What Lid (helmet!) ????

cosmaboy

So i've already got a lid or helmet as most call them, my cost 30 quid and is a giro indicator, whats the gerneal consensous on spending 60 - 90 quid on a helmet? is there any point? i mean they can't be that much more comfortable?

andrewjoseph

I spend as much as I can afford on a helmet. i want to keep what little intellect I have for as long as I can.

A cheap helmet is better than none, but you have to wear it. if it's too hot or uncomfortable you won't want to wear it or you won't go out on the bike.

the more expensive helmets may have better fastenings that secure the helmet better on your head, they may be lighter and cooler, but mostly they are all the above but also stronger. The £100 helmets will probably have webbing connecting all the ribs together to prevent the foam exploding everywhere on impact, and ribs to spread the load away from the impact area.

I like Casco helmets, but they have stopped producing the passion sport, not sure what I'll get next.

Campy King

More expensive helmets have much better ventillation, it is true, I have used many hemets through the years and currently have a Bell Sweep R which for a high end helmet seems to have some pretty good deals on it.. You will not find cheaper for a helment than ATC Cycles near Bradford which is strange as they are not cheaper on many other items!! They new Giro Ionos seems to have great ventiallation too..

alfablue

More expensive helmets are lighter and have better ventilation and maybe a better fit. You may also get posher pads that don't get smelly with sweat, and of course the design may be more attractive. It is arguable, however, that cheaper ones can be stronger, because they are more solid with fewer vents.

My Giro Ionos is super cool because it has loads of large vents, and it has some Kevlar or carbon composite weave between the layers of the structure to improve integrity (otherwise compromised by the vents), but I don't suppose it is any stronger than cheaper models. They all comply to the same standards (except Specialized lids which are tested to the superior SNELL standards).

Interesting read here: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/papers/c2023.pdf

will3

So hang on, the lighter (less material) and cooler (more holes) a helmet is the more it costs?

Campy King

will3 wrote:

So hang on, the lighter (less material) and cooler (more holes) a helmet is the more it costs?

Correct, however, the lesser quantity of materials may be of superior quality and cost more money, Ie Carbon Fibre..

alfablue

will3 wrote:

So hang on, the lighter (less material) and cooler (more holes) a helmet is the more it costs?

Yes, that's fair enough, it represents a greater design and manufacturing challenge to achieve this whilst meeting the standards. A complete solid shell with no vents would be very cheap to manufacture to meet the tests. Of course, riders will pay a premium for the lightest coolest helmets, so I am sure there is a greater margin on these beyond the manufacturing costs.

Jez mon

Most of the time, a more expensive helmet=a less protective helmet. IIRC the Spesh 2D is no longer sold in America as it didn't make the correct standards.

alfablue

Jez mon wrote:

Most of the time, a more expensive helmet=a less protective helmet. IIRC the Spesh 2D is no longer sold in America as it didn't make the correct standards.

The Spesh 2D has been revised as far as I know.

Jez mon

According to this site http://www.helmets.org/helmet08.htm the 2D has been replaced by the S-works in America.

wiffachip

the best one is the one that fits your head, so try before you buy
all the vents in the world count for nowt if it's uncomfortable

neeb

You pay for ventilation, comfort and looks.

Assuming the helmet fits properly I doubt there is much relationship between cost and how well it protects you in a crash. The more expensive helmets will use better materials and hi-tech design but this is to allow them to be lighter and better ventilated without compromising safety.

If you're cycling a lot and wearing the thing on your head for many hours every week it's worth paying a bit extra for ventilation and comfort IMHO. Also the high-end helmets just look so much better, you have to appreciate the design aesthetics!