alan s 

Add this for the complete look.

Loose Chain

I have started to like the Bell multi-sport helmets, especially the "Fusion" type with the co-molded outer shell. Not nearly as stupid looking as those weird insect looking aero helmets the MAMILs wear.

J

revcp 

Now THAT brings back memories.

noglider 

Those helmets with the hair and ears are hysterical.

sci_femme

Helmet is to protect your brain cells, not to make a fashion statement - that's coming from a woman.[QUOTE=kalash74;19476192] I've been riding around without one, and it's a risk everyday. /QUOTE]Understanding the risk fills me with hope there are brain cells left to protect.

Seriously - it should fit, it should vent, it should have a competent and comfortable retention system and said system should not whistle at speed. The rest is between you and your checkbook. My personal favorite is Specialized Propero.

Loose Chain

When I was in Germany and Europe I observed people who ride bicycles everyday for their entire lives as transportation, not sport, and none of them wore a helmet (maybe one in thirty) and many of them smoked, as they rode. And they wore normal clothing and shoes.

BassNotBass

I seriously dislike a lot of the boy-racer styled bicycle helmets so our tastes may be different but my favorite helmet thus far is a Razor.

I have a Contour Roam mounted on the left, a CREE LED light on the right and a PB SuperFlash blinkie on the back. I use it for cycling, whitewater rafting/kayaking and climbing and it's easily the best fitting and secure helmet I've owned... and it's easy to tell which end points forward.

alan s 

Smoking while you ride is stupid. The cigarette burns so much faster from all the wind. Plus they ride so slowly on their heavy Dutch bikes trapped in bike traffic jams that wearing lycra and helmets is pointless. Chances are another bike rider will cushion your fall in an accident at 5 mph, or whatever that is in "kph." In fact, they use "kph" so it seems faster with a higher number.

kayakindude

I would add to not overspend, especially if you will be mixing your commute with mass transit. I left my new helmet on the train yesterday afternoon and now the chase is on with the MBTA lost and found. Another rider forgot to bring his helmet onto the train yesterday morning so at least I am not alone

Bikewolf

That is true, I can confirm. (I’m one of them, but only because I cannot choose :-)

Although that seems to be changing. Of course, mainly because marketing & media are pushing for it; in France the helmet has become mandatory...

Bikewolf

Let me throw another helmet into the mix you may like. From Spain...

https://www.catlike.es/us/en/helmets...athlon/mixino/

BassNotBass

Not to get too far away from the intent of the post but I'm a huge proponent of choice. I think both 'sides' have valid arguments and having ridden from when leather hairnets were pretty much the only option until now I've only needed a helmet once, and that once was hard enough against concrete that more than made up for decades of not really needing a helmet.

Bikewolf

Yep, choice is key. Besides, safety encompasses much more than just a helmet.
E.g. making yourself more seen/visible especially in darkness. In Europe too, many people still do things like: wearing black clothes, no lights on, smartphone & earpods in use...

And then we haven’t begun talking about how helmets are being tested...

Loose Chain

Well they were wheezing by leaving a trail of second hand smoke

Dahon.Steve

You know as crazy as that helmet looks, it might be the safest on the market. LOL!

Awhile back, someone collected data showing cars lane split much closer those wearing a helmet. So you might have something here with a helmet that looks like you're not wearing one!!

BassNotBass

I was amazed at the change in attitude of most motorists after I mounted my helmet cam. A lot of people change their behavior when they realize that they are being recorded.

Archwhorides 

I've been loving my Bolle "The One" helmet with snap-in panels to cover the extensive vents for rainy and cold weather riding. Great year around and not a bad look either. The picture below has the vent covers snapped in:

tjspiel

I've observed myself wearing regular clothes while biking on many occasions and sometimes without a helmet, - though I usually feel something is missing when I do that. I also observe myself occasionally going to bed without brushing my teeth.

My point is that I feel that wearing a helmet is a small thing I can do to take care of myself but I don't think not wearing one is an automatic death sentence. I was at a hotel in San Diego a couple of weeks ago and they had some cruisers you could take out to ride to the locals shops and the beach. They didn't have a helmet and I didn't worry about it.

And I mean no disrespect to the European riders you saw, but why should it matter to me what they do? It doesn't matter to me that much what my own co-workers wear and they aren't located halfway around the world from me. I choose my bike, clothing, and head gear for the streets, climate, distance, and conditions that I ride in and what makes me happy. I've been doing it for 10+ years. I also think that my reasons for riding may not exactly be the same as theirs. Certainly getting to work is one reason, but I have other options for accomplishing that.

gregjones

It's a go--no go thing with me and a helmet. Depends. If it's to the corner store, probably not. If it's cold, yes with a helmet cover. If it's hot, well that's why I wear a helmet.....the foam makes it like wearing a beer cooler on your head. The only problem with the vents is the sun on my balding head requiring a bandanna to block the burning rays.

As far as cost.....spend as little as you feel that your brain might be worth. Yada, yada, yada to the $30 helmet is as good as anything. I have two that I choose from depending on temp, sun and expected speeds for airflow on the ride---all directly related to comfort. I wear either (both Specialized S-Works) a Prevail or an Evade.

tcs

More than you wanted to know.

Executive summary: Wallmart/Target, Bell with True Fit, white for visibility, under $20.

bell connect.jpg

RoboChrist

Lazer makes some nice urban helmets.