What helmet?

Moominman2

Hi guys,

I'm currently helmet-less. My bandana won't save my head, so I need to buy a helmet ASAP.

I need a Large helmet, and want something that has a low profile I assume?

I'm looking at spending £60 ish. Is there a great deal of difference between a £60 lid, and a £200 one?

So list me some that fit the criteria please

Thanks
Luke

t.m.h.n.e.t

Measure your noggin. Buy one that will adjust to that size.

If anyone can argue(I mean provide real life studies and scientific evidence based on actual cyclists and not static lab testing) that £200 helmets are better than £60 helmets,please do.

Otherwise OP. - Keep calm and carry on

Moominman2

Thank you ! I didn't think there was any point spending the majority of my wages on a lid...

I'm just a bit conscious about helmets as I'd prefer a low profile lid as I'm a large already!

SenseiSpud

The general difference is weight. I've got a bell sweep that I got new from eBay for £54 so you can get a good helmet for your budget. As has been said, measure your head, I though I'd need a large, but can get comfortably in a medium which is lighter as well as smaller, so make sure you do indeed need a large.

olza23

I really like the look of some KASK Models chain reaction cycles have at the moment - £130ish marked down to 55!!

Moominman2

Thanks guys.

Yeah I need a large bloody genetics...

and wow that sounds good. Will look for those KASK ones now. Do you know if they're low in profile?

Also will check out that ebay one.

Thanks

declan1

I got a Bell Slant for £50 and it's brilliant. I keep forgetting it's on because it's so comfy.

Gizmodo

Cycling+ did a recent feature http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-road-helmets-33911/
The Giro Savant reviewed well and is available for less than £40

I also like the Kask helmets! I've tried the Mojito on and it's so comfortable you can't tell it's on.

99thmonkey

S-Works Prevail

Superb, strong and lighter than a feather, I often forget I have it on

cougie

Best off trying them on for fit. Fit is first - what it looks like is second.

Moominman2

Thanks for all the replies.

I've been looking for about 2 hours now. The Kask K50, Las Squalo and a few others look good.

I'm quite conscious about my head, hence wanting a low profile. Pretty crap really. But I almost bought the Las Sqaualo, but looked a bit too funky.

I'll look at my lbs, but they don't have a great selection. Will try for shapes, and look here another time.

Keep suggestions coming though.

Thanks
Luke

dw300

Lol, stop saying low profile! There's really no such thing, although the more expensive ones are probably a bit neater, but you need a certain amount of padding to protect your head, so they're not going to make a thin helmet.

More expensive can mean better fit and importantly, better ventilation. I have a £60 Specialized Echalon, their base model, and I hate it. No ventilation to speak of, 100g heavier than the top end (sore neck / shoulders on a long ride), and not as cool looking. I'm going to upgrade .. I should have just spent money on a decent one in the first place rather than fork out for two .. you're in the position not to make that mistake.

You'll generally be able to find helmets that retail for £120 and up for under £100. If you hold both in your hands you'll see how much less material there is in the top end ones, and how small the vents in the cheap ones are in comparison. They'll also have cleverer strapping and fitting gizmos.

nwmlarge

the kask mojito is top of my list
i have a bell slant which i paid about £35 after trying on every lid in halfords at least twice a couple of years ago.

i haven't had to test it thankfully but it is a good fit and reasonable weight, could be cooler in the summer but i guess that will bode well for the winter riding.

the kask mojito is much lower profile than the bell.

diy

Having got on with Giro MTB helmets (currenty use a Hex) I was pretty convinced I was going with a giro road lid. However, I tried on a cheapy Specialized Echelon and found it fitted very well. £45 quid with a price match from Evans. Its not the lightest lid around but its very comfy. Its made a massive difference at higher speeds, since I can now see properly in the drops and don't have a parachute attached to my head as per the mtb lid.

I really think its hard to buy a helmet online unless you have tried one on a the shop.

Moominman2

Haha I thought there were lids that were lower than others?

Thanks for the replies again. I'm going to go to one of my lbs today to try a few on. Glad I didn't it one online last night Judging from these replies.

Cheers!
Luke

bails87

Yep, try them on. Being able to adjust it to your head size means very little, the shape of them is much more important.

Moominman2

I bought one today!

I tried all the helmets my lbs had, and tried the specialized s-works, then a specialized align.

I didn't see the align price, and decided that it fit me better than the s-works. Thinking its gonna be £60 to £80, it was only £30! So went for it.

Of course it was heavier and maybe not as well ventilated, but I'm not fussed right now about it.

Glad I tried them on.

Thanks
Luke

bold seagull

Moominman2 wrote:

I bought one today!

I tried all the helmets my lbs had, and tried the specialized s-works, then a specialized align.

I didn't see the align price, and decided that it fit me better than the s-works. Thinking its gonna be £60 to £80, it was only £30! So went for it.

Of course it was heavier and maybe not as well ventilated, but I'm not fussed right now about it.

Glad I tried them on.

Thanks
Luke

That's really interesting, I went to Evans yesterday, and at first I was looking at shoes, then said I needed a new helmet. Without seeing any prices, the shop guy was bringing them out to try, and each one had a rub here or there on my head, until I put on the Specialized Align, which fitted like a dream compared to all the others.

I was bracing myself for £110 or something, and he laughed and said it's £30 and does happen that a 'best fit' can be a cheaper helmet - I had been trying on £100+ lids as well.

I've just come on here to see if there should be any problem with buying a £30 lid? Is it really going to be that much heavier / less ventilated? I'm going on some 50mile bike trips and don't want my head burning up (and I am a sweaty so and so...).

DevonClimber

I have a big swede, and find the Lazer Genisis very agreeable and doesn't enhance my already big noggin. Not sure if they sell them anymore though.

drlodge

I have the Bontrager Ciruit helmet, about £60 and fits my larish head (59cm) very well. Got a good review on bike radar!

Joeblack

DevonClimber wrote:

I have a big swede, and find the Lazer Genisis very agreeable and doesn't enhance my already big noggin. Not sure if they sell them anymore though.

+1 for Lazer,

I have had nightmares finding a helmet that suits my big long head!!

I got a Lazer o2 (or oxygen) and it is awesome

stueys

99thmonkey wrote:

S-Works Prevail

Superb, strong and lighter than a feather, I often forget I have it on

+1, not the most stylish helmet but works brilliantly. Light, aero and very well vented.