Is a helmet a helmet a helmet?
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Is a helmet a helmet a helmet?
I'm new to road cycling and the one thing I can't wrap my head around ( no pun) are the price differences in helmets. The schwinn at Walmart looks and feels like a Giro that costs 10X the price. I know it's my head I'm protecting but really. Just picked this bad boy up this weekend. My water cages haven't arrived yet.
Last edited by Brandon2002; 09-10-12 at 07:09 AM.
#2
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They all are required to meet the same standard. The cost comes from more exotic manufacturing techniques to reduce weight and add larger vent holes, as well as more sophisticated head retention systems.
Get whatever helmet fits you and you like within your budget. There are a lot of choices for every budget.
Get whatever helmet fits you and you like within your budget. There are a lot of choices for every budget.
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#6
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No, not every helmet is equal. All helmets are required to meet the minimum standards, but that doesn't mean they are all the same. Helmets with "in-molded" shells, more plastic on the outside, and thicker foam are more protective, in my opinion, than those with taped shells and/or minimal plastic shell/minimal foam. But they do meet all the minimum standards.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#7
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#8
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No, not every helmet is equal. All helmets are required to meet the minimum standards, but that doesn't mean they are all the same. Helmets with "in-molded" shells, more plastic on the outside, and thicker foam are more protective, in my opinion, than those with taped shells and/or minimal plastic shell/minimal foam. But they do meet all the minimum standards.
A $25 helmet offers the same level of protection as the top of the line $300 helmet.
This has been tested and proven.
This is great as safety is not constrained by budget in the case of helmets.
However, the features of more expensive helmets may make them much more comfortable and ventilated as well as be far better looking to some.
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The safety factor has already been addressed. Just Friday I picked up a Lazer O2 to replace my Costco sourced Bell. The difference is night and day to me...new helmet breathes so much better and is much more comfortable (and lighter)
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That is a myth.
A $25 helmet offers the same level of protection as the top of the line $300 helmet.
This has been tested and proven.
This is great as safety is not constrained by budget in the case of helmets.
However, the features of more expensive helmets may make them much more comfortable and ventilated as well as be far better looking to some.
A $25 helmet offers the same level of protection as the top of the line $300 helmet.
This has been tested and proven.
This is great as safety is not constrained by budget in the case of helmets.
However, the features of more expensive helmets may make them much more comfortable and ventilated as well as be far better looking to some.
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Thanks! Only done 2 rides with it but I really like it too. I went in pretty set on buying a Giro, but the salesman showed me the Lazer and explained why he liked it better. After wearing both, the decision was a "no brainer" for me (bad, somewhat related pun intended)
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As far as helmets in general go it must meet NHTSA standards so in that regard it's passed safety standards it will protect your head the same as any other that meets NHTSA standards after that it's all personal preference, convert, style and color etc...
Here everything you need to know about helmets Helmets for 2012
Here everything you need to know about helmets Helmets for 2012
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
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The article also recommended several medium-priced helmets ($55-100) that they felt were a nice blend of comfort, style, and price point.
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This made me laugh for all those who want Made is USA only or say overseas made stuff is well no good.
From a page about Bell
Made in USA Helmet
Some consumers ask us where to find a helmet made in the US, or in another country. Although most helmets sold in the US market are now made in China, Taiwan and other Asian countries, Bell is still making millions of helmets every year here for its discount store line. See the Bell discount line comments below. Others are still made in Belgium, Germany, Italy and France. You will find comments on that in the writeups below on a number of European brands, and we have a page up on where helmets are made. Note that most country of origin statements may neglect to inform you that components were imported from elsewhere, including China. Bell has explicit labels saying that.
From a page about Bell
Made in USA Helmet
Some consumers ask us where to find a helmet made in the US, or in another country. Although most helmets sold in the US market are now made in China, Taiwan and other Asian countries, Bell is still making millions of helmets every year here for its discount store line. See the Bell discount line comments below. Others are still made in Belgium, Germany, Italy and France. You will find comments on that in the writeups below on a number of European brands, and we have a page up on where helmets are made. Note that most country of origin statements may neglect to inform you that components were imported from elsewhere, including China. Bell has explicit labels saying that.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
Last edited by JTGraphics; 09-09-12 at 10:08 PM.
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I've seen people with cycling helmets on backwards LOL also.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
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[QUOTE=JTGraphics;14710744]This made me laugh for all those who want Made is USA only or say overseas made stuff is well no good.
From a page about Bell
/QUOTE]
While I'm speaking to Bell's motorsport helmets, their quality went up moving production from Rantoul, IL to China, and their price went down.
From a page about Bell
/QUOTE]
While I'm speaking to Bell's motorsport helmets, their quality went up moving production from Rantoul, IL to China, and their price went down.
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This is a cool looking helmet. I may need to rethink my stand of cheap is just fine. When it is time to replace my Atmos, I think I will have to look at this Lazer O2.
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Congrats on your new bike, all helmets are required to meet the government standards, you want to get a helmet that is going to match yourbike, just my $0.02
https://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr98/10mr98r.pdf
https://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr98/10mr98r.pdf
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The more expensive helmets use very high quality, enriched, weapons grade styrofoam only available from secret Russian factories and refineries in Siberia.
#25
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To make an extreme example, this:
offers less protection than:
One is designed for people who put an emphasis on cooling and light weight; the other is built for track sprinters who might hit the track with 2G's in a crash. They both meet the same minimum standards; one protects your head better than the other.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Last edited by Brian Ratliff; 09-09-12 at 11:01 PM.