Helmet advice, cheap options?

ian-d

I know there is no substitute for trying on a helmet, but can you please give me some pointers as to what helmet you'd recommend I look at priced up to around £30?

I know that isn't much to spend, but I'm new to road bikes and don't want to spend too much until I make sure I can keep it up.

My head is 59cm around and I've been looking at Bell, Giro etc, just not sure if any stand out as the better option? Safety obviously priority, but being light and comfy enough to not know I'm wearing it would be great.

styxd

Your best bet is to try some on. Dont scrimp on a helmet, they all do the same job, but you may aswell get one thats comfy.

I recently bought a Lazer O2 which I find very comfortable, mainly due to the smart adjusting system on top of the helmet.

DrLex

Bought one from Lidl for under a tenner (?£7.99) as a spare. Fits fine on my large head (7 1/4, according to my soft hats) & money saved for other kit.

Edit: forgot to mention that it has a twist wheel adjuster and a novelty rear-facing L.E.D. (removable)

MichaelW

Met have a closure system the same as most other safety helmets (builders hard hat, kayak etc) : a flexible, adjustable band of nylon that adapts to any size or shape of head. I have used them for years and they are very comfortable. The cheaper ones have fewer, larger holes which can accept a shackle lock and are more insulating in winter.

shouldbeinbed

Bell Avanti is affordable, comfy & not overly mushroom like.

Gizmo_

I know people recommend the stuff they have a lot, but I like the Specialized one I have very much.

This one is similar: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... t-ec019730 £30, it's very light, fits me very well.

k1875

Some fine looking headgear here IMO:

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/spiuk/cy ... -bcp1.html

Just ordered a Zirion in the carbon/white/red but was also tempted by the Vuelta version.

merkin

On-one cycles were the cheapest by quite a bit when I recently shopped about.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/helmets

project4cycling

I've just tried and the reviewed what I think is the perfect commuter helmet, see http://www.project4cycling.com/2012/05/perfect-commuting-helmet-hardnutz-hi.html. It is from HardnutZ and stands out in sunshine and at night. It'll cost a little bit more than you wanted to spend (about £45), but if you "Like" the company on Facebook you can get 10% off. I think it is well worth the money.

Ride safe, Stephen

redderekthelampshade

mine is a cheap one off ebay.. think it was a tenner - does the job and is comfy..

project4cycling

I know you can buy cheap helmets, but isn't it a false economy? What's the point of spending a tenner on something that will not protect you?

Daz555

project4cycling wrote:

I know you can buy cheap helmets, but isn't it a false economy? What's the point of spending a tenner on something that will not protect you?

Due any real quality independant helmet testing in the industry we have no way of knowing if an expensive lid is better than a cheap one.

redderekthelampshade

the way I see it is if you come off your bike its gunna hurt other parts of your body more than your head... all I want is to know that as I slide down the road theres something in between the road and my head - I looked at expensive lids and I can honestly say I didn't see loads of difference between them and my cheapo one, the straps are cheaper but not massively flimsy.. so for me a cheap lid was ideal. bbbbbbbbbbbbbut, if you wanna spend a fortune on one do it.. its you that has to wear it and feel happy with it :-)

strangely I do use some quite expensive gloves, they make me feel safer than a helmet does.. gotta protect those hands :-)

project4cycling

redderekthelampshade wrote:

strangely I do use some quite expensive gloves, they make me feel safer than a helmet does.. gotta protect those hands :-)

I find that fascinating. Tell me more. Why do you think that is?

I've written in the past about my strange attitude to hi-visibility clothing (http://www.project4cycling.com/2012/02/ ... -home.html). Most people who read that didn't get the subtlety of the point I was trying to make. Namely that I think the way it makes me feel has an effect on my actions which in turn makes me less safe.

So I really want to know why you gloves are more important than a helmet to you. What's going on in your mind old chap?

jonomc4

Having had a number of tumbles - I can assure you a good set of gloves helps a lot more, in most crashes, than a helmet (most if not all of the time) always my hands take the largest part of the impact - maybe because I am trying to stop my £160 lid from getting damaged!

It is human nature to put your hands out in a crash - helmets are designed for impact with tarmac - not the side of cars or kerbs - they have limits which riders should be aware of - they are not the be all and end all of road safety. The control you get from good gloves on the handlebars will make you safer than poorly designed gloves or worst of all no gloves and freezing hands. Hope that helps old chap.

supersonic

It is paramount you visit the shop and try them on. The sizing can vary quite a lot.

redderekthelampshade

Not sure really, I feel that if I come off the bike my hands will go out instinctively to hit the ground first as I goto land.. yeah helmets are important I just don't see the point in spending a fortune on one when a cheap version does the job :-)
if I come off and really bang my head I can't see any helmet doing a great deal of good. But when I go down cycle paths and branches hit the lid rather than my skin that's good enough for me.
But.... If an expensive lid is what someone wants and ticks all the boxes they should get it.