Gravel helmets?
06-22-19, 10:17 PM
#1
Occam's Rotor
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Gravel helmets?
I'm surprised this isn't yet a niche, overpriced market.
But I am curious, do you tend to use your road bike helmet, or mountain bike helmet, or something different?
But I am curious, do you tend to use your road bike helmet, or mountain bike helmet, or something different?
06-23-19, 06:09 AM
#2
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I’m sure helmet makers are in the process of creating them as we speak. Probably will be a standard road helmet painted in an earth tone color with some gimmick to differentiate it from a normal road helmet, like a banana holder.
When Rapha creates a dusty pink and olive banana unicorn looking helmet, I totally expect a check in the mail.
When Rapha creates a dusty pink and olive banana unicorn looking helmet, I totally expect a check in the mail.
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06-23-19, 08:42 AM
#3
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I've been using my road bike helmet, mainly because my off-road trips are almost always integrated with on-road segments, and also a mountain bike visor limits my range of vision.
06-23-19, 09:40 AM
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I’m having difficulty coming up with any safety needs of gravel riding that’s not adequately addressed by existing road/MTB helmets. Around here, maybe an ideal gravel helmet would have an integrated dust mask? 😂
I’m sure if there is any feature which gives the slightest improved experience for gravel riding, it will be inevitable that we see gravel helmets, and that’s a good thing. It’s like the recurrent theme from some road/MTB riders about gravel/adventure bikes as a made-up category to sell more bikes...yes, you don’t “need” a gravel bike to ride gravel, but if you are looking for a bike and a gravel bike happens to be the best single tool for the job, why would buy something else?
I’m sure if there is any feature which gives the slightest improved experience for gravel riding, it will be inevitable that we see gravel helmets, and that’s a good thing. It’s like the recurrent theme from some road/MTB riders about gravel/adventure bikes as a made-up category to sell more bikes...yes, you don’t “need” a gravel bike to ride gravel, but if you are looking for a bike and a gravel bike happens to be the best single tool for the job, why would buy something else?
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06-23-19, 10:31 AM
#5
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In all seriousness, I think if/when they come up with gravel specific helmets, they’ll be a lot like the POC Octal X. Labeled as an XC MTB helmet but looks very similar to their standard Octal road lid but with a little more impact protection.
06-23-19, 01:18 PM
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Why more impact protection for gravel? Wouldn't you be ok with less.... dirt road is softer than asphalt or cement.
06-23-19, 01:35 PM
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Road helmet with cycling cap. Always. Drop bars = road helmet.
Flat bars = wear one of those silly visor helmet thingys? I dunno.
Flat bars = wear one of those silly visor helmet thingys? I dunno.
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06-23-19, 01:39 PM
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06-23-19, 04:05 PM
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Maybe I am missing something, but why would there be a need for anything beyond a regular helmet from the shop/store?
If the difference between a road and mtb helmet is a plastic visor, then wear the helmet whichever way you want and go ride gravel.
If a gravel helmet comes out, the shark officially will have been jumped.
If the difference between a road and mtb helmet is a plastic visor, then wear the helmet whichever way you want and go ride gravel.
If a gravel helmet comes out, the shark officially will have been jumped.
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06-24-19, 08:41 AM
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I wear my road helmet, and my road kits. I have noticed brands starting to market "gravel" clothing, just looks like slightly baggier road kits.
06-24-19, 09:24 AM
#13
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I have a helmet. It fits my head. My head is no different shape or size when I ride paved roads or gravel roads or trails.
06-24-19, 09:39 AM
#14
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I wear my fat bike helmet on my gravel bike.
06-24-19, 09:45 AM
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when I'm off road & sometimes when I'm on a desolated paved trail, or one that is not busy, I'll use a grey helmet that is less conspicuous. my road helmets are yellow or have yellow highlights
06-24-19, 09:54 AM
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if Gravel riding includes pavement then road helmet
if gravel riding includes some single track then use a mtb helmet.
if gravel riding includes pavement and single track then use a mtb helmet.
Honestly i have used a road helmet for mtb'ing.
if gravel riding includes some single track then use a mtb helmet.
if gravel riding includes pavement and single track then use a mtb helmet.
Honestly i have used a road helmet for mtb'ing.
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06-24-19, 11:21 AM
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I too use a road helmet, usually with a cycling cap with a visor I can flip up. Started out riding my gravel bikes with a mtb helmet but the fixed visor didn't work for me on a drop bar bike.
06-24-19, 11:31 AM
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So all this talk has made me hyper aware of using my helmet without a visor on MTB trails. Oh geez, what do all the people who are passing me because they ride singletrack faster than me thinking when they pass me?!? Now I need to care about how they view both my riding AND my choice in helmet!!
Eek!***
Eek!***
06-24-19, 12:23 PM
#20
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Decisions...
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06-24-19, 01:44 PM
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*rimshot*
I rode the Hilly Billy Roubaix this past weekend, and there was a large and nasty crash about nine mile in. Came at the bottom of a descent and involved about seven people. Sounds like many suffered broken bones (I think ribs, clavicles, at least one nose, shoulder injuries) and two people were still being evaluated about a day later. Crashes may be more likely in such a setting, but I think anything that would make a helmet safer for gravel riding would also make it safer for regular road riding.
I rode the Hilly Billy Roubaix this past weekend, and there was a large and nasty crash about nine mile in. Came at the bottom of a descent and involved about seven people. Sounds like many suffered broken bones (I think ribs, clavicles, at least one nose, shoulder injuries) and two people were still being evaluated about a day later. Crashes may be more likely in such a setting, but I think anything that would make a helmet safer for gravel riding would also make it safer for regular road riding.
Last edited by Koyote; 06-24-19 at 01:48 PM.
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06-24-19, 02:53 PM
#24
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I wear my down country helmet.
06-24-19, 03:52 PM
#25
Chases Dogs for Sport
But if you're asking for advice, I understand Trek came out with something that changed cycling forever. You ought to give it a try!
Last edited by FlashBazbo; 06-24-19 at 03:57 PM.
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