Full face helmet - down-o-matic advice

frankspencer1979

Trying to buy my first full face at the moment. Unfortunately, there are no local shops that stock FF helmets so I'm stuck with ordering off the net.

My head measures 61cm, but it's a weird shape, thin face but long back to front. Freakish. I've just received a large Bell Drop which fits 58-61, so it should fit, but it's too loose on the sides of my face and wobbles about if I shake my head. The obvious thing to do is try the next size down (55-58) but surely that won't sit nice back to front!? This could end up costing a fortune in p+p!

Anyone got any advice/recommendations for weird shaped heads!?

rockmonkeysc

I have a odd shape head, the Bell Drop didn't fit me either. I have a Urge Down-O-Matic, really great helmet for the price and you can get it nicely fitted with all the different size pads it comes with.

felix.london

I do not have an odd shaped head but +1 for the Down-O - think I ended up getting mine from CRC for £50 (last season) with various deals, sales and discounts.

DodgeT

Do you ride lee quarry? If so, leisure lakes bury stock quite a number. Got my bargain 661 comp shifted from there, great helmet considering its price.

Grovsie29

DodgeT wrote:

Do you ride lee quarry? If so, leisure lakes bury stock quite a number. Got my bargain 661 comp shifted from there, great helmet considering its price.

Ive got the same helmet. Great for the price, nice fit, seems light enough.

frankspencer1979

Grovsie29 wrote:

DodgeT wrote:

Do you ride lee quarry? If so, leisure lakes bury stock quite a number. Got my bargain 661 comp shifted from there, great helmet considering its price.

Ive got the same helmet. Great for the price, nice fit, seems light enough.

Might try to get to Lee Quarry next week if the weather is still good, so could try to find leisure lakes.

RockmonkeySC wrote:

I have a odd shape head, the Bell Drop didn't fit me either. I have a Urge Down-O-Matic, really great helmet for the price and you can get it nicely fitted with all the different size pads it comes with.

Different size pads sounds a good idea. Any idea if it would be best to buy a big helmet and make it smaller with big pads, or get a small helmet and make it bigger with small pads!? If this is possible at all.

nferrar

@OP - I have a similar shaped head by the sound of it (need XL helmets for the front-back size but then they're loose at the sides). Only full face I've used is the Spesh Deviant which fitted OK in the XL size but still not ideal - the thick internal padding stops it moving side to side though.

DodgeT

frankspencer1979 wrote:

Different size pads sounds a good idea. Any idea if it would be best to buy a big helmet and make it smaller with big pads, or get a small helmet and make it bigger with small pads!? If this is possible at all.

No, you want the best fitting possible, ie snug. I made the mistake of buying a large as the medium was a bit too snug. Few weeks on after some use and the foam shapes a bit to your head, it was way too slack. Now got a medium and its nice and snug.
You can always add pads after the lining has shaped to your head/loosened off a little as it will. You don't want to be adding liners/pads from the start.
Too loose and it will shake about over bumpy stuff and worst of all not do its job of protecting your head.

rockmonkeysc

I would definately take the Down-O-Matic over the 661 helmets. I had a 661 Comp before the Down-O-Matic and the lining quality is much better with the Urge and it's quite a lot lighter and cooler.
Go for the closest size to suit your head, they have a sizing guide and they adjust to suit with pads.

milko9000

I have a similar-sounding head, I think. I'm more like 63cm though. Down-o-matic fits me really nice and tight, the L/XL with the smallest pads.