What helmet are you or have you used. I've been shopping around, and while form and function are always paramount..blah blah...it's gotta look cool too.

I've been looking at this, but is 200 bones justifiable?

i like this one too 140$

If you look around on ebay you can get a new Giro Ionos for around 100 bux. Thats how I got mine

In my opinion, no. I can think of a lot of other things I'd rather spend $200 on. A $30 Bell will provide the exact same protection and will be about the same weight. Some will say that a 190g helmet is significantly lighter than a 290g helmet, but I'm not going willing to spend that kind of cash for .22lbs. Others wouldn't think twice about it.

It depends on how cool YOU think it is? Justification depends on how well you can convince yourself to drop some coin on any equipment.

Seems that you really want that Orbea helmet, though! I don't blame you, that is nice looking and looks different from a lot of the other helmets out on the road. There are very few helmets that does not look generic. A few I can think of would be Catlike with it's Swiss cheese-like desing, the Specialized Echelon through Prevail, with it's mouthport and that Orbea.

replaced my Rudy Projects Actyum with a Giro Aeon and it's worlds better with a better retention system, half the weight, better ventilation, better overall fit, and looks much better =)

of course I would never pay full retail for a helmet, i got the Rudy Projects for 50$ during their sale and the Aeon at a very good discount

and both blew my cheap 40$ Bell out of the water, they may pass the same safety tests but there is a difference. it depends how much you care and are willing to spend

$30 Bell here... They all do the same job as far as I'm concerned. What makes a helmet cost $200???

Specialized S-works helmet. Fits my head like a glove, lightweight, and looks awesome too!

No it is not. Price does not equate to safety when it comes to helmets. The 50 dollar job will do the same negligible job of protecting your head as the 200 dollar one. You are paying for name and hype only, oh, and fashion. That is a BIG part of helmet sales.

Wear one for 7 hours in the 95 degree sun.

If you can't/don't appreciate the difference, stick with the $30 Bell and save yourself some money.


I consider the $180 I spent on my Atmos 6 years ago money well spent. I had the $30 Bell but cracked it on a tree while mtn. bike riding. Best thing that could've happened to that helmet.

Those cat like's are sweet looking

If you say so.

the Giro and LG that I have now seem to get pretty hot...and its effin hot here...the catlike is cool

Saros? I've got one of those but for like $80....

Nice mid range helmet.

Yes. But they look like a home for wayward bees...

True to a point. The helmet racket is a perfect example of trickle down tech.

Just cast what's left of your memory back to the Bell helmets of the early '80s.

I see nowhere on his original post inquiring about safety.

It is why we purchase helmets no? And better, i.e. safer if that is why we want it in the first place, is often equated with more money spent. Just pointing out that more money does not mean more safety. A valid point I think.

I have a Specialized S-Works. Nice and light with decent ventilation.

However, buy what you like, it's a personal decision.

I don't always wear a helmet. Part of my regular route takes me through Ft. Benning which requires you to wear a helmet while on base. I wear it when on the streets but if Im on the riverwalk I don't really care. Safety is inherent..I don't think a 200 dollar helmet is going to be less safe or comfortable than a 30 dollar one, but I would imagine it has to be better somehow..wether its worth the 120 dollar difference is a different subject..or is ti..anyways..I like a nice looking bike as much as a functional one...I feel the same about the helmet...this one just so happens to be by orbea as well...but I genuinely like the looks of the Odin..the Thor as well

Price aside... I just don't like the look of that helmet. The horizontal stripes will make your head look fat. Don't do it.

thats what I kind of liked about it...not the head looking flat part...i just like the separation in the front but not from the side look...I see them euskaltel team with them and love how much they stand out...the OTHER reason is..I know nobody else will have it

Used to wear a bell, tried a new Giro Ionos with their newest roc-loc 5 system. Helmet is super comfortable, sometimes don't realize I'm wearing it even. Pretty nice ventilation.

All helmets must meet the same crash standards, be they expensive or cheap. The difference is the amout of ventilation, and that is what ur paying for.

sounds nice! ill have to check it out