Urban Specific Helmets
 

I'm starting a thread on urban helmets since Google didn't yield much and helmets change every year as far as style goes. Obviously you should try to goto your LBS and try on a helmet that fits the best since fit/safety is more important than style. But lets be honest, you don't want to look like you just got off the short bus either...

Factors that go into decision making:
1) Safety, bonus points for multiple crash
2) Fit
3) Weight
4) Profile (the lower the better unless you like looking like a bobblehead)
5) Ventilation
6) Overall look and colors
7) Cost (all are roughly $50-70)

Major players (ones that you may find in your LBS) that seemed interesting and beyond the basic look of a bike helmet. I tried to steer away from street racer looking helmets and went for more of the skater rounded look helmets. Further suggestions welcome.

Giro Surface 6 vents
http://www.giro.com/us_en/surface.html

Giro Flak
http://www.giro.com/us_en/flak.html

Bell Faction 15oz, 12 vent
http://www.bellsports.com/cycling/he...vement/faction

Bern Brentwood 14.1oz, 6 vent
http://www.bernunlimited.com/Product...elmetType=Bike

Bern Watts 20oz, 5 vent
http://www.bernunlimited.com/Product...elmetType=Bike

Bern Macon 19.1oz, 6 vent
http://www.bernunlimited.com/Product...elmetType=Bike

Uvex Discovery ($130)
http://us.uvex-sports.com/cycling/pr...?pNavi=11&pSub[]=272&pModel=discovery

Uvex Urban
http://us.uvex-sports.com/cycling/pr...?pNavi=11&pSub[]=272&pModel=urban

Pro-tec Cyphon
http://pro-tec.net/cyphon-bike-helmet.php

Lazer Cityzen
http://www.lazersport.com/index.php?...id=139&lang=en

Nutcase 9 vent
http://www.nutcasehelmets.com/en/collections/classic

If you got something and you like it or hate it, feel free to post or comment on any of the above designs. Which one do you think looks the best without having tried them on. Or feel free to troll the thread with a ridiculous helmet image as I'm sure many of you will. :)

To me, the Cyphon looks pretty slick and the Nutcase has so many designs it's hard to compete with....Bern Brentwood looks interesting but might give you a bobblehead effect...

From all the reviews I went through about bern helmets, the ventilation just won't cut it if you live in hot areas. That and they are said to be rather heavy depending on your preferred riding position.

Sixsixone Dirtlid Skate helmet gets good reviews too and it's like $20. Might be better to sample that style of helmet in your area before splurging on a pricey one. I picked one up for $15 on amazon, but am afraid the 102d heat here will result in my not wearing it (and because I've never been able to get in the habit of wearing a helmet). Either way I'll be commuting in the cold too, so it was worth trying for the price

this is one of those threads where if it is successful there are so many that it will likely become unwieldy to dig-out info

nevertheless...

fox transition here - it is surprisingly light, pretty well-ventilated & considering the year-round heat here in so fla, cool enough that i wear it fairly regularly

Did you guys ever seen this research? http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/...ing110906.html

Wtf lol.

“This may lead drivers to believe cyclists with helmets are more serious, experienced and predictable than those without.

makes sense, but no excuse...

How is an "urban" helmet different from a regular one? Just looks?

I would say an urban helmet is just based on looks looks less like a mountain bike / road bike helmet and looks closer to a skate helmet or something more "fashionable".

I had a Fox Transition mtb helmet, and it was pretty nice. Decent air movement/skater look. I have a louis garneau exo nerv now and it's a world of difference, light, cool, and comfortable, but not the "urban" look you are after.

TIL that road helmets are not fashionable.

I guess having a well ventilated lightweight helmet is not fashionable?

do you know what subforum you're in? :)

Why was the Pro-tec classic left out? Very low profile, lightweight, pretty good ventilation, etc.

http://pro-tec.net/classic-bike-helmet.php

I really don't find any of the helmets posted or any of that style 'fashionable' at all, so I wouldn't say that, although some people might like them better. I personally like the look of a good race/road helmet, and it looks more appropriate to me when you're on a bike.

To me that market targets people who mostly skate or BMX, and thus want the same style of helmet for the road.

My bike is pretty tarcky and I still ride with a road style helmet.. Aren't skate helmets super heavy?

My mistake.

Although I think riding on the road with a road helmet looks better than using a bmx helmet or something. That's just me.

I tried one on once and it was way heavy. Hot as **** in it too.

FWIW, I've only used their road models, but I swear by Lazer helmets.

They look great (relatively, for you know....a styrofoam head-shaped bowl), breath well and they fit nicely.

I have a huge head/thick hair. Even most L/XL helmets don't fit well, but lazer has a XL/XXL offering that's perfect.

Also, I feel like I should say I have no affiliation with Lazer, other than a customer.

So less practical because it is more likely to give you helmet hair due to fewer vents. I still dont get why these are "urban". I used to use a skate style helmet and I hated it, now I have a Specialized road helmet which fits every one of your factors including cost.

Do you ride in an urban landscape, OP?

+1

I think it would be quite goofy looking to see a MTB/skate helmet on someone riding a road bike/fixed gear on a paved road.

Obligatory fashionable helmet pic:
http://www.treehugger.com/green-helmet.jpg
http://www.treehugger.com/helmets-behar.jpg

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009...nd-helmet.html


However, better to have goofy helmets than none at all, no? Buy whatever you want, OP. Just make sure it adequately protects your head. :thumb:

http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/c...ets/saros.html

Seems pretty urban to me.

The ultimate helmet for the urban warrior/epic fixed gear rydah:
http://www.giro.com/media/catalog/pr...blk1_sd_hr.jpg

i've got the Bern Watts. Serious lack of ventilation. My next helmet will be the Bern Macon, more ventilation. If i don't like that, i'll get a road helmet. I generally don't like road helmets, mainly because they make me feel like someone who likes bikes too much and spends all of their time on bike forums.

Also, if you're looking to get a helmet - www.ccs.com. I got my Watts for $40 as compared to $60 everywhere else. great deals on the "urban" helmets.

I'd like an urban helmet as well. Often I'd rather lock up my helmet than carry it around, but I'm hesitant to lock up a pricey and delicate one like the Giro Ionos I generally use. I would want something that's not too costly that I don't want to leave it somewhere locked to my bike, and that can take a few (non-crash) bumps without having to be retired, something like a hardshell skate helmet. Ventilation, weight and looks are issues though - has anyone tried the Uvex Urban? It looks almost perfect.

Do you guys actually wear helmets?