Road Helmet dilemma

leedh

Hi,
I appreciate this is a personal choice and we all have our favourites. My price point is £70-£110 so I have shortlisted the following:
Giro Savant MIPS
Kask Mojito
Rudy Project Sterling
MET Rivale

My head size is 58cm

My criteria,other than offering the protection is:
1. Not look like a mushroom. I think I have a standard head shape whatever that is.
2. I wear glasses so needs to accommodate these.
3. Ease of taking the helmet on/off and adjustment.
4. Offer any other features above and beyond you would expect to see

I have heard lots of good things about the Kask but there are some red flags such as:
a) May be an issue if you wear sunglasses
b) Can be a faff taking off due to the up/down adjustment
c) The Kask markings are stickers as opposed to printed so may come off over time

With the Giro I have heard some issues with the straps.

Any comments good or bad would be appreciated.
Thanks

fat daddy

Other than the Rudy I have seen all these helmets in Halfords, cycle Rebublic, evans and cycle surgery

(1) go to shop
(2) put helmet on head
(3) put glasses on face
(4) look in mirror

its the only way

fenix

As FD says - just try the bloody things on. It's comfort more than anything - and that's the one thing you haven't mentioned.

FWIW my kask is good for me but your head may vary.

navrig2

Go to shop. Once you find a brand which fits you well you may be able to buy on line with confidence.

bmxboy10

I have the Mojito and Rivale. Both excellent helmets. Clearance with sunglasses on the Kask is a very minor issue for me and the helmet is very well made. The Rivale is similar in weight and construction and has no clearance issues with sunglasses. Overall the Mojito is better but only just IMO but the Rivale is a more modern design albeit more mushroom like compared to the Kask.

alan_sherman

I was looking at the Savant, and nearly bought one. But the Foray is less mushroom like and a lot cheaper (£30 online).

mercia_man

I had a Mojito. It is compact and doesn't look like a mushroom. It is easy to get on and off and the up/down cradle means it is really secure and comfortable on your head. It is light and fairly well ventilated.

But the major issue for me was the bulky securing mechanism fouling the arms of my Rudy Project Rydons. The arms eventually went all floppy because I was bending them so much to avoid the securing mechanism. Also the plastic ratchet teeth adjusted by a rotary dial at the back of my head lost their V shape and ability to keep the cradle tight on my head. Only a bit of pressure could make it jump on the ratchet teeth and the cradle loosened. I feared this could result in the helmet coming off my head in a crash.

davesnothere

I tried a few and ended up buying the mojito. It's light and comfortable, the cradle system works well. Have only had it for 3 months so can't comment on longevity.

My only advice on the mojito would be if you are on the border between sizes go for the larger size. I could have had a medium or large, both fitted but the medium appeared to sit higher on my head leading to slight mushroominess

JesseD

As has been said above, the only real way to find a helmet that fits you and ticks all the boxes is to go and try them on.

I really wanted a Kask Protone as I liked how they looked and they got great reviews, this was until I tried one on and it didn't suit my head shape, so I tried on a Giro Synthe MIPS and its the most comfortable helmet I have owned.

I also have Giro Foray as mentioned by Alan, paid about £30 for it and its brilliant, ok its slightly heavier and less ventilated than my Synthe but its also only 15% of the cost of the Synthe.

meursault

Also have this first world dilemma.

I have old Kask K50, but padding has gone. I prefer old style with prongs(?) sticking out of back rather than new/current pro peloton bowl bulbous Poc (Heaves) stylie.

Not sure what to get.

fenix

Is this not the Kask 50 under a new name ? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-road-helmet/

imafatman

58cm head here. The Mojito is a great helmet, very comfortable and light. But it's all personal opinion, I made sure to try one in the shop first and chose the one that was most comfortable.

leedh

imafatman wrote:

58cm head here. The Mojito is a great helmet, very comfortable and light. But it's all personal opinion, I made sure to try one in the shop first and chose the one that was most comfortable.

Out of interest what size did you go with ? M or L

meursault

Fenix wrote:

Is this not the Kask 50 under a new name ? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-road-helmet/

I think it is, I feel the DHB version should be cheaper than 50 rubles.

cougie

44 if you have the wiggle platinum discount.

dannbodge

As everyone else has said, go to a shop and try them on.

I was told by numerous people that the Kask Mojito was the most comfortable helmet ever.
Went to my local shop and tried it on and it was horrible. A giro helmet for me however is incredibly comfy.

matt_n-2

Specilaized Airnet?

Currently £69 at Sigma sport and a few other retailers.

Same body as an Evade which has been re-profiled to be a closer fit, not as aero as an Evade but apparently more aero than the Prevail.

It's also got a glasses garage at the front.

I particularly like Specialized helmets and find they fit me well.

alex222

Have the Savant and recently treated myself to the Rivale.
For me both are comfortable helmets, but I keep the Rivale for my best bike.

ayjaycee

Matt_N wrote:

Specilaized Airnet?

Currently £69 at Sigma sport and a few other retailers.

Same body as an Evade which has been re-profiled to be a closer fit, not as aero as an Evade but apparently more aero than the Prevail.

It's also got a glasses garage at the front.

I particularly like Specialized helmets and find they fit me well.

Very good shout - I've got one and find it very comfortable and, with the higher temperatures that we are seeing down my way at the moment, it's almost as well ventilated as my Specialized S-Works Prevail which IMHO is very good in itself, albeit with the giant mushroom look thrown in. Like Matt, I just seem to get on with Specialized helmets. That said, I personally don't believe that there is any such thing as a really good looking helmet- just some that are better than others!

janwal

I have had a Mojito and had problems with sunglasses arms So sold it.A very well made helmet and the outer shell covers the lower edge of the helmet.I had a Rivale but it is not as well made as the Kask.The other shell doesn't cover the lower edges and the Matt black on the outer shell marked very easily and was white underneath.
I now have a Uvex Ultrasonic. A very well made German designed Helmet. Nice and light,hardly notice it is on my head and well vented. The outer shell again covers the bottom edges.A nice non mushroom shape. You can get them from a lot of shops.However if you want to try one and inspect it pop into Argos as they sell them aswell but are expensive.I got my blue and Matt black one from Ribble when they had an offer on.Gets pretty good reviews.

imafatman

leedh wrote:

imafatman wrote:

58cm head here. The Mojito is a great helmet, very comfortable and light. But it's all personal opinion, I made sure to try one in the shop first and chose the one that was most comfortable.

Out of interest what size did you go with ? M or L

Large seemed to fit me nicely, medium didn't fit at all.

daniel_b

I am surprised no one has mentioned Lazer.

Helium and genesis within your budget, latest Z1, 15 notes above.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/helmets-and-protection/helmet-standard/product/review-lazer-z1-helmet-48418/

Comfiest, least mushroom like imho, brand of helmet I have ever worn, and I've had Spesh, Giro, Bell, Kask, Rudy Project.

meursault

Went for this in the end



nearly went guns blazing for this



But could not justify to myself a price of three times more.

Criteria was Looks, Italian, Price £42 from Ribble.

Hopefully will go well with



Due to be delivered Tuesday.

This years Tour pro peloton helmets http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/tour-de-france-helmets-giro-vanquish-lazer-bullet-kask-valegro-50290/

alan_sherman

Having a mesh in the vents is a real positive. more helmets should have it in my opinion.

daniel_b

alan sherman wrote:

Having a mesh in the vents is a real positive. more helmets should have it in my opinion.

Agreed, my Rudy projects had them, and very useful they are too.

meursault

Still lusting after the ultralight. Best looking helmet in the pro peloton imho. Hopefully my lesser model not too different.

meursault

Limar 555 arrived today and very happy with it.
Light, good features, details, and adjusters, doesn't look too mushroom, mesh, comfortable nice styling.
Limar is the new Kask I reckon.







Only slight downside, no sunglasses 'garage' but plenty of helmets have same issue, and not something I'm concerned about.