Helmets

campagsarge

Any advice on helmets? I have looked at previous forums and see that Specialized fair well - although I think this was a general helmet forum instead of a road specific helmet forum.

I know most of it is down to what fits your own head but would be intesrested to know the opions of other road riders - please though, no debate on whether helmets prevent injury, etc, etc,

TIA

mike boyce

I brought a catlike whispher from Pendas, the best helmet I have ever owned, phone then and have a chat, they are really helpfull/knowagble guys.

ajohn9

i have a Bell Sweep R.
but im planning on getting the new specialized 2D

Monty Dog

I have helmets by Giro, Specialized and Catlike - I prefer the Catlike - it fits better and is better made. I wouldn't buy Giro again because of poor warranty support.

campagsarge

Thanks guys, might have a look at the Catlike range - the whisper looks quite cool.

dennisn

campagsarge wrote:

Any advice on helmets? I have looked at previous forums and see that Specialized fair well - although I think this was a general helmet forum instead of a road specific helmet forum.

I know most of it is down to what fits your own head but would be intesrested to know the opions of other road riders - please though, no debate on whether helmets prevent injury, etc, etc,

TIA

It's a helmet not a rocketship. You put it on your head. It protects your head. The little
holes let some air in. Chin strap keeps it on your head. End of story.

Dennis Noward

Toledo, Ohio

SQU@RETIP

ajohn9 wrote:

i have a Bell Sweep R.
but im planning on getting the new specialized 2D

I got my hands on a 2D tuesday amazing helmet forgot I was wearing it,its so light and comfortable.

mrushton

I normally use Giro, but the new Spesh is very nice. incredibly light. I need to compare it to the new Giro Ionos to see which I prefer. or get one of each

Monty Dog

We'll probably get a club deal on the new Specialized for next year, so'll probably end up with one of those too.

terongi

dennisn wrote:

It's a helmet not a rocketship. You put it on your head. It protects your head. The little
holes let some air in. Chin strap keeps it on your head. End of story.

Dennis Noward

Toledo, Ohio

Well Dennis, that's the end of this forum then.

After all:

It's a bike not a rocketship. You sit on it and pedal, the wheels go round. The faster you pedal or the higher the gear the faster the wheels go round. End of story.

aracer

That's almost the sort of thing Dennis might have posted, terongi

terongi

aracer wrote:

That's almost the sort of thing Dennis might have posted, terongi

Yes. Except I forgot the bit about measuring the unidirectional stability curve with a laser tension power-strain unit barometer.

campagsarge

Check out Dennis comments on Campag v Shimano!

Yep, the Spesh looks the ticket.

mrushton

campagsarge wrote:

Check out Dennis comments on Campag v Shimano!

Yep, the Spesh looks the ticket.

Well he is American and from Ohio which apart from being in the Union in the Civil war and the hometown of Klinger in MASH isn't an exciting place, altho' I was once in a plane that circled over Columbus,Ohio for an hour waiting to fly into Newark, NJ
Anyway, i tried on the 2D and it's certaily nice,poss having the edge on the Atmos. Both the 2D and the Giro are almost the same price so it's down to aesthetics now

campagsarge

I seem to get on well with the Spesh BG products, so i will go for the one that has the nicest little airholes and the comfiest chin strap.

italiaandyf

Hi
in the market for a new helmet recently, I tried Spesh, Giro, MET - I'd heard great things about the Giro Pneumo but it didn't work on my head, the spesh lids sat too high, in the end I ended up with a MET Inferno - very comfortable, good amount of protection round the sides and back, the adjustment mechanism ensures a really good fit - it was more than I expected to spend but going for comfort it was worth it.

cheers.

fossyant

It's all about the cooling, most of the time. My Giro Pheumo is freezing in winter, and cool in summer, but I believe the new Spesh. are far better vented....

For me i find a helmet better at keeping sweat out of my face/cool head than none at all !

fossyant

It's all about the cooling, most of the time. My Giro Pheumo is freezing in winter, and cool in summer, but I believe the new Spesh. are far better vented....

For me i find a helmet better at keeping sweat out of my face/cool head than none at all !

kmahony

I've been looking over this thread for ideas. Anyone used the newer helmets for a while and have anything to add. At the moment I split between:

Spec 2D - very light and secure, but inner frame might get uncomfortable
Giro Ionos - better pads, more comfort and much better look.

Others?

I'll take a look at cateye, met etc

geoff_ss

I've tested a couple of helmets to destruction. In the first case it was one of those early ones that didn't have a hard plastic coating but a fabric cover over the polystyrene. It totally shattered and the importers (it was in 1990 and I can't remember who it was) in Bristol replaced it and, I'm told, used the remains of mine for advertising. I still suffer from the spinal shock that cat caused when it ran into my front wheel. So you see, I tend to wear a helmet most of the time now. The main exception is on long continental climbs in very hot weather when I'm riding at 5 or 6 mph

My current helmet is a Bell which has a device built in to the harness at the back which allows ready tension adjustment. I find that very useful in Winter as it makes it easy to allow for an under helmet hat when it's chilly. If I were buying a new helmet, it's a feature I'd look for.

Apart from that, all other things being equal (which they rarely are) it's simply a matter of finding one with adequate (ie a lot of) ventilation that also fits your particular head shape. Let's face it, we'd all rather ride without a helmet; the wind in hair is wonderful, so comfort is paramount. If you can wear a helmet and forget it's on so much the better.

I think a helmet is one purchase you need to make in RL. You need to try it on before deciding. No recommendations - what suits me might not suit you. Try a few on.

Geoff

nickwill

I've got a Specialized 2D, which is a perfect fit for my head. It's light, and cooling is great. At the end of a long day it still feels as if I'm not wearing a helmet.
I've had a Pneumo in the past and it looked like a mushroom on my head.

Richpr

See article on recall of specialized 2Ds due to safety concerns.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/artic ... =BRMTBNEWS

I would look into this issue further before choosing the 2D.

nickwill

Richpr wrote:

See article on recall of specialized 2Ds due to safety concerns.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/artic ... =BRMTBNEWS

I would look into this issue further before choosing the 2D.

This only applied to the American model, which as far as I know has a different fastening system. I suspect it also reflects the litigious nature of the USA.
Specialised have stated that the problem and subsequent recall don't apply to the European market.

Cunobelin

This is a "serious bit" - hence bear with me

Helmets are tested to see how "Good" they are, but the tests vary. Simply one test may simulate a kerb collision by striking against and angled surface, whilst others will only test against a flat surface.

Some also specify greater forces to be applied to the impacts than others

Although an American site and complex, this is a reasonable guide to the ones you commonly see:


http://www.bhsi.org/stdcomp.htm

There is also a law in that some tests are carried out on specially manufactured batches, whilst others take random helmets off the shelf.

This is important - Trek pulled he Anthem helmets after a random helmet test showed that a design tested at manufacture stage failed ALL the tests!


EN1078 the standard for the UK is one of the less stringent and "easiest" to pass Snell the most difficult, and test "off the shelf"



The problem gets even more complex as often cheaper helmets can offer more protection than expensive ones!.

Vents and lightweight design have less foam to absorb the impact.

YOu may not even beable to find out about standards. Giro refused even when asked directly to state which standards the "Pneumo" had been tested for or had passed They will only declare the one required for sale in that country.

I do not buy Giro for this reason.

My personal decision is that I am lucky enough that the Specialized "Decibel" fits, is comfortable, and passes the Snell standards.

Basically it comes to fit, comfort, ventilation and style as listed above, but above all - if you are seriously looking for protection buy a SNell approved helmet, or another high standard rather than the simple EN1078!

Rich Hcp

Geoff_SS wrote:

My current helmet is a Bell which has a device built in to the harness at the back which allows ready tension adjustment. I find that very useful in Winter as it makes it easy to allow for an under helmet hat when it's chilly. If I were buying a new helmet, it's a feature I'd look for.

I have a Bell Sola (I think) it has the adjuster at the back and it's very comfortable indeed.

It's well vented too

It cost about £20 from my LBS, can't see the point of spending more.

top_bhoy

Cunobelin wrote:

YOu may not even beable to find out about standards. Giro refused even when asked directly to state which standards the "Pneumo" had been tested for or had passed They will only declare the one required for sale in that country.

I do not buy Giro for this reason.

Completely agree!! On several occassions, I also posed similar questions to Giro on the Pneumo and they didn't even have the courtesy to reply. Given their complete lack of customer care, I won't be in any hurry to go out and buy a Giro again irrespective of what safety label is stuck on it.

Nuggs

terongi wrote:

dennisn wrote:

It's a helmet not a rocketship. You put it on your head. It protects your head. The little
holes let some air in. Chin strap keeps it on your head. End of story.

Dennis Noward

Toledo, Ohio

Well Dennis, that's the end of this forum then.

After all:

It's a bike not a rocketship. You sit on it and pedal, the wheels go round. The faster you pedal or the higher the gear the faster the wheels go round. End of story.

pjh

I got a Giro Ionos for Christmas .... used it half a dozen times already and really impressed

It's very light and very comfortable and perhaps 'too well' vented for winter riding but I use a windproof scull-cap so it matters not.

stumpy paul

Another vote for giro - I have the atmos and it's excellent - many good deals about as the ionos now the top model.
It must be due to the shape of your head though as I tried a met helmet last year and couldn't wear it - it really caused me pain.
I also use a giro helmet for skiing and rate that highly too.

alfablue

I too got a Giro Ionos as an xmas pressie - it fits well and feels great, and the included extra inner liner is good for this time of year as it is so well vented. However, I had decided to get a Spesh for my next helmet, in view of the superior Snell standard. But I have the Ionos now, which, apart from the misgivings about standards is in every other way, the dogs...what you gonna do?

kmahony

Does anyone have a Met Stradivarius 199?