I've got a Brentwood (with winter package) and I hate helmets, but wear it. It is comfortable and doesnt make me look too rediculous. The main thing is to get something that you will wear.

Took a trip to the LBS today, tried on about a dozen helmets, different brands, styles, and prices.
I ended up going with the Giro Indicator. Only 38 dollars with tax, it fit my head better than a few 100 dollar helmets, and i like how it looks. Maybe ill actually wear my helmet now!

I have a Lazer Genesis that I really like. Its real comfortable and relatively low profile. Not any more then the high end Giros.

http://www.lazerhelmets.com/en/catal...6/road-race-7/

I wear the Bell Metropolis.

It has a conservative appearance, and it fits round and large heads better than most bike helmets do.

I don't use the visor.

http://www.thebellstore.com/Other/be...etropolis.html

I picked up a Catlike Sakana a few months back (ordered online from a German bikeshop) and I'm not too happy with the fit. It's made for round heads, and doesn't fit my egg-head too well. I mean, I can wear it and it's not uncomfortable, but it has a lot of space on the sides. I'll sell it if anyone wants to get it. PM me. Oh, so, yeah. Try them on in person, cuz ordering online sucks (I think I just about killed my offer to sell there, huh?)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/...bc8d95.jpg?v=0
Summer & Winter.

i have a new in box small giro hex if anyone is interested!

I have a Bell Furio. It's the only bike helmet I've ever had. Seems to work fine.

FYI- All helmets sold in the USA have to pass the same safety standards.

This means that a $16 Wal-Mart helmet will protect your brain just as well as a $250 racing helmet. The differences between the 2 helmets are primarily 3 things:

• Name brand
• # of vents
• Weight

The more expensive a helmet is (as a general rule) the lighter it will be and the more vents it will have. Havign a helmet that is comfortable and keeps your head cool in the summer is important because if it isn't comfortable you are less likely to wear it.
I've always liked the Gyro Hex because it looks cool. I'm about to replace my helmet and I may go with a much dorkier looking Bell Metro for the winter and a Bell Influx (or something similar) for the summer.

Helmets should be replaced immediately after any falls/crashes where they hit the ground [even if they don't look damaged from the outside] or every 5 or 6 years if you remain crash-free.

+1 for the Giro Atmos, It's a little pricey but c'mon it's got the crabon fibr.

I picked up a Giro Saros from a bike shop near me after having a nasty crash in a hit and run (i was pretty much mentally incapacitated for 24 hours)

It's really comfortable. It looks kind of dorky but I have piece of mind that I'll always be protected from a similar kind of accident.

**My accident was the epitome of "who would have thought it would happen then" type of situations

I was riding to work, slowly, on the right, w/ my superflash on my back. I was only riding 6 blocks to stop by work really quickly and I was riding with a friend. Some guy came up and hit me from behind at good enough speed to put me head first into the ground w/o even losing hold of my bars.

just got one of these bad boys:

http://content.backcountry.com/image...0001/MATBK.jpg

In case anyone doesn't know it, when the helmet is on correctly you should be able to shake your head and the helmet not move.

Also, it's important to keep the front of the helmet down on your forehead. Too many people ride around with their helmets tilted back and that's no good.

http://www.nmh.org/nmh/adam/adamency...s/en/19474.jpg

Might be good for winter riding
http://www.gearcrave.com/wp-content/...lmet_msp_1.jpg

after putting a flat spot in my previous helmet, i picked up a giro xen and think it's actually pretty awesome. far and away the most comfortable helmet i've ever worn and has a cloth covering on the foam (instead of plastic) which i like. not at all like the tentacly roadi type helmet.

seriously... why do so many helmet manufacturers think we want to wear something on our heads that look like a hentai nightmare? sheesh.

specialized are the ONLY snell approved brand. Snell does more rigorous testing than CSPS.

ive got a bell alchera that i got from performance bike...its only 50 bucks and it fits very comfortable.

other than a samurai mask, knights helm, or viking helmet from valhalla id go half helmet! keep it classy

i just ordered a bell array helmet to replace my giro which is sort of bulky

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Helmet+09.aspx

Catlike fits like a salad bowl.

try on several brands they all have their own "fit"

I think helmets disguised as hats are a lot goofier than an actual helmet. YMMV.

is that all specialized helmets? or just the higher end like the s-works?

Those hat helmets remind me of Brett's hair helmet from Flight of the Concords

This is my next weekend project. No one will even know I'm wearing a helmet.

http://www.selevhelmets.com/images/s...LIEN/ALI05.jpg

Inherited from my father, but too old and has a crack in it. After a breaking in period it fit me just fine. Also, not a mushroom.

if you're helmet is old and cracked, you should replace it.

I forgot to add that I am going to buy a replacement soon. Again a Selev Alien.

fify
a helmet is useless if it is cracked. Throw it out today.

i had one for 4 years and it was great. i noticed a crack in it recently so i had to replace it. i think they recommend replacing it after that long anyway because the foam becomes brittle.

also, a cracked helmet is better than no helmet at all.

Bell Furio. I can attest to Bell's noggin' protection abilities. Bell all the way.