Helmets - advice please!

ilder

Hi everyone,

I am looking to buy a new helmet in the next month or so, my current one is getting a bit long in the tooth now and I was basically just wondering what people would recommend? My budget is roughly £60, I saw some quite well reduced helmets on Planet X but I am a bit bewildered by the choice available and the number of brands out there these days.

I'm looking for comfort more than anything. Something light (ish) would be a bonus.

Cheers

Bobbinogs

I posted this recently:

"Helmets are a bit hard to recommend because the fit is very variable depending on what fits your noggin. I have just bought a Giro Savant, which is a new model (priced about £40-55) and seems to do the business for me. The straps can be a bit inflexible though and, in an ideal world, I would prefer a material that is softer. The straps did take me about 30 minutes of fiddling to get right and I think I might have to do it again. Apart from that, very comfortable and light."

Pseudonym

ilder wrote:

I'm looking for comfort more than anything.

you need to try some on, then...

ilder

Pseudonym wrote:

ilder wrote:

I'm looking for comfort more than anything.

you need to try some on, then...

The problem with that is the lack of choice in my area, they're all Giro's and a few Mavic helmets, so I'm looking to buy online where there is a lot more choice available. When I say comfort, I mean what's the padding like inside and the shape of the helmet, I'd like to think I've got a relatively normal, round head is all

And thank you to Bobbinogs, I've seen them online myself so will take a good look at them again, I do like the matt black finish.

northpole

A slightly poor fitting helmet can be hellishly uncomfortable on a long ride.

If you haven't any decent local shops my advice would be to make the effort and travel to an area which does.

The only way you will know if a helmet is the right one for you is by trying it on and ideally, comparing it with a few others to give you a better feel for what is or is not right for you.

Internet ordering is fine if you know a particular helmet will definitely fit - unless you are prepared to gamble and play the returns game if one or more aren't right for you.

Peter

ilm_zero7

I have a new Giro - a very comfortable helmet - but the best for comfort was a Rudy (their sizing doesnt suit me though) and if you have the dosh - a prevail !!

arlowood

Hi there

If you must buy online then best not to spend too much to begin with until you identify what fits you and suits your physiology.

The MET Cosmo did well in a recent review

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... t-11-45083

and is currently on offer for around £20 in some online stores eg

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/met-cosm ... 65890.html

If it does not suit you then at least you have not committed a huge outlay.

Crankbrother

At £60 Specialized would be the best option, at that price you'll get the pro level equivelant from 4/5 years ago which has filtered down ... Hemets change, heads don't so what was the best then will be plenty decent now ...

£80 will get you a Giro Atmos if you look around ... Again, 5 years too late but what has really changed other then fashion and/or marketing ...

velohutts

I got a rudy project helmet on a google search , the adjustable bezel makes it fit with a skully on as well which is a big bonus , it's light and comfortable , think it was about £70 but came with spare insert , highly recommend the brand always had giro before but would stick with rudy project budget permitting in the future.

Good luck with the hunt but as was said earlier what was good enough for the TDF 5 years ago should still do well now if not to fussed about the most up to date , I always try and get 'last years' model / colour for value.

ilder

This is all great advice. At least I have some decent and well researched background to go on now. I have to say I was looking at Specialized as well, think I'll measure my noggin tonight and see what sizes are available and at what price for my head.

Cheers everyone, been a great help thus far!

cougie

All the research won't help you.

Fit is foremost. Some makes just don't suit some head shapes so I'd scrap the online idea.

You'll probably be using the helmet for a few years anyway so worth making the trip to a decent bike shop ?

DF33

You'll be amazed just how good the Aldi helmets are for the £10 they are and most people find them very comfortable and a good fit. The grey ones look pretty good too. Depends just how branded and fashion concious you are.

DrLex

DF33 wrote:

You'll be amazed just how good the Aldi helmets are for the £10 they are and most people find them very comfortable and a good fit. The grey ones look pretty good too. Depends just how branded and fashion concious you are.

Absolutely! They have a dial adjust headband and a rear-facing red L.E.D. along with the usual EPS foam inner & hard plastic shell construction.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Definitely need to go try the helmets on.

I really wanted a cat like whisper when they came out. tried it on and it just didn't feel right. The shop sold Las Squalo helmets as well. Tried that on and BINGO!!! absolutely awesome fit so bought that.

Same again last week when looking for a crash replacement helmet. Tried Giro, Spesh, MET, Garnieau. All of them just lacked that fit and look that I required. Then found a Rudy Project Stirling and it was like Goldilocks getting to the small bowl of porridge. Just Perfect.

Fit is everything. You have to try before you buy with Helmets, just like with bikes

knownothingbozo

You may be lucky online, I got a Giro Savant on the basis of excellent online reviews, paid £37 from Myspokes, with excellent customer service incidentally.
The helmet fits very well and is very comfy. The rocloc dial means I can change tightness mid ride. It's also comfortable with a skull cap on.
Very happy with it, even though I'd never worn or tested one.
Depends on whether you are prepared to take a punt on your head being average!

ilder

Hi everyone, not been around for a few days so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

First of all, thank you all for your replies and advice, I'm just getting back into my cycling after a few years absence and all the new tech has been a bit bewildering (let alone the new(ish) brands around now).

Anyways, I found a deal I couldn't refuse online so I went ahead and got the MET Fortissimo helmet from MySpokes (which btw, were brilliant, arrived very quickly) for less than £30. It was well within my budget and having ridden with it the first time today on a shortish ride I can safely say it fits very well and is very comfy (despite the lack of padding, was expecting a bit more!).

So yes, thank you all very much, my choices were wittled down to a few different helmets (the Giro Savant had been a common option) and I think I got a winner.

Tom.