I am looking at a new helmet and have a few questions. I have long been a user of the coolest looking sub-$50 helmet on the shelf, but spending more time on the bike makes me want something that is not a universal fit. As it stands, all of my Giro's are old, over 6 years old. None are too beat up, nor do they fit well. When looking around, I REALLY liked the Rudy Project helmets, but at $230 are they worth it? I can actually get it for $130 with a discount (I can share the code), or I can get any of the newer Giros with a non-universal fit.
Question is, if I can get by with the cheap helmet now will I really appreciate the better helmet? My weekend ride is normally a few hours and I look to try and get in a 5-6 hour ride at some point before fall, so that might be a factor.
I have tried the Rudy Project helmets on and they were very comfortable.
I have a specialized s-works mountain helmet right now. It is my second s-works helmet. I have not found anything that is as cool and comfortable(rudy was pretty close). I do choke on the price but I figure it will last a few year at least and it is my head.
Yeah, I am not a huge fan of helmets on the road, but I figure if I am gonna wear one make it one that I like. I ordered the Sterling. It was nice saving 40% and free overnight shipping.
what's so special about the rudy helmets?
The fit, on my head, seemed to be better than the other helmets I tried. Plus I got 40% off.
nice. as a fat head, I've never felt I had a helmet that both fit very well and gave decent coverage. I think maybe I should look at bern.
If anyone discovers a road helmet that I won't want to rip off my head when climbing a hill in 88 deg F/80% humidity, let me know. I normally just use some $50 Bell like an alchera or something, don't remember. The fit is fine but my head just boils. It has occurred that I have removed it when climbing (!!!).
I just recently discovered/have been lusting after the Bern Watts Carbon. Oooh. But it won't solve my above problem. Nor is that probably helpful to your question.
One thing that seems to be true is once you get above $50 you are paying for how the helmet fits and more intricate or advanced sizing adjustments. As a result, the Rudy fit my head evenly, other helmets had a few spots that were contacting my head.
Plus the fancy helmets make you faster.
bill, any xc or road helmet at the $100+ range is going to feel INCREDIBLE compared to a cheap Bell. when you get into that range you are paying for fit and venting. the more it costs the less actual helmet there is.
in otherwords what you're saying cburch is that to remain happy with a $50 helmet, do not try out expensive ones.
This is true of most things in life - not knowing what I'm missing is almost always the cheaper option. Developing "taste" is expensive.
I had a really nice SixSixOne helmet that I just loved. It cost me somewhere around $100 and retailed for a whole lot more. It got smashed and I couldn't stand to spend another $100+ on a helmet after that. I'm reasonably happy with my $30 Bell.
I want a helmet that is held off my head by little soft rubber fingers, instead of those pads that become soaked instantly and nasty, like this:
it would be like a constant head massage.
I've only had cheap helments, and mine is like 10 years old now. I keep thinking of replacing it and have tried a bunch on in the store but just can't pull the trigger. I honestly can't say I've noticed expensive ones fitting any better, once you get above the very cheapest ones. You certainly pay more for less helment.
And +1 on those nasty pads, are there any brands where it's easy to find replacements? that may well determine my next purchase.
i have a great UVEX helmet that was around $30 or $35. good features, fairly light, nice profile. i love the variable-tightness chinstrap buckle.
helmets should NOT be expensive. i want a good reason why one should spend all that money for a bern, say. cause it has the cute hat too?
I got a Uvex when it was on sale a while back and am waiting to have a crash in my current helmet before I "cycle" it out. It seems really nice but not enough to (a) toss my current (cheap) helmet before it's necessary or (b) induce a crash.
Always economizing, I've gotten mostly universal-fit helmets at the minimum prices, but have enjoyed trying on helmets that are size-specific for a larger head... and also budget-specific for a larger paycheck.
mine is like 10 years old now.
I remember hearing somewhere that after around two years, the protective power of the styrofoam diminishes. I think it might have been from a guy trying to sell me a new helmet, but it does sound right that at some point, there would be chemical decomposition or something that would reduce the protective effectiveness of the foam.
i have a bigass noggin and haven't had trouble finding a nice fitting helmet, even the cheapo $20 bell bmx style. fitted ballcaps on the other hand, that's tricky
ian - i think the consensus is that "outgassing" theory is BS, there's no real time limit, i.e.: http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm
my company actually gave us all new helments this year but it was too small for my bulbous melon. i did like the "dial" thing to tighten the fit, though, which mine doesn't have.
although, if i ever got rid of my super-stylish 'merican flag helment then people couldn't recognize me as easily...
@ Salty - OK, sounds like two years' "outgassing" isn't going to be a problem. Oh, salesmen.
I have spent close to a grand on helmets on the last five years.
Bell volt, great fit. Not the best ventilation, but I can wear a hay and not wear a hat. I haven't doing this in many without mod.
Specialized s works, amazing ventilation, light. Pads wear out too quick. Doesn't fit a hat well. It wraps the head too high.
Specialized decibel, same as above. Heavier.
Spiuk, it came with pads that functioned as a bug net. But then it disintegrated. Its my winter helmet with no, pads because a hat fits perfectly.
Lazer helium, great ventilation and fit. Second, lightest behind the s works. Carbon shell was starting to delaminate.
I love high end helmets.
Bell has been really good for me for getting replacement pads. Can't say how others would be.
In the future I want an electronically cooled helmet, solar powered. Seems like there has to be a better way to make helmets than with the same material a $5 CoGos cooler is made out of. And I just like the idea of a carbon fiber hat.
I forgot to rate how well they hold sunglasses. I'm posting from a phone, so if people want my experiences, I'll do it later.
@ieverhart I think I have that UVEX, REI Deal of the day? I like it, for the most part. The strap is especially nice. The one thing about it is that, while it is large enough in circumference, it sits very high on my head and I don't feel like I'm getting very good coverage.
anybody have a link to a favorite "how to fit a helmet"? I think for a while mine needs to be adjusted, but haven't quite sorted out what it should be. (Hubby's was $15 more and is so much more comfy, but both are low end-ish, so I think it's either I've got the wrong size or haven't tweaked something or other properly). I could google, but I figured I'd ask people I trust to know first.
I have a Bern Brentwood that fits my giant head (XXXL, special ordered) really nicely, but it's hotter than hell in the summer but great below 60. I wear a Trek something or another I bought at their warehouse sale during the summer.
