Retro Helmets
02-04-17, 08:25 PM
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Retro Helmets
Alright so I know you guys appreciate and love vintage bicycles, but what about helmets? For me I always thought that older looking helmets have some pretty nice designs that go well along older bicycles. I'm not advocating for people to use those old helmets since they won't help protect your head very well , but rather what helmets that are made today that also have a retro look to them. I personally only really seen one so far, and that's the Giro Reverb. Its old design with modern innovation. Do you guys know of any others, or if not what do you usually ride in?
(The Giro Reverb pictured along with me wearing it)
(The Giro Reverb pictured along with me wearing it)
02-04-17, 09:01 PM
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Another nice retro style helmet is the Giro "Aspect". It kinda recalls the styling of old hairnet helmets without looking goofy, and also comes with a detachable visor. They were on sale at Nashbar late last year for something like 1/3 the regular price........
Last edited by Chombi; 02-04-17 at 11:20 PM.
02-04-17, 10:05 PM
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I still have a Bell "Biker" gathering dust.
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02-04-17, 10:53 PM
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@dan3324, I like your helmet. It reminds me of helmets people wore riding motor scooters in the 1960s. See if you can get some images of those.
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02-05-17, 03:31 AM
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02-05-17, 03:36 AM
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02-05-17, 05:18 AM
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I use a nutcase (profile pic). My favorite old bike Helmet was a vetta.
02-05-17, 11:55 AM
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I don't believe they've yet started shipping but coming soon. Suggest to check out the product on kickstarter and if to pre-order maybe save a few bucks.
02-05-17, 12:36 PM
#13
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'Vintage' helmets of the mid 1970s --
The old Bell 'white mushroom' helmet
or a BSR helmet much like a mountaineering helmet,
or a Skid-lid.
A few of our OSU cycling club members wore the leather 'hair net'-style racing helmets...
Would I wear any of those today? no. Not sure what is out there that is 'retro-style' other than the Nutcase and those helmets already posted by others above...
The old Bell 'white mushroom' helmet
or a BSR helmet much like a mountaineering helmet,
or a Skid-lid.
A few of our OSU cycling club members wore the leather 'hair net'-style racing helmets...
Would I wear any of those today? no. Not sure what is out there that is 'retro-style' other than the Nutcase and those helmets already posted by others above...
02-05-17, 01:14 PM
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02-05-17, 02:38 PM
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The first hardshell I had was a Bell Mark 1. (The one depicted on the right.)
Hated it, might have used it only a few times. I dissed hardshells and only until some years later acquired a better developed model from Bell. The Mark 1 had no vents, the styrofoam was a heat insulator and also troublesome was the cheap sponge foam padding strips. The tape like adhesive would get all sticky soft and the padding moved around. The straps were fine with the nylon but used D-rings as tension and closer chin strap. Annoying without having a fast / snap clip.
Hated it, might have used it only a few times. I dissed hardshells and only until some years later acquired a better developed model from Bell. The Mark 1 had no vents, the styrofoam was a heat insulator and also troublesome was the cheap sponge foam padding strips. The tape like adhesive would get all sticky soft and the padding moved around. The straps were fine with the nylon but used D-rings as tension and closer chin strap. Annoying without having a fast / snap clip.
02-05-17, 09:11 PM
#17
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I did a solo tour of England and northern Europe in the mid-seventies. i wore my Bell Biker, to absolutely universal derision. Really, I might have well been riding with no clothes. Oh yeah, the other thing I got teased with often was my full Campag kit. Everyday Brits in the hinterlands complained that us yanks drove up the price of all the nice stuff.
I can't say that I miss the Bell Biker though. You certainly couldn't forget you had it on, unlike modern ones.
I can't say that I miss the Bell Biker though. You certainly couldn't forget you had it on, unlike modern ones.
02-05-17, 09:34 PM
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I did a solo tour of England and northern Europe in the mid-seventies. i wore my Bell Biker, to absolutely universal derision. Really, I might have well been riding with no clothes. Oh yeah, the other thing I got teased with often was my full Campag kit. Everyday Brits in the hinterlands complained that us yanks drove up the price of all the nice stuff.
I can't say that I miss the Bell Biker though. You certainly couldn't forget you had it on, unlike modern ones.
I can't say that I miss the Bell Biker though. You certainly couldn't forget you had it on, unlike modern ones.
02-06-17, 12:18 PM
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Another Vetta...The matching Cinelli winter gloves are older than the helmet.
Brent
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02-06-17, 01:19 PM
#20
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I don't like the looks of most modern helmets either. That Giro Reverb to me looks the best of the neo retro ones for sale now. I think it looks a bit like the old Brancale hardshell helmets from the 80s, and probably with better protection and ventilation. Still, I'd think it'd be a bit too hot for a summer day in southern California.
Most vintage helmets were terrible. The few types that would really work were hot, bulky, heavy, and not aero. I rarely wore helmets outside of racing. Helmets now are great. Now I always wear a helmet. I got one in basic black and peeled off all the stickers, making it retro enough...
Most vintage helmets were terrible. The few types that would really work were hot, bulky, heavy, and not aero. I rarely wore helmets outside of racing. Helmets now are great. Now I always wear a helmet. I got one in basic black and peeled off all the stickers, making it retro enough...
02-06-17, 02:48 PM
#22
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retro helmets
it's slim pickins...retro helmets were big & heavy, and not that nice looking...I too would love a helmet to go w/ my classic wheels. I don't like the new design trends and color scheme from most helmets. If I had to choose one, I'd go w/ one of the Giros, as they are the most "classic"...
christian
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02-06-17, 03:30 PM
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I've crashed my motorcycle so trust me I believe in helmets.
I went to the store the other day to buy my first new helmet in 20 years. And I was severely disappointed! All they had were these https://www.specialized.com/us/en/he...vail-ii/117201 on sale for $170. And IMHO there's nothing to them but a tiny piece of foam that won't do crap if a car hits you. Personally I feel much safer with the older style helmets!
...I've bought motorcycle helmets cheaper that have a higher crash rating, fancy vents and a windscreen. Bike helmets are a complete scam and rip off.
I went to the store the other day to buy my first new helmet in 20 years. And I was severely disappointed! All they had were these https://www.specialized.com/us/en/he...vail-ii/117201 on sale for $170. And IMHO there's nothing to them but a tiny piece of foam that won't do crap if a car hits you. Personally I feel much safer with the older style helmets!
...I've bought motorcycle helmets cheaper that have a higher crash rating, fancy vents and a windscreen. Bike helmets are a complete scam and rip off.
02-06-17, 06:27 PM
#24
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02-06-17, 06:59 PM
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One of my college roommates had an accident while wearing one of the first Bell 'mushrooms' in 1975. He was tearing downhill in suburban Cincy at 30+mph somewhat behind his buddies when a car backed out of a driveway in front of him. Jim broadsided and flew over the car, landed in the street on the other side and slid another 75 feet or so down the road . The Bell was ground through on the side, sacrificing itself, thus saving Jim's ear. Bell requested that his helmet be returned to be used as a real-life demonstration to the effectiveness of the helmet. They gave him a brand new one, gratis.