What helmet?

biondino
biondino Posts: 5,990
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
Sorry to start another helmet thread, but my question is me-specific so I'm arrogantly doing it anyway.

My Trek helmet gave up the ghost last night (one of the plastic bits that attach the adjustable back-of-head support thingy snapped) and since it was old and knackered anyway I've been contemplating a new one for a while. I need to buy it before the weekend, so it'll have to be from a real shop - either Condor or AN Other shop in the west end - feel free to recommend anywhere you know has a good stock.

Basically, I am a vain bugger with a big bald head and I want the helmet to be as un-ugly as possible. I guess I could spend a decent amount on it (without terribly good grace, mind). So really I want something that looks nice and is as un-bulbous as possible. Team colours (and - ugh - "Livestrong") not preferred. Pink also not a pre-requisite :)

Thanks everyone!
My Focus / My Bob Jackson
Blog (incl. bikes)
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Comments

  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    This is the one I'm planning to buy for all the sportives I'm (not) doing...

    http://www.velodromeshop.org.uk/product ... 16-99.html
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    biondino wrote:
    Team colours (and - ugh - "Livestrong") not preferred. Pink also not a pre-requisite :)

    What about purple?
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    Why that one in particular ?
    Is it for the colour, or is it because the

    "Sakana also incorporates our developed and patented Air Tube System, a revolutionary system of internal pansy mesh that reinforces the structure, security and lightness of the helmet." ???

    :lol:
    Misguided Idealist
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    How about this lovely Italian number:

    imperial-roman-helmet-8112-1.jpg

    Joking apart - the Bell Sweep R is pretty damn good.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15159
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Fireblade96 wrote:
    Why that one in particular ?
    Is it for the colour, or is it because the

    "Sakana also incorporates our developed and patented Air Tube System, a revolutionary system of internal pansy mesh that reinforces the structure, security and lightness of the helmet." ???

    :lol:

    :lol:

    It's mostly because I like the look of it.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • laughingboy
    laughingboy Posts: 248
    biondino wrote:
    Sorry to start another helmet thread, but my question is me-specific so I'm arrogantly doing it anyway.
    Arrogance? How about a Testagrossa* helmet? :wink:

    *There's nothing like a bilingual pun to make everyone feel included...
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    At least it's a language I understand!

    Those Catlike helmets intrigue me - especially as they have "extra of protection in every sense". That's got to be good.

    The Bell Sweep R is a decent looking helmet but why does it have all those spiky bits at the back? It looks like a hipster's hairdo! And they can't be comfy if you land on that area.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Fireblade96 wrote:
    Why that one in particular ?
    Is it for the colour, or is it because the

    "Sakana also incorporates our developed and patented Air Tube System, a revolutionary system of internal pansy mesh that reinforces the structure, security and lightness of the helmet." ???

    :lol:

    :lol:

    It's mostly because I like the look of it.

    not a bad reason i went for cheap and butt ugly one (that fitted) as i object to spending money on something that will get such little use, i will use it this sunday for the Capital to Coast but as thats fun run i don't expect to get too hot and bothered but a sportive would need to be rather good to tempt me with compusury helmet.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Get to an Evans and A. N. Other so you can try the shapes/sizes of a few helmets. They vary hugely in bell-endedness for any given shape of noggin. Decide which one fits and you will then be able to look for a better offer on the internet in the colour and style you want.

    IMO, you are sufficiently spoiled for choice if you stick to Bell, Giro and Specialized. I just got an Ionos to replace a Spec Decibel and I'm quite pleasantly surprised at how things have moved on in recent years. Giro also do a nice array of subdued colours.

    Prepare to drop about £100 though (or more!?).
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I guess one that fits well is even more important than one that looks good, though the two facets are, I'm sure, connected.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I like the Bell Sweep R as well. My mate has just got the fancy new Met (Syn-thesis?) which he seems to rate. Condor have a good stock, main thing is to get one that fits well and then usually the more expensive they are the better they look!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Fireblade96 wrote:
    Why that one in particular ?
    Is it for the colour, or is it because the

    "Sakana also incorporates our developed and patented Air Tube System, a revolutionary system of internal pansy mesh that reinforces the structure, security and lightness of the helmet." ???

    :lol:

    :lol:

    It's mostly because I like the look of it.
    It seems to have a cow-catcher on the front of it. Possibly a snow-plough judging from the bottom photo :?
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Get to an Evans and A. N. Other so you can try the shapes/sizes of a few helmets. They vary hugely in bell-endedness for any given shape of noggin. Decide which one fits and you will then be able to look for a better offer on the internet in the colour and style you want.

    IMO, you are sufficiently spoiled for choice if you stick to Bell, Giro and Specialized. I just got an Ionos to replace a Spec Decibel and I'm quite pleasantly surprised at how things have moved on in recent years. Giro also do a nice array of subdued colours.

    Prepare to drop about £100 though (or more!?).

    Thanks - though with only two days till I *have* to have it I can't trust the internet, much as I'd like to. And borrowing a helmet is expecting even more than borrowing a wheel! And I think both parties would rather it didn't come to that :)
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    MatHammond wrote:
    I like the Bell Sweep R as well. My mate has just got the fancy new Met (Syn-thesis?) which he seems to rate. Condor have a good stock, main thing is to get one that fits well and then usually the more expensive they are the better they look!

    2008 Sweep can be had for £45. Bargainous.

    Helmets are ghey though, and that's a FACT.
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    MatHammond wrote:
    I like the Bell Sweep R as well. My mate has just got the fancy new Met (Syn-thesis?) which he seems to rate. Condor have a good stock, main thing is to get one that fits well and then usually the more expensive they are the better they look!
    I've been commuting with a Bell Sweep R since last summer. Pretty good it is and not too mushroomy.
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    The other thing to ensure is that you go for a brand with 3 sizes in the range. Some brands like LAS try to get away with one or two, and market fancy fit systems. Basically this saves them money and ensures that unless you are lucky enough to have a very large head, the helmet will look like a mushroom.

    Lots of people like Bell, despite the name. They are better value than Giro (which have the "Lance factor" to increase the price, but basically use the same technology). They also do, or used to do, a 50% crash replacement policy, which Specialized don't.

    I've never tried Met, but they go for super light weight and my completely unfounded impression is that they would rather market on this basis and just about creep over the required safety bar than any alternative.

    I was also concerned that the latest Specialised 2D had to undergo a recall because they weren't strong enough. Whereas Giro spent years developing a replacement for the Atmos that was stronger but just as heavy (not that you would notice the difference between a 250g Met and a 300g Giro). I like that policy.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Il Principe wrote:

    2008 Sweep can be had for £45. Bargainous.

    Where from? Provided they have my size I could do with a new one - my cheapo commuting helmet (Bell Yukon - one size fits all mushroom-tastic) should probably be replaced after suffering some crash damage a couple of months ago.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • mrchrispy
    mrchrispy Posts: 310
    The catlikes are ace, quite rare so you don't often see them about. i just picked up one of these bad boys and its ace.

    209.jpg
  • tardington
    tardington Posts: 1,379
    I thought that one looked smart!

    I'm still with a 2 year old Spesh Instinct... from a sale. :shock:

    Biondino it may have been a dream but did you say you microwaved your helmet in another topic?
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    tardington wrote:
    Biondino it may have been a dream but did you say you microwaved your helmet in another topic?

    Yup. I couldn't bear the smell any longer, not just the pads but the polystyrene and, most of all, the straps. It worked a treat (and may, I guess, have compromised the plastics in the helmet, though not in any obvious way - I'd been worrying about the plastic bits breaking for ages).
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • laughingboy
    laughingboy Posts: 248
    MatHammond wrote:
    Il Principe wrote:

    2008 Sweep can be had for £45. Bargainous.

    Where from?
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... oryID=1357
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Always Tyred wrote:
    They also do, or used to do, a 50% crash replacement policy, which Specialized don't.

    Specialized definitely have a crash replacement policy, although I'm not sure of the amount.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    I read that too the other day, apparently specs replacement policy is good but not publicised at all :?

    I'm thinking spec echelon for my new lid or an airforce 3 because they're £25 and snell approved to boot. I fancy a propero but can't bring myself to spend £70 on something I will drop
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    laughingboy wrote:
    MatHammond wrote:
    Il Principe wrote:

    2008 Sweep can be had for £45. Bargainous.

    Where from?
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... oryID=1357

    Unfortunately i don't have a small head :(
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Specialized Helmets are about the only brand available in the UK that are tested to the tougher SNELL standards (though not stickered as such). I checked with Specialized UK and they confirmed this. SNELL includes off the shelf testing, and the forces used in some tests are double those in the EU standards. I would buy Specialized.
  • fungus_the_muffin_man
    fungus_the_muffin_man Posts: 1,608
    While we're on helmets has anyone seen any lime green ones? I'm desperate for one to go with my bike 8)
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:
    While we're on helmets has anyone seen any lime green ones? I'm desperate for one to go with my bike 8)
    Find out what brand the Liquigas team are using this year.
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Giro make 'em:

    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=giro+lime+cycle+helmet
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:
    While we're on helmets has anyone seen any lime green ones? I'm desperate for one to go with my bike 8)

    Tart 8)
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:
    While we're on helmets has anyone seen any lime green ones? I'm desperate for one to go with my bike 8)

    Catlike whisper has one with green detail:

    http://www.velodromeshop.org.uk/product ... 13-99.html
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.

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