct, '03 De Rosa Planet '79 Paris Sport (Moulton)
12-26-09 | 03:21 PM
#27
Vain, But Lacking Talent
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,510
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From: Denton, TX
Bikes: Trek Domane 5.9 DA 9000, Trek Crockett Pink Frosting w/105 5700
A small update on my Specialized Echelon. I just swapped it for a Medium (had gotten a large) and the fit is great. The weight is very reasonable for a $65 helmet (about 300 grams) and with the proper shell size for your head, the mushroom effect is minimal. Not much different from my previous Giro helmet. All in all, I do believe I'll enjoy it.
12-28-09 | 03:56 PM
#28
Thread Starter
That Cyclist Over There
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 48
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Hi again everyone, thanks for the great suggestions. I have narrowed it down to the Bell Sweep R ($78), the Laser Genesis ($86), and the Giro Atmos ($99). The Bell is tempting with it's nearly half-off price, but i really like the design of both the Laser and Giro. Is it worth the extra $20 for the Giro? It's pretty much a crapshoot between the Laser and Bell haha, I'd be happy with either. So what are your suggestions for proceeding w/ a purchase?
12-28-09 | 04:02 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,284
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Hi again everyone, thanks for the great suggestions. I have narrowed it down to the Bell Sweep R ($78), the Laser Genesis ($86), and the Giro Atmos ($99). The Bell is tempting with it's nearly half-off price, but i really like the design of both the Laser and Giro. Is it worth the extra $20 for the Giro? It's pretty much a crapshoot between the Laser and Bell haha, I'd be happy with either. So what are your suggestions for proceeding w/ a purchase?
12-28-09 | 05:03 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 575
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From: Just this side of insanity.
Bikes: Too many
Hi again everyone, thanks for the great suggestions. I have narrowed it down to the Bell Sweep R ($78), the Laser Genesis ($86), and the Giro Atmos ($99). The Bell is tempting with it's nearly half-off price, but i really like the design of both the Laser and Giro. Is it worth the extra $20 for the Giro? It's pretty much a crapshoot between the Laser and Bell haha, I'd be happy with either. So what are your suggestions for proceeding w/ a purchase?
12-28-09 | 05:36 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 278
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From: SoCal (So. O.C.)
Bikes: Zinn road bike, Rockhopper MTB
+1 on the Bell Alchera.
I got one from Nashbar about a year and a half ago for $39.99 -- fit great and I loved the price.
Got rear-ended back in September and the paramedic noticed that my helmet was broken in about three places. I had other pains, but my head wasn't one of them.
Bought another Alchera from Nashbar for $39.99. -- fits great ad I still love the price!
That's TWO helmets for less than $100. Even an old retired dude can afford that!
I got one from Nashbar about a year and a half ago for $39.99 -- fit great and I loved the price.
Got rear-ended back in September and the paramedic noticed that my helmet was broken in about three places. I had other pains, but my head wasn't one of them.
Bought another Alchera from Nashbar for $39.99. -- fits great ad I still love the price!
That's TWO helmets for less than $100. Even an old retired dude can afford that!
12-28-09 | 09:25 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Nilbog
Bikes: How'd I get this many?
Just to add...
I tried on the Specialized Echelon, Propero, S-Works, and Decibel.
The Echelon was the most comfortable. The Propero had little inner nubs that hurt my head.
The Deciblel and S-Works didn't allow my shades to sit on my nose. Helmets definitely need to be tried on in person. I have an Echelon in size small and love it. I'd rather the holes/vents were rounder/more ovalized, but for fit and comfort, it is great. Plus, I love the one-handed adjustment in the back. I might grab a medium for winter so I can more easily fit skull caps & balaclavas under them.
I tried on the Specialized Echelon, Propero, S-Works, and Decibel.
The Echelon was the most comfortable. The Propero had little inner nubs that hurt my head.
The Deciblel and S-Works didn't allow my shades to sit on my nose. Helmets definitely need to be tried on in person. I have an Echelon in size small and love it. I'd rather the holes/vents were rounder/more ovalized, but for fit and comfort, it is great. Plus, I love the one-handed adjustment in the back. I might grab a medium for winter so I can more easily fit skull caps & balaclavas under them.
12-28-09 | 10:04 PM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,362
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist
I'm particularly fond of the Ghisallo or Sweep--
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12-29-09 | 06:14 AM
#38
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12-29-09 | 10:03 AM
#40
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Joined: Jun 2009
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+1 for the Alchera. Performance and Nashbar usually have it for $40-50 and it is decently ventilated. Mine also served its purpose when I went over the bars and onto the concrete.
It does indeed have good forehead ventilation (I have a Decibel). Unfortunately, the thin strip of padding around that opening comes apart about every 6-10 months for me, so I have purchased 4 replacement pads in the last 3 years. It also makes for some funny tan lines if you're balding like me. Still the coolest helmet I have ever had.
It does indeed have good forehead ventilation (I have a Decibel). Unfortunately, the thin strip of padding around that opening comes apart about every 6-10 months for me, so I have purchased 4 replacement pads in the last 3 years. It also makes for some funny tan lines if you're balding like me. Still the coolest helmet I have ever had.
