Helmet under £70

OllieE

I struggle to find a helmet which doesn't make me look like an idiot, and is good at the same time. What is a good helmet to get, no more than £70 for trails and casual cycling? 661 Recon Stealth Helmet 2012?

cooldad

Are you sure it's the helmet?

Plenty of helmets, more important to get one that fits well and is comfortable. I use cheap Bells. Under £20.

chez_m356

OllieE wrote:

I struggle to find a helmet which doesn't make me look like an idiot, and is good at the same time.

we all look like idiots the first time we put a helmet on, or so we think, no one else notices, and what cooldad said, they all have to pass the same safety standards, so whatever fits your wallet really

The Rookie

I use a Boardman road helmet for my commute and have been very impressed with it, fits well, comfy, well ventilated and you can get replacement pads for a fiver, the MTB helmet looks just as well thought out.

Having said that my current MTB helmet is a cheapish Diamondback and does the job well.

They all meet the same safety standard, what you don't know is by how much they exceed it, it would be nice for a magazine to do a 'typical' (Cue massive debate) impact test that exceeds the stnd as part of their testing to see then which ones stand out.

Stu Coops

I do agree with the OP some helmets look dreadful the best way to do it is go to a shop and try lots of them on and eventually you will find a sleeker looking one that doesn't look like a bin lid on ya bonce, I have the Uvex for road and Giro Xar for MTB both nice sleek looking lids but as others have said it's about protection and comfort as what fits one rider well may be terrible for someone else.

As i said your best bet is go to a shop find which one you like price match it online and see if shop will match the price if not order online

cooldad

Stu Coops wrote:

I do agree with the OP some helmets look dreadful the best way to do it is go to a shop and try lots of them on and eventually you will find one that matches your lipstick

FTFY

jsync

Specialized Tactic, cheap, well reviewed and it doesn't make you look too...........special.

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... ?&id=11644

EH_Rob

jsync wrote:

Specialized Tactic, cheap, well reviewed and it doesn't make you look too...........special.

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... ?&id=11644

I have one of these, can't fault it.

Stu Coops

cooldad wrote:

Stu Coops wrote:

I do agree with the OP some helmets look dreadful the best way to do it is go to a shop and try lots of them on and eventually you will find one that matches your lipstick

FTFY

All I am saying is not "all of us" want to go out looking like a complete nutsack. obviously some people don't mind :roll:

kenan

I just got a 2011 fox flux for £45 delivered here: http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/fox-flux--helmet/8384

I did go to my local bike shop first to check it would fit first. I was going to order a Giro as I already own one but none of this years ones fitted me ?!?

chez_m356

Stu Coops wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Stu Coops wrote:

I do agree with the OP some helmets look dreadful the best way to do it is go to a shop and try lots of them on and eventually you will find one that matches your lipstick

FTFY

All I am saying is not "all of us" want to go out looking like a complete nutsack. obviously some people don't mind :roll:

sounds like you spend a lot of time checking out what guys look like with there helmets on, not to worry, i'm sure your secrets safe on here

.blitz

Have a look at a Giro Feature. 661 Recon/Fox Flux are virtually the same helmet.

kenan

.blitz wrote:

Have a look at a Giro Feature. 661 Recon/Fox Flux are virtually the same helmet.

Really? Iwas going to get a Feature but would not fit my noggin but the Flux di.

Anonymous

Did you fiddle with the adjusters to get the fit right? These are generally what changes each year.

And by fit, it should fit snug after adjustment, shouldn't fall off if you lean your head down, shouldn't be able to be rolled off if you push it forward or back.

Anyway, for Giro under £70 and doesn't look too nobbish - Hex. Well vented, good coverage on the back (important to me having experienced the results of poor coverage on the back).

mountaingoatimnot

cooldad wrote:

Are you sure it's the helmet?

Plenty of helmets, more important to get one that fits well and is comfortable. I use cheap Bells. Under £20.

I must have got lucky too - rather nievely, I bought a Bell helmet in Asda 18 months ago - tried it on, seemed OK and at £20 was a good buy. I do wonder though what extra you get in the real world by buying a £70+ helmet. Better technical design maybe, better venting maybe, better construction ? or just branding ??

If you ride a lot of red n blacks, or the occassional downhill route then I would suggest you look for one with good coverage - lots of helmets don't offer much protection at the rear, others come lower down for extra protection which is a good thing if you ride harder trials.

As suggested earlier int he thread, some actual simukated crash testing would be useful to see in reviews rather than its looks good, fits (the tester ) well and has vents and a removable or fixed peak.

Stu Coops

:shock:

chez_m356 wrote:

Stu Coops wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Stu Coops wrote:

I do agree with the OP some helmets look dreadful the best way to do it is go to a shop and try lots of them on and eventually you will find one that matches your lipstick

FTFY

All I am saying is not "all of us" want to go out looking like a complete nutsack. obviously some people don't mind :roll:

sounds like you spend a lot of time checking out what guys look like with there helmets on, not to worry, i'm sure your secrets safe on here

OllieE

Thanks for the suggestions, I mainly want to get a helmet which sits tightly around the head, the one I have right now sits a bit to high for my liking and cannot be adjusted anymore.

JKD

Going through this now myself. Tried a lot of different makes/models on in Halfords and all seem fine initially. Was edging towards a Bell helmet. Quite a few decent looking ones there and was going for the Slant. Also thinking of the Fox Flux 2012 at £70 just because it looks the part but the 2011 linked above for £45 is hard to ignore. Interesting to see quite a few happy with the cheaper options. Might look again at those bearing in mind they're all to a certain minimum standard

DanDax1990

I've got a Giro Hex which I got for free in brand new condition when I bought my bike, I can't knock it.

It's a nice fit, nice weight, well ventilated and looks nice too.

Don't think it'll be so easy when it comes to a full facer though.

Long_Time_Lurker

+1 for the Hex. There are a few 2011 models knocking about in the sales too.

Try them on for size first though. I tried them in a shop and then ordered online.
I found the Hex very comfortable, but the Fox Flux didn't fit nearly as well (even though the sizing said that it would). Every manufacturer (and some models by the same manufacturer), fit different shaped heads better.

waby1234

+1 on the Specialized Tactic, comfy, well ventilated and tough.