Sy Reene

Sorry if I missed previous discuss on this report.. looks like MIPS has a tendency to do better than non-MIPS, though not always. Does this report come out every year.. maybe a step up from the methodology done by Consumer Reports?
https://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet/bicyc...t-ratings.html

Hiro11

I have a Bell Draft. It fits my head well, innocuous looking and apparently one of the highest rated helmet for safety. It cost me $45 on sale. Admittedly I'm a notorious cheapskate, but I'll never understand spending lots of money on a helmet. All helmets look basically the same and this study proves there's no correlation between price and safety.

canklecat

Fortunately the test results agreed with the helmet I bought the day before, a Bell Formula -- between the Draft and Stratus in price and features. Now I don't need to exchange a sweaty helmet at REI for something the internet approves of.

Sy Reene

One takeaway is that those Bern/Nutcase style helmets developed for skate, all fall in the bottom half of safety rankings. I never understood their appeal anyway with the apparent lack of ventilation most of them offer.

Sy Reene

I wouldn't dismiss this study as an 'internet approval' thing.. take a look at their methodology: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstr...=1&isAllowed=y

canklecat

I don't mean the tests. I got a hi-viz yellow version of the helmet. So uncool. But after getting clobbered by a car last month I want every tiny edge, however imaginary.

I was tempted by some very comparable Giro helmets. The Giro straps are softer, easier to adjust yet seem to hold just as securely. Bell straps are fiddly and stiff. But the Giro I wanted in my price range wasn't available in hi-viz, so I got the Bell. It's really a tossup between 'em, although if Giro still offers a replacement policy they might be the better value.

Yeah, I saw similar test results for the Bern and Nutcase skater type helmets a year or so ago. Apparently the full coverage either doesn't work as well or something about the helmet design isn't quite right. I've handled both and they're very well made. But I passed on 'em because it's too hot in Texas for full coverage helmets and doesn't get cold enough in winter. I just wear a bandanna year 'round, add a parka or windbreaker with hood for those rare below freezing rides.

JohnDThompson 

I bought a Bell MIPS helmet this spring. Crashed on it a couple weeks ago, hard enough to destroy the hemet. Wrecked my shoulder, but no concussion. Just picked up the replacement helmet, 30% off for crash replacement.

sdmc530

canklecat

Bell offers crash replacement? Good to know.

(Note to self: DON'T NEED IT! CRASHING HURTS.)

sdmc530

don't most bike shops have this practice? Or a discounted rate for a crashed item? I know mine does for bikes and helmets. I thought this was a common thing for bike shops?