Helmets

samsbike

Do all helmets have the mushroom effect or are there some slimline ones available.

I currently have a specialised tactic which makes my head huge!!

andrewjoseph

helmets are made to protect your head, looking 'good' is a side effect and varies depending on viewer. Fit and comfort are the main priorities.

maxandpaddy

Try Giro they seem a lot better fit.

Bozman

Yes, they do a job but If somebody comes up with a sleeker design they'll make a fortune!
The look and design plays a major part in the decision to buy, the cycling helmet is long overdue for a makeover.

slowondefy2

Helmets do little enough to protect against serious injury as it is, without being thinner

andrewjoseph

slowondefy2 wrote:

Helmets do little enough to protect against serious injury as it is, without being thinner

yeah, I wouldn't want a thin helmet.

Bozman

Redesigned with new materials and compounds etc would hopefully lead to a thinner helmet.

rpd_steve

Or stay the same and offer more protection... But to answer your original question, the Talctic is quite a heavy MTB helmet - not really intended for road bikes. It is delibrately 'deep' to stop objects penatrating it such as twigs and pointy rocks. Road helmets are geared towards blunt impacts such as with the ground, a post or car etc so tend to be much sleeker for the same amount of crash energy absorbed. I have a Specialised S-works which is very sleek, light and well vented: http://www.beelinebicycles.co.uk/specia ... ,2189,1659
and also the Giro equiv in the range: http://www.beelinebicycles.co.uk/giro-s ... ,3095,3102

Out of the 2 the S-Works is a bit slimmer but the Giro is more rounded - personal preferance I guess. They are more expensive than 'generic' or low end MTB helmets but well worth the investment. I couldnt belive the differance when I changed from a cheap bell from Halfords, head feels much lighter, very secure and very well cooled. Also they (Specalised and Giro) will replace them for 50% new cost if you ever brake it in a crash. Get a cool helmet bag with the S-Works too... Not that I'm a tart or anything! :-p

team47b

Giro seem to be made for people who have normal rounded heads with a pronounced shape at the back (can't remember the lobe name) I tried MET but they are for people with oval heads.

Colour makes a big difference, as dark colours advance and pale colours recede, the dark ones look bigger, more shroom like than say a white one would, but it could be that you just have a huge head

I've nothing against people who have large heads though

joshr96

You have to search high and low to get a good helmet without the mushroom effect. When you find one, its always in the wrong colour ... As stated above, helmets are made to keep your head safe, not to look good. Giro helmets are always worth a look at. Im going to have to get one for myself soon as I am having the same problem 8)

alihisgreat

it also depends on the shape of your head... some people will never find something that doesn't make them look like a mushroom.

I just went for the most comfortable helmet I found in my price range -> a specialized echelon.

wishitwasallflat

I had to buy a Met helmet called Testa Grossa which I understand is Italian for Huge head :shock: So don't talk to me about f88888ng mushrooms unless it's rapidly expanding mushroom clouds you're talking about :!: Fits great though