The Chainlink

Bern G2 helmet for commuting versus traditional bike helmet

Right now I use a simple, cheapo Bell Ukon helmet. Black with an attached visor. As the weather is turning colder I'm dealing with all the usual issues of the helmet making my head too cool, without a covering or something under it, or opposite that, too warm if I wear something under it on the colder days. Somehow I stumbled across a link where someone was talking about Bern helmets, probably as an alternative for those who don't want to look like a race-ready roadie whilst on their commute. The slick thing that has me considering these helmets are the optional summer/winter liners, and the vents which can be opened and closed or even partially opened/closed.

I've never seriously considered this type of helmet because it seems to me that when it's 90+F or more out then you're going to be dieing wearing one of these helmets which have such minimal ventilation. Of all the "bike" (they're all apparently multi-sport), helmets that Bern makes, the G2 is supposed to have the best ventilation but I can't imagine it's anywhere near as good as even my cheapo $40 Bell. At the same time, I'm kinda attracted to its utilitarian ugliness (the G2) and like the way it's cut to cover the back of the head. Also, I suspect the G2 might work better with the ski-goggles that I have to wear in the winter to keep my eyes and nose from running continuously. My Bell helmet barely works with my ski goggles, which have to ride fairly low on my nose.

I see lots of folks on wearing this type of skater/skier type helmet and until now I dismissed them as a silly trend, sort of a thumbing-the-nose alternative to the more traditional bike-specific helmet. So, I'm curious now. Does anyone else wear one of these and how do they fair in really hot weather? I'm sure they're probably great in the cooler to cold/booger-freezin' cold weather, but before I more seriously consider one I'd rather know more real world opinions regarding hot weather use.

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on October 11, 2012 at 6:29pm

I'm currently using a Giro Reverb, which is in the same class as the berns - an urban helmet.

I also used to own a bern brentwood.

I find that this style of helmet uses minimal ventilation in comparison to a typical 'road bike' helmet. My head absolutely cooks when it's warmer and I find that I have to wash the visor piece pretty frequently because it gets stained with salt from my sweat. 

Now that it's been cooler, it's pretty awesome to wear. I guess there are some trade-offs to make. For me, I didn't want to look like a racing roadie any time I got on my bike. I'm figuring at some point, I just may bite the bullet and buy a traditional road helmet for warmer weather.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 11, 2012 at 7:56pm

My wife has a Bern and likes it in the summer but she's got a LOT of hair so I guess she is used to her head not breathing.  

I have a multi-sport hardshell that is pretty hot -but looking at the more-full coverage I bet it has a lot more protection than a typical lightweight roadie foam hair-net.   It is also a lot warmer in the winter.   

Wear what is comfortable to you, fits your budget, and is right for the weather at the time.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 11, 2012 at 8:38pm

I don't know how my wife can stand all that hair on her head but I'm not complaining.  

My head gets HOT when I'm active and I have almost no hair on my head -especially on the top.  But I still have to wear some kind of head covering or else I get a sunburn on my balding scalp.  I have to put up with the heat of having a hat or other covering whenever I am in the daylight.   Under my road helmet I need to have a bike cap or beenie to keep from getting burned as my helmet doesn't provide much sun protection with a full coverage.

I tried growing my hair out about 6 years ago and because it was so thin it just looked horrible.  i looked like the crypt-keeper from TV even with 7-8' of length.  It just didn't work for me.  I'm jealous of folks who can be long-haired hippies...

Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on October 11, 2012 at 10:53pm

A Bern helmet that was tested in Consumer Reports a month or two ago only just passed the tests. Another option for winter would be a (CPSC rated so OK for biking) ski helmet - some have vents you can open or close. Why not have different helmets for different conditions?

Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on October 11, 2012 at 11:17pm

I have been using the G2 for about 2 years and am a big fan. The interchangeable winter summer liner is just damn awesome! I usually have to open the vents on most winter rides after I get warmed up and have been in the sub-zero stuff with a warm head. Spring/fall is really where this helmet excels, the sun goes down and the temp quickly drops just flip the vent closed and BOOM warm head! Now the mild downfall. July and August are a bit warm, mainly when you stop at a light or when you have warmed up, it just does not push/pull enough air out of the helmet. When moving it is not too bad but if you do not have a steady pace the whole ride bring a towel, your gonna need it. Most standard summer nights it will be just fine but when it gets hot your going to be warm.

Permalink Reply by Ash L. on October 13, 2012 at 2:28pm

Have you tried on Bern helmets? I bought my G2 sight unseen thinking the winter liner would make it great for winter riding. The venting option is great and the goggle clip in the back is helpful for its intended purpose as well as clipping on a Planet Bike blinkie. 

Here comes the but. The helmet fits fine with the winter liner in but is way too big with the summer liner. It flops back and forth on my head and wouldn't do a damn thing for me in a crash. So it's basically a $100+ helmet that I only use two or three months a year. The winter liner is also lined with some synthetic fur that stays wet with sweat for hours and then stinks terribly so I typically end up keeping the summer liner in adjusting the fit by adding a Kozie Prery cycling cap to my head. 

I got a Giro multi sport helmet for my daughter to use for winter riding and it's significantly better than my Bern and cost 1/3 the price. 

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on October 13, 2012 at 5:43pm

I have a traditional Bell helmet and I use a yellow Jandd cover when it gets colder.  It works for me.

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