Best Helmet Money Can Buy?
02-23-16, 04:41 PM
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Best Helmet Money Can Buy?
First post and already looking for some help from you guys!
I want to start biking to work every day to get my sorry self into shape. Safety is my chief concern as I have a family. I want to buy the best helmet money can buy.
Found this list: Bike Helmet - Expert Grade but I don't know which to pick.
I obviously don't care about speed/looks, just keeping my noggin' in tact. Does it matter or will any of those in the list be good?
I want to start biking to work every day to get my sorry self into shape. Safety is my chief concern as I have a family. I want to buy the best helmet money can buy.
Found this list: Bike Helmet - Expert Grade but I don't know which to pick.
I obviously don't care about speed/looks, just keeping my noggin' in tact. Does it matter or will any of those in the list be good?
02-23-16, 04:50 PM
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I have a Giro Synthe MIPS and had a crash at 16mph a few months ago. The helmet needed to be replaced but it saved me from a concussion. Giro gave me 30% off on a replacement.
02-23-16, 04:50 PM
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An older road bike. If I were home I'd go in the garage and get you the brand, but they are skinny tires and a typical road bike tire diameter I believe.
02-23-16, 05:03 PM
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February ? Get a Bike_Ski Helmet like Bern, winter liner to keep your ears Warm.
when it warms Up then think about a more ventilated summer Helmet.
and dont ride like its a race , when You are in Traffic.
when it warms Up then think about a more ventilated summer Helmet.
and dont ride like its a race , when You are in Traffic.
02-23-16, 05:03 PM
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Bell Solar. Reasonably light, good quality, looks decent, one size fits most, and you can get one for $20 online, $30 at your lbs, and will protect your head as well as most $200 helmets.
02-23-16, 07:28 PM
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Welcome to the forum. More important than a helmet is to avoid the need for a helmet. This is a great book written by one of our forum members. Buy it, read it and apply its lessons.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Urban-.../dp/0762727837
That'll go further toward protecting you than a helmet. The efficacy of a helmet is a hotly debated topic here. I don't get involved in those debates. I simply ask myself when I look at all the things my head could strike if I'd like a layer of sacrificial foam in between me and those objects. Do some research on helmets. Read stuff in favor of helmets and stuff against helmets. Make an informed decision.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Urban-.../dp/0762727837
That'll go further toward protecting you than a helmet. The efficacy of a helmet is a hotly debated topic here. I don't get involved in those debates. I simply ask myself when I look at all the things my head could strike if I'd like a layer of sacrificial foam in between me and those objects. Do some research on helmets. Read stuff in favor of helmets and stuff against helmets. Make an informed decision.
02-23-16, 07:35 PM
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Wait I thought all the people advocating not wearing helmets were trolling...
Is there some kind of research that supports not wearing a helmet?
Is there some kind of research that supports not wearing a helmet?
02-23-16, 08:06 PM
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Welcome to the forum. More important than a helmet is to avoid the need for a helmet. This is a great book written by one of our forum members. Buy it, read it and apply its lessons.
The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street: Robert Hurst, Marla Streb: 9780762727834: Amazon.com: Books
That'll go further toward protecting you than a helmet. The efficacy of a helmet is a hotly debated topic here. I don't get involved in those debates. I simply ask myself when I look at all the things my head could strike if I'd like a layer of sacrificial foam in between me and those objects. Do some research on helmets. Read stuff in favor of helmets and stuff against helmets. Make an informed decision.
The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street: Robert Hurst, Marla Streb: 9780762727834: Amazon.com: Books
That'll go further toward protecting you than a helmet. The efficacy of a helmet is a hotly debated topic here. I don't get involved in those debates. I simply ask myself when I look at all the things my head could strike if I'd like a layer of sacrificial foam in between me and those objects. Do some research on helmets. Read stuff in favor of helmets and stuff against helmets. Make an informed decision.
Very good book. It really doesn't cover everything but a start. You can get a used one for a penny on Amazon! Well worth the read.
02-23-16, 08:39 PM
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Last edited by goraman; 02-23-16 at 08:43 PM.
02-23-16, 08:53 PM
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02-23-16, 08:55 PM
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No matter what amount of money you spend to protect your head, the way you use your head while riding is what really offers a priceless return of investment.
02-23-16, 09:17 PM
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People would be many, many times safer wearing a helmet ... and a HANS deice while driving a car .... Suggest biking without a helmet and the folks who think that seatbelts will save them, will insult your for hours.
As far as I can tell, sometimes they help, sometimes not. I do not buy the folks who claim they engender risky behavior, but I don't think they are necessary.
Funnily enough, I feel naked and exposed off-road without a helmet, and burdened on the road wearing the same helmet. So yeah ... there is no secure, rational position here. the $200 Mips helmet might save your life, but a $16 closeout special might have as well, and there is no way to tell.
The "best" helmets on the market seem to be the Mips helmets---meaning that in certain laboratory tests they provide marginally more protection than a bandana. In the real world, just be sure only to crash in ways duplicating those lab tests.
As far as I can tell, sometimes they help, sometimes not. I do not buy the folks who claim they engender risky behavior, but I don't think they are necessary.
Funnily enough, I feel naked and exposed off-road without a helmet, and burdened on the road wearing the same helmet. So yeah ... there is no secure, rational position here. the $200 Mips helmet might save your life, but a $16 closeout special might have as well, and there is no way to tell.
The "best" helmets on the market seem to be the Mips helmets---meaning that in certain laboratory tests they provide marginally more protection than a bandana. In the real world, just be sure only to crash in ways duplicating those lab tests.
02-23-16, 09:21 PM
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Any good helmet is fine for safety. The POC and Giro MIPS features provide some added safety. The importsnt thing is try some on to be they fit comfortably and securely. Ventilation is good for the summer. For cold weather you can wear a skull cap under.
02-23-16, 09:33 PM
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Last November, I crashed at 16mph but luckily I was wearing a helmet and only had minor injures. Last Monday I was walking to my car and slipped on black ice and smacked my head. After spending a good part of the night at the ER it was determined that I suffered a concision. Maybe I should of been wearing a helmet.
02-23-16, 09:41 PM
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Should have
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Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 02-24-16 at 08:13 PM.
02-23-16, 10:12 PM
#20
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Does it matter? 
Nice. Didn't know that. Are their forum user names their real names?
Dude you need to be more careful in future. 
This is a great book written by one of our forum members. Buy it, read it and apply its lessons.
The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street: Robert Hurst, Marla Streb: 9780762727834: Amazon.com: Books
The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street: Robert Hurst, Marla Streb: 9780762727834: Amazon.com: Books
02-23-16, 10:14 PM
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Snell foundation tests helmets for Motor sports ., Applicable in pedal Bikes? DIY research.
02-23-16, 10:44 PM
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Any helmet thats is sold in the US (probably it's the same in other countries also) has to be rated for safety, so the $15 Walmart helmet will protect you the same as the $250 Specialized, but the Walmart one will not be as "Specialized" looking.
You have to make sure you're buying an original product and not a pirated one, though, I read that's a major issue these days.
Also, as you already experienced, helmets are good for one crash and one crash only, so if you are (hopefully not)involved in another one, replace the helmet even if it looks pristine.
02-24-16, 01:15 AM
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The best helmet for you is one that fits the size and shape of your head.
I prefer MET helmets, they use a flexible nylon head-band which adjusts all round, no messing with foam pads.
Cheaper models have more helmet and less air. The fewer holes are large enough to fit a bike lock.
Helmets last perhaps 3-5 years in daily use, so it isn't worth spending hundreds on a race-level model, they have better venting but same protection.
Don't forget gloves to protect your hands.
Cycling on the road with cars is much safer if you familiarize yourself with the common causes of crashing; they are well known and can be avoided, leaving only the rare, freak incidents to catch you out.
I prefer MET helmets, they use a flexible nylon head-band which adjusts all round, no messing with foam pads.
Cheaper models have more helmet and less air. The fewer holes are large enough to fit a bike lock.
Helmets last perhaps 3-5 years in daily use, so it isn't worth spending hundreds on a race-level model, they have better venting but same protection.
Don't forget gloves to protect your hands.
Cycling on the road with cars is much safer if you familiarize yourself with the common causes of crashing; they are well known and can be avoided, leaving only the rare, freak incidents to catch you out.