I have a decent road helmet, but recently saw a Giro Aeon and Bell Volt helmet I liked at my LBS. As I continued to search online, I saw an similar helmet at 1/3 price from China- of course. The little research I've done, states that the chinese are making replicas, but are they are just as safe as the real ones? I don't want to take a chance with my head and will be buying from my LBS at full price, however, I was curiuous if anyone had any experience with this topic?

What a stupid place to try to save money.

edit: look up some helmet tests, Bell has a severals vids on youtube. The right equipment can save your life.

If they are certified they would go through the same testing. If they are black market they might not be.
https://www.helmets.org/testing.htm
https://www.helmets.org/limits.htm

Have you seen Chinese car crash test videos? Unbelievably very educating.

Chinese knock off helmets!?!?
JUST SAY NO!

OP: if you can afford the bike, you can afford the helmet. Buy a well-known brand and be done with it.

I am confused the thread title says "replica" which in my mind = counterfeit. But in the post you say "similar" which in my mind = similar in appearance. I would not buy anything that is known to be counterfeit. Now if it is similar who is the manufacture? Has it passed the required testing?

An expensive helmet does not mean that it is safer than an inexpensive helmet. They both passed the same minimum safety test. I could actually argue that the more expensive helmet may be less safe because it has more weight saving. Just by the look and feel I would say that a BMX / skateboard helmet is safer than a road bike helmet. But you don't see me wearing one of those.

I have also never seen an expensive helmet claim to be more safe. If it was they would market that. They justify the expense on weight, aerodynamics, ventilation and style.

The way to make a helmet full of holes and ventilation channels safe enough to pass various standards is to use a very high grade of foam which has very consistent density etc.

It may be that the replicas can duplicate the high quality foam.

However, as pointed out above, you should check out some of the crash tests of various replicas of Chinese knock off cars.

It does not matter where they are made and if it is expensive or not. Price is not an indicator of the level of safety, more due to the materials used, design, weight, etc. Your concern should be if it meets the safety standards.

It's probably easy to fake the CPSI or Snell approval label on a fake helmet.

In addition to the other comments. I would add if you were seriously injured in a crash, and it came down to a defective helmet, you would feel a lot better if that helmet came from a reputable manufacturer with a decent company that can handle these types of things. Something tells me if you crash with a knockoff helmet from China and something malfunctions, good luck a) getting a hold of them and b) getting them to stand by their product and do the right thing.

Again, if you bothered to read my question, I was wondering if anyone had dealt with these helmets and that I intended on buying a real one at full price from my LBS- Next time read first.

I guess either no one understands or is not reading the title? My question is not should I buy one- the question is how do you know its a knockoff when it clearly states GIRO on the helmet but has a cost of 1/3 of regualr price, are they tested, has anyone bought one buy mistake? Just a curiosity........

and comes from China, a country WELL-KNOWN for flagrant copycatting & IP theft.

Yes, how do you know that it's a knockoff? Of COURSE it's a knockoff!

Did you check alibaba or dhgate? Any brand name for a third the price for wheels, frames, etc? What do you think?

Stick with an LBS or well-known reseller and you'll be fine.

This is the 41, the Mos Eisley Cantina of bike forum. You expect waaaaay too much!

The only thing that needs to be addressed would be..."cheap, China, helmet".

seems legit.

Whaddaya think? If it says Giro and actually sells for a third of the price of same Giro helmets at reputable dealers.

A multiple-choice question for you.

a) Better than similar Giro helmets from reputable dealers;

b) A fake and counterfeit brain bucket;

c) Made by Mr. Giro's evil-twin brother.

Now thats funny!

Clearly we are no match for your superior intellect.

If you find stuff at the LBS, buy it at the LBS.

Obviously, the answer to the actual question posed is "no."

Wow, really.... you can't just try and answer the question?

Unreal.............maybe someone should read the E-N-T-I-R-E entry and in it it clearly states I would be buying my helmet at a local LBS. I think everyone gets the point. WE ALL MUST BUY ALL OF OUR GEAR AT LOCAL BIKES STORES, BECAUSE ALL ELSE IS GARBAGE! WE GET IT!! Just trying to ask a simple question.