Helmets...Again
 

Hi folks,

I'm currently in the market for a helmet with a budget of about $70.

Wants
-Looks ok - not a fan of the Giro indicator style look.
-reasonable weight ~250g.
- ~$70.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/bell%20alchera%2006.jpg
Was looking into the Bell Alchera, but its just a tad heavier than what i want.

Any ideas?

Teo

Take a look at some of the Rudy Project helmets

I just got a Rudy Slinger for $70. Only used once so far, but its very light, comfortable and looks nice. Outside Mag had a very positive review of it, as have other publications.

look on ebay.

I picked up the Bell Ghisallo a few months ago. It's a little mushroomy, but they all are. Regardless, it's easily the most comfortable helmet I've worn. Got it for 80 bucks at Performance.

I bought a Trek Sonic Elite when I picked up my first road bike a month or so back--I think it's in your ball park give or take a few $$ and grams. Weight is listed around 260, I think. It's very light and comfortable. I've got a Giro helmet as well, but the Trek is every bit as nice and comfortable IMO.

Bill

like the Bell Ghissalo I just picked up also - its about that price

I just picked up the Bell Alchera for $40 from Performance. There is nothing in that price range with that level of performance. Can you really feel the 50 gram difference?

I dont really know the weight, but I dont see how important it could be, as long as its not heavy as a brick. What I use is a Specialzied Echelon, i picked it up for $55 and it works great for me.

Just get the alchera and save the extra coin for other schwag.

If you would be interested in spending just a bit more, you can get a bell sweep for 99,a 2009 volt for 105, or an Array for 99.Here's a link to where you can find all three.
http://www.bikebling.com/Bicycle-Helmets-s/116.htm

Depends on your head.

I bought an Atmos early last season because it looked cool. When it cracked a friend gave me an old Bell he had. It's true what they say, they fit differently. I'd suggest trying a few on first.

In the old days, the foam had to fit your noggin to feel comfy. Today, with adjustable band tensioning the choices are much wider. All the Bell helmets and now-Bell-owned Giros are great, and you will probably feel comfy, fit-wise, so then you make decisions based on ventilation--you want max for hot weather, not for cold weather. There's nothing wrong with having two helmets, e.g. I love my Bell Variant most of the time, but the Ionos (white heat reflective and max-vents) takes the mid-summer gold medal. The Ionos comes with a skullcap for cooler days, actually. But it doesn't have Windstopper, which if it did, would be wowzma.

Other brands are fine too. This isn't rocket science, although maybe it should be, to protect your brain (if yours is worth protecting and reproducing).

In the old days, the foam had to fit your noggin to feel comfy. Today, with adjustable band tensioning the choices are much wider. All the Bell helmets and now-Bell-owned Giros are great, and you will probably feel comfy, fit-wise, so then you make decisions based on ventilation--you want max for hot weather, not for cold weather. There's nothing wrong with having two helmets, e.g. I love my Bell Variant most of the time, but the Ionos (white heat reflective and max-vents) takes the mid-summer gold medal. The Ionos comes with a skullcap for cooler days, actually. But it doesn't have Windstopper, which if it did, would be wowzma.

Other brands are fine too. This isn't rocket science, although maybe it should be, to protect your brain (if yours is worth protecting and reproducing).

(In the real olden days, BH ((before helmets)), we had to learn how to fall and keep our noggins off the pavement, and sacrifice other body parts.)

A little more, but the LG titan carbon can be found for about $80.00 on sale. Nice, light helmet with good ventilation and easy 1 hand adjusting.

Bell Ghisallo is on sale for 69.99 right now at performance, its what i bought, fit perfect, price was right, 50 grams wont kill you

Yes and no. Speaking from personal experience, Giros are torture while Bells fit very nicely, regardless of adjustable straps.

I really like my Lazer 02. A bit heavier than you want, but it looks much better than the ones you listed.
http://bikeisland.com/images/lazerall.jpg
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1644

I've also been happy with my Bell Ghisallo. It fits great (for me) and has excellent ventilation. As kbtommy mentioned, it does have a bit of a "mushroomy" look, especially in the solid white style. I think that is a little less noticeable on the ones with mixed colors. Even though Bell has come out with lighter and newer models over the years, the Ghisallo is still a fine helmet. It has been worn by riders on CSC, Credit Agricole, and Health Net. I also have a Bell Sweep which is a little nicer, but I think you would probably have a hard time finding one in the $70 price range.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/3...0_hamilton.jpg

http://www.dailypeloton.com/article_...03/moreau3.jpg

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photo...3_51_48alt.jpg

Any helmet you buy from a reputable retailer should pass established safety standards, so in my opinion the most important factor in a helmet is fit. You'll never wish you had one that was less comfortable, so try on several styles before buying.

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...

Oh yeah: GET ONE THAT FITS. An uncomfortable helmet sucks.

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

I think weight with helmets is definetely more noticeable than, say, weight in a saddle or handlebar because it sits on top of your head and i was looking for the lightest helmet for my money.

Would i be crazy if i thought the alchera looked better than the Rudy Slinger and Bell Ghisallo? Its also claimed to be lighter by 30grams than the Ghisallo, despite being cheaper. Weird. 39.99 at Performance, although i won't be buying from there since i'm from Singapore.

I guess i'll shop around and see if the Alchera fits my head then. If not i'll def take a look at the Slinger and Ghisallo...

Thanks
Teo

specialized echelon

Giro Eclipse. Great, light helmet. If you feel like spending more, I highly recommend the Rudy Project Actyum. Much spendier (and probably heavier) than your budget suggests, but I've gone down with it three times in races and it's done a great job protecting my noggin (landed on my head all three times) crashing at 25-30mph. Crash tested, so to speak.

Did you use the same helmet during all three crashes? :twitchy:

Heh... same model. Yes, I have three broken, look-alike helmets sitting in my garage. I should make a sculpture or something.