Giro Prolight Helmet

jgsi

Ok, no one came back with any +/- for a BBB Kite
at other end of scale is
Giro Prolight Helmet 2010 edition worth the 130 or so?
Surely for that price you can't look like a mushroom?

STEFANOS4784

If you're that bothered about what you look like then spend 130 on a haircut at Tony and Guy and forget the helmet, they're not legally required.

However if your more concerned about proteting your nut when you slam into the deck, then go and try different helmets on to see which ones suit your head shape.

I was recommended Giro Atmos on here but my Met Crackerjack (which was 25 quid) fits my head much better.

STEFANOS4784

........And probably has more protection due to the non-lightweight nature 8)

hopper1

Pro lites have suffered some bad press, really.
I asked about them on here a little while back, when there were some <£115 deals to be had, but no one had a good word!
I have an Ionos, it is a quality lid, and I am very happy with it.
I believe the strap on the Pro-lite, which goes around the back of your head is elastic, and very flimsy.
Also, the Pro-Lite debuted at the TdF last year, but didn't seem to last too long with the pro's... :?

cougie

Every other day we get another post asking about helmets. You really do need to try them for fit - the looks are largely irrelevant.

jgsi

cougie wrote:

Every other day we get another post asking about helmets. You really do need to try them for fit - the looks are largely irrelevant.

I thought that this bit of the forum was designed to ask questions about any kit - regardless of poss repetition?
Grateful for any opinion - I hope you realise it is quite diff to visit a bike shop with a decent array of kit to try sometimes.

I also know the pain of accident where a helmet was eff all use to stop injury etc.
I am weird - I like to wear a helmet still and style is tres important - sorry if that is too shallow for you

hopper1

JGSI wrote:

cougie wrote:

Every other day we get another post asking about helmets. You really do need to try them for fit - the looks are largely irrelevant.

I thought that this bit of the forum was designed to ask questions about any kit - regardless of poss repetition?
Grateful for any opinion - I hope you realise it is quite diff to visit a bike shop with a decent array of kit to try sometimes.

I also know the pain of accident where a helmet was eff all use to stop injury etc.
I am weird - I like to wear a helmet still and style is tres important - sorry if that is too shallow for you

Me too!.. Get the Ionos, it's a cracker!

itchieritchie

I bought the Prolight about 2 months back. An upgrade/part exchange from my Spesh 2D with it's ridiculously flimsy helmet pads and broken retention strap.

First, the fit is better. Though as others have pointed out, this is VERY subjective.

It's also way more comfy, but same as above.

And it's less mushroom shaped and cradles my skull better.

The elastic. This is the bit you're worried about. Actually it's way softer than a retention strap, and as it bends and stretches to the shape of your head, it's way more comfy too. There are 3 attachment points for it so you can fine-tune that fit if it's still too tight/loose. Bad points are that elastic eventually fatigues. Also, I'm wondering what happens when it rains or starts to soak up your sweat. Unfortunately I've had neither a wet nor a long run in it yet, so can't tell you. Either way it looks set to last for a good while yet.

Even if it gets knackered eventually though, I'm hoping that the whole strap is replaceable. Giro are usually good with this kind of thing, so I'm optimistic.

Other points. It's disgracefully light. Honestly. I actually have a little article on this here: http://abhb842.portfolios.cutlines.org "You'll find it under Safety." I'm a student journalist and we had to make a blog for a uni project...! And here's an alternative to the Bikeradar review: http://www.velodramatic.com/archives/5033

The helmet pads are lovely compared to my 2D. And replaceable too, even coming with an extra set.

Why did the pros drop it and return to the Ionos if the Prolight is lighter then? Venting is the answer. The Ionos IS better in this regard. 21 huge vents against the 25 (but smaller) vents of the Prolight. But I'm a weight weenie and I don't often cycle for hundreds of miles in blistering heat. Also, it's not like the venting is BAD per se in the Prolight. So for MY particular needs, it's the best helmet on the market. Another reason the pros may have returned to the Ionos is looks. The Prolight doesn't look as good somehow, this is true. Again, that's not to say it looks bad. Far from it. I actually love mine. All depends on how flash you want to be.

Hope this helped mate.

hopper1

Well put, itchieritchie, I liked the look of the prolite, but was put off by the possible fatigue of the elastic.
My Ionos is an excellent fit, and one other to consider, which looks good, is light, but just a little cheaper, is the Giro Atmos.
I think that whilst Giro are banging helmets like this out, I'll not look at another manufacturer...

kingrollo

I read somewhere that in terms of crash protection - the helmets are all much the same. The only issues I found is that ronder helmets - are slightly safer as they are less likley to snag in an accident - This is where the giros didn't score so well ...

Ive got the following on my shortlist

Bell Sweep
Specialised S Works
Met Stradvaruis

The bell is not as superlight as the others - but its half the price - Mets always produce great looking helmets - but don't have the safety rating awards as the s works

boondog

I bought the prolight and use it for longer rides, and not commutes. My Monza is a bit tired, needs replacement pads, and I wanted this to ride in the Pyrenees.
First impression is that it's much comfier and better ventilated, 30 mins commute in a Monza = sweaty head, 6 hours in a prolight = comfort. No strap issues, adjustment issues, it just feels comfortable. I can't compare it to an Ionos, and I haven't crashed it, but I can't see them being unsafe.

jgsi

I have just bought a cheap and hopefully cheerful Spesh off Evans for 30 quid as I've heard that helmets anyway get UV decay after 12 months and I dont want my skull to suffer radiation burns

mrushton

In Spain last week, a fellow rider had a Prolite. It's lighter than my Ionos but didn't look as good and the ventilation looked poor compared to the Ionos. My partner has a 2D which is v.nice but doesn't suit me.