Can you wear a fullface helmet?

stickygreen

Just because you prefer the look to other helmet type's,even if it's overkill for what you need? Theres a fox rampage in my lbs and am worried it will end up in my shoping basket if i'm not careful

Anonymous

Why not? I see plenty of people riding trail centres in full-face helmets. It depends what you need to feel safe.

They do get hot when riding, mind. I always end up with misted goggles and a boiled head after pushing or riding to the top of a DH run.

Northwind

Yeah, that's a definate downside. Never worry about overkill, but do worry about the possibility that your frontal lobe catches fire and dribbles out down your nose. You often see people riding with full face helmets strapped to their packs, which is highly protective

There's always the Met Parachute. But if the point is to get a full face largely for looks... No. Not a Parachute. They're better than people give them credit for but you'll still look like a fool.

If i was going to get a full facer, it'd be the Specialized Deviant, the lightweight vented one.

Raymondavalon

Although I don't own one, I often wished I did when tearing through Swinley
I wear a Mace open face, I know it'll protect my gray matter, but if I were to lose the plot in the tight singletracks within Swinley I could end up getting my face rearranged - and it happens so often to riders
I think a FF is in the throw but I certainly won't wear it for all rides..

P-Jay

Go with the flow, if you want one, have one.

Certainly won't do you any harm.

We used to strap them to our camelbaks when we were just cruising around the town in Morzine and the few times I've taken my DH bike upto the Black at Afan (for the mash-up) we did the same. You're only moving a couple of mph on a long prolonged climb. You won't do much harm if you did somehow fall of at that speed.

bomberesque

as the above. dont worry about overkill.

for me I do find a few disadantages with FF over normal helmets (whatever normal means exactly but you get my drift)

heavier. cheap ones run > 1kg
hotter. cheap and DOT ones moreso, the best out there are getting pretty good though
field of view. personal perhaps due to my head shape but i find my field of view restricted by all the FF helmets Ive tried. If I used one consistently enough then I'd probably get used to this.
stinky. hotter leads to sweatier. removable liners are good
sticks out back. due to the fact that it covers the back of your head, I find this interferes with my backpack making it difficult to look up. Judicial repacking solved this for me

the sense of security (and the actual protection) is loads better than with an XC helm though so you take your choice.

I'm tempted to spend a bucket load on a very well vented and light one, then I *might* put up with being laughed at by my club and wear one full time, the rest of them are easily managable

captainfly

If you want to wear a full face, wear one. They are generally far cheaper than dental work, more comfortable than having your jaw wiried and so long as you are moving over 8 or so mph they should vent well enough not to be too hot. Having ridden motor bikes in the past and wearing helmets in work and recreation I don't think there is too much of an issue with weight, it just takes some getting used to.

Joe_Pineapples

I use a Fox Rampage and it's a top lid. It's saved my amazing good looks on more than one occasion.

As has been said, yes it's hot going uphill, but I just strap mine to my back going uphill.
I've seen comments from people that "they look stupid" at trail centres, but each to his own I suppose. I'd rather look stupid and keep all my teeth.
My full face makes me feel more confident and I'm happy with my bonce in it. My Fox Flux open lid hasn't been on my head in months.

As for those MET Parachute things, you couldn't pay me to wear one of those.

yoohoo999

I've got 2 biking helmets:

Fox Flux
Fox Rampage

If it wasn't for the fact that you get a right sweat on, I would wear the full face Rampage all the time. What's the point on NOT protecting your head as much as possible? All the people that say it's overkill are completely incorrect. There is no such thing in this sport when it comes to protecting your head. You could quite easily lose your front wheel at 10mph and eat stones/trees/roots at a trail centre, destroying whatever level of attractiveness you had until that point.

But the key issue is balance. I find it almost impossible to constantly wear a full face helmet on a 3 hour trail ride, it's just too hot. And it's a pain in the backside taking it off everytime you hit a climb, especially if you are the only one wearing a FF. I tend to just pull it back on my head for short periods.

So generally, I wear the Fox Flux. It's got way more protection than a normal XC lid and is still pretty good at keeping you cool.

However, I'm not shy in getting the Rampage out when I can get away with it. If you could see the scrapes on the side of the helmet you would understand why. My face loves trees.

The difficulty is deciding what helmet to take out. :roll:

an_original_name

like everyone has said, if you want it then buy it.

I almost always wear a full face when i'm riding. sure, i get a few funny looks from people, but i couldn't care less. I'd much rather look a bit of an idiot and keep all my teeth, than have to wear a set of dentures for the rest of my life.

just make sure it fits properly if you do buy it. it's not going to be much use if its too big/small/isn't the right shape for your head.

.blitz

stickygreen wrote:

Just because you prefer the look to other helmet type's,even if it's overkill for what you need? Theres a fox rampage in my lbs and am worried it will end up in my shoping basket if i'm not careful

There are a few brave souls who ride FtD in FFs and body armour and they raise more than a few eyebrows amongst the car park cognoscenti.

But I say f*ck 'em - if you want to wear a FF who are they to tell you otherwise? Go for it.

lochussie

Joe_Pineapples wrote:

As for those MET Parachute things, you couldn't pay me to wear one of those.

What's wrong with them? Saved a mate of mine's face once. Thinking of getting one for aggresive trail riding. Makes sense if you're pushing your limits. Don't look that bad either.

Joe_Pineapples

They look terrible IMO.
I don't fancy trusting my coupon to a removable chin guard when I'm 4 feet in the air wondering where the bike went.

A proper FF for me every time.

MacAndCheese

Just bought a 661 one for 1/2 price on CRC, bargain as they only had XL left which is good for me with a my big fat head. Brought it because I don't yet have the confidence to use my new bike to anywhere near if full potential but this should help....When I first put it on I thought it was a bit heavy, but after I'd been riding for 10 minutes I kind of forgot about it, and had no probs with vision at all, did get quite hit and sweaty though.

I know it's probably more than I need right now, but if it gives me the confidence to ride harder and put a huge grin face then I don't really care!

jairaj

I have a specialized deviant, which is a highly vented full face helmet. I find it great for when you're pushing the boundaries or if you're learning drops and jumps etc. and want some extra protection in case you mess up.

I use it mostly for DH but also every now and then for aggressive XC. It does get too hot to wear in summer for climbing but for the lower temperatures we're getting now it should be bearable.

As said above; it is hotter, it is heavier but if you feel you need the protection then get one. But not because you think it looks cool.

Anonymous

I see plenty of "kids" (teens/20s) with FF at Swinley. But then I see an equal number doing the gully & labyrinth jumps with no helmet or any protection at all. I know which ones are more likely to be heading off in an ambulance.

I came off doing a headplant just riding through a simple ditch, smacking up the face a bit, and I have considered a FF. Just haven't bothered though yet and I don't do really serious stuff (yet).

Northwind

captainfly wrote:

Having ridden motor bikes in the past and wearing helmets in work and recreation I don't think there is too much of an issue with weight, it just takes some getting used to.

Helmet weight makes a big difference in a crash, though... Increases dwell times etc, and increases the risk of spinal injury. In some cases you're probably better off with a good quality lightweight standard helmet, though those are the minority I'm sure. Weight's not just about comfort (once a helmet's on, it's on, I've never noticed weight either...)

Hercule Q

i'm looking at getting a FF since my flux was crashed/ eaten because i'm finding myself getting faster and higher, i've become fond of how i look

yoohoo999

another benefit of wearing a FF is that you can wear decent goggles without looking like a complete chump (try a pair of goggles on with your normal helmet in front of the mirror!)

winter riding with a FF/goggle combo is amazing. While all your mates are picking mud out of their face, you'll be sat there grinning like an idiot! Very bulletproof feeling.

I recommend getting some Oakley Crobars with a clear lens. They are only about £50 (I snowboard so £50 for Oakley goggles seems very cheap to me!)

They have a very cool nose guard that effectively means that your entire face is protected from anything nature chooses to throw at you.

Anonymous

It's also worth noting that (what in summer is..) a hot sweaty full face can be just the thing for winter riding, keeps your noggin nice and warm

Joe_Pineapples

+1

Throw that Buff in the bin!

el loco pollo

I tried to use my d2 as a trail helmet but I found it way too hot - so bought a Parachute, and it's been great, saved my jaw at least once.

But yeah why not try it, don't give a shit what some wanker on a forum thinks is cool or not I mean they're posting on a forum for christ's sake, they're hardly the epitome of cool themselves!

stickygreen

I mean they're posting on a forum for christ's sake, they're hardly the epitome of cool themselves![/quote]


Hey man i post on a forum and my mum says i AM cool.

Anonymous

stickygreen wrote:

el loco pollo wrote:

I mean they're posting on a forum for christ's sake, they're hardly the epitome of cool themselves!

Hey man i post on a forum and my mum says i AM cool.

Your mum says I'm pretty cool too

Northwind

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Your mum says I'm pretty cool too

Yeah? Well my mum says you were a bit small, and lacked staying power :twisted:

Anonymous

Northwind wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Your mum says I'm pretty cool too

Yeah? Well my mum says you were a bit small, and lacked staying power :twisted:

That may be true, but HER mum said I was great

Northwind

It's amazing really, all that effort we put into those seances and all she wants to talk about is that guy who dug her up and...

No. Enough.

Anonymous

Another thread succesfully derailed!

yoohoo999

i make my best friend's mum wear a full face helmet when we go on dates.

she says it doesn't affect her field of view too much and that you eventually get used to the weight.

can anyone recommend a set of knee guards that would be suitable for an ugly middle aged woman to wear to places like restaurants?

thanks

Anonymous

yoohoo999 wrote:

i make my best friend's mum wear a full face helmet when we go on dates.

Is it your best friend's helmet too? so you can imagine she's him?

MacAndCheese

stickygreen wrote:

I mean they're posting on a forum for christ's sake, they're hardly the epitome of cool themselves!

Hey man i post on a forum and my mum says i AM cool.[/quote]

Not even my mum thinks I'm cool