fujimontar

Anyone tried these helmets? I realize it's difficult to judge the effectiveness of a helmet until it's put to the test, which one hopes to never do.... But I'm curious about any other aspects of the helmet - fit, feel, etc.

Sorry, I can't post a link or photo because I'm still too new here!

Milton Keynes

All I know is that my cheap $20 bike helmet from Walmart saved me from getting stitches in my forehead and a possible concussion when I went down last fall. I didn't think it even hit the pavement until I was looking it over after the wreck and found some of the foam on the front had been scraped off, which would have been my forehead. Now I'm using a different cheap helmet.

CliffordK

This looks like your Thousand Bike Helmet brand.

https://www.explorethousand.com/coll...s/bike-helmets

They have several models including a MIPS model, so you'd have to specify which one you're interested in.

They appear to have a hard durable shell. That may well be good for some things.

However, ventilation appears to be minimal. It is hard to judge without wearing it, but I have tried snowboard helmets, and they make miserable bike helmets due to being too hot. There are few days cold enough for them.

Hopefully even the hard shell bike helmets are designed to keep cool.

JW Fas

I wouldn't worry if a helmet is safe enough, especially if has MIPS certification. Ultimately, the buying decision should come down to comfort.

Iride01 

The few I see in a quick google search don't seem to have any ventilation. And for me that would be very important.

If you are in the USA, then every helmet sold here has to have a CPSC certification to meet a minimum standard for safety. And many that aren't MIP's score just as high as the highest MIP's and some of the MIP's score very low in independent testing.

The helmet I had on when I finally had my bad accident on a bike wan't MIP's and it saved me. My current helmet is MIP's though I realize it might only be marginal gains for my safety.

So pretty much get what you trust and be sure to get one that fits and is comfortable and not causing your head to sweat and get hot so that you will have it on when you crash instead of hanging on your handlebars as I see a few others around here doing. I guess they plan to put it on just before they crash!

work4bike

Here's some ideas how to test your helmet

veganbikes

It is one of those fashionable helmets I would hope it would protect your head in the crash and that they would go beyond just the bare minimum to get it to pass CSPC regulations. I am not a fan of heavier low ventilation helmets personally but if that helmet is safe and gets people wearing helmets it is a a net good.

However don't buy into the carbon offset stuff. However a lot of companies and trying to buy their way out of climate destruction with those.

Alligator

I bought one and absolutely hate it. I’m not sure who’s head they used as a model, but my helmet is more round than it should be and it doesn’t fit well. Even if I adjust it, it still doesn’t fit - and I purchased the correct size.

The magnetic light on the back is cool, but the button is hard to press and it doesn’t use a USB-C connector to charge. I like the hole in the helmet to put my bike lock through, but in all honestly, using the straps is way easier.

I also purchased from Amazon, and it is about 1000x better than the Thousand helmet. Save your money and do not buy the Thousand helmet.

BTinNYC 

I also bought that Giro and really like it. But totally agree with Milton Keynes, because it was a $20 helmet that saved my noggin - cracked it a bit in the crash and replaced it with the Giro. The big difference between the 2 is in the fit and feel, and I find the extra $60 is worth it.

Paul Barnard

Prudent bicyclists will do all that they can to avoid the need for a helmet.

The best helmet is one that you will wear. Those helmets don't look comfortable to me, so I doubt I'd wear one.

Beyond a little head protection, a helmet can also serve to increase visibility. It is the highest point on a bicyclist and often the only part visible above motor vehicles. When that highest point is high visibility and moving, it may help steal the attention of a marginally engaged motorist. Unfortunately most bicycle helmets are asphalt or drab colors.

Giro helmets have been the most comfortable for me. Giro Register is affordable, comfortable and available in highlite yellow color.

urbanknight

Most helmets protect similarly, assuming they passed the tests by whatever is the current agency (currently CPSC in the USA I believe). The higher price tends to be for brand name, style, and ventilation. They all start to deteriorate and should be replaced after about 5 years.

fujimontar

Thanks! Exactly what I was hoping to find - someone who's actually tried it. Appreciate the recommendation, and will definitely check that out!

Great point from everybody re: ventilation and comfort. Thanks everyone!

Iride01 

Oh, by the way... if you are going to be riding in a aero position on a road bike, then check to be certain it doesn't come to low on your brow. Otherwise it will interfere with your forward vision when in the drops and you'll have to crane you neck up very high to see and then you'll be posting about the sore muscles in your neck and what to do about them!

BobbyG

Not enough vents.

Inusuit

I have one and like it but then I'm old and slow. The Thousand appealed to me at least in part because it is not high speed low drag spandex approved. I have never seen another one in this area. It fits me fine and I really don't notice the lack of ventilation. YMMV.

Route 66

They look like something the Royals wear when they're playing polo.
https://www.explorethousand.com/?utm...IaAo2XEALw_wcB

Fredo76

Love my Giro Revel. $50 at Dicks. Has a visor and lots of vents, a sophisticated one-size suspension, and feels like it's not there.

Gear_Admiral 

The $100 helmet will protect you much better than a $20 helmet.

Will the $1,000 helmet protect you 1.25x as much as a the $100 helmet? Sure.

Will the $1,000 helmet protect you 10x as much as a the $100 helmet? No.

Diminishing returns with price.

I would compare it to buying a computer made by Apple. Is the $2000 Apple laptop better than the $350 Acer laptop? Most definitely. Is it leagues better than the $1,400 dollar laptop from another company? Maybe, maybe not.

SirLeaflock

That's really good advice about why not to buy mail order a helmet, but not being a good fit for your head doesn't mean it's a poor choice for someone else. I used to sell motorcycle helmets and I'm confident at least one of the major brands had 3 different ships among their mass market designs, and other brands definitely catered to different head shapes.

I replaced a Bern that was getting aged and uncomfortable with a Giro Register and it has been a much better fit for me than the Bern ever was.

kengrubb

I have a couple of considerations when buying a helmet. Those are: does it fit well, is it comfortable, and can I get replacement pads at the LBS when I bought it?

When I got back into cycling in 2008, I bought a commuter bike, a helmet, and other stuff. I bought more stuff over time. I tried on a couple of helmets there in the shop, and I bought the one that fit well and was comfortable enough. Over time, my helmet became less and less comfortable. I learned about replacement pads only after I bought my second helmet in 2013. Pads wear out and should be replaced about annually. Not all pads fit all helmets, which is why I buy my helmet from an LBS that has the replacement pads.

In 2009, my oldest was eight and took a spill on his bike. He was wearing a helmet, but helmets fitting kids well isn't always a thing. I thought his helmet was adjusted correctly and snug. However, it shifted when he fell, and he hit his head. The helmet took much of the impact, but he got 4 or 5 stitches. It was nothing serious, and there was no concussion.

Over time I've seen people with helmets strapped to their handlebars or bike rack rather than on their heads. I sometimes ask why. With kids, it's usually "My Mom or Dad wants me to wear it." With adults, it's usually "I sometimes ride in places where there are helmet laws, and I have to." So I follow up and ask about comfort, and usually, the answer is no, it's not comfortable.

If a helmet does not fit well and isn't comfortable, people won't wear it. If you don't replace the pads, it won't be comfortable to wear.

My first helmet was $60, the second one was $75, and the third one was $100. I'm not "budgeting up" for helmets, and I don't know that inflation is the factor. So I try on helmets in the LBS, and if it fits, it's comfortable, and they have replacement pads, then that's the one for me.