Favorite Cheap-ish Helmet?
03-04-19, 11:31 AM
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Favorite Cheap-ish Helmet?
To me, "cheap-ish" means under $60 or so. I might be convinced to go a little higher if there's one that good. I'm especially interested in ventilation (I live in Texas) and a bright color option. Detachable visor preferred, but not mandatory.
If it makes a difference, the main purpose is for touring, but I also commute and do some road and (a little) mtb riding for fun. So basically an all-purpose helmet.
Please don't turn this into a helmet-or-not debate. I'm fairly sure that's frowned upon here, and that's not the question I'm asking. I only want to know which helmets y'all would recommend, especially for a good value.
If it makes a difference, the main purpose is for touring, but I also commute and do some road and (a little) mtb riding for fun. So basically an all-purpose helmet.
Please don't turn this into a helmet-or-not debate. I'm fairly sure that's frowned upon here, and that's not the question I'm asking. I only want to know which helmets y'all would recommend, especially for a good value.
03-04-19, 11:45 AM
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Less than $60 is cheap, not "cheap-ish." More ventilation usually=more money. But the most important thing is fit/sizing. Buying on line without trying on can be a crap shoot. Sizing is not consistent and Make A may fit your head worse than Make B.
With that said, here is a cheap MIPS. Only one size left at REI, but maybe you can find it elsewhere:
https://www.rei.com/product/129297/b...ps-bike-helmet
With that said, here is a cheap MIPS. Only one size left at REI, but maybe you can find it elsewhere:
https://www.rei.com/product/129297/b...ps-bike-helmet
03-04-19, 11:45 AM
#3
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Giro makes great stuff at a broad price point. I have a Savant that has served me well for years. It comes in just below your price limit.
03-04-19, 11:53 AM
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Zefal at Walmart for $24. Light, loads of venting and it's held up perfect for the last 7000 miles and a majority were sweaty humid summer rides, it fits me perfect. Not a single pad has slipped, fallen off or has worn out and I typically rinse it with soap and water. I got a Bell Drifter MIPS last month from Jensen for $40 but haven't used it much yet. It weighs more and has less vents. I'll save judgement after a few long summer rides.
Last edited by u235; 03-04-19 at 12:13 PM.
03-04-19, 12:24 PM
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woot.com right now has some closeout bell helmets very cheap including some MIPS models. Generally they only keep stuff on their site for a few days so buy right away if you see something you like.
03-04-19, 12:40 PM
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The Bell Draft MIPS is $60, extremely comfortable (on my head), as light as any other helmet and available in matte black with basically invisible logos. I'm not sure what else I want in a helmet.
03-04-19, 01:06 PM
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FWIW - Giro Indicator is my "summer" helmet. just saw one on ebay for $19. but don't think you should buy an old helmet
this one looks similar
Giro Bronte Sport Helmet $23.65
this one looks similar
Giro Bronte Sport Helmet $23.65
03-04-19, 01:14 PM
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Just bought this for only $60 with mips: Specialized Align
There are less expensive options on Specialized site as well.
There are less expensive options on Specialized site as well.
03-04-19, 01:16 PM
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Specialized Propero. $40-ish.
03-04-19, 01:48 PM
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Those suck, get the Schwinn from Wal-Mart like I have, which I'm 0% certain aren't the exact same helmets with a different sticker 
But seriously I bought a nice Bell at the beginning of last season from Sierra Trading for a massive discount, it is still in its box, I keep putting on the cheap Schwinn I got from Wal-Mart or such a few years back for under $20. It is comfortable, rarely have an issue with heat, and most importantly fits my head.
But seriously I bought a nice Bell at the beginning of last season from Sierra Trading for a massive discount, it is still in its box, I keep putting on the cheap Schwinn I got from Wal-Mart or such a few years back for under $20. It is comfortable, rarely have an issue with heat, and most importantly fits my head.
03-04-19, 01:59 PM
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I pretty much buy the cheap Walmart ones for myself because I find that everything pretty much fits about the same on my head with a little strap adjustment. I have a couple of family members with big heads, and that strategy doesn't work for them at all.
I don't know if anyone has measured this, but I suspect that avoiding black helmets is a good idea if you''re riding in a hot climate. Obviously, black absorbs heat from sunlight better than any color.
I don't know if anyone has measured this, but I suspect that avoiding black helmets is a good idea if you''re riding in a hot climate. Obviously, black absorbs heat from sunlight better than any color.
03-04-19, 03:32 PM
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03-04-19, 03:42 PM
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Those suck, get the Schwinn from Wal-Mart like I have, which I'm 0% certain aren't the exact same helmets with a different sticker
But seriously I bought a nice Bell at the beginning of last season from Sierra Trading for a massive discount, it is still in its box, I keep putting on the cheap Schwinn I got from Wal-Mart or such a few years back for under $20. It is comfortable, rarely have an issue with heat, and most importantly fits my head.
But seriously I bought a nice Bell at the beginning of last season from Sierra Trading for a massive discount, it is still in its box, I keep putting on the cheap Schwinn I got from Wal-Mart or such a few years back for under $20. It is comfortable, rarely have an issue with heat, and most importantly fits my head.
Last edited by u235; 03-04-19 at 07:57 PM.
03-04-19, 04:05 PM
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I've have a Schwinn (Thrasher?) from there too. Great helmet for under $20. I got about two years out of it and I randomly lost the front forehead pad one day. No complaints, I more than got my $18 worth out of it. I went back to buy another one and that is when I tried on the Zefal. The Zefal has more vents and so far has lasted as long. It fits a little better too. My head must be a less flat and more curved at the upper point or I have a hard spot up there. A lot of helmets I've tried seem to contact and put pressure on the very center top of my head. Ones with a vent instead of structure directly in the middle feel better.
03-04-19, 04:33 PM
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03-04-19, 07:18 PM
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To me, "cheap-ish" means under $60 or so. I might be convinced to go a little higher if there's one that good. I'm especially interested in ventilation (I live in Texas) and a bright color option. Detachable visor preferred, but not mandatory.
If it makes a difference, the main purpose is for touring, but I also commute and do some road and (a little) mtb riding for fun. So basically an all-purpose helmet.
Please don't turn this into a helmet-or-not debate. I'm fairly sure that's frowned upon here, and that's not the question I'm asking. I only want to know which helmets y'all would recommend, especially for a good value.
If it makes a difference, the main purpose is for touring, but I also commute and do some road and (a little) mtb riding for fun. So basically an all-purpose helmet.
Please don't turn this into a helmet-or-not debate. I'm fairly sure that's frowned upon here, and that's not the question I'm asking. I only want to know which helmets y'all would recommend, especially for a good value.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Cannondale-Cy...3907627&chn=ps
03-05-19, 01:12 AM
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Check REI. They should have a decent selection of Bell and Giro helmets in the $20-$200 range. Both are entirely comparable. Giro straps are a little softer and the buckles a little easier to manage one-handed. I got a Bell Formula MIPS for right around $60 last summer to replace a Bell Solar that was damaged when I was hit by a car (yup, the helmet saved my noggin from a knock on the pavement). I planned to buy a Giro but the model I wanted wasn't available in stock at REI in hi-vis yellow so I got the Bell. No complaints several months later.
03-05-19, 01:25 AM
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well new i bought a giro vanquish i think it was called , 40 bucks
used i bought a smith over take again 40 bucks , look around helmets are easy to find BRO!
used i bought a smith over take again 40 bucks , look around helmets are easy to find BRO!
03-05-19, 05:46 AM
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Do not remember which model, have been running a lower end Giro the past couple years. Paid around $60 on sale/discounted. Fits well, ventilation is adequate, considering this is Florida and humidity is abundant.
03-05-19, 07:18 AM
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Walmart. Bell. TruFit. Same CPSC rating as the most expensive helmets. MIPS, which might not help but almost certainly doesn't hurt. Under $40.
The shell has little thermal mass, and there's a big layer of styrofoam underneath. But there was a motorcycle study that found riders wearing white helmets were in half as many collisions as riders in black helmets.
...I suspect that avoiding black helmets is a good idea if you''re riding in a hot climate. Obviously, black absorbs heat from sunlight better than any color.
03-05-19, 04:42 PM
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But there was a motorcycle study that found riders wearing white helmets were in half as many collisions as riders in black helmets.
03-06-19, 11:42 AM
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I've used Bell Influx helmets for almost 10 years now ($20-25). Even though it's not a current model I have always been able to find a new one online somewhere, even "stocked" up a couple times!
03-06-19, 05:13 PM
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Walmart. Bell. TruFit. Same CPSC rating as the most expensive helmets. MIPS, which might not help but almost certainly doesn't hurt. Under $40.
.
.
https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicyc...t-ratings.html
