I need a helmet

Mart74

Hi all, been lurking for a while, lots of really good info. I need some help buying a helmet.

I've just bought my first road bike (pick it up on Thursday). I bought shoes, pedals, shorts, bottle holders, speedo but stupidly forgot to buy a helmet!

I've just been looking through and there's a massive range and price difference. What do I need to spend to get something that's good enough without spending a fortune. I realize your heads important to protect but is there a huge benefit in having a £150 helmet over a £50 one?

I'll be hoping to ride to work 1-2 days a week at 16 miles each way and also going out at the weekends. The idea is to cycle to Belgium later this summer.

simon_masterson

Theoretically all certified helmets should provide the same level of protection. More expensive ones tend to be lighter and less bulky, and may be better ventilated. I say this as the owner of a Kask, even if I did get it for £60ish, but £40 should get you something more than adequate. The important thing is that it fits.

chrisvanderkaap

it's not quite in the 'budget' region but for the money (€99) Specialized Propero II is very hard to beat.

pretty light, well made and adjustable and arguably very comfy too.
I'd use the same hemet for MTB and Road.

smoggysteve

You can pick up a very good Giro or a MET or similar for around £50 no problems. The most expensive helmets at the moment are more interlaced with carbon fibre which is not a necessity. My last helmet , a Giro Atmos cost nearly £120 new when I got it, now its available for as little as £44 if you search online.

mrbubbaman

I bought a Bell helmet from Costco for around £20, that was before I realised there was that many different helmets out there.

Mart74

Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

My LBS ( where I bought the bike) had a decent range so ill try some on around £50 when I collect the bike.
Can't wait!

declan1

I just got a Limar 635 as a replacement for my old Bell after a crash. I'm very impressed - only 240g or so, and really comfortable; all for £30.

grey_area

I just got a Specialized Proprero II from Evans at the £50 mark. Seems a really good helmet for the money.

Mikey23

I have just got a specialized something or other for £50 and it looks smart and does the job as well as anything

secretsam

As per above, no need to spend a fortune, the Spesh are VG, used to have one and it fitted my mahoosive bonce very nicely, now I have a Giro which is cooler but not quite such a good fit.

I'd say it was essential to try before you buy, put a few on and compare shapes, heads and lids are all sorts of different shapes and sizes. But as for price, no need to spend more than £60 or so, consider if you want a peak, etc. Oh, and mesh at the front stops kamikaze bees getting in there

declan1

SecretSam wrote:

As per above, no need to spend a fortune, the Spesh are VG, used to have one and it fitted my mahoosive bonce very nicely, now I have a Giro which is cooler but not quite such a good fit.

I'd say it was essential to try before you buy, put a few on and compare shapes, heads and lids are all sorts of different shapes and sizes. But as for price, no need to spend more than £60 or so, consider if you want a peak, etc. Oh, and mesh at the front stops kamikaze bees getting in there

As said here - try them on before you buy. I saw an awesome Boardman helmet in matt black and yellow but as soon as I put it on it felt completely the wrong shape and started hurting.

supermurph09

I have a Specialized Echelon in blue for sale. Virtually brand new, was just a bit small for me. You can have it for £20 + postage.
Same as this: http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/8996 ... cle-helmet

Mart74

I've got a massive head so will try a few and get the one that fits the best

Thanks for the tip about bees too, I'd not thought of that.

Cliff22

I picked up a used Lazer Genesis for £25
This is the lightest and most comfortable helmet I have ever used or tried on.
If you can get your hands on one it really is hard to beat and looks the mutts