Helmetr: S-Works vs Giro Prolight

Secteur

Is one considered to be significantly better than the other?

Any personal experience?

My current Specialized helmet feels huge on my head, like a big mushroom!

Omar Little

Personal experience - even with the same brand. I found the s-works 2d to be very comfortable but the s-works prevail a bit less so.

sloppyschleckonds

The s-works was the only helmet i've tried recently that looked good on.

I bought a giro.

nferrar

Neither is significantly better than the other, both are top-end lightweight helmets with good ventilation, the one you should get is the one that its best and hopefully looks OK to. Only if they both feel comfy would I chose based on looks. Have a look at the LAS victory supreme to, bought one recently from Wiggle as was fed up of the mushroom look of the S-works 2d and it seems a bit better, not much though On the plus side it does have a bug net which should be a standard feature on any helmet over £50 IMO...

rolf_f

A new lid is driving me round the twist at the moment!

I tried a Prolight but it was the mushroomiest thing in the world and wasn't that comfy for me. The Ionos was much better but is stupidly heavy. Bell and Met don't fit. Catlike does fit and isn't mushroomy but I can't live with the looks. Specialized doesn't look mushroomy but isn't comfortable enough. I'd like to try a Limar and a Las but nobody stocks them. I was prepared to go to a shop in Rotherham which listed Uvex helmets but when I rang them up, they said they didn't have any. JE James theoretically stock Las but have no stock of any of them.

Seems like the only way to test a lid is to buy one but as most aren't comfortable on my baldy bonce, mail order looks like a big faff.

No wonder everyone ends up with Giros.......

bendertherobot

Rolf F wrote:

A new lid is driving me round the twist at the moment!

I tried a Prolight but it was the mushroomiest thing in the world and wasn't that comfy for me. The Ionos was much better but is stupidly heavy. Bell and Met don't fit. Catlike does fit and isn't mushroomy but I can't live with the looks. Specialized doesn't look mushroomy but isn't comfortable enough. I'd like to try a Limar and a Las but nobody stocks them. I was prepared to go to a shop in Rotherham which listed Uvex helmets but when I rang them up, they said they didn't have any. JE James theoretically stock Las but have no stock of any of them.

Seems like the only way to test a lid is to buy one but as most aren't comfortable on my baldy bonce, mail order looks like a big faff.

No wonder everyone ends up with Giros.......

Hmm, you don't appear to have tried a Kask..............................

jame58rown

My Giro monza makes my head look like the biggest mushroom ever Is there such thing as a sleek helmet that doesn't stick out on the sides that much? Or are they a myth?

rolf_f

bendertherobot wrote:

Hmm, you don't appear to have tried a Kask..............................

Lol! Not found one of those either. Did try a Rudy on in the States but that wasn't spot on either.

Secteur

haha yes, "mushroom" is a word that often comes to mind when I catch myself in a reflective surface with my Specialized Echelon on!

seanoconn

The giro prolight was the most uncomfortable helmet i've ever owned. The elastic at the back, instead of an adjuster, puts constant pressure on your head. I found the s works more comfortable and the specialized prevail head and shoulders above both in quality and comfort. I found the lima ultralight very uncomfortable also but alot depends on head shape.

Lemond75

Rolf F wrote:

A new lid is driving me round the twist at the moment!

I tried a Prolight but it was the mushroomiest thing in the world and wasn't that comfy for me. The Ionos was much better but is stupidly heavy. Bell and Met don't fit. Catlike does fit and isn't mushroomy but I can't live with the looks. Specialized doesn't look mushroomy but isn't comfortable enough. I'd like to try a Limar and a Las but nobody stocks them. I was prepared to go to a shop in Rotherham which listed Uvex helmets but when I rang them up, they said they didn't have any. JE James theoretically stock Las but have no stock of any of them.

Seems like the only way to test a lid is to buy one but as most aren't comfortable on my baldy bonce, mail order looks like a big faff.

No wonder everyone ends up with Giros.......

If you are willing to travel a bit then Cliff Pratt Cycles in Hull stock the Uvex helmets as well as Giro. Have you tried the Giro Atmos? I had one and then bought a Bell Volt as I found it more comfortable but have just moved back to the Atmos as I find it cooler than the Bell.

derosa

Neither of the above. I prefer Giro Atmos with Roc Loc 5

giant_man

Neither. Ionos ....

RDB66

bendertherobot wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

A new lid is driving me round the twist at the moment!

I tried a Prolight but it was the mushroomiest thing in the world and wasn't that comfy for me. The Ionos was much better but is stupidly heavy. Bell and Met don't fit. Catlike does fit and isn't mushroomy but I can't live with the looks. Specialized doesn't look mushroomy but isn't comfortable enough. I'd like to try a Limar and a Las but nobody stocks them. I was prepared to go to a shop in Rotherham which listed Uvex helmets but when I rang them up, they said they didn't have any. JE James theoretically stock Las but have no stock of any of them.

Seems like the only way to test a lid is to buy one but as most aren't comfortable on my baldy bonce, mail order looks like a big faff.

No wonder everyone ends up with Giros.......

Hmm, you don't appear to have tried a Kask..............................

I have a KasK K10. Bought it about 18months ago...Most Comfy helmet ive ever tried and believe you me, i tried just about every lid you can buy.

shane r

Giro Atmos. Very light, not too 'shroomy. Like mine so much I bought two, to colour coordinate of course.

P_Tucker

Both helmets are prone to squeaking

JRooke

Spiuk Daggan is my new helmet, best i've had, Prolight just couldnt get comfy, Met Sine thesis was pretty awesome, felt like you weren't even wearing a helmet, but hated the look of it on my bonce, new Spiuk helmet is flippin awesome, fits beautifully and just makes u look like a bad ass!

leedsmjh

Rolf F wrote:

A new lid is driving me round the twist at the moment!

I tried a Prolight but it was the mushroomiest thing in the world and wasn't that comfy for me. The Ionos was much better but is stupidly heavy. Bell and Met don't fit. Catlike does fit and isn't mushroomy but I can't live with the looks. Specialized doesn't look mushroomy but isn't comfortable enough. I'd like to try a Limar and a Las but nobody stocks them. I was prepared to go to a shop in Rotherham which listed Uvex helmets but when I rang them up, they said they didn't have any. JE James theoretically stock Las but have no stock of any of them.

Seems like the only way to test a lid is to buy one but as most aren't comfortable on my baldy bonce, mail order looks like a big faff.

No wonder everyone ends up with Giros.......

Ha! I'm going around in exactly the same circles at the moment. Want something comfier, lighter and more ventilated than my Monza. Ionos is currenty winning but it's not really much lighter. Would like to try a Giro Aeon on but haven't found one yet. Anyone tried one?
Rolf - have you tried Triangle in Horsforth? The photo on their web page at least makes it look like they stock Las and Limar

rolf_f

leedsmjh wrote:

Ha! I'm going around in exactly the same circles at the moment. Want something comfier, lighter and more ventilated than my Monza. Ionos is currenty winning but it's not really much lighter. Would like to try a Giro Aeon on but haven't found one yet. Anyone tried one?
Rolf - have you tried Triangle in Horsforth? The photo on their web page at least makes it look like they stock Las and Limar

I hadn't even thought to check though I have been there! It would be nice to go there and actually buy something rather than just waste their time like I usually do! I've not found an Aeon yet to try but on Millar it looks even more mushroomy than the Prolight

Lemond75 wrote:

If you are willing to travel a bit then Cliff Pratt Cycles in Hull stock the Uvex helmets as well as Giro. Have you tried the Giro Atmos? I had one and then bought a Bell Volt as I found it more comfortable but have just moved back to the Atmos as I find it cooler than the Bell.

I might think about that - it sounds like the basis for a cycle ride! As it happens, I have tried an Atmos but it wasn't a patch on the Ionos for comfort. Most helmets seem to give me a pressure point towards the back of my skull and so far only the Ionos and Catlike have spared me that.

PKRAZOR

I've got a Bontrager Oracle - Leopard Trek colours (same one used by the Schlecks), its a very comfortable helmet (and ive got a bit head!) with the dial adjust and looks/feels great on.

Can't fault it.

Good price to, have seen it for £109 in some places reduced.

shane r

Just thought I'd throw some published stats out before you discount the Atmos (which looks identical to the Ionos).

Ionos: 21 vents 304g

Atmos: 26 vents 240g

Prolight: 25 vents 172g

mustol

Another vote for the Kask K10 - by far the most comfortable one I've tried. Got it for £108 - worth every penny!

lostboysaint

As a motorbike rider and cyclist it's always fascinating to read these threads on both motorbike and cycling forums. The actual answer in EVERY case is GET THE ONE THAT FITS THE BEST!! Not what is lightest, the best colour, has the right logo, costs the most or any other criteria. If the helmet doesn't fit properly then it's not going to do it's job properly.

As with motorbike helmets there's a variety of shell shapes and sizes from the manufacturers so it's a case of trying as many as you can and getting the one that fits the best! Not just going an buying a top-of-the-range 'cos Brad/Bertie/Cav etc. wear them.

Having just written off my Giro MTB helmet I spent a while trying on just about everything I could lay my hands on, including the Fox Flux, 661 Recon, Urge (various), Met, Limar, Spec, Bell and I ended up with another Giro. I obviously have a Giro shaped head!

Get out there and try loads on and pick the best fit. DON'T EVER buy a helmet online (that you've never worn before) and assume that 'cos it costs a lot it will be the best.

rolf_f

lostboysaint wrote:

As a motorbike rider and cyclist it's always fascinating to read these threads on both motorbike and cycling forums. The actual answer in EVERY case is GET THE ONE THAT FITS THE BEST!! Not what is lightest, the best colour, has the right logo, costs the most or any other criteria. If the helmet doesn't fit properly then it's not going to do it's job properly.

Why is it fascinating? Nobody is saying anything different to what you have said!

However, it is silly to assume that there is only one relevant parameter (ie the one that fits best). All parameters are relevant. A particularly heavy lid is less useful than one that fits as well but is lighter. Ventilation is also important and, yes, appearance does matter. Why buy a helmet that fits really well but makes you look like a mushroom when you can buy one that fits well and doesn't?

And, by all means by a helmet online - as long as the shop will let you send it back if it doesn't fit.

lostboysaint

Rolf F wrote:

lostboysaint wrote:

As a motorbike rider and cyclist it's always fascinating to read these threads on both motorbike and cycling forums. The actual answer in EVERY case is GET THE ONE THAT FITS THE BEST!! Not what is lightest, the best colour, has the right logo, costs the most or any other criteria. If the helmet doesn't fit properly then it's not going to do it's job properly.

Why is it fascinating? Nobody is saying anything different to what you have said!

However, it is silly to assume that there is only one relevant parameter (ie the one that fits best). All parameters are relevant. A particularly heavy lid is less useful than one that fits as well but is lighter. Ventilation is also important and, yes, appearance does matter. Why buy a helmet that fits really well but makes you look like a mushroom when you can buy one that fits well and doesn't?

And, by all means by a helmet online - as long as the shop will let you send it back if it doesn't fit.

It's fascinating because people can't help themselves charging down the "if it's the latest, lightest Arai/Shoei/AGV/Giro/Spec/Kask etc. as worn by and pushed hard in the mags then it MUST be right for me" route. For the record I have neither an Arai/Shoei or AGV shaped head so have something else

The original poster is and several of the other contributors. You are right that a number of others have tried to steer the OP down the right path but there's also the "yeah but I got this one and it's the best" which is irrelevant.

I'm really impressed that you have to be pointlessly pedantic to make an argument. If the OP isn't bright enough to chose one that fits properly and also is ventilated ENOUGH and not TOO heavy and spend several days of sending helmets back and forward to the internet emporium of their choice when they could have it sorted much more quickly then it's their problem. On the other hand if you want to argue like that and crash in a well ventilated, superlight helmet that doesn't look like a mushroom but offers significantly less protection because it doesn't actually stay where it should on your head during the accident (or causes pressure points etc.) then good luck to you.

In the meantime, I'll continue to be amused by both the discussion and your desparation for an argument about it.

shane r

...and following on from Rolf, I could buy a £10 polystyrene helmet that fit great. But would it be fit for purpose?

I was on a 130k ride at the weekend where descents were 40mph+. Also, the heat was scorching (for the UK anyway!). I needed max ventilation to keep from overheating (this combined with hydrating properly).

I think a good approach is to consider the kind of riding you'll be doing. Identify the features you need. Budget to spend as much as you can possibly afford (it IS your brain we're talking about here) and then look at helmets that tick all your boxes. Try some for fit and take the best one.

I have to say that initial fit doesn't tell any more than half of the story. You need to ride under normal conditions too. There's a reason why there are loads of nearly-new excellent helmets on eBay...

rolf_f

Oh, I'm not bothered for an argument. You are right that these threads can go down this sort of route but this one wasn't (so far!). And, ultimately, your post was just a wee bit patronising in the circumstances. If you are going to be superior about your own knowledge and experience (which maybe great for all I know - I certainly don't disagree with your sentiments), you can at least wait for people to start offering the crap advice first! I can't see anyone saying that appearance is more important than comfort.

PKRAZOR

lostboysaint wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

lostboysaint wrote:

As a motorbike rider and cyclist it's always fascinating to read these threads on both motorbike and cycling forums. The actual answer in EVERY case is GET THE ONE THAT FITS THE BEST!! Not what is lightest, the best colour, has the right logo, costs the most or any other criteria. If the helmet doesn't fit properly then it's not going to do it's job properly.

Why is it fascinating? Nobody is saying anything different to what you have said!

However, it is silly to assume that there is only one relevant parameter (ie the one that fits best). All parameters are relevant. A particularly heavy lid is less useful than one that fits as well but is lighter. Ventilation is also important and, yes, appearance does matter. Why buy a helmet that fits really well but makes you look like a mushroom when you can buy one that fits well and doesn't?

And, by all means by a helmet online - as long as the shop will let you send it back if it doesn't fit.

It's fascinating because people can't help themselves charging down the "if it's the latest, lightest Arai/Shoei/AGV/Giro/Spec/Kask etc. as worn by and pushed hard in the mags then it MUST be right for me" route. For the record I have neither an Arai/Shoei or AGV shaped head so have something else

The original poster is and several of the other contributors. You are right that a number of others have tried to steer the OP down the right path but there's also the "yeah but I got this one and it's the best" which is irrelevant.

I'm really impressed that you have to be pointlessly pedantic to make an argument. If the OP isn't bright enough to chose one that fits properly and also is ventilated ENOUGH and not TOO heavy and spend several days of sending helmets back and forward to the internet emporium of their choice when they could have it sorted much more quickly then it's their problem. On the other hand if you want to argue like that and crash in a well ventilated, superlight helmet that doesn't look like a mushroom but offers significantly less protection because it doesn't actually stay where it should on your head during the accident (or causes pressure points etc.) then good luck to you.

In the meantime, I'll continue to be amused by both the discussion and your desparation for an argument about it.

I too ride a motorbike, have done for 20 years and the advice you give about buying a helmet that fits is right, as all helmets are different and need to be tried on both for motorbikes and for road cycling (assuming you want to wear one). It should always come down to fit as they all have various, small differences and so do peoples heads.

However, there is nothing wrong in people asking what other people think might be the best helmet. A lot of the decisions that people make are based on an accumulative knowledge, for example, you say you dont have a Shoei.Arai.Agv etc but why not? obviously because you did your homework, checked them out, read reviews, built up a knowledge and then went out and tried them on. This forum is simply the same process, the end decision is always down to the individual but there is nothing wrong in others saying what their experiences are with certain helmets, wether they are lightweight, tricked up or the latest craze.

If you read the OP's question, he/she isnt saying 'what should i buy' they are simply asking whats considered the best and does anyone have any additional information on them. Im sure, at the end of the day, he/she will buy what fits their head.